Time slipped by without Marian noticing.
One moment Marian was answering emails, the familiar rhythm of work steadying her thoughts, and the next she glanced at the corner of her screen and realized it was almost noon. The soft hum of the office around her—keyboards clicking, phones ringing, muted conversations—felt distant, like background noise to a life she was already beginning to step away from.
Her phone vibrated.
Daniel: Lunch in about 20. Isabella’s excited. We’ll drop you back after.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
She typed back quickly.
Marian: Sounds good. I’ll leave early after lunch. I already spoke with NY—proposal’s approved. Officially on vacation after.
There it was. The word sat heavier than she expected.
Vacation.
Freedom.
Or maybe just space to breathe.
Sh
