10
~Bella's POV
I sat beside the small metal table, watching as Noah devoured the food I brought him. The prison cafeteria meal had been dry and tasteless, but the restaurant food was something special. It wasn't much, but it was a luxury Noah hadn't had in a while.
His eyes stayed focused on the food as he shoveled it into his mouth, his movements almost frantic. I couldn't blame him. He looked like he hadn't eaten properly in weeks. His clothes hung off his body, his face thinner than I'd ever seen it, and his eyes... they were empty, like the life had been sucked out of him.
"Take your time," I said softly, though I knew it didn't really matter. I was just trying to fill the silence.
Noah didn't respond, but he kept eating, not sparing a second to look up at me. His hands shook slightly as he finished the plate, and I could see the way he clenched his jaw. He didn't want to show any weakness, but I could tell.
