Silent Scars

CHAPTER 50

ARIANA HASTINGS

The world felt unsteady, like I was floating between reality and a dream. My breath was still uneven, my chest heavy, but the terror that had consumed me moments ago was beginning to fade.

Slowly, I became aware of my surroundings. The warmth of hands holding me, steadying me. The fabric of a shirt clenched tightly between my fingers. My vision cleared, and I found myself staring at the familiar sight of deep, dark eyes, Domain's eyes.

Of all the people I expected, he wasn't one of them.

𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘋𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯.

He had always kept his distance, his gaze skeptical, his words sharp. And yet, here he was, kneeling in front of me, his shirt wrinkled where I had clung to him.

But there was no anger in his expression. No frustration. Instead, there was something else.

Something I had never seen before.

Pain.

I was so tired. My body felt heavy, my mind exhausted. I just wanted to sleep, to escape into the numbness of unconsciousness.

"You should get some rest."

Domain said quietly, his voice softer than I had ever heard it.

Then, to my surprise, he placed a hand on my shoulder, gentle, reassuring.

I didn't flinch. I didn't pull away. Instead, a strange warmth settled in my chest. Safety. He guided me towards my room, his grip firm but careful, as if I might break.

He opened the door and led me inside. The moment my body touched the bed, exhaustion took over.

I barely registered the blanket being pulled over me before sleep dragged me under. But just before I drifted away, I felt something, a featherlight touch against my forehead. Fingers moving my hair away from my face.

Then darkness

DOMAIN HASTINGS

Domain carefully pulled the blanket over Ariana's small frame, his fingers hesitating before brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

Her breathing was uneven, but she was asleep. The tremors in her hands had finally settled, though her fists remained curled near her chest, as if bracing for a blow even in sleep.

He didn't understand her yet,not fully, but seeing her like this, so fragile yet enduring, did something to him.

With a quiet sigh, he stepped away from the bed, casting one last glance at her before exiting the room.

LUCA HASTUNGS

Luca stood outside Ariana's door, his heart still pounding from the sudden rush upstairs.

He hadn't known what had happened, only that he had heard the sound of glass shattering, followed by silence.

The moment the door opened, he tensed, expecting something, anything, that might explain what was going on. But when Domain stepped out and shut the door behind him, he didn't say a word. Instead, he walked a few steps forward before sinking onto the floor, his back resting against the door.