Chapter 9 - BIANCA’S ROOM
Bianca invited investigators to search her apartment voluntarily.
Her lawyer hated that.
She insisted.
No hospital bands.
No infant supplies except a gift basket she had bought for Elena.
No hidden nursery.
No prepared crib.
No evidence she expected to take a baby home.
That mattered.
Then her messages with Vivienne.
VIVIENNE:
Roman has four children now.
BIANCA:
Dominic plus triplets, yes.
VIVIENNE:
One branch should not hold every future.
BIANCA:
They are children, not shares.
Good.
Then later:
VIVIENNE:
Would you raise one if Roman asked?
Bianca:
I would love any child he trusted me with.
There.
Wish.
Then:
But Elena would never agree.
Vivienne:
Elena does not understand family structure.
Bianca:
Then stop.
Good.
Then a worse message.
Two days before christening:
VIVIENNE:
If Roman sees how naturally Matteo settles with you, he may reconsider.
Bianca:
Do not embarrass Elena.
Vivienne:
I will handle Elena.
Bianca did not reply.
Then morning of party:
Vivienne:
When I give you Matteo, do not hand him back immediately.
Bianca:
Mom.
Vivienne:
Five minutes. Let Roman see.
Bianca:
No scene.
Vivienne:
No scene if you stay calm.
Bianca later admitted:
“I should have said no.”
Yes.
She had not known about band tampering.
But she had agreed by silence to a public pressure tactic.
That was why she took Matteo.
She wanted Roman to see her holding him.
Wanted Elena to be forced to tolerate it.
That was betrayal enough.
Then one final message from Vivienne’s tablet backup.
Draft, unsent.
After christening:
Matteo stays with Bianca until Owen confirms records.
My stomach turned.
There.
She expected an identification dispute.
Then:
Roman will not risk an unverified child beside the others.
That sentence showed how badly she misunderstood me.
Then:
Once the family accepts temporary placement, do not rush permanent language.
Temporary placement.
With Bianca.
Based on a mismatch Vivienne expected before the party.
We did not yet have the missing physical band in her possession.
May you like
But the scheme was nearly visible.
Chapter Ten would make it complete.
