Silent Scars

CHAPTER 59

The black SUV pulled up to the curb outside the office building, its tinted windows reflecting the sunlight. The ride from the airport had been silent, an unusual silence, one that neither Marcus nor Leonardo had attempted to break.

Leonardo’s hands were clenched into fists on his lap. His entire life, he had been in control of his family, his empire, his own emotions.

But today, for the first time in his life, he was scared.

Not of the truth itself, but of what it could mean. He had spent years maneuvering through dangerous situations, outsmarting enemies, eliminating threats.

Yet, the mere thought of uncovering Ariana’s past, of hearing what had happened to her, made his stomach twist with unease.

Beside him, Marcus was motionless, his expression unreadable. He hadn’t spoken a single word since they left. It wasn’t like him to stay this quiet, but Leonardo knew better than to ask. Marcus processed things differently. Where Leonardo feared, Marcus calculated. And right now, Marcus was trying to piece everything together.

As the car came to a stop, Leonardo exhaled sharply.

They had arrived.

Mrs. Lila was already outside, standing near the entrance of the building. She was dressed in a crisp navy blue blazer, her expression composed yet watchful.

As they stepped out of the car, she greeted them with a polite nod and gestured for them to follow her inside.

The office was small but neat, the scent of coffee lingering in the air. A single window allowed the sunlight to spill into the room, casting long shadows across the wooden desk.

Mrs. Lila took a seat behind it, while Leonardo and Marcus sat across from her.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, she broke the silence.

“How is Ariana?”

Marcus was the one who answered.

“She’s okay.”

His tone was clipped, his posture rigid.

Mrs. Lila hummed, but her expression remained impassive. She folded her hands over the desk, looking between the two men.

“I assume you’re not here just for a courtesy visit.”

Leonardo inhaled deeply, forcing himself to meet her gaze.

“No.”

He admitted.

“We need answers.”

Mrs. Lila studied him for a moment before nodding.

“Then let’s begin.”

And with that, she reached for a folder on her desk.

Leonardo watched as Mrs. Lila opened the folder, his jaw tightening.

The weight in his chest grew heavier with every second. 

“What do you want to know?”

She asked, her tone calm, but there was something beneath it, something guarded. 

Leonardo inhaled sharply.

“Everything.” 

Mrs. Lila nodded, flipping through the pages before settling on one.

“Ariana was send to you after the death of her mother and stepfather. Before that…..”

She hesitated for the briefest moment before continuing,