The next morning, Jasmine woke up before the sun.
For a moment she lay still in the unfamiliar bed, staring at the ceiling while the quiet of the house wrapped around her.
Then the memories returned.
The mansion.
Lucas.
The new life that had somehow appeared overnight.
She slowly sat up and pushed the blankets aside.
The floor felt cool under her feet as she walked to the window.
Outside, the sky was just beginning to lighten. A soft golden glow stretched across the garden, touching the tops of the trees.
It was peaceful.
Too peaceful for someone whose life had completely fallen apart only two days ago.
Jasmine rested her forehead lightly against the glass.
Is this real?
A part of her still expected someone to burst into the room and tell her it had all been a mistake.
But no one came.
Instead, a quiet excitement stirred in her chest.
School.
Music training.
A real future.
She quickly got dressed and tied her hair back before leaving the room.
The house was still quiet when she reached the kitchen.
Maria was already there.
The older woman smiled warmly when she saw her.
"Good morning, Jasmine."
"Morning."
"You're awake early."
Jasmine shrugged slightly.
"I couldn't sleep much."
Maria placed a plate of toast on the counter.
"That happens when life changes suddenly."
Jasmine leaned against the counter.
"Does Mr. Valtieri always wake up this early?"
Maria chuckled softly.
"He wakes up earlier than everyone."
Right on cue, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Lucas entered the kitchen a moment later.
He was already dressed in a crisp black shirt and dark trousers, looking like he had been awake for hours.
His sharp eyes immediately noticed Jasmine.
"You're up."
Jasmine nodded.
"I couldn't sleep."
Lucas walked to the coffee machine and poured himself a cup.
"That will change."
"How?"
"You'll be busy soon."
Jasmine smiled faintly.
"Because of school?"
"Yes."
"And the music lessons?"
Lucas glanced at her.
"That too."
Jasmine hesitated before asking the question sitting on her mind.
"When will those start?"
Lucas took a sip of coffee.
"Today."
Her eyes widened.
"Today?!"
"Yes."
"That's really fast."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Would you prefer waiting months?"
"Well… no."
Maria laughed quietly while placing a plate in front of Jasmine.
"Eat first before the excitement makes you faint."
Jasmine grabbed the toast.
"I'm not going to faint."
Lucas studied her calmly.
"We'll see."
Jasmine rolled her eyes slightly but couldn't hide her excitement.
For the first time in days, the heavy feeling in her chest was fading.
Maybe things really were getting better.
Later that morning, Lucas led her to a different part of the house.
They stopped in front of a smaller room near the music hall she had discovered yesterday.
Lucas opened the door.
Inside sat a middle-aged woman with short silver hair and sharp eyes.
She looked up as they entered.
"You must be Jasmine."
Her voice was firm but not unkind.
Jasmine nodded nervously.
"Yes."
The woman stood and extended her hand.
"I'm Elena Ward. Your vocal coach."
Jasmine blinked.
"You're serious about this."
Lucas leaned against the doorframe.
"I rarely joke about business."
Elena studied Jasmine carefully.
"Lucas tells me you have natural talent."
Jasmine glanced at Lucas.
"You told her that?"
"Yes."
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
Elena gestured toward the piano.
"Let's hear it."
Jasmine swallowed.
Now she was nervous again.
This felt more serious than singing during breakfast.
Still, she walked toward the center of the room.
Closed her eyes.
And sang.
Her voice filled the room slowly.
Soft at first.
Then stronger.
When she finished, Elena nodded thoughtfully.
"Interesting."
Jasmine opened her eyes.
"Interesting?"
Lucas watched quietly from the doorway.
Elena crossed her arms.
"You're untrained."
Jasmine sighed.
"I already knew that."
"But," Elena continued, "your voice carries emotion naturally."
Jasmine blinked.
"That's good… right?"
Elena nodded.
"Very good."
Hope sparked again inside her chest.
Lucas spoke from behind them.
"How long until she's ready for proper performances?"
Jasmine turned around quickly.
"Performances?"
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"That depends on how fast she learns."
Jasmine stared between the two of them.
"Wait… what performances?"
Lucas's voice remained calm.
"If you're going to develop that voice, it shouldn't stay hidden."
Her heart started beating faster.
"You mean like… singing in public?"
"Yes."
The idea both thrilled and terrified her.
Jasmine tried to imagine it.
A stage.
An audience.
People listening to her voice.
It felt impossible.
But exciting.
Elena clapped her hands once.
"Alright. Let's begin."
Jasmine took a deep breath.
Maybe this really was the beginning of something new.
A better life.
But as Lucas watched her from the doorway, a faint smile touched his lips.
Not the warm smile Jasmine had seen before.
This one was quieter.
More calculating.
Like a man who had just made a very promising investment.
And investments, Lucas Valtieri knew very well, always paid off in the end.