Jasmine couldn't stop thinking about the phone call.
Even hours later, the words echoed faintly in her head.
If he talks, you know what to do.
She sat on the edge of the bed in her new room, staring at the window as the afternoon sun stretched across the garden outside.
The place was beautiful.
Almost too beautiful.
Trees swayed gently in the breeze, and somewhere in the distance she could hear water from what looked like a fountain.
Everything about this house felt calm.
But the man who owned it…
She wasn't sure yet.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she said.
Maria opened the door with a warm smile.
"I brought you some tea."
Jasmine blinked.
"You didn't have to do that."
Maria set the tray down on the desk.
"Mr. Valtieri asked me to check on you."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow.
"He did?"
Maria nodded.
"He said you might still feel unsettled."
That word felt strangely accurate.
"Yeah… maybe a little."
Maria handed her the cup.
"You've been through a lot."
Jasmine wrapped her fingers around the warm mug.
The heat felt comforting.
"You've worked here a long time, right?" she asked.
Maria smiled slightly.
"Very long."
"What's Lucas like?"
Maria paused for a moment before answering.
"He's a complicated man."
Jasmine laughed softly.
"That's not really an answer."
Maria's eyes softened.
"He's very generous."
"That I've noticed."
"But he's also very careful about the people he lets close to him."
Jasmine thought about that.
"So why did he help me?"
Maria studied her face for a second.
"Because he saw something in you."
"What?"
Maria smiled faintly.
"Hope."
Jasmine didn't know what to say to that.
Maria picked up the empty tray.
"Dinner will be ready soon," she said gently. "Mr. Valtieri asked if you would join him."
Jasmine nodded.
"Okay."
After Maria left, Jasmine finished the tea slowly.
Then she stood and walked toward the mirror.
She barely recognized the girl looking back at her.
Clean clothes.
Brushed hair.
No fear in her eyes.
It felt strange.
Yesterday she had been running through the rain with nowhere to go.
Today she was living in a mansion.
Her stomach tightened.
Nothing in life changes this fast.
But she pushed the thought away.
Maybe this really was a second chance.
Dinner that evening felt different from breakfast.
The dining room lights were softer, and the table was set with more dishes.
Lucas was already sitting there when Jasmine entered.
He looked up from his phone.
"Sit."
His voice was calm as always.
Jasmine sat across from him.
Maria served the food quietly before leaving the room.
For a few minutes they ate in silence.
Then Lucas spoke.
"I arranged your school transfer today."
Jasmine nearly dropped her fork.
"You already did?"
"Yes."
"That fast?"
Lucas looked mildly amused.
"I don't like wasting time."
Jasmine shook her head in disbelief.
"What kind of school?"
"A private one."
Her eyes widened.
"That sounds expensive."
"It is."
"Why would you spend that kind of money on me?"
Lucas set his glass down slowly.
"Because investment only works if you choose the right thing to invest in."
Jasmine frowned slightly.
"I'm not a business deal."
"No."
His eyes met hers.
"You're potential."
The way he said it made her chest feel tight.
Before she could respond, Lucas continued.
"You'll start next week."
"So soon?"
"Yes."
Jasmine felt both nervous and excited at the same time.
School again.
Music training.
A real future.
It almost sounded too good to believe.
She hesitated before asking the question that had been sitting in her mind all day.
"Lucas… can I ask you something?"
"You just did."
She smiled slightly.
"Why did you really help me?"
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
For a moment he seemed to consider the question carefully.
Then he answered.
"Because sometimes life puts someone in your path for a reason."
"That sounds mysterious."
"Not really."
Jasmine studied him.
"You don't even know my story."
Lucas's gaze didn't waver.
"I know enough."
Something about that answer felt strange.
"How?"
"You were walking alone in the rain," he said simply.
"That tells me plenty."
Jasmine lowered her eyes to her plate.
He wasn't wrong.
Lucas watched her for a moment.
Then he added quietly,
"You're safe here."
The words were meant to be comforting.
But Jasmine suddenly remembered something.
"The rules," she said.
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"What about them?"
"You said there were rules if I stay here."
"Yes."
Jasmine waited.
Lucas's expression remained calm.
"First rule," he said finally.
"You tell me the truth."
She nodded.
"That's fair."
"Second rule," he continued.
"You focus on school and music."
"That sounds easy enough."
Lucas paused before adding the final one.
"Third rule."
Jasmine looked up.
"You don't leave this house without telling me first."
She frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Lucas's gaze sharpened just a little.
"Because the world outside this house isn't safe for someone like you."
The words sounded protective.
But something about the way he said them made the room feel colder.
Jasmine forced a small smile.
"Alright."
Lucas nodded once.
"Good."
They returned to eating.
But as Jasmine lifted her glass of water, a strange thought crossed her mind.
Lucas had given her safety.
A home.
A future.
But every gift came with a rule.
And she was starting to realize something important about Lucas Valtieri.
He never gave anything without expecting control.