Silent Scars

CHAPTER 29

The morning sun filtered through the grand windows as Aria descended the staircase, her movements hesitant. She stayed close to Luca, whose quiet presence offered a sliver of comfort amidst the anxiety curling in her chest.

The faint murmur of voices reached her ears before she stepped into the dining room, the low timbre of conversation belonging to men who shared her blood but felt like strangers.

As they entered, all eyes turned toward her. Aria instinctively lowered her gaze, her fingers gripping the fabric of her sleeves.

Leonardo sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding yet unyielding. To his left sat Marcus, calm and calculating as ever, his sharp eyes momentarily locking onto Aria before he returned to his coffee. Across from Marcus was an empty seat, while Kendric and Luca occupied the other two spots further down the table.

The chair furthest from them all caught her attention, a safe distance away where no one could focus on her. She moved toward it, her steps tentative.

"Ariana."

She froze mid-movement, her heart skipping a beat.

"Sit here."

Leonardo gestured to the empty chair beside him, his tone firm but not unkind.

Aria's pulse quickened as she reluctantly obeyed, the weight of everyone's gaze pressing down on her as she took the seat next to him. Her hands clenched under the table, her discomfort evident in the way her shoulders tensed.

Breakfast was a spread of eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, and steaming cups of coffee. The aroma was warm and inviting, but Aria's stomach churned.

Luca gave her an encouraging look from across the table, his expression calm and reassuring.

Kendric, seated beside her, offered a small smile as he poured himself a glass of orange juice.

Aria hesitated before reaching for a serving spoon. Her hand trembled as she tried to scoop food onto her plate, the ache in her forearms making her movements unsteady. She silently cursed her body for betraying her in this moment.

Before she could drop the spoon, a hand reached over, steadying hers.

Startled, she glanced up to find Leonardo watching her, his expression unreadable.

He took the spoon from her trembling fingers and wordlessly served her a portion of scrambled eggs and toast.

"Eat."

He said softly, his tone far gentler than she'd ever heard from him.

Aria stared at her plate, momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected this, Leonardo, the cold and distant, showing even a hint of kindness.

"Do you like pancakes?"

Kendric's voice broke the silence.

She turned her head slightly toward him, unsure how to respond.

"They're good."

He added quickly, his words light and hopeful.

After a pause, Aria gave a small, hesitant nod.

Kendric's grin widened.

Across the table, Luca's lips curved into a faint smile, his gaze flicking between the two of them.

The moment of calm was shattered when Domain stumbled into the room, his hair disheveled and his shirt wrinkled. He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes bleary with sleep as he scanned the table.

His gaze landed on Aria, and something shifted in his expression, something sharp and unwelcoming.

"Good of you to join us."

Marcus remarked dryly, taking a sip of his coffee.

Domain dropped into the chair beside Luca, his posture lazy but his eyes fixed on Aria.

She stiffened under his scrutiny, her appetite vanishing as her hands clenched in her lap.

Leonardo noticed.

"Eat Dom."

Leonardo commanded to domain, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Domain smirked faintly but complied, grabbing a piece of toast. His gaze, however, never left Aria.

Domain muttered something under his breath, his lips curling into a sneer.

Aria pushed the food around her plate, the knot in her stomach growing tighter. Luca noticed her discomfort and opened his mouth to intervene, but Leonardo spoke first.

"Are you finished?"

He asked, his voice even.

Aria nodded quickly, desperate for an excuse to leave.

"You haven't even eaten half of it."

He observed.

"Not hungry?"

She nodded again, her movements stiff and mechanical.

"Attention seeker."

Domain muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

The words hit Aria like a punch to the chest, dredging up memories she'd fought hard to bury.

Her mother and stepfather had called her the same thing, their voices dripping with disdain.

Her hands fisted in her lap, her knuckles turning white as she fought to keep her composure.

Leonardo's gaze flicked to Domain, sharp and warning.

"Ariana, you can go."

She didn't wait for further permission. Rising from her chair, she walked out of the room, her steps quick and unsteady.

By the time she reached her room, Aria's stomach was in knots. She barely made it to the bathroom before she vomited, the stress of the morning overwhelming her fragile body. When it was over, she slumped against the cold tile, her limbs weak and trembling.

The knock at her door startled her, pulling her out of her haze.

𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢.

She thought, her heart pounding. But when she cracked the door open, it wasn't Luca.

Marcus stood there, his expression calm but unreadable.

"Leonardo wants to see you in his office." He said.

Aria's chest tightened, panic rising in her throat.

"You're not in trouble."

Marcus added, his voice softer than she expected.

Nodding numbly, she stepped out of her room and followed him, each step feeling heavier than the last.