Chapter 7: The Room Where the Truce Ended
Two detectives entered with a family court investigator and Dr.
Ellis’s legal counsel.
Detective Harris placed a clear evidence sleeve on the desk.
“Put the letter inside, Miss Romano.”
Isabella held it against her chest.
“This is a private family dispute.”
“Evidence tampering is not private.”
Vincent stepped forward.
“My attorney will speak for us.”
“Your attorney left twelve minutes ago.”
Isabella looked at her father.
Vincent’s voice dropped.
“Give them the letter.”
“You promised this could be fixed.”
“It still can.”
Rosa held Lily’s hand near the doorway.
“That is what you told her when you ordered the false test, isn’t it?”
Vincent turned.
“Take the child upstairs.”
“No,” Alessandro said.
“Lily stays with her mother.”
Detective Harris accepted the letter from Isabella and sealed it.
Dr.
Ellis opened his laptop.
“We performed a new comparison using bloodwork already held by Lily’s pediatrician.
Her mother authorized its release an hour ago.”
Vincent’s mouth tightened.
“Without an independent observer, it means nothing.”
“A court-approved observer watched every step.”
Dr.
Ellis turned the screen.
“Alessandro Moretti is Lily’s biological father.
Probability: 99.99 percent.”
Alessandro closed his eyes.
Rosa’s hand rose to her lips, and Mr.
Bruno steadied her shoulder.
Lily tugged Alessandro’s sleeve.
“You my papa?”
He lowered himself in front of her.
“If your mother allows me to earn that name.”
Lily considered him, then held out Bun.
“You hold him.”
Alessandro took the rabbit with both hands.
Isabella laughed bitterly.
“How touching.
Are you all forgetting what happens when the truce collapses?”
Vincent faced Alessandro.
“Sign the shipping agreement and state that Isabella acted alone.
I will guarantee Rosa and the child are left untouched.”
Detective Harris looked up.
“Was that a threat?”
“It was an offer of protection.”
Rosa stepped beside Alessandro.
“Protection from whom?”
Vincent said nothing.
“Say it,” she demanded.
“Protection from you?”
Vincent’s phone vibrated.
He checked the screen, then reached for his coat.
Detective Harris blocked him.
“You are not leaving.”
“My family council is waiting.”
“They can wait.”
Marco connected his phone to the room’s speaker.
“I saved more than Isabella’s call.”
Vincent’s recorded voice filled the study.
“If the child is his, change the result.
If Rosa resists, use the account and make her look like an extortionist.”
Isabella stared at her father.
“You said my voice was the only recording.”
“You were careless.”
“You used me.”
“I gave you a future.”
“You gave me the blame.”
Vincent lowered his voice.
“Be quiet.”
“No.” Isabella removed her engagement ring and placed it before Alessandro.
“My father forged the letter 4 years ago.
He told me about Lily before I arrived.
He ordered me to watch Rosa and find anything that could discredit her.”
Rosa’s face hardened.
“You still chose to torment my daughter.”
Isabella looked at Lily, but the child hid behind Alessandro.
“Yes,” Isabella said.
“I chose that.”
Detective Harris held out his hand.
“Your phone.”
Vincent reached for it first.
Isabella stepped away and handed it to the detective.
“The messages are under a contact named V.R.
He told me to destroy the letter and replace the sample.”
Vincent’s face turned gray.
“You ungrateful fool.”
“You taught me that family meant obeying the person with the most power.” Isabella’s voice broke.
“Now you can learn what happens when that person has none.”
Detective Harris turned Vincent toward the door.
“You are being detained for forgery, coercion, attempted evidence tampering, and conspiracy to falsify medical records.”
Vincent looked back at Alessandro.
“Choose that woman and child, and every Romano door will close to you.”
Alessandro lifted Lily into his arms.
“Then close them.”
Vincent’s final look fell on Isabella.
“You were supposed to secure everything.”
Isabella removed the diamond necklace bearing the Romano crest and laid it beside the ring.
“No, Father.
I was supposed to be your daughter.”
The door shut behind him.
Detective Harris turned to Isabella.
“You are coming with us too.”
She held out her hands, then looked at Rosa.
“I cannot undo what I did.”
“No,” Rosa said.
“You cannot.”
As Isabella was led away, Lily whispered into Alessandro’s collar.
“Is the mean lady coming back?”
May you like
Before he could answer, the family court investigator opened her folder.
“That depends on what I decide about this house—and whether Lily can safely remain here tonight.”
