Chapter Ninety Six - The Diagnosis

Amelia sighed, her façade crumbling slightly. "Honestly? I'm scared, Alessandro. This bakery... it's not just a business to me. It's my dream, my legacy. The thought of losing it..." Alessandro squeezed her hand gently. "You won't lose it. We'll fight this together, I promise you." The waiter approached, and they ordered their meals – a mushroom risotto for Amelia and osso buco for Alessandro. As they waited for their food, they fell into a comfortable conversation, reminiscing about the early days of their relationship. "Do you remember the first time you caught me sneaking down to the kitchen at night?" Amelia asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Alessandro laughed, a rich, warm sound that never failed to make Amelia smile. "How could I forget? There you were, flour on your nose, whipping up a batch of cookies at three in the morning. I thought I was dreaming." "Your mother was scandalized when she found out," Amelia giggled. "The head chef, baking in secret like a naughty c