CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO - THE FIRST CUT

"I could say the same to you," Amelia replied, trying to keep her voice neutral. Mari shrugged, stepping further into the kitchen. "Jet lag, I suppose. I hope you don't mind me wandering around. The smell of baking drew me in." Amelia forced a smile. "Old habits die hard, I guess. Even with all the fancy chefs Alessandro could hire, I still prefer to do some things myself." "It's admirable," Mari said, her tone sincere. "You've never lost touch with who you are, despite all the changes in your life." The compliment caught Amelia off guard. "Thank you," she said cautiously. Mari moved closer, her eyes on the dough Amelia was shaping. "You know, I always envied that about you. Your certainty, your strength. Even when the family was at its worst, you never wavered." Amelia's hands stilled. "It wasn't easy," she admitted. "There were times I wanted to run away from it all." "But you didn't," Mari pointed out. "You stayed, fought for Alessandro, for your place in this family. I wish