As the days passed, Eli continued to bring joy, never forcing or commanding. He guided Aria gently into learning through play. One day, exploring the basement, Eli noticed Lila sifting through a pile of dusty folders. They were old medical records, prescriptions, and hospital notes, detailing years of treatments that seemed more punitive than helpful. Aria’s past had been filled with attempts to silence her, to restrain her, and even to medicate her excessively. Photos attached to the files showed a young Aria strapped to chairs, her eyes wide and expressionless. Eli handed them to Lila without a word, each image amplifying the sense of injustice.