Chapter 317. Who I Used to Be

Aurora’s POV

I didn’t want to cry, not again. Not in front of him. I turned my back to Caleb, forcing one foot in front of the other, hoping the sound of my footsteps would drown out the ache in my chest. The words I wanted to scream clung to my throat like they didn’t trust me to say them right. That’s when I felt his fingers wrap around my wrist-warm, firm, certain.

“Aurora, stop,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, but it trembled with urgency. “Please. Just let me talk to you for a second.”

I hesitated, eyes shut tightly as I clenched my jaw. My body stilled even though my heart begged me to run.

“Caleb, don’t-”

“No,” he interrupted gently, stepping closer, his fingers trailing down until they entwined with mine.

“You don’t get to walk away thinking you’re wrong for being who you are.”

I opened my eyes, but I didn’t look at him. I stared at the ground like it had answers I didn’t. But Caleb wasn’t having any of it. He took