Silent Scars

CHAPTER 34

ARIANA HASTINGS

Ariana returned to her new room after dinner. She sat on the bed. She glanced around the room. The cream colored walls, the neatly made bed, the desk, and the walk-in closet it all felt surreal, like a scene from a life that wasn't hers. Her old room had been far away from the rest of them, tucked into a corner of the house where she could remain unnoticed. She had grown used to that distance, to the illusion of safety it provided.

But this... this was different. Being near them felt both comforting and terrifying.

"We protect what's ours."

Leonardo's words replayed in her mind. They should have made her feel safe, but instead, they filled her with unease.

𝘋𝘰 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?

𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮?

The events of the day replayed in her mind, the shopping trip, the panic attack, Domain's sharp words. Despite everything, the new room felt like a small step forward, a sign that maybe, just maybe, she could find a place here.

But Domain's distrust still loomed large, his words echoing in her ears.

"Makes me wonder what she's hiding."

She wasn't hiding anything not intentionally. But the truth... the truth was something she wasn't ready to share.

𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘵.

She glanced toward the door, where her brothers' voices drifted faintly down the hall.

Her eyes wandered to the desk in the corner, where a sleek laptop rested, its surface gleaming under the light. Beside it was a brand new smartphone and a pair of wireless headphones.

Curiosity tugged at her, and she stepped closer. The phone’s screen lit up as she picked it up, displaying a simple lock screen with her name: Ariana Hastings.

Her breath caught in her throat. She unlocked it with the password written on a small sticky note next to it and saw a series of contacts already saved in the phone:

• Leonardo
• Marcus
• Domain
• Luca
• Kendric

Even Mrs. Lila, the social worker, was listed, along with a few other necessary numbers. It felt surreal, seeing their names there, her brothers, on a phone that was hers.

The laptop had been thoughtfully set up as well, with her school portal bookmarked and essential apps pre-installed. A sticky note on the desk, written in neat, slanted handwriting:

"For school and anything else you might need. Let us know if you need help with it.
                                                    - Leonardo"

She found a tablet tucked into the desk drawer, its screen protector still on, and a charger neatly coiled beside it. Another note was attached:

"For reading or when you’re on the go.
                                                     - Marcus"

Ariana’s chest tightened as she stared at the devices. Everything had been thought of, every detail covered. It wasn’t just the generosity of it....it was the care behind it, the way they’d ensured she had what she needed.

But the unfamiliarity of it all left her overwhelmed. The gesture was kind, but her mind, conditioned by years of distrust, whispered doubts.

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?