The man listened at the door for a while, then went back to report to Bennett. Mr. Olson, shes just crying in her room. Thats all.
Bennett was petting his Bengal cat.
He stroked the cat and asked, Really? Just crying? Nothing else?
The man nodded. Yeah. She was bawling her eyes out. She sounded really upset.
Bennett didnt say a word. He just kept petting the cat and thought about how quiet Ariana had been at dinner. Was he overthinking this?
The next morning, Ariana looked like she hadnt slept at all.
She seemed totally drained.
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She had already lost weight from all the stress and fear and, after a night of crying, her eyes were too puffy to even look at anyone.
Her breakdown had killed whatever appetite she had left, leaving her even more exhausted. By midday, she felt too weak to leave her room. But thankfully, Bennett was out, and nobody bothered her.
Not eating and the overall gloom made her look like a drooping plant, ready to wither at any moment.
In the afternoon, Bennett came back, his clothes spattered with blood and his mood as dark as ever.
He had just finished dealing with some troublemakers, and his anger was still simmering. When he heard that Ariana hadnt eaten and was hiding in her room, he was displeased. He went upstairs, burst through her door, and yanked her by the arm, saying coldly, Come downstairs and eat.
I dont feel like eating, Ariana muttered feebly. But Bennett paid no mind to her words. He dragged her
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downstairs, forcing her to sit at the table.
Bennett yanked Ariana down the stairs, his grip so tight that her wrist turned red.
He shoved her into a chair by the dining table and took a seat across from her.
Ariana just looked at the food on the table. She had no appetite.
Bennetts face darkened when he saw Ariana wasnt touching her meal.
He was in no mood for games today. He glared at Ariana.
Missing home, huh? Are you feeling this sad that you cant go back? he asked with a snide edge.
Ariana met his gaze, her eyes red from crying and her voice raspy. Is it wrong for me to feel sad? Im a person, not a robot. Dont I get to have emotions?
No, Bennett shot back without hesitation.
Arianas eyes welled up again as she shot him a look of pure defiance.
Forget about home, Bennett said sharply. If I dont say you can be sad, then you dont get to be. Your tears, your emotions, theyre all mine now.
Everything you have is mine. When I say no crying, you obey. Thats not fair. If I could stop the tears, dont you think I would?