Chapter 180. Breakfast at the Gazebo

Aurora’s POV

A small, delighted laugh escaped me. “Here, of all places? You do know this is my favorite spot, don’t you?”

His lips twitched into a ghost of a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Of course I do.” He poured me a cup of coffee, his movements precise but strangely tense. I watched as he placed a plate in front of me, serving me breakfast like it was the most natural thing in the world. Yet, something about the way he held himself, the way his hands briefly hesitated, made my stomach twist with unease.

I reached for his hand before he could pull away. “Caleb… what’s wrong?”

He exhaled sharply, looking down at our joined hands before his fingers curled around mine.

“I’m sorry, Aurora.”

My brows furrowed. “Sorry?”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he just stared at the table, as if gathering the courage to speak. When he finally did, his voice was low, laced with something heavy. “As your mate, I failed you.” He sw