Silent Scars

CHAPTER 15

The house was quiet, an unnatural stillness that felt more suffocating than peaceful. Aria sat on the edge of her bed. The breakfast tray Luca had brought her remained untouched on the nightstand, its contents cold and uninviting.

Her fingers hovered over the notepad on her lap. She'd scribbled a single word "Thank you". But couldn't bring herself to write more.

A soft knock on the door startled her. Ariana's heart raced as she froze, instinctively lowering her gaze.

"It's me. "

Came Kendric's voice, a mix of hesitation and cheer.

"I'm coming in."

The door creaked open, and Kendric poked his head inside. His schoolbag hung lazily over one shoulder, and his hair was slightly disheveled. He stepped in, shutting the door softly behind him.

"Morning."

He said, leaning against the doorframe. When she didn't respond, he gestured toward the tray on the nightstand.

"Not a fan of Luca's famous toast and eggs, huh? Honestly, I don't blame you. He tends to burn the edges."

Ariana glanced briefly at the tray but remained silent, her eyes darting back down to her lap.

Kendric shifted awkwardly, clearly trying to find the right words.

"You know, when Luca first started cooking, we thought he was trying to poison us. Marcus used to pretend to faint after every bite just to mess with him. He'd yell, 'Call the ambulance!' and then Luca would freak out."

He chuckled, waiting for some sort of reaction, but Ariana didn't even look up. Her grip on the notepad tightened.

Undeterred, Kendric continued, pulling out the chair from her desk and sitting backward on it, his arms resting on the backrest.

"Okay, tough crowd. How about this one? Why did the chicken cross the road?"

He paused dramatically.

"To get away from Luca's cooking."

The joke fell flat, the silence in the room growing heavier. Ariana's shoulders tensed as if she were bracing for something, though Kendric couldn't tell what.

"Alright."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Maybe comedy's not my thing. I'll leave that to Luca. He's got the weird sense of humor in the family anyway."

He glanced at her again, his brow furrowing at her withdrawn posture. She looked so small, so fragile, like she was trying to make herself invisible.

"Hey"

He said softly.

"It's okay. I get it. This whole situation... it's weird for all of us. But you're not alone anymore, okay? You've got us now." 

He offered her a small, tentative smile. Ariana's lips trembled as she considered his words. She wanted to believe him, but the walls she'd built around herself were high and unyielding.

Ariana didn't respond. Kendric sighed, standing up and adjusting the strap of his schoolbag.

"I gotta head to class."

He said.

"But... if you need anything, you can tell me. Or just let Luca know. He's better at this stuff than I am."

He lingered by the door for a moment, hesitating.

"And hey, I know I'm not funny. But maybe one day, I'll crack a joke that gets a smile out of you. That's my new mission."

Ariana's head tilted slightly, as if she were considering his words, but she didn't look up.

"Take care, okay?"

Kendric said, his voice a little quieter now. He left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

---------------------------------------------------

Downstairs, Marcus leaned against the kitchen counter, his phone pressed to his ear. He tapped his fingers impatiently as the line rang for what felt like the tenth time.

"Pick up, damn it."

He muttered.

Finally, a familiar voice answered, groggy and irritated.

"What do you want?"

Domain's voice came through the receiver, laced with annoyance.

"It's about time Dom."

Marcus snapped.

"Where the hell are you? Leonardo's losing it, and honestly, so am I."

"I'm fine, Marcus. Relax."

"Don't tell me to relax. You've been gone for three days without a word. Do you have any idea what's going on here?"

Domain sighed, the sound of rustling fabric in the background.

"I needed some space, alright? Things have been... complicated."

"Complicated doesn't mean you can disappear."

Marcus shot back.

"Leo wants you home. Today."

There was a pause, and Marcus could almost hear Domain rolling his eyes.

"Fine. I'll be there by tonight."

"Good"

Marcus said, his tone firm.

"Don't make me come looking for you."

The call ended abruptly, and Marcus tossed his phone onto the counter with a frustrated sigh.

"Trouble with Domain?"

Luca asked, stepping into the kitchen.

"What else is new?"

Marcus muttered, grabbing his coffee cup.

"He's coming back tonight. Hopefully."

"Good"

Luca said, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"Leonardo won't rest until everyone's under the same roof."

"Yeah, well, let's hope Domain doesn't stir up more drama when he gets here."

Marcus grumbled.

Luca didn't respond, his thoughts drifting back to Ariana. He couldn't shake the feeling that her silence wasn't just from grief but from something deeper, something that none of them had figured out yet.

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