**Gaia's POV**

We returned to Volcano Valley Pack as the afternoon sun began its descent toward the mountains.

Ryan remained silent throughout the journey, his taped mouth preventing any further crude remarks. The tears had dried on his face, leaving salt tracks across his bruised skin. Whether his remorse at Triya's grave had been genuine or merely performative, I couldn't say—and frankly, I didn't care. He had served his purpose.

Despite everything he'd done to me, I ...