Chapter 246. Running From Me

Aurora’s POV

I could see Riley just ahead of me, his small body trembling, his face twisted with fear, and for the first time, I saw it clearly—the hurt in his eyes, the betrayal. He wasn’t just running from me; he was running from everything I’d done. From all the lies and all the misunderstandings that had led us here. He wasn’t just scared of what I might say anymore; he was terrified of me, terrified of the truth I had hidden from him. My heart twisted painfully in my chest.

“Riley, wait!” I finally called out, my voice cracking as I reached out a trembling hand. He didn’t stop. Instead, he picked up speed, his small feet pounding against the ground, his breath coming faster as he ran away from me. I could feel the ache in my bones, the desperation clawing at me to make him understand, to make him see that I wasn’t trying to hurt him. I was never trying to hurt him.

“Riley!” I shouted again, my voice louder this time, but it only seemed to push him furth