Chapter 23 - THE TRIAL OF VIVIENNE DELUCA
The courthouse was full because the DeLuca name attracted reporters.
I hated that.
Vivienne had spent months wanting family business private.
Now every camera waited outside.
Inside, the judge banned photography.
Good.
Evidence began with the bracelet.
Hospital security officer.
Printer logs.
Missing duplicate.
Everett Hale’s discarded identifier.
The forensic envelopes.
Then Owen.
He testified:
He scanned Matteo’s bracelet twice.
Mismatch both times.
He had previously warned Vivienne not to manipulate bands.
Then:
“Did the mismatch prove the baby was not Roman and Elena’s?”
“No.”
Important.
“It proved the bracelet did not correspond to the expected patient file.”
Then DNA.
Independent lab director.
All three triplets biologically ours.
Blood typing and birth records supported individual identity.
No actual infant swap.
The prosecutor did not exaggerate.
That strengthened everything.
Then Bianca.
She looked directly at Vivienne once.
Only once.
She testified about the plan to pressure Elena.
The message:
When I give you Matteo, do not hand him back immediately.
Then:
“Did you know the band was false?”
“No.”
“Would you have participated if you knew?”
“No.”
Defense:
“You wanted Matteo in your arms.”
“Yes.”
“You wanted Elena forced to tolerate it.”
“Yes.”
“You stood to benefit emotionally from your mother’s plan.”
“Yes.”
No hiding.
Then:
“Could Vivienne have believed you wanted temporary caregiving?”
“Yes.”
There.
Context.
May you like
Not authorization.
Bianca’s honesty made her credible.
