Chapter 4 - RENATA’S VERSION OF SERVICE
Renata gave a second interview after consulting counsel.
She admitted pulling Dahlia from the chair.
She said:
“I did not intend her to fall.”
Possible.
She admitted choosing the old dress.
She called it:
“Family discipline.”
Then chores.
“Every Marcelli child served elders.”
Did I?
Yes.
At nine, I cleared plates.
At ten, I polished my father’s shoes before a ceremony once.
I hated it.
Renata reminded me.
“That did not make us abused.”
No.
Context matters.
We were fed.
We slept in beds.
We attended dinner.
We were not told our status depended on service.
Then the blanket.
Renata said Beatrice ordered it.
She complied.
Why?
“Mother said Dahlia had become entitled.”
Did Renata agree?
“Yes.”
Why?
Because Dahlia refused to carry her suitcase.
Because she told Renata:
“Dad says I don’t have to kiss people.”
Because she cried when told Sofia’s photograph should not sit on the wedding dressing table.
Because she once said:
“This is Dad’s house too.”
Renata heard challenge in ordinary childhood.
Then:
“Did you make Dahlia sleep near the kitchen?”
“I enforced Mother’s decision.”
Same thing.
“Did you stop her from calling Enzo?”
“No.”
“Did you control the calls?”
Renata hesitated.
“We kept them from becoming dramatic.”
There.
How?
If Dahlia cried, Renata ended the call.
If she tried to tell me she hated staying there, Beatrice said:
“Your father is busy. Do not burden him.”
Then the voice notes.
Renata admitted recording some of them twice because Beatrice told Dahlia:
“Sound cheerful.”
My hands tightened when I read the transcript.
Not forged voice.
Not AI.
A child instructed to redo messages.
That was enough.
Then video call.
Why forty seconds?
Dahlia had started saying:
“Dad, can I—”
Beatrice ended it.
Told me connection failed.
Deliberate.
May you like
That moved the case beyond strict discipline.
They were hiding it.
