Chapter 45. Adjusting—Or Not

Vanessa's POV

The cold morning air brushed against my cheeks as I stepped outside the Garcias’ mansion, slamming the heavy door behind me. My heart pounded, anger and hurt brewing in my chest as his words still echoed in my mind.

"You’re so clumsy, clueless, and dumb."

I’d always known he hated me, but knowing that whatever happened last night wasn’t my fault—and yet he blamed me relentlessly—it stung.

I wrapped my arms tighter around myself as I marched down the driveway, refusing to let the tears that blurred my vision fall. I didn’t have a plan—only one thought played on repeat in my mind: I’m done. I’m not going back. He can do as he pleases.

***

The next day felt utterly different from what my usual mornings were like, and so were the days after.

For the first time in what felt like years, I wasn’t rushing to meet Andre Garcia’s impossible deadlines or trying to keep up with his mood swings. My mornings were slow, with