Silent Scars

CHAPTER 46

Ariana stepped out of the car, relieved that the first day had passed without any major problems.

It had been overwhelming, exhausting, but at least she had survived it.

As she approached the house, she heard Kendric's loud laughter from inside, a sound so full of life that it made her feel at ease.

The house wasn't home, not yet, but moments like this chipped away at the suffocating unfamiliarity.

Just as she reached the entrance, a gust of air rushed past her, Domain. He didn't slow down, didn't glance at her, didn't acknowledge her presence. He intimidated her, but strangely, she liked that about him.

From the very beginning, he had made it clear, he didn't want her here.

He didn't pretend. He didn't give her false hope, didn't act like Leonardo, who kept her at arm's length, unsure whether to accept or reject her.

At least with Domain, she knew where she stood.

Stepping inside, she spotted Luca and Kendric waiting for her in the hall.

Kendric grinned the moment he saw her, bouncing on his heels like he had been waiting forever.

"There you are! I was about to send out a search party."

Kendric teased dramatically.

"I mean, how dare you keep me waiting? I nearly perished from boredom."

Ariana shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Luca, more composed than Kendric, studied her carefully.

"How was your first day?"

He asked, his voice softer, more considerate.

Ariana hesitated, gripping her notepad. She wanted to tell them that she hated it, that the whispers, the stares. She just want to disappear. But she couldn't.

"She made a friend!"

Kendric announced proudly before she could even respond.

Luca blinked, then his lips curled into a proud smile.

"Really?"

She hesitated before nodding.

She wasn't sure.

Kindness always came with a price. That's what life had taught her. People never gave something without expecting something in return.

Still, she wrote down on her notepad:

"Her name is Emily."

Luca leaned forward slightly, reading her words. His expression softened, his eyes lighting up with something close to pride.

"Emily."

He repeated, as if testing the name. A small, pleased smile tugged at his lips.

"That's good, Aria. That means you weren't alone."

Ariana lowered her gaze, unsure how to respond.

Was she really not alone?

Can she trust Emily?

Luca studied her carefully. She was quieter than usual, more withdrawn.

That's when he noticed the exhaustion in her posture, the way her shoulders sagged, the slight heaviness in her movements.

"You're tired."

He observed. It wasn't a question.

Ariana didn't deny it. She simply nodded.