The Weight of Always

SERAFINA

Dario looked me straight in the eye… and then he said it.

“I love you.”

I blinked. Once. Twice. And froze.

He didn’t flinch, didn’t stammer, didn’t try to soften the blow with explanations or apologies. He just said it. Calm. Clear. Certain.

“I love you, Serafina,” he said again. “I have always loved you.”

The world tilted beneath me. My lips parted, but no words came out.

“That has never