Aurora’s P.O.V

Shane’s eyes widened in pure disbelief, the light in them flickering with cautious hope as my words settled in. “You… You really mean that?” His voice carried the weight of uncertainty, almost as if he feared this was some cruel trick his mind was playing on him. His hands clenched into tight fists at his sides, and for a brief moment, I saw the way his shoulders tensed—waiting, maybe even bracing for me to take it all back. 

I exhaled softly, feeling ...