Page 45 of Wrestling With Love

She won the Gold Medal!!

She was the best in the world!!

The crowd erupted, but she didn’t hear them.

She only heard her heartbeat.

She did it.

It hit her all at once.

The years of work. The pain. The hunger. The loneliness. The winning.

She stepped off the mat, past the reporters, past the flashing cameras and screaming fans. She didn’t stop. She didn’t slow.

She walked straight into Luca’s arms.

He was already waiting, his coat open, ready to shield her. The moment he wrapped it around her, warm and solid, she broke.

Silent at first. A shudder. A breath.

Then—a full, body-shaking sob.

He didn’t say a word. He just held her, one hand in her hair, the other pressed firm against her back. Solid. Unmoving. Hers.

His lips brushed her temple, his voice a low whisper meant for her alone.

"Told you, Diamond. You were never meant to lose."

Luca's family, Lena, Vincent, several familiar, dangerous-looking Italian men, a few wrestlers from the gym, and the entire crowd erupted in cheers as she was awarded the gold medal, their applause echoing through the arena. Flashing cameras captured the moment, while chants of her name filled the air, marking the triumph of her relentless determination.

***

The celebration dinner was set in an upscale Italian restaurant, one that exuded warmth and old-world charm. The scent of garlic, basil, and slow-cooked marinara filled the air, mingling with the joyful chatter of Luca’s family and friends. Diamond sat at the center of it all, still clutching her gold medal, as laughter and clinking glasses echoed around her.

Lena and Vincent were engaged in a playful argument about who had cheered louder during her final match. The familiar, dangerous-looking Italian men, who usually carried an air of intimidation, were all grins and raised glasses. The wrestlers from the gym had settled into easy conversation, toasting to her victory.

Diamond, however, found herself sitting back and simply taking it all in. A deep emotion stirred inside her—something foreign, yet comforting. This wasn’t just a victory celebration. It was something more. A family that had chosen to celebrate her. A family that supported her.

Her fingers curled around her medal as she swallowed hard, pushing back the wave of emotions rising in her chest. She had spent years standing on her own, carrying her battles alone. Now, she wasn’t just surrounded by people—she was surrounded by them. A family that had become hers in ways she never expected.

Luca’s father, an imposing figure with a voice that commanded attention, raised his glass. "To Diamond," he said, his deep voice filled with pride. "You fought like hell for this moment. And you deserve every bit of it."

She nodded, offering a grateful smile, but before she could respond, he added, "I want you to know something, ragazza. Whether you realize it or not, this family is yours. And if you ever want to make it official, well…" He smirked, casting a knowing glance at Luca, who sat beside her.

Luca chuckled, shaking his head. "No pressure at all, right?"

Diamond blinked, momentarily speechless. She had spent so much of her life proving she didn’t need anyone. That she was fine on her own. And yet, here was a man, Luca’s father, offering her something she had long since convinced herself was out of reach.

She glanced at Luca, whose gaze was already on her. His dark eyes held something she had never seen before—contentment. As if seeing her happy, truly happy, meant everything to him.

Vincent leaned towards Luca, his voice low but firm. "I’m glad she found you. Because if she hadn’t, she would have broken one of these days. She’s strong, but even strong people have limits."

Luca exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He knew that. He had seen it in the way she carried herself, in the way she fought, in the way she had built walls so high no one had dared to climb them—until now.

The ride home was a blur, but not for Luca. As he gripped the steering wheel, his gaze flicked toward Diamond, who sat beside him, still clutching her medal like it might vanish if she let go. His chest tightened.

She had fought for this moment, suffered for it, bled for it. And now that she had won, he wanted to give her something more—something she had never dared to dream of.

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