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Chapter 1

Elisabet

Portland

A fresh start

My heart still aches for what I left behind My father is still back in New York, and even though I ht was enough to haveout

He pro, and even though I choose to believe hio, and I don’t blame him because I’m his only child But I pray he allows me to make my own mistakes

When I stepped off the plane teeks ago, I wasn’t sure if I was going toto happen fora life that wasn’t my choice

My father lovesme He wanted me to marry a man I didn’t love Someone he knew all his life, but that wasn’t who I loved Trying to tell er him

Then, when I spoke to him about my career and mentioned I wanted to open my own bakery one day, he lost his mind I wasn’t meant to be a peasant, in his words, I was a princess I accepted it for a short tiree, I knew I could never sit back and be taken care of byatforme to come home

“I just can’t,” I say to no one in particular The small bakery he finally allowed , but I couldn’t live in the same city as my dad

Which brings ured my best bet would be to try my luck here, where I knew at least one person asn’t in that world I grew up in—Mia We studied together for a short tio to culinary classes, I enjoyed her banter more and loved how much passion she had for food

Mia and I connected in that short tio back to New York, where I had to play the dutiful daughter Time hasn’t afforded ations, but since I’m in Portland, I hope my father will finally realize I’m not cut out for the world he’s from

The phone rings and I see Dad’s nu more than to answer it, to hear his voice, but I don’t I let it go to voicemail and then listen

“I miss you, Tesoro I wish you would reconsider Your ho back the e not to cry

Once I’ain and start the engine of h and low for space to open my new bakery since I arrived Rossi Desserts started as an idea I put pen to paper, and now I’m ready to purchase property to make my dream come true

When hteenth birthday, I wanted nothing more to do with my father and his business But after I followed him to New York from Italy, I knew I could make a life here My focus was to cook, bake, and create beautiful treats

Pulling up to the For Sale sign fifteen ine and exit the vehicle I lift my shades and take in the beautiful architecture of the structure in question The paint is peeling, there’s a lot of work to be done on the s, but I can seethis into a beautiful place for people to visit with friends or family

The building in front of me is perfect Every square inch of it would be lected place it currently is, I see potential Soon enough, I’ll start again, and I’ll once more be known as the bitch of the kitchen That’s fine with me Most of my bakers have walked out because they say I’m too hard on them

What’s the point in creating food you don’t love? That’s what my mother used to say

I find ht Excitement tumbles into take a look at the space It’s all locked up, but I have a look around at the parking allocation There are two other stores beside it, a pharrocer Perfect