Omniscient POV

⚠️mentions of self harm⚠️

The days following the incident with Connor were a whirlwind of emotions. Fina's brothers became even more protective, if that were possible. Alessandro and Isabella kept a closer watch on her, ensuring she always had someone nearby, whether at home or at school. Despite their efforts, an uneasy tension lingered in the air, a quiet reminder of what had happened.

Fina sat on the living room couch one afternoon, a book open in her lap. Her mind wandered as she absentmindedly turned the pages, the words blurring together. The house was unusually quiet—her brothers were out handling "business," and Alessandro and Isabella were upstairs in a meeting.

She sighed, trying to focus on the book, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Connor. She could still feel the cold press of the locker against her back, his angry grip on her arm. She shuddered, pulling a blanket tighter around her shoulders.

A soft knock at the front door broke her reverie. She frowned, setting the book aside. "Who is it?"

"It's me," Aiden's familiar voice called out.

Relief washed over her, and she hurried to open the door. Aiden stood there, a small smile on his face and a box in his hands.

"I brought snacks," he said, holding up the box. "Thought you might want some company."

Fina smiled, stepping aside to let him in. "You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to," he said simply, setting the box down on the coffee table. "Besides, I figured you could use a distraction."

They settled on the couch, the box of snacks between them. Aiden picked up the remote and flipped through the movie options. "Anything specific you want to watch?"

"Something light," Fina said. "Nothing intense."

Aiden nodded, settling on a comedy. As the movie started, Fina felt herself relax for the first time in days. Aiden's presence was comforting, his easy laughter helping to chase away the lingering shadows of fear.

Halfway through the movie, Fina's phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at it, her stomach twisting when she saw it was a text from an unknown number.

xxx-xxxx

This isn't over.

Her blood ran cold. She stared at the message, her hands trembling.

"Fina? What's wrong?" Aiden's voice was full of concern.

She couldn't bring herself to speak, just handed him the phone. His face darkened as he read the message.

"Connor," he said quietly.

She nodded, her throat tight. "What if he doesn't stop? What if..."

"He won't get to you," Aiden said firmly, taking her hands in his. "You have me, your family, everyone. He's not going to hurt you again."

Despite his words, a tear slipped down her cheek. Aiden pulled her into a hug, his arms wrapping protectively around her. "It's okay, Fina. I promise, it's going to be okay."

Later that evening, Alessandro and Isabella were seated in the dining room when Enzo and Dante walked in, their expressions grim.

"Papa," Enzo began, setting his phone down on the table. "We've got a problem."

Alessandro picked up the phone, his eyes narrowing as he read the text message Enzo had received from Fina earlier. "This boy doesn't know when to quit."

"What are we going to do?" Dante asked, his voice low.

Alessandro set the phone down, his gaze steely. "We'll handle it. But first, we need to make sure Fina feels safe. She can't live in fear."

Upstairs, Fina sat on her bed, clutching her blanket tightly. Aiden sat beside her, his hand resting lightly on her knee.

"Do you want me to stay?" he asked gently.

She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.

Aiden leaned back against the headboard, pulling her close. "It's okay, Fina. I've got you."

She closed her eyes, trying to focus on the steady beat of his heart. The shadows of the past still lingered, but with Aiden by her side, she felt just a little bit braver.

Downstairs, Alessandro's voice rumbled through the house, issuing orders to his sons. The De Luca family didn't tolerate threats, and Connor was about to learn that lesson the hard way.

The night had settled into an uneasy quiet, Fina nestled against Aiden's side as they sat on the couch. She didn't say much, but the warmth of his presence was enough to calm her, if only for a moment. As the evening wore on, Aiden glanced at his phone, noticing the time. His heart clenched, knowing he had to leave.

"I should go," Aiden said softly, breaking the silence.

Fina stiffened for a moment but didn't pull away from him. "Okay," she murmured, her voice thick with unspoken emotion.

Aiden rubbed her back gently, not wanting to break the fragile peace that had settled between them. "I'll call you later, okay? Just... don't shut everyone out, Fina. We all love you, and we want to help you get through this."

She nodded, unable to find the right words. She didn't want him to leave, but at the same time, she wasn't sure she could lean on anyone anymore.

He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering for a moment, before tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. His lips brushed over hers in a brief, tender kiss. It wasn't the kind of kiss that promised anything other than care—a quiet promise that he would be there for her no matter what.

"I'll be here when you need me," he whispered, his forehead resting gently against hers.

Fina closed her eyes, the words sinking deep into her heart, but she didn't have the strength to respond. Aiden stood, his hand brushing hers before he walked toward the door. "Take care of yourself, Fina."

"I will," she said quietly, but she couldn't shake the sense of loneliness that crept in as soon as the door clicked shut behind him.

The days that followed were a blur of numbness. Fina withdrew further and further from her family, unable to cope with the pressure of everyone's concern. Her brothers tried, each one knocking on her door, trying to coax her into talking, into engaging with them. But Fina couldn't face them, couldn't bear the thought of burdening them with the weight of her brokenness.

She barely ate, her emotions swinging from cold detachment to uncontrollable waves of despair. Her family's worried glances and soft-spoken words fell on deaf ears. Fina felt trapped, suffocated by her own mind, and the isolation was only making things worse.

One night, after another failed attempt to sleep, Fina stood in front of her mirror, her hands trembling. She had fought so hard to stop, but the urge had crept up on her again. She could feel the sharp sting of the scars she had tried to erase, the brokenness she couldn't hide.

Without a second thought, she grabbed the blade.

A week passed in a haze of self-doubt and silent suffering. Fina had sunk deeper into herself, the pain escalating as she isolated herself from the world around her. She couldn't stand the pity she saw in her family's eyes. Every time someone tried to reach her, she recoiled.

But the more she pulled away, the worse it became. Her thoughts spiraled, the overwhelming darkness swallowing her whole. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think straight. The feeling of numbness that had been her only respite was slowly turning into something more dangerous—something she couldn't fight on her own.





Downstairs, her brothers had gathered again, this time in the kitchen. They were talking in hushed tones, the weight of their worry heavy in the air.

"I haven't seen her in days," Matteo said, his voice tight with concern. "She's barely eaten anything, and she won't even leave her room."

"I know," Enzo replied, rubbing his face in frustration. "She's shutting us out. I don't know what else we can do."

Alessandro stood near the kitchen island, his eyes cold and distant. He had tried everything—talking to her, reassuring her, giving her space—but nothing seemed to work. His gut twisted with the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

"We can't just sit here," he said, his voice low. "She's slipping away, and I can't let that happen."

Isabella, who had been listening quietly from the doorway, stepped forward. "What if we call Aiden again? He's the one person she seems to listen to. Maybe he can get through to her."

Alessandro hesitated for a moment before nodding. "We have no choice. We need to try again. If he can help her, then we do whatever it takes to bring him back into her life."





Fina's mind was a fog as she sat in her room, her arms wrapped around her knees. She hadn't seen her family for days. She had locked herself away from the world, convinced that she wasn't worth saving. Every time someone knocked, she turned away. She was afraid of what they might say, afraid they would see how broken she truly was.

But then her phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with Aiden's name. She stared at it, unsure of what to do.

"Fina, I'm here for you. Call me when you're ready, okay?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she read his message. She wanted to call him, wanted to reach out, but the shame she felt was suffocating. What if he couldn't love her the way she was? What if he saw her weakness and walked away?

Her finger hovered over the phone screen, but she didn't call.

The next buzz came seconds later, the message from Aiden reading: "I'm coming over. Don't shut me out, okay? I'm not leaving you."

Fina couldn't ignore him this time. She tapped the message in reply: "I'm sorry. I don't deserve you."

Seconds later, her phone rang, and Fina knew it was Aiden. Her hands shook as she answered it.

"Fina?" His voice was calm but filled with concern. "Are you okay? You haven't been answering."

She bit her lip, struggling to hold back her tears. "I... I don't know how to be okay anymore, Aiden."

"I'm coming over," he said firmly. "Just hang on for me, okay? Don't do anything until I get there."

Fina's breath caught in her throat. She didn't want him to see her like this. She didn't want anyone to see her like this.

But deep down, she knew that Aiden was the only one who might be able to pull her back from the brink.

Within minutes, Aiden was at the door, knocking gently. Fina stood still, frozen, as his familiar voice called her name.

"Fina? It's me. I'm here."

With trembling hands, she opened the door. Aiden's eyes softened when he saw her—pale, fragile, but still standing.

"I told you I wasn't leaving," he said quietly. "And I'm not."

Without waiting for her to respond, he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Fina didn't resist as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She let herself be held, her body trembling as the weight of everything began to hit her all over again.

"I'm here," he whispered against her hair. "You don't have to do this alone anymore."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Fina let herself lean into him, feeling a small sliver of hope—just enough to remind her that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she had thought.

The silence in the room was heavy, broken only by the faint sound of Fina's breathing. Aiden held her close, the warmth of his body offering some comfort as she fought back the tears that had been threatening to fall for days. Her head rested against his chest, her hands curled into fists at her sides as she tried to steady her breath.

But Aiden could feel the tension radiating off her, the way her muscles were locked, the way she was holding herself together by a fragile thread.

"Fina..." Aiden whispered, his voice low, "You don't have to hide from me. Whatever it is, I can help."

She shook her head against him, her tears finally slipping free. "I... I don't deserve your help, Aiden," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't deserve anything. I'm... I'm too broken."

Aiden's heart ached as he gently pulled back, taking her face in his hands. He tilted her head up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You don't have to be perfect, Fina. You never have to be. You're allowed to feel broken, to struggle... But that doesn't mean you're not worth saving. You are so worth it."

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she looked like she might argue. But the words caught in her throat, leaving only the sobs that wracked her body.

He sighed softly, his thumb brushing away her tears. "I know it's hard... But please, let me in. I can't help if you keep shutting me out."

Fina remained silent for a long moment, her body stiff against his touch. But then, slowly, as if every part of her was unwilling but desperate for the release, she pulled her sleeves up.

Aiden's breath caught when he saw the new cuts along her arms—thin, jagged lines that were fresh and raw. His eyes softened with sadness, and his fingers hovered over the marks as if afraid to touch them.

"Fina..." His voice cracked slightly as he said her name, the weight of his concern heavy in his tone. "Why... why did you do this?" He took her hands gently in his, his thumb tracing over the new scars.

She closed her eyes, unable to meet his gaze, her voice a broken whisper. "I couldn't handle it anymore. I just... I didn't know what else to do. The pain was too much. I thought... if I could feel something, it might help."

Aiden's chest tightened, and his eyes burned with the desperate need to protect her from herself. He pulled her back into his arms, holding her tightly, as if to shield her from the world. "You don't have to do this, Fina. You don't have to suffer in silence. You don't have to hurt yourself. Not anymore."

She curled into him, her head resting against his chest as the tears came in full force. She felt weak, fragile. The fear of being a burden to everyone, the fear of being too much for anyone to handle, had kept her silent for so long. And now, it was like all the walls she had built were crumbling down, piece by piece.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I didn't want you to see this. I didn't want anyone to know."

Aiden's heart broke at the guilt in her voice. "Fina, you don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. You're allowed to hurt, and you're allowed to ask for help." He gently pulled her arms away from her body, inspecting the cuts more closely, his fingers brushing the raw skin. "These are just scars, Fina. They don't define you. What defines you is your strength to fight, to keep going even when everything inside you is telling you to give up."

She shook her head weakly, unsure if she could believe him. The scars, the pain—everything felt like a part of her that couldn't be fixed.

"I know it's hard," Aiden continued, his voice firm yet soothing. "But you don't have to face this alone. I'm not going anywhere, Fina. I'm here. And I'll be here for as long as you need me. But you need to let me help you. Please."

Fina nodded quietly, the weight of his words starting to sink in. She had been so used to pushing everyone away, to hiding the darkness inside of her, thinking that if no one knew, they couldn't hurt her. But Aiden... Aiden had already seen her at her weakest, and he was still here. He didn't look at her like she was broken—he looked at her like she was someone worth saving.

For the first time in a long time, Fina felt a flicker of hope deep within her. Maybe, just maybe, she could let someone in. Maybe she could heal.

She rested her head against his chest once again, closing her eyes. "I don't know how to stop," she admitted, her voice small. "I don't know how to stop hurting myself."

Aiden pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his arms around her tightening. "We'll figure it out together, okay? We'll take it one step at a time. You don't have to have all the answers right now. Just know that you don't have to carry this burden alone. I'm here, Fina. You're not alone."

For the first time, she allowed herself to believe him.

After a long while, Fina sat up slightly, wiping her eyes. "I should talk to my family," she whispered.

Aiden nodded, brushing her hair back gently. "They love you, Fina. They're worried, but they're not angry. They just want to help."

Fina hesitated for a moment, but with Aiden's encouragement, she stood up, feeling a sense of strength that had been buried deep inside her for so long. She walked toward the door, Aiden following closely behind her.

When they entered the living room, Fina's family was waiting. They had been sitting in silence, the tension in the air thick with worry. But when they saw Fina, they all stood up in unison, their eyes filled with concern.

"Fina..." Alessandro said softly, his voice filled with emotion. "We're so sorry we didn't see it sooner. We didn't know you were suffering like this."

Isabella stepped forward, her arms outstretched, and Fina hesitated for a moment before she stepped into her mother's embrace.

"I'm sorry," Fina whispered, tears beginning to fall again. "I didn't want to hurt you all by shutting you out."

"You don't have to apologize, sweetheart," Isabella said, kissing her forehead. "We're just glad you're here. And we're going to help you get through this, together."

Fina nodded quietly, feeling the love and warmth of her family around her. But she also felt something else—a hope that had been long lost. She wasn't alone anymore. She had Aiden, her family, and herself to lean on. And that was enough to start healing.

Fina hesitated for a moment before her gaze flickered to Aiden, who gave her an encouraging nod, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. She took a deep breath and, with his hand still in hers, led the way down the stairs. The wooden steps creaked underfoot as they descended into the warmth of the living room below.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, the chatter and hushed voices of her family filled the space. The soft glow of the lamps illuminated the room, casting a calm light over everyone. Fina could feel the weight of their eyes on her as she entered, and her heart pounded a little faster. But as she glanced at her brothers and parents, she saw nothing but concern, worry, and something else—love. A love she had forgotten existed in such abundance.

Her family had been there for her all along, even when she hadn't been able to see it.

"Fina," her mother, Isabella, spoke first, her voice soft but full of emotion. "We're so proud of you for coming down. We want to be here for you, no matter what." She took a step forward, opening her arms as if to invite Fina into another hug.

Fina smiled faintly, shaking her head slightly. "I think I just need to sit for a minute," she whispered, glancing at Aiden for reassurance. He gave her a nod of approval, his hand gently brushing the back of hers.

Without speaking further, she walked over to the couch, sinking down into the soft cushions. Her father, Alessandro, followed her closely, concern etched across his face. He sat down beside her, his hand gently resting on her knee.

"You've been through a lot," he said quietly, his voice deep but gentle. "And you've been so strong. But we want to help. You don't have to go through this alone, Fina. Whatever it is, we're here."

Fina's heart swelled, the familiar feeling of her father's presence grounding her. She looked up at him and then at her brothers, each of them standing around her, uncertain, but trying their best to offer her support. Enzo, Matteo, Luca, and Antonio—all of them were here. All of them cared. The weight of their love, of their concern, felt like a protective blanket over her.

"I know," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I just... I didn't know how to tell you. How to let you in. I've been so scared."

Aiden, still standing near the doorway, cleared his throat softly and took a step closer. His voice was gentle, yet firm. "Fina, you don't have to be scared anymore. Your family wants to help you heal. And I want to be here for you too. But it's going to take time. We'll all be right by your side."

Fina nodded, and for a moment, everything was still. She felt a sense of peace she hadn't realized she was missing.

"Thank you," she whispered to Aiden, her eyes brimming with gratitude. She didn't know how she could have gotten this far without him. He had been a constant—steadfast, patient, and understanding—even when she had pushed him away.

Isabella walked over to the kitchen counter, where she'd prepared a small spread of snacks. "Why don't we all sit down together?" she suggested, her voice lighter now, trying to keep things calm. "Maybe we can talk more about what's going on, and how we can move forward."

Fina took a breath and stood, still feeling a little unsteady, but the support of Aiden's hand on her back made it easier. Slowly, she walked toward the table where her family had gathered.

"Do you feel like talking now?" Alessandro asked quietly, his eyes soft and concerned.

Fina hesitated. She had thought about this moment for so long, wondering if she would ever have the courage to let herself be vulnerable with her family. But now, with them all standing by her, the words felt like they could finally leave her lips.

"I... I hurt myself again," she began, her voice small at first. She glanced at Aiden briefly, finding comfort in his gaze before continuing. "I didn't know how to stop. And I couldn't handle the pressure, the sadness, the weight of everything. I thought... I thought it might make the pain go away."

The silence in the room thickened, but no one said anything, not yet. Her family simply listened, their eyes locked on her with understanding and compassion. It wasn't easy to speak the truth, but as she saw the way her family reacted—not with judgment but with care and love—Fina felt something shift inside her. The weight in her chest, the constant knot of guilt and shame, began to loosen.

"It was hard," she continued, her voice trembling, "and sometimes it still is. But I'm trying. I'm trying to stop."

Isabella walked over, sitting down beside her daughter on the couch. She reached out, gently cupping Fina's face in her hands. "You're not alone, sweetheart. We're all here for you. We want to help you heal. But we need you to let us in. And that means telling us when you're hurting. You don't have to face it alone."

Fina closed her eyes, letting her mother's words sink in. For so long, she had kept everything bottled up, afraid of the burden she might be to others. But in this moment, surrounded by her family, she realized that no one was asking her to be perfect. They were asking her to be honest. To trust them, and in turn, herself.

"I want to get better," Fina whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "But I don't know how."

"You don't have to know everything right now," Alessandro said softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "We'll take it one step at a time. One day at a time."

Aiden, standing off to the side, gave her a small, reassuring smile. "And I'll be here every step of the way," he said, his words full of promise.

Fina looked around at her family, her brothers, her parents, and Aiden—all of them offering her their strength, their unwavering support. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't alone in this battle. They would fight it with her.

She didn't know what the future held, but as she sat there with the people who cared about her, she allowed herself to feel hopeful, to trust in their love. And maybe—just maybe—she could start to heal.

Fina sat on the couch, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve as she glanced at Aiden. The room was quiet, and the weight of the unspoken question lingered in the air. She hadn't meant to bring it up so soon, but her heart had been carrying it around for days now.

Aiden was sitting next to her, his knee lightly bumping hers as he looked at the TV screen, though it was clear his attention was elsewhere. Fina could feel his presence beside her—comforting, steady—but there was a growing uncertainty in her chest. She had never asked herself these kinds of questions before, not like this. She had always kept herself at arm's length, afraid of becoming too vulnerable. But now, with him so close, everything felt different. She couldn't ignore the way her heart raced when he was near, or how it felt when their hands brushed together.

She took a deep breath, her voice quiet but filled with curiosity. "Aiden... what are we?"

Aiden's gaze flickered to her, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if weighing the question. The soft hum of the TV in the background was the only sound in the room as he searched for the right words.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice gentle, but there was a quiet sense of understanding behind his words. He knew what she was really asking, but he wanted to make sure he wasn't misinterpreting her.

Fina's heart pounded in her chest, and she bit her lip, trying to find a way to explain. "I mean... what are we to each other? You've been so amazing to me. You've helped me through so much. And I don't know... I don't know if I'm ready for anything serious, but..." Her voice trailed off, and she nervously played with a loose strand of her hair. "I just want to know where I stand with you. If this... if us... means something to you."

Aiden's expression softened as he slowly reached out, gently lifting her chin with his hand so that she was looking up at him. His touch was warm, grounding her in the moment. His eyes were sincere, a tenderness in them that made her heart flutter in a way she hadn't experienced before.

"Fina," he began, his voice steady, yet filled with emotion, "you're not the only one who's been carrying questions around. I don't want to pressure you into something you're not ready for. I care about you. A lot. And I want to be here for you, no matter what. But... if you're asking me what we are, then I'll tell you this."

He paused for a brief moment, his thumb brushing over her cheek, and then he continued, his words filled with quiet sincerity. "I'm not going anywhere. Whatever this is, whatever it becomes, I'm here. I want to be with you. I want to take this one day at a time, just like we've been doing. But I don't want you to feel pressured. I just want to make sure you know that I care about you more than you know."

Fina's chest tightened as she heard his words, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. Aiden wasn't rushing her into anything, wasn't expecting anything in return—he simply wanted to be there for her, to support her, and that was more than she had ever expected from someone.

She took a deep breath, a small smile forming on her lips. "I care about you too, Aiden. I just... I've been through so much, and I didn't want to mess things up. I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt myself again."

Aiden's face softened even further, his thumb gently brushing the edge of her cheek. "You won't hurt me, Fina. You're not alone in this. You've got me, and you've got your family. And no matter what happens, we'll face it together."

Fina swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart swelling with emotion. She hadn't realized how much she had been craving those words, those reassurances. For so long, she had felt alone, trapped in her own mind, and the idea of opening up to someone felt like a risk. But Aiden wasn't just someone. He was the person who had been there for her when she needed it most, the person who had held her hand through the hardest moments. And now, he was here with her—no expectations, no pressure—just love and understanding.

"Thank you," Fina whispered, her voice shaky but full of gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Aiden smiled, his eyes softening with affection. "You don't have to do anything alone, Fina. Not anymore."

There was a moment of silence as they both simply sat there, the weight of the conversation settling in. It was a quiet kind of peace, the kind that came from knowing someone truly cared for you. Fina leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes and letting herself relax for the first time in days.

Aiden's hand rested on her knee, a comforting weight, and she could feel the steady rhythm of his breath beside hers. For once, she didn't feel like she had to protect herself from everything. She didn't have to be perfect. She didn't have to be afraid.

She could let herself be vulnerable, and in that moment, with Aiden by her side, it felt okay.

"So, what do we do now?" Fina asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity as she looked up at him.

Aiden chuckled softly, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Well, for now, I think we just take things one step at a time, don't you think? I'm happy being with you, however that looks. We'll figure it out together."

Fina's heart fluttered at his words, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to do everything alone. Maybe she could take the next step forward, one day at a time, with Aiden by her side.

And as she sat there, with his hand gently holding hers, Fina realized that she was ready to let herself move forward. To heal. To trust. To live.