Omniscient POV

The late morning sun filtered through the large windows of the family's spacious living room. Isabella sat at the dining table, a steaming cup of tea in her hands, while Serafina perched beside her with her legs tucked under her. Spread out in front of them were pamphlets, brochures, and a few printouts from the laptop sitting open on the table.

"Okay," Isabella began, her tone warm but focused. "We've got a few options here. Small schools, private tutors, online programs. Take your time looking them over, Fina. There's no rush."

Serafina nodded, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her sweater. The sheer number of options overwhelmed her. Each pamphlet seemed to taunt her with promises of new beginnings she wasn't sure she was ready for.

"I don't know, Mamma," she admitted, her voice small. "It's a lot."

Isabella reached over and gently squeezed her hand. "I know it feels like that now, but you're not doing this alone. We'll figure it out together."

From the kitchen, Alessandro's voice rang out. "Don't overwhelm her, Isa." He entered the room, holding a plate of freshly sliced fruit. Setting it down in front of Serafina, he gave her a small, reassuring smile.

"I'm fine, Papa," she murmured, though her expression betrayed her nervousness.

"You don't have to decide today," Alessandro said, pulling up a chair beside her. "But you do need to start thinking about what feels right for you. That's all we're asking."

The sound of footsteps thudding down the stairs broke the moment as Antonio and Luca appeared, arguing over whose turn it was to handle the dishes from breakfast.

"I did them yesterday!" Antonio protested.

"Barely," Luca shot back. "You left half the pans in the sink."

"Guys," Matteo called out, following close behind. "Maybe tone it down? You're gonna scare Fina off from wanting to stay here, let alone go to school."

"Not helpful," Antonio grumbled, throwing a piece of toast at Matteo, who caught it midair.

Despite herself, Serafina let out a soft laugh. The sight of her brothers bickering over something so trivial was comforting, grounding her in the present.

"What's all this?" Luca asked, leaning over the table to inspect the brochures.

"School stuff," Isabella explained.

"Ah," Antonio said, nodding sagely. "I vote online school. No annoying classmates, no early mornings, and you can wear pajamas all day."

"Yeah, because that's what you'd do," Dante said as him and Enzo entered the room, his tone dry but amused.

"I'm just saying," Antonio replied with a shrug. "It's efficient."

"Maybe," Serafina said softly, her voice tentative. "But I think... I think I might want to try going to a real school. At least eventually."

The room went quiet for a moment as everyone absorbed her words.

"That's a big step, Fina," Alessandro said, his voice filled with pride. "If that's what you want, we'll make it happen."

"Really?" she asked, glancing at her father.

"Absolutely," Isabella said firmly. "We'll find a school that feels right for you, one that understands your needs. But remember, it's okay to change your mind. Nothing is set in stone."

Serafina nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and excitement. The idea of returning to school was terrifying, but it also felt like a chance to reclaim a piece of her life that had been stolen from her.

Later that evening, after dinner, Serafina found herself sitting in the living room with her brothers. They had convinced her to join them for a game of cards, though she had no idea how to play.

"This is rigged," Serafina muttered as Matteo laid down another winning hand.

"You just have to learn the strategy," Matteo teased, smirking.

"Or," Antonio said, leaning closer, "you team up with me, and we take him down."

"Don't listen to him," Luca warned. "Antonio cheats."

"I do not cheat!" Antonio protested, looking deeply offended.

Dante, who had been quietly observing the game, finally spoke up. "He doesn't cheat. He just bends the rules until they're barely recognizable."

The room burst into laughter, and Serafina couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was part of something—something bigger than her fear, her pain, or her past.

As the night wore on and the house grew quieter, Serafina found herself back in her room. She stared at the stack of brochures on her desk, her mind racing with possibilities.

The idea of starting school again was daunting, but it also gave her a sense of purpose. It was a chance to move forward, to build something new for herself.

With a deep breath, she picked up the top brochure and started reading.

It wasn't going to be easy—nothing about her journey had been—but she was beginning to believe that, with her family by her side, she could face whatever came next.

And for the first time in a long while, she felt ready to try.