Chapter 48
The moment Aurora was pulled into her mother’s arms, her jagged, racking screams collapsed into quiet, hitching sobs. She clung to Rylee’s subconscious form, her own small spirit finally finding the peace that had been stripped away the second she was taken. Rylee remained on her knees, burying her face in Aurora’s hair and cradling her tiny head with trembling hands.
“Aurora, I’m sorry. Mommy is so, so sorry,” Rylee cooed, her voice thick with the crushing guilt of every lost hour. “I’m here now. I’ve got you. I’m never letting go.”
“Rylee, listen to me,” Amelia’s voice cut through the emotional fog, sharp and grounded. “Her distress is the beacon. It’s what allowed you to bridge the gap. Calming her is important, but if you soothe her too much, she’ll let go of the fear tha
