Silent Scars

CHAPTER 16

𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚞𝚙𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎 >ᴗ<

Leonardo paced in his office, his mind churning with questions he couldn't shake. Ariana's silence wasn't just unusual, it was impenetrable. Her behavior was cautious, almost fearful, and it nagged at him.

Leonardo tapped his fingers against his desk, his irritation bubbling to the surface. Aria's silence was beginning to gnaw at him, not out of concern, but because it complicated things. He couldn't help her, or interrogate her if she wouldn't speak.

His gaze flicked to his phone. He scrolled through the contacts until he found Mrs. Lila's number and pressed call. The line buzzed for a moment before her warm, professional voice answered.

"Mr. Hastings"

Came Mrs. Lila's calm voice.

"I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon. Is everything alright with Aria?"

Leonardo didn't bother with pleasantries.

"Why didn't you tell me Ariana doesn't talk?"

His voice was sharp, leaving no room for evasion.

There was a pause on the other end before Mrs. Lila answered.

"I was hoping it wouldn't become an issue... but I suppose I should have addressed it sooner. She isn't completely mute, Mr. Hastings. Aria is selectively mute."

"Selectively mute?"

Leonardo asked, his tone edged with impatience.

"And you didn't think this was important enough to mention?"

"She communicates through notes, so I didn't think it would be an issue. And honestly, I thought perhaps being with her family might encourage her to open up."

Mrs. Lila explained carefully.

Leonardo leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening.

"This isn't about what you thought, Mrs. Lila. This is about information I should've been given before she showed up at my door. I've been stumbling around trying to figure out why she won't say a single word, and you left me in the dark."

"I didn't want to risk her being turned away."

Mrs. Lila admitted, her tone softening.

"Children like Aria... they've been through enough being judged for things they can't control."

Leonardo exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin.

"I'm not here to debate your decisions. I just wanted to know why you didn't tell me. That's all."

Mrs. Lila hesitated but continued.

"She's been like this since she was very young. Her teachers mentioned it to her mother, but nothing ever changed. Her mother claimed it was just how Aria was quiet, shy, not comfortable around strangers. But..."

She trailed off, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Whatever had happened to her wasn't his concern, not yet, anyway. His only priority was figuring out what her presence in his house meant for his family.

"Fine"

He said curtly.

"Next time, tell me everything I need to know upfront. No surprises."

"Of course, Mr. Hastings"

Mrs. Lila replied, her voice tinged with weariness.

Without another word, Leonardo ended the call. He set the phone down, his focus already shifting away from the conversation.

Aria's silence might complicate things, but it wouldn't stop him from getting the answers he needed, on his terms, not hers.

His office was a space of control, precision, and purpose. But today, it felt suffocating. Papers that required his signature lay untouched, his laptop screen idled on a half-finished email. The one thing he couldn't shake, no matter how hard he tried, was Ariana's silence.

It wasn't grief alone, he was sure of that much. Something about her behavior didn't add up. Yes, she had lost her parents only days ago. Yes, she was young and in an unfamiliar house with strangers who claimed to be her brothers. But there was something else, a guardedness that bordered on fear.

Leaning back in his chair, Leonardo rubbed his temples. She avoided eye contact, flinched at loud noises, and barely touched her food. It could all be explained by grief... but it could just as easily be a facade.

His suspicion nagged at him.

If she wasn't who she claimed to be, why this act? Why pretend to be their sister? Was she planted by one of his rivals, or was there another angle he hadn't seen yet?

The pieces didn't fit neatly into the puzzle he was trying to solve.

And since Domain would come back today it's not going to be easy. Domain wouldn't be gentle with her.

His younger brother was volatile, quick to anger, and prone to suspicion. He didn't believe in second chances or sob stories, and Leonardo had no doubt he'd see Ariana as an imposter until proven otherwise.