Chapter 73
Fractures
(Maya’s POV)
The air in the countryside was softer. The wind carried the faint scent of grapes and soil, and for the first time in days, I could almost breathe again. Jason’s vineyard stretched across the hills like an endless sea of green, and somewhere in the distance, Jamie’s laughter echoed as he chased Amber through the vines.
It should have been peaceful. It should have felt like a sanctuary. But peace didn’t reach my chest anymore.
I sat on the terrace with a mug of coffee, staring at my silent phone on the table. It had been two days since the dean called to tell me I was fired.
Fired.
He hadn’t even tried to hide his glee. “We cannot afford any more negative publicity, Dr. Sinclair,” he had said smugly. “Your… associations have damaged our reputation.”
