Silent Scars

CHAPTER 65

MARCUS HASTINGS

We've been outside for so long.

Too long.

And Domain... he never left my side.

I didn't know he had this side in him, the quiet, steady kind of strength that never wavers, even when the world crashes down around you.

He didn't pace. He didn't speak much. Just stood there, like he knew I needed him to stay still while I spiraled.

His silence meant more than any words ever could. It held me together when I was this close to falling apart.

I looked up at the sky, desperate for something to make sense.

It was dark. Endless. Heavy. Just like everything twisting inside my chest. A black void with no bottom, like it could swallow me whole and still be hungry.

But then there were the stars.

Scattered and stubborn.

Tiny, fragile lights still daring to exist.

Still shining.

Still fighting to be seen through all that darkness.

And somehow, I saw them for what they really were.

My family.

The only damn lights left in my world. The only reason I hadn't been completely lost to the dark.

I exhaled, like the breath had been locked in my ribs for hours. Then looked at Domain.

"I'll talk to her."

I said, and my voice cracked in a way I hated.

He gave me a nod, nothing dramatic, just a small, encouraging dip of his head but, it meant the world.

We walked through the hospital hallway, quiet and still. The kind of silence that presses on your chest. Lights buzzed low above us, machines beeped somewhere far off, and every step felt heavier than the last.

When we reached the door, I stopped.

Through the narrow window, I saw her.

Lying there, small and curled in on herself like she was trying to disappear into the bed.

Luca and Kendric were passed out on the couch, heads tilted, bodies slumped like they'd finally given in to exhaustion. Kendric's head rested on Luca's shoulder.

They were finally sleeping. After everything.

I reached for the doorknob.

And froze.

I couldn't bring myself to turn it. My hand just hovered there like my body wasn't sure if I should even go in. Like part of me thought maybe I didn't deserve to.

"She's waiting for you, Marc. "

Domain said quietly, his voice low and firm.

I didn't know if it was true. But I needed it to be.

So I took a breath. And opened the door.

Domain didn't come in with me.

I walked slowly, carefully. I didn't want to wake them up. But she noticed my steps.

She turned slowly, eyes finding me in the dim room.

For a second, we met each other halfway. But she looked away almost instantly, tucking her face against the pillow like she hadn't seen anything.