Chapter 17 - VANESSA'S LAST CONFESSION|
Vanessa requested a meeting with Luca through her attorney.
He agreed to speak with her only in the presence of counsel and investigators. He would not allow another private conversation to become an opportunity for manipulation.
Vanessa arrived without makeup, wearing a plain gray sweater and carrying a folder.
She looked nothing like the woman who had stood beneath the chandeliers in a red silk gown.
“I want to explain,” she said.
Luca remained seated.
“Then tell the truth.”
Vanessa opened the folder.
Inside were copies of emails between her and Richard Bellini. The messages showed that she had discussed Sophie's academy placement, the estate's security schedule, and the possibility of moving the girl out of Chicago before the wedding.
“I thought he wanted to frighten you,” she said. “He told me that if you believed Sophie was unhappy, you would agree to let her attend the academy. He said the distance would give us time to build a family.”
“You knew she didn't want to go.”
“Yes.”
“You knew she was afraid of you.”
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you stop?”
She began to cry.
“Because I thought if Sophie left, you would finally choose me.”
Luca stared at her.
“You believed I would love you more if my daughter was gone?”
“I didn't think of it that way.”
“How did you think of it?”
Vanessa pressed a hand to her mouth.
“I was afraid that I would always be second. Caroline's photographs, Caroline's piano, Caroline's song. Sophie looked at me as if I were a stranger in my own home.”
“She was a child grieving her mother.”
“I know that now.”
“No. You knew it then. You simply didn't like what it required of you.”
Vanessa flinched.
She looked down at the emails.
“Richard told me that Caroline had discovered something about the trust. He said the original agreement would destroy our family's position if it became public. He promised that if I helped him retrieve it, he would make sure I was protected.”
“Protected from what?”
“I don't know.”
“Vanessa.”
She took a shaking breath.
“He said Vincent was still alive.”
Luca went still.
“What did Vincent want?”
“He wanted the original beneficiary schedule. He said your father had changed it before he died, and that someone had hidden the change.”
“Why would that matter to you?”
“Because Richard told me the trust included a payment to the person who helped secure the succession. He said the money would make it possible for us to start over.”
Luca felt disgust settle in his chest.
“So this was never about building a family.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I did want to marry you.”
“But you were willing to send my daughter away to get what you wanted.”
She covered her face.
“I know.”
For several seconds, Luca watched her cry.
He had once believed that love meant giving people enough chances to become better. Caroline had taught him that compassion was necessary, but she had also warned him that compassion without boundaries could become another form of surrender.
“Vanessa, the engagement is over.”
She looked up.
“Luca, please.”
“No.”
“I can change.”
“You can choose to change. But you will not do it by asking Sophie to trust you again.”
Vanessa's tears fell faster.
“Will you ever forgive me?”
“Perhaps one day I won't feel anger when I remember what happened. That isn't the same as allowing you back into our lives.”
He stood.
“The investigators will handle the evidence. Your attorney can contact mine about any remaining legal matters.”
As he reached the door, Vanessa spoke.
“Luca, there is one more thing.”
He stopped.
“Vincent isn't trying to recover the trust for money.”
“What is he trying to recover?”
Vanessa swallowed.
“His name is on the original agreement as Sophie's biological grandfather.”
Luca turned slowly.
“That is impossible.”
May you like
Vanessa looked at him with frightened eyes.
“Then why did Richard say Sophie was never supposed to inherit your father's name?”
