Twelve.

Bella

More than forty eight hours had passed since I tried strangling Halle. Aiden didn’t mention it again.

We hadn’t talked about my father either. It seemed that my confirmation of what my father had done to me was too much for him to handle.

He left in the early morning only to return late evening to lay next to me and sleep. Leighton was put in charge of me instead. He didn’t speak either. He would mostly sit at the laptop, typing or reading.

He wouldn’t look at me either. But maybe that was a good thing.

I stick to my usual spot by the window and spot Aiden’s vehicle pulling up.

“He’s back.” I mutter

Leighton doesn’t speak. He closes the laptop and walks out of the room.

A few moments later, he is standing outside with Aiden. Deep in conversation.

Leighton gets in his van and drives off.

Where was he going? Where had Aiden been?

Aiden appears. His grey eyes settle on me. I knew he regretted saving me.

“Have you eaten?”

It was the same routine.

I shake my head.

“You need to eat!”