Chapter 48 : Silent Cries and Loud Goodbyes
Ruby’s POV
I didn’t know how I made it this far.
The forest blurred around me—trees bending, moonlight warping through tear-stained eyes. My steps were uneven, hurried, like I could outrun the ache clawing its way up my throat. I didn’t care where I was going. I just needed to be away. Away from them… from him.
From the version of Alaric that smiled at her the way he used to smile at me.
I stumbled into a clearing, breath hitching as I dropped to my knees in the damp grass. My fingers dug into the earth, and I couldn’t hold it anymore. Everything broke free—tears, sobs, all the weight I’d carried for too long.
“I hate this…” I whispered, voice cracked and hoarse. “I hate feeling like this…”
My shoulders shook as I curled in on myself, bury
