Amelia stood there, her hand trembling in Luca's. His words hung in the air, wrapping around her heart like a fragile thread of hope. For a fleeting moment, she wanted to believe that they could carve out a future against all odds. But she knew better—Willowbrook's history was littered with stories like theirs, none of which had happy endings.
"Luca," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I want to believe you. I do. But love isn't the only thing we need. What about your father? Your family? The people in this town?"
His grip on her hand tightened. "Let them talk. Let them judge. None of it matters as long as we have each other."
Amelia shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. "It does matter. You think I don't hear the whispers? The stares? They already see me as less—like I'm not good enough. And if we keep this up, they'll see you the same way. I can't let that happen to you."
He stepped closer, his other hand cupping her face. "Amelia, look at me." She reluctantly met his gaze, her breath catching at the intensity in his eyes. "I don't care what they think. I don't care about their rules or their expectations. I love you. And I'm not going to let anyone take that away from us."
The conviction in his voice sent a shiver down her spine, but it also terrified her. "What if we lose everything, Luca? What if you lose everything? Is it worth it?"
"You're worth everything," he said firmly, his thumb brushing away her tears. "But you have to trust me. We'll find a way. We'll make our own rules."
Amelia wanted so badly to believe him, but doubt gnawed at her resolve. She pulled away, wrapping her arms around herself as she looked up at the sky. "And what if we fail?" she asked softly.
Luca hesitated, the weight of her question settling between them. "Then we fail together," he said finally. "But at least we'll know we tried. At least we won't spend the rest of our lives wondering what could have been."
The sincerity in his voice made her heart ache. She turned back to him, her expression a mixture of hope and fear. "I don't know if I'm strong enough for this, Luca. For us."
"You are," he said, stepping closer once more. "You're stronger than you think. And you don't have to do it alone. I'm here, Amelia. I'll always be here."
She searched his eyes, looking for any hint of doubt, but found none. Slowly, she nodded, a tentative smile breaking through the storm of emotions. "Okay," she whispered. "We'll try."
Relief washed over Luca's face, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if afraid she might disappear. "We'll figure it out," he murmured against her hair. "Together."
For the first time in weeks, Amelia allowed herself to hope. It was a fragile thing, easily shattered, but in Luca's arms, it felt real.
---
The days leading up to the Landon gala were a whirlwind of preparations. Amelia reluctantly agreed to help, knowing it was impossible to avoid the event entirely. She told herself it was just another job, a way to keep busy and earn a little extra money. But deep down, she knew it was more than that. It was a chance to see Luca again, even if only from a distance.
On the evening of the gala, the Landon estate sparkled with opulence. Chandeliers cast golden light across the grand hall, and the sound of laughter and music filled the air. Amelia stood in the corner, her simple dress a stark contrast to the extravagant gowns and suits that surrounded her. She felt out of place, like an intruder in a world she didn't belong to.
Her gaze searched the crowd, her heart skipping a beat when she spotted Luca. He looked every bit the part of a Landon heir, his tailored suit accentuating his confident demeanor. But when his eyes met hers, his expression softened, a secret smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
He made his way toward her, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. "You look beautiful," he said when he reached her, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
Amelia glanced around nervously. "Luca, we shouldn't—"
"I don't care," he interrupted, taking her hand and pulling her into the shadow of a nearby pillar. "I just needed to see you."
Her heart raced as she looked up at him, the intensity in his gaze making it impossible to look away. "Luca, someone will see us," she whispered.
"Let them," he said, his voice filled with defiance. "Let them see that I'm not ashamed of us. That I'll fight for you—for us."
Before she could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps made them both freeze. Amelia stepped back, her heart pounding as a familiar voice reached her ears.
"Luca," Richard Landon said, his tone icy as he appeared from around the corner. His gaze flicked to Amelia, and his expression darkened. "What are you doing?"
Luca straightened, his jaw tightening. "I was just—"
"Embarrassing yourself," Richard cut in sharply. "And this family."
Amelia felt a lump form in her throat, but before she could speak, Luca stepped in front of her, shielding her from his father's glare. "I won't apologize for being with her," he said firmly. "Not to you, not to anyone."
Richard's eyes narrowed, his anger barely contained. "You're making a mistake, Luca. One that will cost you everything."
Luca met his father's gaze without flinching. "Then it's a price I'm willing to pay."
Amelia's heart ached as she watched the tension between them, knowing she was the cause of it. But as Luca reached for her hand, lacing his fingers with hers, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could defy the odds.
And maybe love was worth the fight after all.