Ryan’s Pov
I pulled the car to a stop in front of Aurora’s apartment building. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I scanned the building’s exterior—chipped paint, cracked windows, and an aura of neglect that made my skin crawl. This wasn’t a place for her. Not for my little one.
Aurora reached for the door handle, pausing to glance at me. Her delicate features were tinged with exhaustion, yet she still managed a small, polite smile. It was the same smile she’d given me earlier, as if she had to reassure me that she was fine.
She wasn’t fine. I could see it, feel it. And leaving her here felt like abandoning her to the wolves.
“Be ready tomorrow morning,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “We leave early.”
She nodded, murmuring a soft, “Thank you,” before stepping out of the car
