Aurora’s POV
The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I had shattered something.
Demetri’s face… his entire presence… crumbled beneath the weight of my vow. I had never seen him look so... broken. But I didn’t care. He deserved it. He deserved every ounce of pain, every piece of the torment he felt now.
Because he had destroyed me first.
I turned on my heel, my chest heaving as I stormed out of the room. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. If I did, I wasn’t sure what I’d see—what I’d feel.
My vision blurred as I raced up the grand staircase, my pulse roaring in my ears. My legs burned, but I didn’t stop until I reached my room. The moment I crossed the threshold, I slammed the door behind me, locking it as if I could somehow keep the world out.
A sob tore from my throat.
I pressed my
