Alessandro took a slow sip of the wine, letting the rich flavor settle on his tongue. He looked at his father over the rim of the glass, a faint, almost nostalgic smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You still haven't changed," he said quietly. "Always thinking about business. Even now, the first thing that comes to your mind is merging families for deals."
Matteo paused, then threw his head back and laughed — a deep, hearty sound that filled the office and momentarily eased the heavy atmosphere between them. It was the kind of laugh Alessandro hadn't heard from his father in years.
"Guilty as charged," Matteo admitted, still chuckling as he raised his glass. "But apart from that… I'm really happy for you, son. I truly am. I hope this relationship with Elena blossoms into something beautiful. Something strong. You deserve that."
Alessandro met his father's eyes. For a moment, the weight on his chest felt a little lighter. He gave a small, genuine smile — rare and unguarded.
