Strong Enough

SERAFINA

I held Dario’s gaze, my eyebrows still raised, refusing to let him dodge behind humor or excuses. I smiled this time, soft, deliberate.

Dario’s smile faltered for just a second. It was brief, almost imperceptible, but I knew him well enough not to miss it. He swallowed, looking both uncomfortable and nervous.

“No,” he said carefully. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

I shifted slightly, lo