Chapter Twelve - Moments of Joy

Once inside, Alessandro didn't immediately turn to the task at hand. Instead, he paced the room, his movements agitated and unfocused. Amelia watched him, concern overriding her earlier unease. "Alessandro," she said gently, "is everything alright?" He stopped abruptly, turning to face her with an intensity that made her breath catch. "No," he admitted after a long moment. "No, it's not." Amelia waited, giving him space to continue if he chose to. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and hidden truths. Finally, Alessandro sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Amelia. I shouldn't burden you with this. It's family business." "I work for your family," Amelia reminded him softly. "If there's anything I can do to help..." Alessandro's laugh was sharp and without humor. "That's just it, isn't it? You work for us. But how much do you really know about the De Laurentis family?" The question hung in the air, loaded with implications. Amelia thought