Jasmine couldn't stop thinking about the phone call.
Even after Lucas returned to the table and continued breakfast as if nothing had happened, the strange tension in his voice lingered in her mind.
Handle it.
The words had sounded cold.
Too cold.
But when he looked at her again, the calm expression had returned to his face like nothing had changed.
Maybe she had imagined it.
"Finish your food," Maria said gently.
Jasmine realized she had been staring at her plate for a full minute.
"Oh… right."
She picked up her fork again.
Lucas leaned back slightly in his chair, studying her.
"You're thinking too much."
Jasmine glanced up.
"What?"
"Your face gives you away."
Her cheeks warmed.
"I was just wondering about something."
"What?"
She hesitated.
Then asked carefully, "What do you do?"
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
"For work?"
"Yes."
Jasmine gestured vaguely around the enormous dining room.
"This place… the cars… everything."
Lucas took a slow sip of coffee.
"I run businesses."
"What kind of businesses?"
"Several."
That answer didn't explain much.
Jasmine frowned slightly.
"Like what?"
Lucas placed the cup down.
"Hotels. Shipping. Real estate."
The words sounded casual, but Jasmine knew enough about the world to understand something.
Those kinds of businesses meant serious money.
"Wow," she murmured.
Lucas didn't respond.
Instead he changed the subject.
"After breakfast, Maria will take you to your room."
Jasmine blinked.
"My room?"
"For now."
Something about the way he said it made her curious.
"You mean I'm not staying in the guest room?"
Lucas shook his head once.
"You need a permanent space if you're living here."
The words hit her slowly.
Living here.
"You mean… really living here?"
"Yes."
Jasmine stared at him.
"That's a huge decision to make about someone you met last night."
Lucas shrugged slightly.
"Sometimes decisions don't need weeks of thinking."
Jasmine wasn't sure if that was reassuring or slightly terrifying.
"What if I turn out to be a terrible person?" she asked.
Lucas looked directly at her.
"I doubt it."
"How do you know?"
"Instinct."
His confidence made her uncomfortable.
"You trust your instincts that much?"
"Yes."
Jasmine thought about that answer.
The conversation felt strange.
Too serious for breakfast.
But before she could say anything else, Maria returned from the kitchen with a small tray.
"More juice?" she asked.
Jasmine shook her head quickly.
"No, thank you."
Maria placed the tray down anyway and began clearing the empty dishes.
Lucas stood.
"Come with me."
Jasmine blinked.
"Where?"
"You'll see."
Curiosity pushed her to stand and follow him.
They walked through a long hallway filled with large paintings and tall windows.
The house seemed even bigger during the day.
"Do you live here alone?" Jasmine asked.
Lucas nodded.
"And Maria?"
"She works here."
Jasmine glanced around again.
The place felt too large for one person.
"Don't you get lonely?" she asked.
Lucas stopped walking.
He looked at her with mild amusement.
"I'm rarely alone."
That answer somehow made her feel more curious than reassured.
They finally stopped in front of a door near the end of the hallway.
Lucas pushed it open.
"This will be your room."
Jasmine stepped inside—
—and froze.
The room was beautiful.
A large bed stood near the window, covered in soft gray blankets. A bookshelf filled one wall, and a small desk sat near the corner with a laptop resting on top.
It looked less like a guest room and more like a real bedroom.
Her bedroom.
"This is… for me?" she asked quietly.
Lucas nodded.
"Yes."
Jasmine slowly walked further into the room.
The closet door was slightly open.
Inside she could see new clothes hanging neatly.
Her chest tightened.
"You bought these?"
"Yes."
"Already?"
Lucas leaned against the doorframe.
"You needed them."
Jasmine didn't know what to say.
No one had ever done something like this for her before.
She turned back toward him.
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
Lucas studied her quietly.
Then he said something that made the atmosphere change slightly.
"Because there are rules."
Her stomach tightened.
"What rules?"
Lucas crossed his arms.
"If you're going to live here, there are things you need to understand."
Jasmine nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Lucas's voice remained calm, but there was something firm underneath it.
"You will go to school."
"That's fair."
"You will take music lessons."
Her eyes lit up slightly.
"That sounds amazing."
Lucas continued.
"You will not lie to me."
The seriousness of that rule made her pause.
"Alright."
"And most importantly," he added quietly.
"You do not leave this house without telling me."
Jasmine frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Lucas's gaze didn't waver.
"Because the world outside isn't kind to girls your age."
The words sounded protective.
But something about the way he said them felt… heavier.
Jasmine nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Lucas pushed himself away from the doorframe.
"Good."
He turned to leave.
But before he stepped into the hallway, he paused.
"One more thing."
Jasmine looked up.
"Yes?"
Lucas met her eyes.
"You belong to my household now."
The words hung in the air.
Not cruel.
Not threatening.
Just firm.
Like a fact.
Jasmine didn't fully understand why those words made a small chill run down her spine.
But she ignored the feeling.
After all, Lucas had saved her.
He had given her a home.
A future.
And maybe… a second chance.
What Jasmine didn't realize yet was that every rule came with a price.
And Lucas Valtieri always expected his debts to be paid.