**Gaia's POV**

"Yes." The word comes out steady despite the tears still wet on my cheeks. "I should leave."

Aurora is right. This moment crystallizes the truth I've been avoiding—there's nothing left for me here at Rose Heart. Not after what I saw.

"I'll leave today," I say.

Aurora turns to go, then pauses. "Gaia." Her voice carries something almost like respect. "You're a brave girl. If you hadn't brought so much disaster to Rose ...