Chapter 5
Bianca chose a hotel lounge downtown.
Evelyn sat at another table within sight.
Alessandro arrived without bodyguards inside the room.
Bianca had changed completely since the wedding.
No diamonds.
No elaborate makeup.
No engagement ring.
She placed it on the table between them.
“I didn’t know Damien hired those guards.”
Alessandro said nothing.
“He told me they were extra security.”
“You signed payments.”
“For the wedding.”
“Seven hundred thousand dollars.”
Her face changed slightly.
That was enough.
“You knew about the money.”
“I knew Damien was moving some of it.”
“Where?”
“He never told me.”
“Why did you let him?”
Bianca looked toward the window.
“Because he said he needed it.”
Alessandro almost laughed.
“That’s your explanation?”
“He’s my brother.”
“And Livia is four.”
Bianca’s eyes hardened.
“This isn’t about Livia.”
“It became about Livia when you put clippers against her head.”
“I didn’t mean to cut that much.”
The sentence was so empty that Alessandro stared at her.
Bianca looked away.
“She interfered.”
“She protected someone you were humiliating.”
“She is a child.”
“Exactly.”
Bianca pressed her fingers against the edge of the table.
“I was angry.”
“You brought clippers into that kitchen before Livia arrived.”
Bianca became silent.
“So don’t tell me you lost control.”
For the first time, shame crossed her face.
Not enough.
But something.
Alessandro leaned forward.
“What did Rosalie hear?”
Bianca whispered, “Damien was preparing for after the wedding.”
“Preparing what?”
“He said you were tired.”
Alessandro’s expression hardened.
“He said the company needed someone younger handling the daily problems. Someone who understood where the Rizzanos were going.”
“Damien.”
“Yes.”
“And you?”
Bianca looked at the ring.
“I would be your wife.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
She raised her eyes.
“I thought once we were married, you would finally stop treating me like a guest in your life.”
There it was.
Not money.
Not yet.
Resentment.
“You thought Livia was the reason.”
Bianca’s mouth tightened.
“Everything was about Livia.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“And I was supposed to become your wife.”
Alessandro stood.
Bianca grabbed his wrist.
“Damien is hiding something bigger.”
He stopped.
“What?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“He started asking about old estate security records months ago.”
Alessandro looked at her.
“What old records?”
Bianca shook her head.
“I never asked.”
“Why not?”
“Because every time I did, he told me it had nothing to do with me.”
Alessandro removed her hand from his wrist.
Before leaving, he looked at the engagement ring.
“Keep it.”
Bianca stared at him.
May you like
“Why?”
“Because it’s the last thing you’ll ever get from this family.”
