Aubrey’s pov ;
I stood there, still reeling from the chaos that Sage had created. My head throbbed from the employees whispers and exchanged glances.
Sage continued to cry and whine, clutching Ryder as if her life depended on it.
And Ryder—he stood there, his face full of confusion and something else I couldn’t quite place. But it wasn’t the sharp disapproval I expected. No, there was something softer in his gaze as he glanced at me.
"It must be a misunderstanding," Ryder said, his voice calm, though I could tell he wasn’t entirely sure. He still hadn’t let go of Sage, who was clinging to him, tears streaming down her face.
I froze. Did he just defend me?