Chapter 18 - The Stand
The foyer turned colder than the grave.
Victor’s hands curled into tight fists at his sides, his knuckles whitening. “You will never take my son from this house, Beatrice.”
“I already have the emergency hearing scheduled for tomorrow morning,” Beatrice sneered, a triumphant, malicious smile curling her thin lips. “A judge will look at the police reports from the dock raid. They will look at the bullet holes in your foyer. They will see a violent mobster who cannot guarantee a child’s safety.”
She turned her venomous gaze onto me, her nose wrinkling as if smelling spoiled milk.
“And what is this?” Beatrice scoffed, gesturing at my flour-stained apron. “The help? Or the latest whore you’ve dragged into my daughter’s bed to play mommy? I hear you brought this peasant to the Drake Hotel, Victor. You’ve lost your mind. The court will deem this environment utterly toxic for a Vincenzo heir.”
Before Victor could speak, before the lethal rage boiling in his eyes could unleash an unspeakable act of violence, I stepped forward.
I placed myself directly between Beatrice and Finn.
“You listen to me, Duchess,” I said, my voice ringing clear and steady through the massive foyer.
Beatrice’s mouth dropped open in outrage. “How dare you address me, girl—”
“I dare because I am the person who sits on the floor for hours holding that boy while he shakes from nightmares!” I snapped, taking a step toward her, refusing to back down an inch. “Where were you when the sirens went off three nights ago? Where were you when he cried for his mother? You weren't here. You were sitting in your penthouse, counting your jewelry and enabling a son who sold his own nephew out to murderers!”
“You insolent little—”
“You call this environment toxic?” I continued, my voice rising with righteous fury. “This father took a bullet to his ribs to ensure his son got out alive! He stood alone against a dozen armed men so Finn wouldn't see the blood! You don't want Finn because you love him. You want him because he’s an asset! A trophy to hold over Victor’s head!”
Beatrice turned scarlet, sputtering with rage, clutching her cane with trembling fingers. “Victor! Are you going to let this… this servant speak to me this way?”
Victor stepped down from the final stair.
He didn't look angry anymore. He looked completely, terrifyingly composed. He walked up beside me, slipped his arm around my waist, and pulled me flush against his side in front of the attorneys, in front of the staff, in front of God and the entire world.
“She’s not a servant, Beatrice,” Victor said, his voice dropping into a deep, unshakable declaration. “Harper Vance is the future Mrs. Rossi. And tomorrow morning in court, my lawyers will present the evidence of Julian’s treason, your family’s bankruptcy, and the signed affidavit of every therapist, doctor, and teacher who knows that Finn thrives under Harper’s care.”
My heart stopped. *The future Mrs. Rossi?*
Beatrice gasped, clutching her pearls as if she were having a heart attack. “You wouldn't dare marry this nobody!”
“Get out of my house,” Victor whispered, his eyes flashing with lethal finality. “Before I decide that banishment is too kind a fate for the Vincenzo bloodline.”
The two attorneys, sensing the imminent threat of actual violence, grabbed Beatrice by the elbows and rapidly escorted the sputtering, furious matriarch out of the double doors.
The heavy doors slammed shut.
Silence descended upon the grand foyer.
May you like
Finn slowly peeked out from behind my legs. “Harper? Are you going to be my real mom?”
***