Chapter 11 - “I’M GOING TO BE HIS MOTHER”
The sentence had been spoken six weeks before the living room incident.
Talia remembered because Luca had just begun saying “mama” indiscriminately.
To the housekeeper.
A lamp.
Once to a banana.
Bianca heard him babble it while she held him.
Her face lit.
“Say it again.”
Luca laughed.
“Mama.”
Bianca looked at Talia.
“You heard.”
Talia smiled politely.
“He says it to a lot of things.”
The smile vanished.
“Of course.”
Talia realized too late how cruel the correction sounded.
“I didn't mean—”
“I know exactly what you meant.”
“No.”
“You don't want him calling me that.”
Talia chose honesty.
“Not because I dislike you.”
“Then why?”
“Because he has a mother.”
“Dead.”
Talia went still.
Bianca continued:
“I’m going to be his mother.”
“You may become his stepmother.”
“Same thing in practice.”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Bianca stared.
Talia softened.
“Not lesser.”
“That's exactly what you mean.”
“No.”
Talia sat on the edge of the play mat.
“Different.”
Bianca laughed.
“You think because you took some childhood development courses, you’re an expert on family.”
“No.”
“You don't have children.”
“No.”
“You've never been married.”
“No.”
“And you’re explaining motherhood to me.”
Talia looked at Luca.
“I’m explaining attachment.”
Bianca’s voice cooled.
“After the wedding, things change.”
“What things?”
“You.”
Talia looked up.
“Excuse me?”
“Luca needs family, not dependency on staff.”
“Are you firing me?”
“Not yet.”
That conversation never reached Dominic.
Until now.
Talia told him during a meeting arranged by Serena Walsh and household counsel.
Neutral conference room.
No Luca.
No Bianca.
Dominic listened without interruption.
When Talia finished, he asked:
“Why did you stay?”
“Because I love my job.”
“Not Luca?”
Talia looked at him.
“I care about Luca deeply.”
“Difference?”
“Yes.”
She leaned back.
“If I say I stayed because I love him, Bianca’s argument becomes easier.”
Dominic understood.
Overattached nanny.
Possessive caregiver.
The language used to discredit her could absorb even healthy affection.
Talia continued:
“I stayed because nothing had crossed a line that justified leaving him without a stable caregiver.”
“Until the wrist.”
“Yes.”
“And the push.”
“The push was against me.”
“You still could have left.”
“I planned to report it.”
“To who?”
“You.”
Dominic looked down.
“You didn't get the chance.”
“No.”
Bianca got there first.
The title of the entire disaster.
Dominic asked:
“Do you think she planned to accuse you before I walked in?”
Talia thought carefully.
“I don't know.”
“Opinion.”
“I think she planned to fire me.”
“And the accusation?”
Talia shook her head.
“I think she saw you and adapted.”
Dominic nodded.
That was his impression too.
Bianca was dangerous not because she planned every detail.
Because she was fast.
She understood social hierarchy instantly.
Dominic arrives.
Baby crying.
Nanny holding baby.
Fiancée versus employee.
She knew the strongest story before anyone spoke.
“She expected me to believe her,” Dominic said.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Talia met his eyes.
“Because you usually do.”
The sentence landed.
Dominic did not flinch visibly.
But Talia saw something shift.
He could have defended himself.
Instead:
“You're right.”
That surprised her.
“About what?”
“I gave her reason to believe status would be enough.”
Talia said nothing.
Dominic continued:
“That doesn't clear you.”
Her expression hardened.
“I didn't ask you to.”
“Good.”
He looked at her.
“Because I need evidence, not correction of my guilt.”
That answer, strangely, restored a small amount of respect.
Talia nodded.
“Then keep looking.”
“I will.”
As she left, Dominic said:
“Talia.”
She turned.
“If you are cleared, I cannot undo what the suspension cost.”
“No.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He looked at her.
She continued:
“I lost three referrals this week.”
Dominic’s face hardened.
“I heard.”
“My rent doesn't care whether your investigation is thoughtful.”
He accepted that too.
“I’ll have counsel discuss paid leave.”
Talia shook her head.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because if you pay me while this is unresolved, Bianca will say you bought my loyalty.”
Dominic stared.
“You’ve thought about this.”
“I have to.”
That was another difference between them.
Dominic could afford to wait for truth.
May you like
Talia had to survive the waiting.
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