The room felt quieter than before.
Too quiet.
The kind of silence that pressed against her ears and made every thought louder.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her shoulders trembling slightly as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. She tried to muffle the sound, pressing her lips together, but it didn't stop the ache building in her chest.
His voice still echoed in her mind.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
She hugged her knees closer, burying her face for a moment, trying to steady herself.
A tray of food had been left earlier.
Untouched.
She hadn't even looked at it properly.
Her appetite was gone.
Replaced by something heavier.
Something harder to swallow.
Time passed slowly.
Or maybe it just felt that way.
A knock broke through the silence.
Soft.
Controlled.
She lifted her head, her eyes red and puffy, her vision slightly blurred.
For a second—
Her heart skipped.
Him?
The thought came instantly.
Her body tensed as she stood up, wiping her face quickly, trying to erase any trace of tears.
Her fingers trembled as she moved toward the door.
She took a small breath.
Then opened it.
Relief.
And something else.
Alex stood there.
Straight.
Calm.
Unmoved.
His expression unreadable, just like before.
"Ma'am," he said respectfully, lowering his head slightly. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but Boss asked me to remind you to finish your lunch."
His voice wasn't soft.
But there was something in it.
Not quite sympathy.
But not entirely cold either.
She lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slightly at her sides.
"How… does he know?" she asked quietly, her voice still uneven. "Is there… a camera in this room?"
The question felt small.
But heavy.
Alex shook his head once.
"No, ma'am."
She looked up at him again, confusion flickering in her eyes.
"Boss has his ways," he added.
His tone turned firmer at the last part.
"And as he said earlier… he doesn't like disobedience."
The word lingered.
Heavy.
Deliberate.
It wasn't just a reminder.
It was a warning.
Her fingers tightened slightly, her breath catching in her throat.
She nodded slowly.
"I… understand."
Alex's expression softened just a little.
Barely noticeable.
"Ma'am… please eat your lunch."
This time, it sounded less like an order.
And more like a quiet request.
She nodded again, more firmly this time.
"I will."
There was a brief pause before she spoke again, her voice lower now.
"I'm… sorry, Mr. Alex."
He frowned slightly.
"You were scolded because of me… earlier."
Alex shook his head immediately.
"That was nothing, ma'am."
His tone was calm.
Steady.
But there was truth behind it.
"I've seen worse," he added after a moment. "Far worse than this."
Her breath hitched slightly.
The way he said it—
So normal.
So certain.
It sent a quiet chill through her.
"You don't need to apologize," he continued.
"This is all new for you."
She swallowed hard, nodding once.
Because he was right.
Everything here was new.
Everything felt unfamiliar.
And she was still trying to understand it.
Without another word, she stepped back inside her room.
The door closed softly behind her.
She stood there for a moment, her hand still resting against the wood.
Then slowly—
She turned.
Her gaze fell on the tray.
Still untouched.
Still waiting.
Taking a deep breath, she walked toward it and sat down.
Her movements were slower now.
More careful.
She picked up the spoon, her fingers steady this time.
And began to eat.
Not because she was hungry.
But because she understood now.
In this place—
Even the smallest things mattered.
And she didn't want to make another mistake.
Not again.