Chapter 8: The Trap at## Chapter 8: The Trap at St. Catherine's
Alessandro read the message twice.
St. Catherine's
Alessandro read the message twice.
Then he handed the phone to Marco, who had just entered the study.
“Trace theThen he handed the phone to Marco, who had just entered the study.
“Trace the sender. Find out when that photograph was taken.””
Marco examined the screen.
“The background suggests it was taken yesterday morning. The school bus number is visible.””
“Yesterday?”” I sender. Find out when that photograph was taken.””
Marco examined the screen.
“The background suggests it was taken yesterday morning. The school bus number is visible.””
“Yesterday?”” I repeated.
Livia had been at school before the wedding preparations began.
Someone had been watching her.
Alessandro's expression hardened.
“Double the security around her repeated.
Livia had been at school before the wedding preparations began.
Someone had been watching her.
Alessandro's expression hardened.
“Double the security around her. No school trips, no unscheduled visitors, and nobody takes her outside this property without my approval.””
Daniel shook his head.
“That's what Bianca wants. She wants you to panic.””
. No school trips, no unscheduled visitors, and nobody takes her outside this property without my approval.””
Daniel shook his head.
“That's what Bianca wants. She wants you to panic.””
Alessandro turned toward him.
“Someone photographed my daughter without permission.””
“I know. But if we react without thinking, she'll use our fear to control us.””
I looked between them.
“Then what do we do?””
Daniel placedAlessandro turned toward him.
“Someone photographed my daughter without permission.””
“I know. But if we react without thinking, she'll use our fear to control us.””
I looked between them.
“Then what do we do?””
Daniel placed the phone on the desk.
“We find out what she means by the original birth certificate.””
Alessandro studied him.
“You said you found the original record in Marcus the phone on the desk.
“We find out what she means by the original birth certificate.””
Alessandro studied him.
“You said you found the original record in Marcus's office.””
“I found a copy. The hospital still has the sealed original.””
“Then we're going to Boston.””
He turned to Marco.
“Arrange a private flight. Contact our's office.””
“I found a copy. The hospital still has the sealed original.””
“Then we're going to Boston.””
He turned to Marco.
“Arrange a private flight. Contact our attorneys, and make sure the police know where we're going.””
I glanced toward the stairs.
“What about Livia?””
“She stays here with you,” Alessandro said.
“Daniel and I attorneys, and make sure the police know where we're going.””
I glanced toward the stairs.
“What about Livia?””
“She stays here with you,” Alessandro said.
“Daniel and I will go to the hospital.””
“No,” Livia announced from the doorway.
We all turned.
She stood beside her nanny, clutching her stuffed rabbit.
“I want Daddy to stay.””
Alessandro immediately crossed will go to the hospital.””
“No,” Livia announced from the doorway.
We all turned.
She stood beside her nanny, clutching her stuffed rabbit.
“I want Daddy to stay.””
Alessandro immediately crossed the room and knelt before her.
“Sweetheart, I need to help Uncle Daniel find out why someone has been frightening us.””
“Will you come back?””
“Of course.””
“Before the room and knelt before her.
“Sweetheart, I need to help Uncle Daniel find out why someone has been frightening us.””
“Will you come back?””
“Of course.””
“Before bedtime?””
He kissed her forehead.
“Before bedtime.””
Livia held him tightly.
“And no more weddings?””
A sad smile crossed his face.
“No more weddings until we're certain everyone in our family is safe.””
She nodded.
Then she looked at Daniel.
“Will bedtime?””
He kissed her forehead.
“Before bedtime.””
Livia held him tightly.
“And no more weddings?””
A sad smile crossed his face.
“No more weddings until we're certain everyone in our family is safe.””
She nodded.
Then she looked at Daniel.
“Will you bring my hair back?””
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
“I wish I could, sweetheart.””
He touched the broken ear of her rabbit.
“But I can help you fix this.””
L you bring my hair back?””
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
“I wish I could, sweetheart.””
He touched the broken ear of her rabbit.
“But I can help you fix this.””
Livia considered that.
Then she handed him the toy again.
“Okay.””
It was the smallest gesture of forgiveness I'd ever witnessed.
And somehow, it made everything Bianca had done feel even more unforgivable.
St. Catherine's Hospital stood on a quiet Boston street lined with old treesivia considered that.
Then she handed him the toy again.
“Okay.””
It was the smallest gesture of forgiveness I'd ever witnessed.
And somehow, it made everything Bianca had done feel even more unforgivable.
St. Catherine's Hospital stood on a quiet Boston street lined with old trees and red-brick buildings.
By the time Alessandro and Daniel arrived, the hospital's legal director was waiting in a private conference room.
Dr. Evelyn Shaw stood beside a locked cabinet.
“Mr. Moretti, I reviewed your attorney's request. We located the original birth and red-brick buildings.
By the time Alessandro and Daniel arrived, the hospital's legal director was waiting in a private conference room.
Dr. Evelyn Shaw stood beside a locked cabinet.
“Mr. Moretti, I reviewed your attorney's request. We located the original birth record, but there is a problem.””
Alessandro folded his arms.
“Explain.””
“The original document was removed from the archive twelve years ago. It was returned three days later, but the seal had been broken.””
Daniel's face record, but there is a problem.””
Alessandro folded his arms.
“Explain.””
“The original document was removed from the archive twelve years ago. It was returned three days later, but the seal had been broken.””
Daniel's face tightened.
“Who accessed it?””
Dr. Shaw opened a file.
“The request was submitted by someone claiming to represent Daniel Moretti's estate.””
Alessandro leaned forward.
“Who signed it?””
She placed a photocopy on the table.
The signature belonged to Bianca Laurent.
“She had no tightened.
“Who accessed it?””
Dr. Shaw opened a file.
“The request was submitted by someone claiming to represent Daniel Moretti's estate.””
Alessandro leaned forward.
“Who signed it?””
She placed a photocopy on the table.
The signature belonged to Bianca Laurent.
“She had no legal authority to access this record,” Alessandro said.
“Correct. But the request included a notarized power of attorney.””
Daniel studied the page legal authority to access this record,” Alessandro said.
“Correct. But the request included a notarized power of attorney.””
Daniel studied the page.
“It's the same forged document she used to access my father's account.””
Dr. Shaw nodded.
“We believe the records were altered during that visit.””
She opened the cabinet and removed a sealed envelope.
“This was discovered behind the original file last night. It appears to.
“It's the same forged document she used to access my father's account.””
Dr. Shaw nodded.
“We believe the records were altered during that visit.””
She opened the cabinet and removed a sealed envelope.
“This was discovered behind the original file last night. It appears to have been deliberately hidden.””
Alessandro reached for it.
Dr. Shaw stopped him.
“Before you open it, I need you to understand something. The document inside was written by the attending physician. It contains information about have been deliberately hidden.””
Alessandro reached for it.
Dr. Shaw stopped him.
“Before you open it, I need you to understand something. The document inside was written by the attending physician. It contains information about two newborns delivered within forty minutes of each other.””
My stomach tightened, though I wasn't there to hear her words.
Two newborns.
Daniel looked at his uncle.
“What does that mean?””
Dr. Shaw continued.
“One child was Daniel Moretti's two newborns delivered within forty minutes of each other.””
My stomach tightened, though I wasn't there to hear her words.
Two newborns.
Daniel looked at his uncle.
“What does that mean?””
Dr. Shaw continued.
“One child was Daniel Moretti's son. The other was a girl born to an unidentified mother. Both records were amended within days of the births.””
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
“Why?””
“We don't know yet.””
She placed the envelope on the table.
“But there is a handwritten note from the attending physician explaining that the babies were briefly transferred between son. The other was a girl born to an unidentified mother. Both records were amended within days of the births.””
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
“Why?””
“We don't know yet.””
She placed the envelope on the table.
“But there is a handwritten note from the attending physician explaining that the babies were briefly transferred between two bassinets during an emergency.””
Daniel stared at her.
“Transferred?””
“The maternity ward experienced a power failure. One infant required two bassinets during an emergency.””
Daniel stared at her.
“Transferred?””
“The maternity ward experienced a power failure. One infant required urgent treatment, and the staff moved several babies to another room. The physician documented the incident because the identification bracelets had been damaged by urgent treatment, and the staff moved several babies to another room. The physician documented the incident because the identification bracelets had been damaged by disinfectant.””
Alessandro slowly opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten statement, dated twelve years earlier.
He read it silently.
Then he passed it to Daniel.
disinfectant.””
Alessandro slowly opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten statement, dated twelve years earlier.
He read it silently.
Then he passed it to Daniel.
Daniel's eyes moved over the page.
“Both babies survived,” he whispered.
“But the hospital later discovered that one identification bracelet had been replaced.””
Dr. Shaw nodded.
“The physician suspected deliberate interference but couldn't establish who was responsible.””
Alessandro'sDaniel's eyes moved over the page.
“Both babies survived,” he whispered.
“But the hospital later discovered that one identification bracelet had been replaced.””
Dr. Shaw nodded.
“The physician suspected deliberate interference but couldn't establish who was responsible.””
Alessandro's face became rigid.
“Who were the parents?””
“The record identifies Daniel Moretti as the father of one infant. The mother was Elena Bell. The second child's mother was listed as Rosalie Bennett.””
Daniel stopped reading.
“What?””
Dr. Shaw looked at him.
“Your father and face became rigid.
“Who were the parents?””
“The record identifies Daniel Moretti as the father of one infant. The mother was Elena Bell. The second child's mother was listed as Rosalie Bennett.””
Daniel stopped reading.
“What?””
Dr. Shaw looked at him.
“Your father and Ms. Bennett's daughter were born on the same night?””
I felt my stomach drop.
It was impossible.
I had been twenty-six when I gave birth to Livia, Ms. Bennett's daughter were born on the same night?””
I felt my stomach drop.
It was impossible.
I had been twenty-six when I gave birth to Livia, seven years earlier.
Yet the document was dated twelve years ago.
Alessandro looked at the date again.
“This record has been altered.””
Dr. Shaw nodded.
“We believe so. The original delivery log shows two seven years earlier.
Yet the document was dated twelve years ago.
Alessandro looked at the date again.
“This record has been altered.””
Dr. Shaw nodded.
“We believe so. The original delivery log shows two births twelve years ago, but the names on the amended certificates were entered years later. Someone used the hospital's system to make it appear that children born at different times were connected births twelve years ago, but the names on the amended certificates were entered years later. Someone used the hospital's system to make it appear that children born at different times were connected to the same delivery.””
Daniel stared at the papers.
“So Bianca used a real incident to create a fake family history.””
“That's our working theory,” Dr. Shaw said.
Alessandro looked at to the same delivery.””
Daniel stared at the papers.
“So Bianca used a real incident to create a fake family history.””
“That's our working theory,” Dr. Shaw said.
Alessandro looked at the physician's statement.
“Can you establish who altered the records?””
“We found a login associated with a former records clerk. The clerk died five years ago. However, the access the physician's statement.
“Can you establish who altered the records?””
“We found a login associated with a former records clerk. The clerk died five years ago. However, the access logs show that someone entered the system using the same credentials three months ago.””
“Who?””
Dr. Shaw hesitated.
“The request originated from an office connected to Marcus Vane.””
Alessandro's hands curled into fists.
“Of course it did.””
logs show that someone entered the system using the same credentials three months ago.””
“Who?””
Dr. Shaw hesitated.
“The request originated from an office connected to Marcus Vane.””
Alessandro's hands curled into fists.
“Of course it did.””
Daniel continued reading.
Then he stopped at the final paragraph.
“There's another name here.””
Alessandro looked over his shoulder.
The physician had written that, after the bracelet incident, a nurse reported seeing a woman enter the maternity ward carrying a replacement identification tagDaniel continued reading.
Then he stopped at the final paragraph.
“There's another name here.””
Alessandro looked over his shoulder.
The physician had written that, after the bracelet incident, a nurse reported seeing a woman enter the maternity ward carrying a replacement identification tag.
The woman had been identified as Bianca Laurent.
I felt sick.
“She was there when Daniel was born?””
“According to this statement,” Dr. Shaw replied.
Daniel stared at the page.
“Why would she have access to a maternity ward?””
Dr. Shaw opened a second file.
“Bi.
The woman had been identified as Bianca Laurent.
I felt sick.
“She was there when Daniel was born?””
“According to this statement,” Dr. Shaw replied.
Daniel stared at the page.
“Why would she have access to a maternity ward?””
Dr. Shaw opened a second file.
“Bianca's mother worked at the hospital as a temporary administrative assistant. She had access to several restricted areas.””
Alessandro looked at Daniel.
“Then Bianca may have known about you fromanca's mother worked at the hospital as a temporary administrative assistant. She had access to several restricted areas.””
Alessandro looked at Daniel.
“Then Bianca may have known about you from the beginning.””
Daniel's face hardened.
“She didn't just discover me later. She may have been involved in changing my identity before I could even leave the hospital.””
Dr. Shaw nodded slowly the beginning.””
Daniel's face hardened.
“She didn't just discover me later. She may have been involved in changing my identity before I could even leave the hospital.””
Dr. Shaw nodded slowly.
“We have reason to believe that.””
Alessandro turned toward the legal director.
“Preserve every record. Notify the police. I want the hospital's original computer logs, staff ro.
“We have reason to believe that.””
Alessandro turned toward the legal director.
“Preserve every record. Notify the police. I want the hospital's original computer logs, staff rosters, and any surviving records of Bianca's mother's employment.””
“Understood.””
Then Daniel pointed to a line in the physician's statement.
“What does this mean?””
The sentence read:
*The second infant's identitysters, and any surviving records of Bianca's mother's employment.””
“Understood.””
Then Daniel pointed to a line in the physician's statement.
“What does this mean?””
The sentence read:
The second infant's identity could not be independently verified after the bracelet discrepancy.
Alessandro looked at it for a long time.
“The second infant was Rosalie's child,” he said.
could not be independently verified after the bracelet discrepancy.*
Alessandro looked at it for a long time.
“The second infant was Rosalie's child,” he said.
“But Livia was born seven years ago,” Daniel replied.
“Which means Bianca attached a false identity to a real medical incident to manufacture a connection that never existed.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Why would she go through all that trouble?””
Alessandro looked at him.
“Because she needed us“But Livia was born seven years ago,” Daniel replied.
“Which means Bianca attached a false identity to a real medical incident to manufacture a connection that never existed.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Why would she go through all that trouble?””
Alessandro looked at him.
“Because she needed us to doubt every relationship we trusted.””
He gathered the documents.
“Rosalie is Livia's mother. I have never questioned that. The forged records don't change it.””
Daniel nodded.
to doubt every relationship we trusted.””
He gathered the documents.
“Rosalie is Livia's mother. I have never questioned that. The forged records don't change it.””
Daniel nodded.
“But the real question is why Bianca chose Livia.””
Alessandro's phone rang.
Marco's voice came through.
“Sir, we traced the message. It came through a prepaid phone registered near the hospital.””
“Can you locate“But the real question is why Bianca chose Livia.””
Alessandro's phone rang.
Marco's voice came through.
“Sir, we traced the message. It came through a prepaid phone registered near the hospital.””
“Can you locate the device?””
“We're trying. But there's something else.””
“What?””
“The school bus photograph wasn't taken yesterday.””
Alessandro's expression changed.
“Explain.””
“The photograph was taken three weeks ago. It was uploaded to a private account that Bianca accessed the day before the wedding.””
Daniel went the device?””
“We're trying. But there's something else.””
“What?””
“The school bus photograph wasn't taken yesterday.””
Alessandro's expression changed.
“Explain.””
“The photograph was taken three weeks ago. It was uploaded to a private account that Bianca accessed the day before the wedding.””
Daniel went still.
“Three weeks ago. That's when she started arranging the boarding school.””
Marco continued.
“We found a second message in the account. It was sent to Marcus Vane.””
Al still.
“Three weeks ago. That's when she started arranging the boarding school.””
Marco continued.
“We found a second message in the account. It was sent to Marcus Vane.””
Alessandro waited.
Marco read the message aloud.
The child is the leverage. Once the father believes his family is built on lies, he'll sign anything to make the nightmare stop.
The call ended.
For aessandro waited.
Marco read the message aloud.
The child is the leverage. Once the father believes his family is built on lies, he'll sign anything to make the nightmare stop.
The call ended.
For a moment, Alessandro stared at the wall.
Then he looked at Daniel.
“She's not trying to prove anything about Livia.””
Daniel's voice was quiet.
“She's trying to break you.””
Alessandro closed the folder.
“Then we've given moment, Alessandro stared at the wall.
Then he looked at Daniel.
“She's not trying to prove anything about Livia.””
Daniel's voice was quiet.
“She's trying to break you.””
Alessandro closed the folder.
“Then we've given her enough time.””
He turned toward the door.
“We're going back to the estate. Tonight, we finish this.””
But as they stepped into the hospital corridor, a nurse hurried toward them.
“Mr. Moretti?””
Alessandro turned.
“Yes?””
The nurse held out her enough time.””
He turned toward the door.
“We're going back to the estate. Tonight, we finish this.””
But as they stepped into the hospital corridor, a nurse hurried toward them.
“Mr. Moretti?””
Alessandro turned.
“Yes?””
The nurse held out a sealed envelope.
“Someone left this at the front desk. They said it was urgent.””
Alessandro opened it.
Inside was a photograph of Livia asleep in her bed.
The picture had been taken that morning.
Beneath it was a handwritten note.
*You have until midnight to sign away Daniel's inheritance. Otherwise a sealed envelope.
“Someone left this at the front desk. They said it was urgent.””
Alessandro opened it.
Inside was a photograph of Livia asleep in her bed.
The picture had been taken that morning.
Beneath it was a handwritten note.
You have until midnight to sign away Daniel's inheritance. Otherwise, the girl learns what happened to her real father.
Alessandro's face went completely still.
Daniel read the note over his shoulder.
Then he whispered, “She's, the girl learns what happened to her real father.*
Alessandro's face went completely still.
Daniel read the note over his shoulder.
Then he whispered, “She's not threatening Livia because of the trust.””
Alessandro looked at him.
“Then why?””
Daniel's eyes filled with horror.
“Because Bianca knows who Livia's biological father is.””
not threatening Livia because of the trust.””
Alessandro looked at him.
“Then why?””
May you like
Daniel's eyes filled with horror.
“Because Bianca knows who Livia's biological father is.””
