Chapter 7
Avice stopped asking when she could go home with Julian.
That frightened Cesare more than anger would have.
She seemed comfortable at his house.
Too comfortable.
Children adapted quickly when adults disappointed them.
Cesare did not want adaptation confused with healing.
A child therapist began working with Avice.
No one asked her to repeat the gala story for entertainment.
No one told her Vanessa was evil.
No one asked whether Julian was a good father.
The therapist later gave Cesare one observation.
“Avice thinks adults can replace people.”
Cesare frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“She believes Vanessa’s baby was going to replace her.”
Cesare thought of the crushed paper turtle.
My child takes your place.
You take the orphanage.
Vanessa had converted a fake pregnancy into a threat real enough for a four-year-old to believe.
Cesare called Julian.
“This is no longer about whether Vanessa lied to you.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Julian’s voice changed.
“What do you want from me?”
“The truth.”
“I’ve given it.”
“No.”
Cesare remained calm.
“You've given me the pieces that make you look stupid.”
Julian said nothing.
“I want the pieces that make you look guilty.”
The call ended.
The following morning, museum security completed its review of prior gala recordings.
There was no camera inside the private cloakroom.
There was one outside.
Seven weeks earlier, footage showed Vanessa entering without the pregnancy shape visible beneath her loose coat.
Three minutes later Julian entered.
He stayed inside for eleven minutes.
When they emerged, Vanessa was crying.
Julian carried the floral prosthetic bag.
Cesare watched the clip twice.
His son had physically carried the fake belly seven weeks before the gala.
Julian knew.
May you like
The question was no longer whether.
It was why he kept the lie alive.
