Chapter 14 - WHAT BIANCA REALLY WANTED
Bianca did not want Luca’s money.
Not exactly.
That realization took longer.
Talia assumed financial motive when she learned about estate questions.
Melissa Grant cautioned her.
“Rich people asking about trusts doesn't automatically mean theft.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Talia sighed.
“No.”
They reviewed the documents Dominic’s counsel voluntarily shared with the agency investigation.
Bianca could not simply marry Dominic and seize Luca’s trust.
The structure prevented that.
So why the questions?
Melissa suggested:
“Security.”
Talia frowned.
“What?”
“Think socially, not criminally.”
Bianca’s future identity depended on becoming Mrs. Dominic Rinaldi.
But the prenuptial agreement reportedly kept core Rinaldi holdings separate.
If the marriage failed, Bianca would leave with a settlement, not dynasty control.
But becoming central to Luca’s life gave her something money alone could not.
Permanent relevance.
Status.
Family legitimacy.
Talia understood.
“She wanted to be necessary.”
“Yes.”
The word mirrored Bianca’s accusation against Talia.
Projection.
Bianca accused the nanny of making herself indispensable while trying to do exactly that.
Dominic reached the same conclusion differently.
He confronted Bianca with the estate emails.
She did not deny them.
“I was planning our future.”
“Why ask whether Talia could interfere?”
“Because you let her influence decisions.”
“She gave childcare advice.”
“You listened.”
“Yes.”
Bianca laughed bitterly.
“There.”
“What?”
“You listened to her.”
Dominic stared.
Bianca’s eyes filled.
“You have no idea how humiliating it is to ask what Luca likes and have a twenty-six-year-old employee answer before you.”
“Then ask Luca.”
“He can’t talk.”
“Observe him.”
“She was always there.”
Dominic’s expression softened, almost despite himself.
This was the heart of it.
Bianca wanted motherhood’s emotional authority without enduring the vulnerability of building attachment slowly.
She wanted the title to create the relationship.
It did not.
“Why not spend more time with him?” he asked.
“I did.”
“Alone?”
She hesitated.
“Sometimes.”
“No. You spent time with him when Talia was present.”
“Because you trusted her.”
“So did you.”
“That was the problem.”
Dominic shook his head.
“No.”
“You don't understand.”
“I do.”
His voice remained quiet.
“You wanted Luca to need you before you were willing to need him.”
Bianca stared.
“What does that even mean?”
“It means babies are inconvenient.”
Her face hardened.
“They cry.”
“Yes.”
“They reject people.”
“Yes.”
“They prefer routines that don't flatter us.”
Bianca looked away.
Dominic continued:
“You treated every sign that he didn't immediately choose you as disrespect.”
“I never hurt him.”
“Then why did you grip his wrist?”
Silence.
“I was frustrated.”
Finally.
Dominic felt the room change.
“How hard?”
“Too hard.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
“Why did you tell me Talia did it?”
“I didn't.”
“You said she could have.”
“That’s different.”
“Bianca.”
She started crying.
“I didn't know what you saw.”
There.
Another layer.
Not full confession.
But admission of calculation.
“You walked in. He was crying. She was holding him. I panicked.”
“Why?”
“Because she was going to tell you I was rough.”
“So you accused her first.”
Bianca froze.
Dominic’s voice dropped.
“Is that what happened?”
“No.”
But the answer lacked force.
He stood.
Bianca grabbed his sleeve.
“Dominic.”
He looked at her hand.
She released him.
“I did not see her hurt Luca.”
The sentence finally came.
Dominic went completely still.
“You told me you caught her.”
“I thought—”
“No.”
His voice was so quiet she stopped.
“You said you caught her hurting him.”
Bianca cried.
“I was angry.”
“You filed that statement with the agency.”
“I was protecting myself.”
“From what?”
“From her.”
Dominic stared.
Talia had been right.
This had never been about what happened to Luca.
For Bianca, it had been about who would be believed.
Dominic walked out.
Behind him, Bianca whispered:
“I love him.”
He stopped.
“Luca?”
“Yes.”
Dominic turned.
“I believe you.”
Her face crumpled.
That answer hurt more than disbelief.
Because love had never been the missing piece.
May you like
Responsibility was.
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