Serafina's POV

The car ride home from school felt longer than usual. Serafina sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the window as the familiar streets blurred past. She could still feel the weight of Aiden's words from earlier that day, the memory of his steady voice and the warmth of his hug lingering like a lifeline she didn't know she needed.

He had seen her scars.

The shame clawed at her, but there was something else too—relief. It wasn't just her burden anymore, even if the thought terrified her.

"Fina, you okay?" Luca asked from the driver's seat, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

She startled slightly, turning to look at him. "Yeah. Just tired."

"You sure? You've been quiet since I picked you up."

"I'm fine," she insisted, forcing a small smile.

Luca didn't push, but the concern in his eyes didn't fade.

When they arrived home, Serafina headed straight to her room. The house was lively as usual—Dante and Antonio arguing over a video game, Enzo working out in the home gym, and her parents talking softly in the kitchen. She could hear their voices but didn't have the energy to join them.

Closing the door behind her, she dropped her bag and flopped onto the bed. Her mind raced with everything that had happened in the past few days: Connor's cruelty, her panic attack, Aiden finding out about her scars. It was too much, but she knew she couldn't keep hiding.

With a deep breath, she grabbed her phone and opened the family group chat. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she finally typed:

Can everyone meet in the living room? There's something I need to say.

She stared at the message for a long moment before hitting send. Almost immediately, responses poured in.

Dante🤪: Be right there.

Tonio🙂‍↕️: On my way.

Mamma💕: Of course, tesoro.

Papa💕: Take your time, piccola.

Her stomach churned as she made her way downstairs. By the time she reached the living room, everyone was already gathered, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and concern. Alessandro and Isabella sat together on the couch, her mother patting the spot beside her in invitation.

Serafina hesitated before sitting down, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.

"What's going on, tesoro?" Alessandro asked gently.

She looked around at her family, their faces filled with love and support. The words she had rehearsed in her mind suddenly felt impossible to say.

"I... I need to tell you something," she began, her voice shaking.

Isabella placed a comforting hand on her back. "Take your time, sweetheart."

Serafina took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "It's about me. About... things I've been struggling with."

Her brothers leaned forward, their full attention on her. Dante's brows furrowed, Antonio's jaw tightened, and even Enzo looked uncharacteristically serious.

"I've been... hurting myself again," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

The room fell silent. Alessandro's face went pale, and Isabella's hand froze on her back.

"What do you mean, Fina?" her father asked, his voice steady but pained.

Serafina looked down at her lap, tears welling in her eyes. "It's not something I wanted to do. It's just... when everything feels too much, it's the only thing that makes it stop. Even if it's just for a little while."

"Oh, tesoro," Isabella whispered, pulling her into a hug.

"I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to think I was weak or broken," Serafina continued, her tears falling freely now. "But Aiden found out today, and he told me I needed to talk to someone. I... I don't want to feel like this anymore."

Her brothers exchanged looks, a mix of guilt and anger evident in their eyes—not at her, but at themselves for not realizing how much she was struggling.

"We don't think you're weak or broken, Fina," Dante said, his voice thick with emotion. "You've been through hell, and you're still standing. That makes you the strongest person I know."

"You don't have to go through this alone," Antonio added. "We're here for you. Always."

Serafina looked up at them, their words filling the cracks in her heart.

"I'm scared," she admitted.

"That's okay," Alessandro said, his voice soft but firm. "We'll help you, piccola. We'll find someone you can talk to, someone who can help you work through this. You're not alone anymore."

Isabella cupped her daughter's face, wiping away her tears. "You're our baby girl, Fina. No matter what, we love you. Nothing will ever change that."

Serafina nodded, the weight on her chest lifting just slightly. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she could breathe.

"I'll try," she said, her voice trembling but determined. "I'll try to get better."

Her family pulled her into a group hug, their love and support surrounding her like a warm blanket.

And in that moment, Serafina realized that maybe—just maybe—she could find her way back to herself.