Chapter 7
Nico demanded a private conversation.
Vittorio refused.
“No more private versions.”
Bernadette’s eyes flashed.
Nico stared at her.
“You told me Maria agreed to leave.”
“She was supposed to.”
“That isn't what you said.”
“You knew the plan.”
Maria looked between them.
“What plan?”
Neither answered.
Vittorio let the silence stretch.
Nico’s shoulders finally dropped.
He sat.
“There’s a council review next month.”
Vittorio knew.
Routine leadership assessment.
Nothing unusual.
Nico continued.
“Bernadette believes the family is losing discipline.”
Bernadette laughed coldly.
“Believes?”
Nico ignored her.
“She wanted evidence that your household was unstable.”
Maria whispered:
“Luca.”
Nico closed his eyes.
Only for a second.
“Yes.”
Vittorio’s gaze hardened.
“You used my son.”
“I didn't.”
Nico’s head snapped toward Bernadette.
“She told me the episodes would be mild.”
Vittorio stood.
Nico stopped talking.
Not because Vittorio threatened him.
Because he could see in Vittorio’s eyes exactly how close violence had come.
Miriam—no, Maria—stepped back instinctively.
Vittorio noticed.
That stopped him.
He sat again.
“Continue.”
Nico swallowed.
The plan, according to him, was not to seriously injure Luca.
It was to create a documented pattern.
Illness.
Staff confusion.
Missed meals.
A child apparently neglected under Vittorio’s roof.
Bernadette would bring the records to the council.
Maria would supposedly resign, making the household look even more unstable.
The goal was pressure.
Not murder.
Vittorio’s fingers curled against the chair.
“Pressure for what?”
Nico did not answer immediately.
Bernadette did.
“To make you remember that this family existed before you became a father.”
Vittorio stared at her.
Then Nico added quietly:
“And to make you honor the promise you made last winter.”
Vittorio’s face changed.
He had made hundreds of promises.
Only one involved Luca.
May you like
If his son were ever endangered because of the way Vittorio ran the family, he would step aside.
Bernadette had remembered every word.
