Silent Scars

CHAPTER 74

The tea was still warm when Kendric plopped himself on the small couch again, legs dangling over the edge like he owned the place. The peaceful silence hung in the air, only broken by the soft clinking of Ariana's cup and the steady rhythm of her breathing.

Kendric couldn't help himself.

"Hey, do y'all remember when Domain tried to cook spaghetti that one time and ended up setting off the fire alarm because he thought olive oil and dish soap were the same thing?"

The room froze for half a beat.

Leonardo's brows lifted slightly, already exhaling like he regretted ever waking up. Marcus, sitting near the window with a cup of tea, turned his head away, but the corner of his mouth tugged upward despite himself. Domain froze mid-sip, lowering his cup like it betrayed him.

Ariana blinked, confusion written across her face until she glanced at Kendric's expression and then at Domain's horrified stare.

She didn't even realize a small, breathy laugh had escaped her until she saw Marcus glance at her with something gentle in his eyes. He didn't say anything, but there was a flicker of relief there. She was laughing. Just a little, but enough.

"You swore you'd never bring that up again."

Domain said, eyes narrowing dangerously.

But Kendric was already doubled over, clutching his stomach with laughter.

"YOU POURED SOAP, BRO. INTO THE PAN. IT WAS BUBBLING LIKE A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT."

"And he just kept stirring like it was normal!"

Luca added, his usual calm completely gone as he broke into laughter too.

"He said, 'Why's it foaming like that?' and we were like, because it's literally soap, Domain!"

Domain slowly turned toward Luca, betrayal written all over his face.

"You... you too?"

Luca held up his hands in mock surrender.

"Sorry, man. The memory was too good. Had to support the joke."

"You betrayed me for that dummy!"

Domain said, glaring,

"I regret nothing."

Luca deadpanned, and Kendric fell over again.

Ariana covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to burst out laughing again, but her shoulders trembled. The laughter felt strange in her chest, like it didn't belong and yet somehow, it did. It felt right.

Across the room, Marcus shook his head slowly, feigning disappointment.

"This is the future of our family."

"Oh come on!"

Kendric grinned.

"This is bonding. You should be grateful. You and Leo are always serious."

Leonardo's head turned slightly in Kendric's direction just a twitch and then immediately shifted away, like he couldn't quite bring himself to look at his youngest brother fully.

That one-second glance said more than words ever could.

Kendric blinked, the grin slipping just a little. He remembered what he'd said before. Those words that hit too hard. The guilt that was never supposed to land on Leonardo's shoulders but somehow always did.

But of course, he couldn't just go soft. So he went for the next best thing.

"You know..."

He started, scooting closer with a sly smile.