Chapter 8 - THE PRIVATE FLOOR
St. Vincent’s private maternity floor existed because wealthy families paid for privacy.
That privacy created problems.
Fewer people moving through halls.
More controlled access.
Private family lounges.
Separate housekeeping schedule.
The DeLucas had additionally insisted on our own security presence outside Elena’s suite.
I had thought that made everyone safer.
It also meant hospital staff sometimes deferred too much to people wearing a DeLuca family badge.
Vivienne had one.
So did Bianca.
So did Dominic.
Temporary guest credentials.
On the day Baby Everett’s first band was removed, Vivienne was at the hospital visiting us.
Camera:
She left Elena’s suite at 2:14 p.m.
Walked toward family lounge.
At 2:19, housekeeping moved a sealed medical-disposal cart through the service corridor.
At 2:22, camera lost Vivienne for seven minutes because the lounge side corridor had no lens due patient privacy rules.
At 2:29, she returned.
No bag visible? She had a small clutch.
Could a discarded band fit?
Easily.
Still no proof.
Then the missing Matteo duplicate.
Printer log showed it was produced during our discharge morning because the original label smeared.
Nurse printed replacement set.
One used.
One should be destroyed.
Who collected unused material?
Hospital clerk placed it in a confidential disposal envelope.
Camera showed clerk walking toward shred station.
Then Vivienne stopped her.
Spoke for fourteen seconds.
The clerk later testified:
“Mrs. DeLuca asked where she could get a souvenir band for the christening album.”
The clerk said:
“We cannot release official bands.”
Vivienne laughed.
Then moved away.
No evidence she took it.
But now motive to seek one.
Then Bianca admitted another detail.
Vivienne had asked her after discharge:
“What would happen if one baby’s records became uncertain?”
Bianca replied:
“Roman would shut the hospital down.”
Vivienne said:
“No. Roman would protect the family privately.”
That line haunted me.
Because it was what I might once have done.
Before Elena.
Before Dominic.
Before being responsible for four children.
Vivienne understood an older version of me.
She expected I would avoid police.
Handle uncertainty inside the DeLuca walls.
That expectation was part of her plan.
May you like
Calling police at the christening had broken more than her control.
It had broken the family rule she thought I still served.
