CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX - A Bridge Too Fragile

Mara smiled warmly at both of them. "That's what family does," she said simply. "And like it or not, we're all family now." As the conversation wound down, there was a palpable shift in the room. The tension that had been present at the beginning had eased, replaced by a tentative hope. Cassius and Clarissa weren't fully reconciled, but they had taken the first crucial steps on that path. "So," Mara said, looking between the siblings, "what's next?" Cassius and Clarissa exchanged a look, years of shared history passing between them. "Maybe," Cassius said slowly, "we could have dinner next week? Just the three of us?" Clarissa's face lit up. "I'd like that," she said softly. "Very much." As they all stood to say their goodbyes, Mara watched as Cassius and Clarissa shared a slightly awkward, but genuine hug. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about the progress they had made. When Clarissa had left, Mara turned to Cassius, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm proud of you,