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Chapter 12: Smoke in the Foundation

Author: Nedum's Pen
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-03 02:20:28

A month after Amara shared her pregnancy news, life should have been calm.

But instead, it was chaos.

Luca was swamped. The demand for Terra e Fiamma’s unique family-style menu exploded. Local press turned national, food bloggers flooded Bellwood Falls, and investors started circling with interest in franchising.

Amara barely saw him anymore.

He was either in meetings, on calls, or bouncing between the kitchen and media interviews. Noah started asking why “Chef Luca” wasn’t home for movie night, and Amara was too tired to explain that sometimes love had to fight to stay visible.

And then it got worse.

The Fire

It happened on a Saturday afternoon.

The restaurant was closed for a private team meeting, and Amara was home with Noah, icing her ankles and sipping ginger tea when the phone rang.

It was Rosie. Her voice was frantic.

“Amara, the restaurant—there’s smoke. A fire. We don’t know how bad yet. Luca’s inside.”

Amara’s world tilted.

“I’m coming.”

She dropped the tea. Didn’t even grab
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