Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 254: Affectionate Child

Astrid's

POV

Ryker barged into the room, taking everyone by surprise. All eyes turned to his small figure, momentarily stunned by his sudden entrance.

Full of energy just moments before, Ryker suddenly froze when he saw us, his throat constricting as he took in the unfamiliar faces.

The weight of our gazes seemed to pin him down, and I could see his breath quicken, a flicker of anxiety crossing his features.

Before his emotions could consume him, his gaze suddenly landed on mine. I gazed softly at him and gave him a warm smile to encourage him and calm him down.

As soon as he recognized who I was, a flicker of calm washed over him, and I watched as he focused intently on me, the tension in his body beginning to ease.

After my encounter with him in the garden, I did some research about autism and learned about several symptoms and tendencies that autism might exhibit.

Ryker and I had only crossed paths a few times, but something about him drew me in, igniting a desire to understand him better.

One of the things I discovered was that crowds could trigger overwhelming feelings, leading to emotional distress. I learned that helping him focus on one thing could improve his clarity of mind.

I felt a surge of relief that I was able to help him find that focus. My research was not in vain.

you doing here?" Giselle asked, worry etched across her face as she looked at her son standing before us. Her

she finished speaking, another person rushed into the room, breathless and flustered. It was his nanny, her eyes wide with

tired already," she gasped,

I sensed the sudden shift in the room as his nanny's eyes widened, taking in the gathering. Her eyes almost bulged out of their sockets when she realized what they

shirt, looking up at me with a bright smile that contrasted

they looked back at me with interest, their expressions a mix of curiosity and

me a glare that could have melted

my negligence,

fear. "Ryker and were just taking a walk outside when he suddenly ran off. I've been trying to chase after him, but he's so fast! He looked

shiny rock, his eyes sparkling with

I admired the heart-shaped stone in my palm, a smile spread across my face.

then nodded earnestly, his expression serious yet proud.

I told him, holding the rock up

at my words, the anxiety from earlier dissipating as he took in my

cut through the warmth. "Why are you just standing there? Go and take Ryker out of here. You are disturbing the guests,"

as she glanced between Ryker and Giselle. She hurriedly moved to take Ryker

to give me a gift," I said, defending Ryker as I held up the heart-shaped

up, his voice cutting through the tension. "This is new!

let alone

him. Yet here he is, running around to find you and give

gesture truly was. It filled me with warmth to know that he had chosen to share this moment