Chapter 229. Not the Same Person

Aurora’s POV

I watched the way Caleb’s brow arched, his lips parting slightly in confusion as he turned to look at me. His expression was almost comical in its surprise, and if I wasn’t so thrown off myself, I might’ve laughed. Instead, I just shook my head, arms crossed tightly over my chest as I leaned against him once again, staring blankly out the window like I might find some answers in the falling leaves outside.

“She just… asked me for help,” I said, my voice coming out softer than I expected. “Not even in that condescending, fake nice way she used to. It was real. Genuine. And I swear to the Moon, Caleb, I don’t understand how that happened. A few months ago, Mia hated my guts. Like, full-blown loathing. Every time I walked into the room, she either rolled her eyes or found a way to comment on my ‘fragile human energy’ like I wasn’t standing right there.” I turned to look at him, meeting his gaze, searching his face for some kind of explanation. “Now she’s