intrepidity

Chapter 12

They would burn this school to the ground if they knew.

So, she stayed quiet.

She plastered a small smile on her face when she got home, let Atlas excitedly show her the new book he'd been reading, let Antonio ruffle her hair, let Elias pull her into a warm hug.

She pretended everything was fine.

Dinner was always loud.

Between Antonio and Atlas bickering over something ridiculous, Marcus grumbling at them to shut up, and Elias trying to keep the peace, there was never a moment of silence in the Valenti household.

Aurora usually found comfort in the chaos.

But tonight, it felt distant.

She poked at her pasta absentmindedly, twirling the noodles around her fork but never actually taking a bite. She wasn't really hungry. Her stomach felt twisted, unsettled. The weight of the day still pressed against her chest, suffocating, but she tried to push it away.

She could feel eyes on her.

Aiden was at the head of the table, as always, posture straight, a glass of wine in hand. He hadn't said much all dinner, but Aurora could feel the way he was observing her.

Elias, sitting beside her, nudged her plate lightly. "Eat, sweetheart," he murmured, voice gentle.

"I'm not really hungry," she admitted, barely above a whisper.

Alec glanced at her from across the table. "You feeling okay, baby?"

Aurora nodded quickly. "Yeah. Just tired."

Roman, who had been silently watching her the whole time, set his fork down. "Something happened at school," he said, more of a statement than a question.

Her grip tightened on her fork. "No."

Antonio scoffed. "You're a terrible liar."

Atlas shot him a look before turning back to Aurora, brows furrowing. "You sure you're okay, bunny?"

Aurora forced a small smile, nodding. "I promise."

The table fell into silence for a moment.

Aiden exhaled slowly, setting his wine glass down. "We won't force you to talk, piccola." His voice was calm, but firm, the same tone he used when handling business. "But if something is wrong, you will tell us. Understood?"

Aurora swallowed, nodding.

Elias gave her knee a small squeeze under the table. "We're always here, baby. Whenever you're ready."

She didn't say anything.

Instead, she picked up her fork, twirling her pasta once more.

Her brothers let it go—for now.

But the Valenti boys weren't stupid.

And Aurora knew, deep down, that it was only a matter of time before they figured everything out.

--

She flinched when Alec's fingers brushed over a particularly sore spot on her arm. The cool touch of the cream only amplified the dull ache, making her muscles tense involuntarily.

Alec immediately paused, his eyes flickering up to her face. "Sweetheart."

Aurora didn't look at him. "I'm fine."

His fingers traced the edges of the bruise, the fading yellows and purples stark against her skin. He sighed softly, dipping his fingers back into the jar of healing cream before continuing with even more care, smoothing it over her skin in slow, gentle motions.

"You know, when Roman was younger, he used to hide when he got hurt." His voice was careful, quiet. "Didn't want to seem weak. Didn't want Aiden to worry. But the thing is, we did worry. Even when he didn't say anything."

Aurora swallowed.

Alec finished applying the cream, closing the jar with a soft click before setting it aside. Then, he cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking lightly over her skin, warm and reassuring.

"You don't have to hide from us, baby."

Her throat tightened.

She forced a smile, small and shaky. "I'm okay."

Alec didn't look convinced.

But he didn't push.

He just sighed, pressing a kiss to her forehead before tucking the blankets around her securely, making sure she was warm and comfortable.

"Alright, sweetheart. Sleep tight."

Aurora curled into the safety of her blankets, squeezing her eyes shut.

For now, she was keeping this secret.

But she had a feeling she wouldn't be able to keep it for long.

author's note - woo this was a fun chapter to write! if there's anything you'd like to see in the next chapter do tell, it might take long bc i am fasting and its hard to write properly in the daytime :)

also, guys tysm for all the support you've been showing me ur comments are genuinely the highlight of my day so whenever u feel like it, do comment!! Don't be a silent reader 😡😡

stay safe, and drink water

love u guys <3