Chapter 15 - A Father Turns on His Daughter|
Bianca did not lower the gun.
"You said the trust would be mine."
Carlo's expression remained cold.
"I said you'd be rewarded for your work."
"You promised me control."
"I promised you a future. You mistook it for ownership."
Her fingers tightened around Theo's shoulder.
"You used me."
"Of course I did. That's how business works."
The words broke something in her.
Luca moved slightly, but Sophie shook her head. Bianca was no longer watching him. She was staring at the man who had shaped her life around approval and then withdrawn it whenever she came close to receiving it.
"You told me Luca would marry me."
"I told you to make him believe he had no other choice."
"You said I would become part of the Moretti family."
"You were supposed to make yourself indispensable."
Carlo sighed as if she were a disappointing employee.
"Now put the child down."
Bianca's eyes filled with tears she seemed furious to have.
"You never wanted me to inherit anything."
"I wanted you to earn what I gave you."
"You gave me nothing!"
Carlo's hand moved toward his coat.
Enzo's men raised their weapons.
Sophie stepped between Theo and the confrontation.
"Bianca, let him come to me."
"No."
"He's a child. He has done nothing to you."
Bianca looked down at Theo. His cheeks were wet, and he was clutching the torn gray elephant Sophie had carried into the terminal.
"Please," Theo whispered. "I want my mom."
Bianca's face crumpled.
For one second, Sophie thought she would let him go.
Then Carlo reached for his weapon.
Everything happened at once.
Bianca shoved Theo toward Sophie. Luca caught his son and pulled him behind the crates. Enzo tackled one of Carlo's men, and a gunshot exploded against the concrete wall.
Carlo tried to flee through the side exit.
He didn't make it.
Two officers entered the terminal with their weapons raised, followed by Detective Brooks. Enzo's team secured the remaining men while Luca held Theo tightly against his chest.
Sophie reached them and wrapped both arms around her son.
"You're safe," she whispered. "You're safe, sweetheart."
Theo buried his face against her neck.
"I was brave, Mom."
"You were very brave."
Luca kissed the top of his son's head, his own hands shaking.
Across the room, Bianca stood motionless, staring at the place where Carlo had been arrested. She made no attempt to run.
Detective Brooks approached her.
"Bianca Rinaldi, you're under arrest on suspicion of kidnapping, conspiracy, and attempted coercion. You have the right to remain silent."
Bianca looked at Sophie.
"I didn't mean for him to get hurt."
Sophie held Theo closer.
"But you were willing to risk it."
Bianca had no answer.
As the officers led her away, Carlo turned toward Luca.
"You think this ends with me in handcuffs? You have no idea how many people depend on the Moretti organization staying exactly as it is."
Luca stared at him.
"Then perhaps it's time they learned the truth."
Carlo smiled.
"You'll regret that decision."
Detective Brooks checked the documents recovered from the terminal. Her expression changed.
"Luca," she said quietly. "We have a bigger problem."
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She held up a page bearing Marcus Moretti's signature.
"Your father authorized the original transfer that started all of this."
