CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN – THE JILTED LOVER

The next day, a delivery man arrived at the Vehara Institute with a massive bouquet of roses. Joan's face burned as her colleagues oohed and aahed over the flowers. The card read: "Joan, my love. Please forgive me. - Vito" She dumped the flowers in the trash. But it didn't stop there. Every day, like clockwork, a new gift arrived. Chocolates, jewelry, more flowers. Each came with a note, professing Vito's love and begging for forgiveness. Joan tried to ignore them, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Her coworkers were starting to whisper, and she felt like she was constantly on edge, waiting for the next delivery. One evening, as Joan was helping her father prepare dinner, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Tim called from the living room. A moment later, Joan heard raised voices. She and her father exchanged a look before hurrying to see what was going on. There, in the doorway, stood Vito. Tim was blocking his entry, his face thunderous. "You've got a lot of nerve sh