Lily

"Are you absolutely certain you want to pass on off-campus housing?" Luca inquired, casting a critical eye over the cramped dorm room with its solitary bed and wooden table. "It feels more like a cell than a living space."

"It's not that bad!" Lily objected, dropping her duffle bag with a thud. "Mom, back me up."

Daisy sighed, adjusting her sunglasses atop her head and wrinkling her nose. "Oh babe, no. What's that stench?"

"I swear something died in here," Luca muttered, striding to the window and wrenching it open. "Needs a bit of WD-40."

"It's fine," Lily insisted, attempting to salvage the situation. "I like it. It feels cozy."

"You know what's truly cozy?" Daisy interjected with a knowing grin. "Having a functional elevator and a doorman in your building."

"We've discussed this," Lily reminded her parents firmly. "I want the on-campus experience for my first year. It's how I'll make friends."

"What assurance do you have that you'll even get along with your roommate?" Daisy questioned. "In my first year, I couldn't stand mine."

"You're not going to spoil my college experience," Lily declared defiantly. "That's why I only wanted Theo to drop me off. You two nitpick everything!"

"Sweetie, we're just trying to ensure you're content with your decisions," Luca intervened, approaching his daughter with open hands. "We're sorry if it comes off as criticism."

"I'm fine," Lily replied, rolling her eyes.

"And you're certain you won't regret moving to California?" Luca pressed.

"Not a chance," Lily affirmed with a shake of her head.

"And there's no possibility we can sway you to choose NYU over Pacific Crest?" Daisy persisted.

"I'm done with this conversation," Lily groaned, storming away.

"Alright, alright. Fair enough," Daisy relented, stepping further into the room. "Luca, I suppose we'll just have to let her find happiness in this 'prison cell.'"

"Thank you!" Lily exclaimed dramatically, bowing.

Unable to comprehend their daughter's decision, Luca and Daisy watched awkwardly as Lily began unpacking, arranging her belongings meticulously. As Lily sorted through her books, clothes, and supplies, Luca and Daisy hesitated near the door.

"Would you like a plant?" Daisy offered. "Maybe some greenery could liven up the space."

"I can't until I know my roommate," Lily replied. "I wouldn't want to bring something they might be allergic to."

Glancing over her shoulder, Lily caught the discontent on her father's face. "What?" she demanded, her arms folding defensively. "What's on your mind?"

"It's nothing," Luca dismissed, shaking his head.

"I saw you thinking something," Lily insisted. "Spit it out."

"This room is already cramped," Luca ventured cautiously. "Just imagine how much smaller it'll feel with another person and all their stuff."

Before Lily could retort, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and answered with relief. "Zia!"

"Hey, baby," Gia, Lily's aunt and Luca's sister, greeted cheerfully, holding up the phone. "All settled in? How's the dorm?"

"Mom and Dad are driving me insane!" Lily exclaimed. "They're nitpicking everything!"

"We are not!" Daisy gasped defensively. "You should see the size of this place. Our wine cellar is bigger than this."

"Theo did warn you," Gia chimed in with laughter. "I warned you too."

"Yeah, I didn't think it was going to be this rough," Lily complained. "What should I do?"

"Put your dad on the phone," Gia directed.

Lily turned and extended her phone toward her father. Luca sighed and stepped forward to take the call.

"Could you maybe dial down the unbearable dad act?" Gia chastised as soon as Luca appeared on the screen. "Lily will be fine. Just let her be. Help her settle in and then head back home. Seriously, Luca."

"She's not going to be comfortable here," Luca countered, shaking his head. He turned away, lowering his voice. "This place is smaller than her closet back home."

"She's there to learn and grow into an adult," Gia reassured calmly. "I understand your concern, but there's nothing to worry about. Daniel is always in California. Lily can reach out to him anytime she needs something. And Pacific Crest University is exceptional, Luca. It's safe and well-maintained. Many of my colleagues have sent their kids there. Lily is in good hands."

"Oh yeah?" Luca snorted skeptically. "Then why is Rose talking about NYU?"

"Rose is just keeping her options open," Gia explained. "But you know they're inseparable. I'm sure Rose will follow Lily to PCU."

"And then you'll get to experience this 'hell hole' too," Luca grumbled.

"It was voted the prettiest college campus on the entire East Coast!" Gia laughed.

"This place needs a major facelift," Luca chuckled, shaking his head.

As he spoke, Lily muttered under her breath and pulled out the rest of her clothes from her suitcase. She knew her parents wanted the best for her but their constant pursuit to get her to stay in New York for college was getting old. As much as she loved her parents and her brothers, Lily knew she would never be able to experience college under their watch. PCU was the farthest college she could have picked from home.

"Do you want me to make the bed for you?" Daisy offered, setting her purse on the small table and picking up one of the boxes.

"Yes, please," Lily nodded gratefully.

"You'd better come over here and learn," Daisy teased, nudging her daughter towards the bed. "Mommy won't be here to make it for you every day."

Lily laughed as she retrieved her new sheets and allowed her mother to teach her the art of making a bed. She pitched in wherever she could while Luca unpacked the remaining boxes and even managed to fix the broken window.

"I think we've got everything," Lily remarked, surveying her new surroundings.

"Where should we put this?" Daisy inquired, approaching with a small medicine box. "It needs to be somewhere safe, maybe right by your bed."

"Top drawer," Lily directed, indicating the dresser.

"The medical office already has your prescription," Luca added. "Before we leave tomorrow, we'll take you to see your new doctor. Since you have your car already, you can drive us around."

Lily smiled at the thought of having her own car on campus. She had entrusted the task of picking it out to her brothers, Mason and Levi, knowing that her dad and older brother might have chosen something too flashy.

"Alright," Luca sighed, surveying the room. "I think we're all set."

"Everything looks wonderful, sweetheart," Daisy said, enveloping Lily in a warm embrace and planting a kiss on her head. "I'm incredibly proud of you."

"Thanks," Lily replied, returning the hug. "For talking Dad into it, and for everything else too."

"We just want the best for you, darling," Daisy murmured, holding Lily close to her chest. "You'll be so far away. You've never been this far from us."

"Del Mare—"

"Del Mare doesn't count," Daisy interrupted with a shake of her head.

Lily chuckled. "Okay, fine."

"Lunch?" Luca suggested, joining his wife and daughter.

"Yes, please!" Lily exclaimed eagerly. "I'm starving"

Grabbing her purse and car keys, Lily led her parents downstairs, excitement bubbling within her as she navigated through the corridors filled with the hustle and bustle of new students unloading their dorm belongings. As they descended the staircase, Lily's steps quickened with anticipation, eager to showcase the vibrant atmosphere of the campus to her parents.

The air buzzed with energy as they reached the ground floor, where a flurry of activity unfolded before them. Groups of students, accompanied by family members, moved back and forth carrying boxes, suitcases, and bags into the dormitory building. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, blending with the occasional squeak of rolling luggage and the thud of heavy items being placed on the ground.

"Isn't it amazing?" she exclaimed, turning to her parents with a beaming smile. "Look at this place!"

Daisy and Luca followed, admiring the smile on their daughter's face as her beaming eyes took in her surroundings. They held each other's hand and walked to the parking lot proudly as Lily got into her car and started the engine.

"Check your mirrors," Luca directed as he took the passenger seat and buckled his seat belt. "Adjust your rear view."

"Done, done, and done," Lily said as she made her adjustments. "Ready?"

"Whenever you are," Luca nodded.

"I can't believe this is actually happening," Lily squealed as she pulled out of the parking spot and headed toward the exit. The lavish iron gates pushed open as the guards ushered her out. Lily immediately rolled down the window and opened the sunroof. The salty sea air invaded her senses and began to toss around her hair. "Can I play some music?"

"Focus on the road," Luca pointed ahead. "Stay on speed limit."

"Got it," Lily shifted in her seat. "Also, I'm thinking about signing up for the astronomy club. It's the same professor as the course and I think it'll be so much fun."

"That sounds fun," Daisy said encouragingly. "And the campus has that expensive planetarium."

"That's what I was thinking," Lily said. "And there's also a surfing club. I don't know how-"

Daisy gasped from the back seat as Lily neared a stop sigh. "Watch out!"

Lily screamed and slammed on her breaks. But it was too late.

The breaks of her brand new BMW screached as the nose of the car slammed into the Honda.

______________________

Theo

The hushed murmurs of the restaurant blended into the background as Theo sat fixed, his gaze locked on the figure before him. His jaw clenched, his muscles taut, his temper simmering just beneath the surface. If he had his way, this lunch would be over in a heartbeat. There was no need to prolong the discomfort of sitting face-to-face, each moment thick with the weight of humiliation.

"Will you say something?" Ava's voice broke through the tension, her throat clearing as she spoke.

"You're slouching," Theo remarked, his tone clipped, prompting an immediate eye-roll from Ava.

"For heaven's sake," she muttered, shaking her head. "Is that all you have to say?"

"What do you expect me to say?" Theo's brow arched, his expression cool and controlled. "Should I beg you to stay? Plead with you not to leave me?"

"No," Ava frowned. "I don't want any of that. But can't you... say anything?"

"There's plenty I could say, Ava," Theo sighed, straightening up in his seat. "But honestly, this feels like a waste of time."

"A waste of time?" Hurt flashed across Ava's features, her round face clouded with emotion. "Our entire relationship is crumbling, and you call it a waste of time?"

"It's already fallen apart," Theo corrected her, his voice firm. "It fell apart the moment you slept with my best friend. There hasn't been a relationship for a while, Ava, and we both know it."

"And whose fault is that?"

"Certainly not mine."

"You're so full of yourself!" Ava groaned, frustration dripping from her words. "You think you're some paragon of perfection, but you're not! Our relationship died because of both of us, not just me. You never made time for us; all you cared about was yourself and maintaining this facade of being flawless. But in reality, you were far from perfect for me. James understands me, he cares for me in ways you never could, and he remembers the little things."

Ava's words hit Theo like a sudden downpour, leaving him momentarily speechless. She glared back at him, her eyes blazing with anger and frustration. In their two years together, she had never spoken to him with such raw honesty. Theo had been drawn to Ava initially because of her poised demeanor and eloquent personality, so her outburst caught him off guard. He couldn't fathom where all this anger had come from. Surely, if he was such a terrible boyfriend, she could have talked to him about it before.

"The little things?" Theo arched an eyebrow. "Seriously? He won you over with chocolates and love letters on sticky notes? Is that what you wanted?"

"Yes!" Ava exclaimed, exasperated. "That's what a real relationship is about. Not the sterile, business-like interactions we had. You treat everything as if it's another one of your cold business meetings. Why does everything have to be so rigid with you?"

"You knew what you were getting into," Theo reminded her. "I never misled you."

"I thought love would change you."

"Love?" Theo echoed, incredulous.

"Did you ever love me?" Ava's voice softened, her gaze searching his. "Could youhave fallen in love with me?"

"Sure," Theo replied, his tone defensive.

"I'm not convinced."

"Well, that's your problem," Theo retorted.

"You're such an asshole," Ava snapped, grabbing her purse.

"I don't understand why you're so angry with me," Theo watched her rise from the table. "You cheated on me and now you're breaking up with me."

"Nothing is ever your fault, Theo," Ava shook her head in disbelief. "You're perfect. It's always everyone else who's messed up."

With that, Ava stormed off, leaving Theo to ponder her words as the weight of their failed relationship settled heavily upon him.

For a moment, he sat there, stunned, as if frozen in time by the weight of her accusations. Theo had always prided himself on his self-assurance, but now, he felt exposed, stripped bare by Ava's brutal honesty.

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. He replayed moments from their relationship, scrutinizing his actions and words, searching for the cracks that had ultimately led to its demise. The realization that he had played a part in their downfall gnawed at him, a bitter pill to swallow. As he sat staring at the empty seat before him, his phone rang and he picked up without looking at the screen.

"Where are you?" Levi, his younger brother, spoke up.

"I had a meeting," Theo cleared his throat. "Why? What's up?"

"Lily crashed her car," Levi sighed.

"What?" Theo sat up, his brows furrowing as worry gripped his chest. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine," Levi said. "Mom and dad are with her."

"How did this happen?"

"I'm not sure," Levi answered.

"I'm headed back," Theo pulled out his wallet and handed the waiter his card. "I'll give them a call and see if they need anything. Did you tell Mason?"

"I'm about to call him right now."

"Alright," Theo sighed, realizing he suddenly had a pounding headache. "Keep me posted."

________________________

Lily

Lily's gaze lingered on the shattered glass scattered across the pavement, refracting the sunlight into a kaleidoscope of colors that danced across the road. Her parents stood nearby, engaged in conversation with the police officers, while the other driver, a girl around Lily's age, sat solemnly in the ambulance. Paramedics tended to her minor injuries with quiet efficiency, their expressions betraying the gravity of the situation.

With a heavy heart, Lily's gaze drifted towards her once-pristine car, now a mangled wreck with deflated airbags and a shattered windshield. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she rose from her seat on the sidewalk, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

Approaching the ambulance, Lily found herself face to face with the other girl, who met her gaze with a mixture of resignation and resentment.

"Hi," Lily began tentatively. "I'm so sorry about what happened."

"I just got my car," the girl replied bitterly.

"Me too," Lily admitted, her voice laced with regret.

"Yeah, but a brand new BMW is a whole different story from a secondhand Honda," the girl retorted, her eyes narrowing with accusation. "I worked my ass off all senior year to save up for that car. I bet your daddy just bought yours for you."

Lily felt a pang of guilt tighten around her heart, the weight of the other girl's words sinking in with each passing moment.

"And to top it off," the girl continued, her voice tinged with frustration, "my insurance premiums are going to skyrocket now. I don't have the extra money for that."

"I'm truly sorry," Lily rushed to apologize once more, the guilt threatening to overwhelm her.

"Lily?" Luca's voice interrupted from nearby.

"I'll be right back."

As Lily turned on her heels, ready to sprint over to her parents, her attention was abruptly stolen by the sudden arrival of a motorcycle. The sleek machine glided to a stop amidst the array of police cars, and in one fluid motion, its rider dismounted and removed his helmet.

Caught in the midst of the street, Lily found herself frozen in place, her gaze drawn inexorably to the captivating figure before her. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck, electrifying the air around her.

The young rider who emerged from beneath the helmet was a vision of rugged allure, his features chiseled and his demeanor exuding an effortless confidence. His dark, tousled hair was messy from the helmet, while his sun-kissed skin spoke of endless days beneath the California sun.

But it was his eyes that held her captive, piercing and enigmatic. His strong jawline was adorned with a hint of stubble, adding to the allure of his rugged charm. Clad in a fitted black t-shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders and sculpted arms, he moved with a fluid grace, every step commanding attention. A silver chain adorned with delicate wings danced with each movement, drawing Lily's gaze to the curve of his neck.

As he raised a hand to shake out his hair, a ripple of anticipation coursed through Lily's veins, her breath catching in her throat. As she stood transfixed, she suddenly felt a shift in the air. The scene was interrupted by a palpable tension as the man, strode purposefully past her, his gaze flickered towards Lily.

Lily was stunned as she was met with an icy glare. His piercing eyes bore into her with a cold intensity that sent a chill down her spine. In that moment, the allure of his rugged charm seemed to fade, replaced by an aura of hostility that hung heavy in the air. His features, once so captivating, now seemed hardened and unyielding, as if cloaked in a shroud of disdain.

The exchange was fleeting, but the impact was profound. Lily couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach as the handsome stranger continued on his way, leaving behind a lingering sense of discomfort in his wake.

"Lily?" Luca caled to her again.

Confused, Lily walked to her parents, briefly looking over her shoulder as the man made his way to the ambulance and pulled her other driver into a tight hug. She paused once again to stare at them as the pair turned and looked toward her.

"Baby," Daisy held out her hand and guided Lily to her side.

"Hello, sweetheart," the officer greeted Lily with a warm smile, his sunburnt skin crinkling at the corners of his eyes. "I just need to quickly take your statement and then we'll get you and your parents out of here, okay? I'll make this as brief as possible."

Lily raised her hand to shield her hair from the gusts of wind, her brows furrowed in thought as she nervously chewed on her bottom lip. Her mother's comforting touch on her back offered a small sense of solace amidst the chaos.

"Can you tell me what happened?" the officer prompted, his tone gentle yet authoritative.

Lily hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the ambulance where the other girl sat. A sinking feeling gripped her heart as she considered the repercussions of her words.

"It's okay," Luca reassured her, drawing closer and pressing a kiss to her temple. "I'll make sure nothing goes on your record."

A small frown creased Lily's brow as she turned back to the officer. "I don't want to file a report."

The officer arched an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Luca.

"Lily?" Luca's voice held a note of concern as he regarded his daughter. "Sweetheart, you're not in any trouble. It was just an accident."

"I know," Lily nodded, her voice quiet but resolute. "But I don't want to file a report. I don't want insurance to find out."

"My love, you don't need to worry about that," Daisy interjected. "We'll take care of everything with the insurance company."

"Not mine," Lily clarified. "The other driver's."

"She has insurance," the officer interjected matter-of-factly.

"But this will cause her premiums to go up," Lily countered.

"That's standard procedure after an accident," the officer explained.

"Dad, can I talk to you for a second?" Lily turned to Luca, her eyes pleading silently for understanding.

"Of course," Luca agreed, guiding Lily aside. "What's on your mind, sweetheart?"

"She's a freshman like me," Lily began earnestly. "She spent her whole senior year saving up to buy that car. She can't afford it if her insurance goes up."

"Baby, that's not our concern," Luca started to reply, but Lily interrupted him.

"Don't say that," Lily's frown deepened. "This was my mistake. I should have been more careful. I don't want to make her situation any worse. It's not fair."

Luca listened attentively to his daughter's impassioned plea, his own thoughts still reeling from the accident and its potential consequences. But when Lily squeezed his hand and looked at him with pleading eyes, everything else faded into the background.

"Dad, please," Lily implored softly. "She worked so hard for that car. And we can handle this without involving insurance."

Lily could see the conflict in her father's eyes, but she refused to give up. She tightened her grip on his hand, silently urging him to understand.

With a heavy sigh, Luca relented. "Okay, fine."

A sense of relief washed over Lily as she thanked her father, grateful for his understanding and compassion.

"Thank you," Lily beamed, enveloping Luca in a tight hug. "I love you."

"I love you too, sunshine," Luca murmured, pressing a kiss to the side of her head.

Stepping back, Lily's determination surged as she prepared to approach the girl and the motorcyclist. "I'll go speak to the girl," she said, turning to Luca. "You'll handle the officer?"

"I've got it," Luca assured her with a nod.

With renewed resolve, Lily made her way over to where Alexa and Gabriel were. Her heart raced with anticipation as she approached them, trying to push aside the nerves that threatened to overwhelm her.

"Hey," Lily greeted them with a tentative smile and a small wave. Her eyes met Gabriel's, and she felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her veins.

"Hi," Alexa replied, lowering the ice pack from her forehead.

"I didn't catch your name," Lily began, trying to break the tension. "I'm Lily."

"Alexa," the girl introduced herself. "And this is my brother, Gabriel."

Brother, Lily thought with relief, momentarily distracted from the tension.

"I wish we were meeting under different circumstances," Lily attempted to lighten the mood, but the atmosphere remained heavy with tension. Clearing her throat, she got straight to the point. "I want to handle this without involving insurance. This was completely my fault, and I'd like to pay for all the damage."

Gabriel's frown deepened, and he spoke up for the first time. "Why?"

Lily struggled to find the right words, her heart pounding in her chest. "Well... Alexa's insurance will go up because of the accident, and it wasn't really her fault at all. We can take care of the damage. My dad is already talking to the officer. We don't want to file a report."

"We do," Gabriel interjected firmly. "The accident was your fault. We're filing a report."

"No, we're not," Alexa countered, grabbing her brother's arm and pulling him back.

Lily felt a surge of relief at Alexa's words, but Gabriel's cold stare sent a shiver down her spine. She fought the urge to retreat, mesmerized by his striking presence.

"Just give us a second," Alexa said to Lily, leading Gabriel away to converse in hushed tones.

As they spoke, Lily's gaze drifted back to where her parents were. Luca and Daisy were still in conversation with the officer, but Daisy's reassuring glances eased Lily's nerves, reminding her that everything would be okay.

"Alright," Alexa cleared her throat, drawing Lily's attention. Lily turned to face the siblings, her gaze immediately falling on Gabriel, whose expression had darkened. "We'll settle it without insurance."

"Great," Lily smiled, relieved. "Do you want to exchange information? You can send me the bill once you get your car fixed."

"What?" Alexa laughed incredulously. "No. I don't know you. Tell your dad to write me a check now. How do I know you won't deny the accident later?"

"I... wouldn't," Lily frowned, taken aback by Alexa's abruptness.

"You're a stranger," Alexa stated matter-of-factly. "I need the check today before you go anywhere."

"How do you know the check won't bounce?" Lily countered, trying to reason with her.

"You're wearing seven hundred dollar shoes, and the bracelets on your mom's wrists can pay for someone's semester in college," Alexa retorted. "I'm pretty sure your dad's check won't bounce."

Lily shifted uncomfortably, feeling exposed under Alexa's scrutiny. "Okay..."

"You go to PCU, right?" Alexa pointed to Lily's shirt.

"Yes," Lily confirmed.

"I'll find you on campus if the check does bounce," Alexa stated firmly.

Lily nodded slowly, feeling a sense of unease settling over her. "Do you want to go to an auto shop to get a quote for the damage?"

"My brother has a shop," Alexa informed her. "We've seen enough accidents to know the damage. Full body work, engine replacement, paint job. It's not a minor repair."

"How much would all that be?" Lily inquired, her heart sinking at the prospect of the hefty bill.

"I'm lowballing here, but we're looking at twenty grand," Alexa replied casually.

Gabriel's reaction was immediate; his head snapped up, his gaze narrowing as tension radiated from his form.

"Alex," he interjected, his voice tight as he grabbed his sister's elbow.

"And that's just the outside damage," Alexa continued, shrugging off her brother's grip.

"I see," Lily nodded, feeling a sense of dread creeping in.

"You still want to do this out of pocket?" Alexa raised an eyebrow, her tone challenging.

"Yeah," Lily affirmed, though uncertainty gnawed at her. "That's fine. I'll go speak to my dad."

As Lily stepped away, she glanced back to see Gabriel pulling his sister aside, their voices lowering into a heated argument as she made her way over to her parents.

"Are you okay?" Luca asked, concern evident in his voice.

Lily nodded. "Yeah."

"Did they agree to settle?" Daisy inquired.

"Yeah," Lily confirmed. "Her brother has an auto shop. She said it's a twenty-thousand-dollar damage."

"Twenty thousand?" Daisy raised an eyebrow, glancing at Alexa's car. "For that?"

"That's definitely not right," Luca shook his head. "I'll go speak to her-"

"Dad, no," Lily's stomach twisted with apprehension. She didn't want her father to embarrass her in front of Alexa and Gabriel, especially not in front of Gabriel. And she knew how persistent her dad could be. "Can you just write the check?"

"Baby, twenty grand is a lot for that car," Luca tried to reason.

"Okay, maybe we're adding a little extra for emotional damage," Lily argued.

"Emotional distress," Daisy corrected her. "But even that's a stretch."

"Please," Lily clicked her tongue, her nerves fraying. "I want to go back to the hotel. Can we please just write the check and get this over with?"

"Baby, we can't just be giving away money like this," Daisy frowned. "It doesn't grow on trees. This is extortion."

"I already told her dad would write the check," Lily frowned. "I'll write it. I have the amount in my account."

"No," Luca shook his head.

"We can do half and half," Lily suggested. "Or I can pay you back. You did say I could get a job on campus."

"The money in your account is for you," Luca reminded her. "And I'm not going to make you pay me back. I'll speak to them."

"Dad, no!" Lily's eyes widened. "I'll be mortified."

"Crashing your brand new car didn't do it for you?" Daisy interjected.

"Mom!" Lily pushed back her hair, frustration coloring her cheeks. "Look, she goes to my school, okay? I'll have to see her on campus. I don't want an enemy on campus. Remember what happened to Mason?"

"Mason was the problem," Daisy corrected her. "Don't paint your brother as the victim."

"Well, do you want me to be the other guy?" Lily retorted.

"Alright, alright," Luca intervened, holding up his hands. "I'll write the check."

"Luca, no," Daisy protested. "This is absolutely ridiculous. That car probably cost half that amount."

"Let's just drop it, sunshine," Luca sighed, exhaustion evident in his voice. "I'm tired and I want to get back to the hotel. Let's count our blessings that no one was hurt. My daughter is unharmed, you're unharmed, and that's all that matters. No amount of money will top that."

Daisy pressed her lips into a thin line, her disapproval evident. Lily knew her father would hear more from her mother when they were alone, but for the moment, she was thankful for her mother's silence, no matter how daunting it was.

"Let's go," Luca said to Lily. "I'll transfer the money to her account."

Lily turned back towards the siblings, sticking close to her father for comfort as she stole glances at Gabriel.

"Hello," Luca cleared his throat. "I'm Luca, Lily's dad."

Gabriel gave a small nod and stepped forward to shake Luca's hand. Lily's heart raced as she watched him extend his hand and deliver a firm handshake, knowing her father always appreciated a strong grip.

"Gabriel," he introduced himself. "And this is my little sister, Alexa."

"Are you both students at PCU?" Luca inquired.

"Yes, sir," Gabriel replied. "This is my senior year. Alexa's freshman year."

"Same as Lily," Luca smiled at his daughter. Lily returned the smile before turning her attention back to Gabriel.

"Can we get your bank account information?" She asked. "Who should we wire the money to?"

"That would be me," Alexa raised her hand, pulling out her phone to open her banking app.

"Twenty thousand, right?" Luca chuckled. "Are you sure you have the right amount?"

Lily felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She looked towards her dad, gripping his arm. "Dad."

"There's extensive damage," Alexa replied.

Luca nodded, his focus shifting to Gabriel. "What do you think, Gabriel?"

"Not my car," Gabriel shrugged.

"But you own an auto repair shop?" Luca inquired further.

"My uncle does," Gabriel clarified. "I work part-time."

"I see," Luca acknowledged.

"What's the name?" Lily interjected, her gaze shifting to Gabriel. "My car is damaged too..."

"We still have warranty," Luca reassured her. "Don't worry about it, baby. Mason will send it back to BMW, and we'll get you a replacement."

"How long have you had the car?" Alexa asked.

"Not long," Lily replied softly.

"It was her graduation present," Luca added proudly. "From her brothers."

"It's a beautiful car," Alexa complimented, glancing towards Lily's car.

"It was," Lily nodded sadly.

"You bought it brand new?" Alexa inquired.

"Yes," Lily affirmed.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," Alexa sympathized.

"No," Lily frowned. "It was all my fault. I should have been paying more attention."

"And she should have been driving within the speed limit," Gabriel interjected, shooting a disapproving look at his sister.

"What's done is done," Luca intervened. "We're all unharmed, my daughter is safe, and that's all that matters. I'm happy to pay for any damage."

For the first time since they met, Lily noticed Alexa's eyes soften. A small smile appeared on her lips as Luca took her information.

"Let me know if you have any trouble with anything," Luca offered.

"Thank you," Alexa replied sincerely. "And I'll send you back the money if we end up not needing all of it."

"Don't stress too much," Luca reassured her with a tenderness he often reserved for his own daughter. "I have a feeling you might end up needing a new car."

"Hopefully not," Alexa chuckled. "But thank you... Mister?"

"Silvano," Luca smiled warmly. "Luca Silvano, and Lily Silvano."

"Alexa Reyes," Alexa introduced herself, extending her hand as if Luca were taking attendance at school. "And Gabriel Reyes."

Gabriel Reyes, Lily's heart pounded. Lily Silvano Reyes?

What do you guys think? Should I go on with it? I've just been fooling around with a few ideas.