Chapter 3

$50, 000.

Two of the cheapest rings in that boutique Luca loved could have paid for my father’s hand. Maybe even his life.

My stomach dropped deeply. It was clear that my good-for-nothing gambler of a father had racked up another debt. This had happened on and off for years, so often that it had even cost me my chance at college.

Through the receiver, I heard his pained grunt, his choked plea for help. I bit down hard on my lower lip, drawing blood. I hated myself for still caring.

The man abruptly hung up the phone and the next thing I saw was a text with the casino address on my screen.

Coincidentally—or maybe ironically—the casino was also located in The Meridian strip. At least I wouldn't have to waste money on a cab.

But that small relief did nothing to solve the real problem: All I had now was my Christmas bonus, and to a gambler's debt, that was just pennies on the dollar.

How was I supposed to cover my father's massive gambling debt and save his damn gambler's hands with just that?

It wasn't until a soft handkerchief appeared in front of me that I realized tears were streaming down my face.

I stammered out a messy thank you, then an apology. The man frowned, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Trouble with your boyfriend?” His voice was low, almost too perceptive. “Did he do something to you?”

On any other day, I might have wondered why a stranger cared. But right now, every part of me was tied up in the chaos with my father.

“No,” I managed, the word rough. “We’re over. It’s… something else. An emergency. I need to go.”

I pushed myself up, but a wave of dizziness hit me hard. His arm shot out, strong and steady, catching me before I could stumble. This time, his gaze held mine, dark and unreadable. “Are you sure you can handle your… situation alone?”

I shook my head, forcing a brittle smile. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for your concern.”

He nodded slowly. Then, without a word, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. Only then did I notice—my blouse was torn from earlier.

It was a heavy, and expensive black peacoat.

His eyes met mine again, his voice strangely calm, almost grounding. “If you need help, you should…”

Maybe it was the panic still humming under my skin, but standing there, clinging to his coat, I felt a dangerous pull toward the safety he seemed to offer. The scent of his coat, the rough edge of his voice… it all wrapped around me, steadying something loose and raw inside.

Maybe… he actually wanted to help?

However, the fragile moment was shattered by another sharp buzz from my phone. Luca’s name flashed across the screen, again.

I didn’t have the energy to untangle that mess with him right now. I declined the call and let out a shaky breath. When I looked up, the man’s gaze, which had been fixed on me just seconds before, drifted away.

His voice held a new edge of resolve. “If you need help, you should tell your… friend.”

Something in the way he said friend felt loaded, deliberate. But there was no time to unravel it. The text with the casino address sat in my phone like a live wire, waiting to go off.

I gave a hurried nod. “Thanks.” Then I clutched the coat tighter and hurried out into the night.

-

The Meridian was a nightlife hotspot. It was a strip and stretched across a wide landmass with different casinos, restaurants, bars and hotels. Very bright and vibrant. But the part of the casino the address led me to was dark and the stench of sweat and piss was overwhelming. I struggled not to gag.

A bald, and heavily tattooed man was waiting for me in the backrooms.

“Where is my father?” I asked him.

The man grunted. “Pay up his debt first.”

Trembling, I asked. “How do I know if he's still alive?”

“I need to see the money now. Stop asking me questions little girl or I will return only your father's bones.”

My palms were slick with sweat. I didn't have it. But my eyes caught the dark wool sleeve of the coat I was wearing, and a desperate idea clicked into place.

"Money isn't the issue," I said, forcing my voice steady. "But I see my father first. Do you take checks?" I pretended to search for a checkbook, making sure the coat's signature plaid lining was clearly visible.

The man hesitated, his eyes narrowing. He pulled out his phone, thumbs tapping rapidly as if confirming something.

Just as a sliver of relief started to form, a familiar voice cut through the tense air from behind me.

"What do you think you're doing with my fiancée?"

I was completely lost. How had Luca even found this place?

But in that moment, his sudden presence was an anchor. I couldn’t forget the lies, but before we were ever a couple, Luca had been the friend who’d helped me navigate my father's messes.

I instinctively shifted away from his attempt to pull me close, but didn’t correct his word—it was clearly just for the situation.

His puppy-dog eyes found mine, wide and pleading, the same look he used after every fight. It usually worked. This time, the first thing that flashed in my mind was another pair of eyes, the exact same shade.

The bald man was getting impatient. “I don’t care about your lover’s spat. Who’s paying the old man’s debt?”

Without hesitation, Luca pulled a check from his pocket and held it out. “Fill in whatever he owes. Now let him go.”

The man didn’t take it. “And what if this bounces?”

Luca smiled, a flash of unfamiliar, innate arrogance. “My family name is Rossi. I’d be more concerned about you falsifying the amount.” His tone was cool, a warning.

It wasn’t until the man took the check and left that I found my voice. “Luca… what are you doing here?”

His expression was somehow subtle. “...I was nearby. I saw you come in and got worried.”

I pushed past that. What I needed to say was more important. “Thank you. I’ll figure out how to pay you and your father back. And you should move your things out soon.”

His face fell. “You still want to break up? Baby, what’s mine is yours. It was all a misunderstanding, I see that now. I was wrong, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

Then, in a move that made this surreal day complete, he dropped to one knee right there and pulled out a ring. “Will you marry me?”

I was speechless. This was beyond absurd. “Luca, get up,” I urged, but he stayed stubbornly put.

Just then, the bald man returned, dragging my disheveled father. His demeanor had changed completely. “As a courtesy to Mr. Rossi,” he said, nodding at Luca. “This time he can keep his finger.” He glanced between us, puzzled. “You two need something?”

Luca didn’t move from his knee. “I’m begging for my girl’s forgiveness. Hoping she’ll give me a chance to make things right.”

The word no stuck in my throat, trapped by the sheer awkwardness of the scene.

And Luca, seeing my hesitation, decided to double down.

"You know how much I love you. I loved you from the first moment I saw you. I even destroyed my dreams of playing piano when I helped you with your father's trouble, remember?"

“That is love,” he promised, voice trembling with emotion, “I won't accept 'no' for an answer. Not after everything we've been through. Not when I'm finally ready to give you everything. We’ll start planning our future right away. I swear I’ll never hurt you again.”

"Yeah, girl, hold onto that Rossi man. You won't find better." The bald man paused, his eyes narrowing. "Wait... you're not even engaged yet? The boss only called off the debt because he thought you were family…"

I felt like I was being held over an open flame. My father could only manage muffled pleas through the gag, his eyes already blackened, his left cheek swollen and shiny from a fresh punch.

In that moment, I had no choice. Every other possible answer turned to ash.

The only word left was, "Yes. I'll marry you."