CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE – SPONTANEOUS LIVING

Joan stared out the window of the private jet, still in disbelief at the spontaneity of their trip. Alessandro sat beside her, his hand resting comfortably on hers. "I still can't believe we're doing this," Joan said, turning to face him. "A weekend in Venice? Just like that?" Alessandro's lips curved into a rare smile. "Sometimes, cara mia, we need to seize the moment. The family can survive without us for a few days." As the plane descended into Marco Polo Airport, Joan felt a thrill of excitement. The sun was setting over the lagoon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. A sleek water taxi awaited them at the dock. As they sped across the water towards the heart of Venice, Joan gasped at the sight of the city emerging from the mist. "It's like a dream," she whispered. Alessandro wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Wait until you see where we're staying." Their hotel, a restored 15th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal, took Joan's breath away. Their suite was a master