She felt cherished

As Bella and Lucas walked back to the dining room, her nerves still felt unsettled. But Lucas's hand on the small of her back was a steadying presence. The quiet reassurance in his touch and the firm confidence in his stride gave her courage to face the rest of the evening.

When they returned to the table, Alessandra greeted Bella with a warm smile, as though trying to ease the lingering tension. "Welcome back, dear. I hope you're feeling better."

Bella nodded with a small smile. "Yes, thank you."

Lucas pulled out her chair and waited until she sat before he took his own seat beside her. As the conversation resumed, he kept a watchful eye on her, sensing her discomfort despite her composed exterior.

Vivian leaned forward slightly, her tone casual but laced with underlying intent. "Bella, you must be so grateful to have Lucas in your life. He's always been such a responsible man, even as a child. It's no wonder he's taken to helping… others."

Lucas's gaze snapped to his aunt, sharp but composed. "Aunt Vivian," he began, his voice calm yet unyielding, "Bella isn't just someone in my life. She's my partner. And I'd appreciate it if we spoke of her with the respect she deserves."

Vivian blinked, caught off guard by his directness. "Of course, Lucas. I didn't mean any offense," she said, though her tone lacked true sincerity.

He didn't let her off so easily. "I'm sure you didn't. But words matter, especially in family. Bella is here because she's important to me, and I won't have anyone questioning that."

Bella's breath caught. She glanced at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. The subtle strength in his words, the unwavering tone that didn't rise in anger but carried an undeniable authority, left her feeling… protected. For once, she felt like she didn't have to defend herself alone.

Alessandra chimed in, her voice soothing. "We're all here to welcome Bella, Vivian. Let's focus on making this evening pleasant for everyone."

Matteo nodded, raising his glass. "To family," he said simply, his deep voice carrying a steady warmth.

"To family," Alessandra echoed, giving Bella a reassuring smile.

Lucas leaned over slightly to Bella, his demeanor relaxing for a moment. "Let me serve you," he said softly, taking the serving spoon before she could protest.

Bella watched as he filled her plate with a little of everything, his movements unhurried and thoughtful. His calmness under pressure and his unflinching support struck her deeply. It was in that moment that she realized Lucas wasn't just there for her; he was on her side, wholly and completely.

The rest of the dinner passed with much less tension. Alessandra and Matteo steered the conversation toward lighter topics, sharing stories from Lucas's childhood and laughing over Matteo's attempts to teach Alessandra how to cook when they were first married.

Bella found herself relaxing, even smiling at their anecdotes. For the first time that evening, she felt a part of the family...not just a guest.

When the meal ended, Lucas stood and helped Bella with her chair. His parents exchanged a look of approval, subtle but unmistakable. Alessandra's eyes shone with quiet pride, and Matteo gave his son a small nod, as if silently acknowledging the man Lucas had become.

As they stepped out into the cool night, Bella sighed, relief washing over her. Lucas led her to the car, his hand gently resting on her back. This time, she didn't just feel supported....she felt cherished.

"Thank you for tonight," Bella said softly as they drove away. Lucas glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "For what?"

"For standing by me," she replied. "And for not letting her words bother you." He reached over, taking her hand in his. "Bella, you're important to me. No one, not even aunt Vivian can change that. I just hope tonight didn't make you uncomfortable."

Bella smiled faintly. "A little," she admitted. "But your parents were wonderful."

"They adore you," Lucas said with a small smile. "And so do I." Her heart skipped a beat at his words, but she quickly composed herself. "You're not bad yourself, Mr. Handsome," she teased, earning a soft chuckle from him.

As they drove back to her apartment, Bella realized that despite the challenges, she felt a sense of belonging she hadn't expected. And for the first time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, this could work.