CHAPTER FIFTY TWO – MOVING BOXES

Joan stood in her childhood bedroom, surrounded by cardboard boxes and memories. She picked up a framed photo of her family, running her fingers over the smiling faces. "You sure you've got everything, sweetheart?" her father called from the doorway. Joan turned, a wistful smile on her face. "I think so, Dad. It's strange, you know? Packing up my whole life." Her father chuckled, stepping into the room. "It's not your whole life, Joanie. Just a new chapter." "I know, I know," Joan sighed, carefully placing the photo in a box. "It's just... a big step." "That's what growing up is all about," her father said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Vito seems like a good man. And that penthouse of his? Talk about an upgrade from this old place." Joan laughed, leaning into her father's embrace. "Dad, this will always be home. No matter how fancy Vito's place is." A car horn honked outside, and Joan's brother Tim poked his head into the room. "Vito's here with the moving truck. You r