Chapter Ninety Eight - The Treatment

"Not good?" Amelia laughed bitterly. "Alessandro, it's a disaster. We're hemorrhaging money. At this rate, we'll be out of business in a month." The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. Alessandro pulled up a chair, sitting close to Amelia and taking her hands in his. "There has to be a way," he insisted. "What about loans? Or... or we could sell part of the business?" Amelia shook her head. "Loans would only delay the inevitable. And selling part of the business? To whom? Who would want to invest in a bakery that's being systematically destroyed by a competitor?" Alessandro hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I could sponsor you. Invest my own money to keep the bakery afloat until we can turn things around." For a brief moment, hope flickered in Amelia's eyes. But then reality set in, and she firmly shook her head. "No, Alessandro. I can't ask that of you. This is my battle, my dream. I won't drag you down with me if... if it fails." "Amelia," Alessandro protested, "