CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT - SHADOWS OF THE PAST

As the family gathered for breakfast, there was a palpable sense of change in the air. The tension and suspicion that had permeated the household for weeks had lifted, replaced by a cautious optimism and a renewed sense of unity. They ate in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts but drawing comfort from the presence of their loved ones. When Giovanni finally spoke, his voice was filled with determination. "We have a long road ahead of us," he said, looking around the table at each family member in turn. "Mari's betrayal has left its mark, and we don't know what Dante's next move will be. But we will face whatever comes together, as a family." Murmurs of agreement echoed around the table. As they continued their meal, plans were made to strengthen the family's defenses, to support Amelia's bakery, and to heal the rifts that Mari's manipulations had caused. Upstairs, Mari's room stood empty, the drawers of her dresser still open from her hasty packing. A single photo