Aubrey’s pov ;
I watched Ryder's sleeping face, my mind was a mess of thoughts and emotions. His features were softened by sleep, the usual sharpness in his expression gone. It should’ve been the perfect moment to clear my head, to remind myself of why I’m here, why I stayed. But instead, I felt a hollow ache growing inside me.
Last night…I still couldn't fully grasp how it happened.
Maybe I was blinded by everything that had gone wrong — Gregory, the fear, the desperation. When Ryder’s arms wrapped around me, it was like I found the one place where I could let go of all the terror, the panic that had taken hold. His touch last night soothed me, his presence calmed me down, but I also knew I was being selfish. I’d wanted comfort, and his arms had provided that escape.
But now…I regret it.