Chapter 4: A Mother’s Bargain
Roman crossed the terrace, but Caroline’s car was already disappearing beyond the iron gates.
He called the security lodge and put the phone on speaker.
“Close the gates,” he ordered.
A guard answered, “We can’t, sir.
Mrs.
Vivian changed the access codes this morning.”
Roman faced his mother.
“You planned this.”
Vivian lifted a napkin and wiped wine from her hand.
“I planned for your return.
That is not the same thing.”
“Tell Caroline to bring Elena back.”
“Sign over control of the family trust.”
Sophia stepped between Milo and the dining room.
“You are bargaining with a woman’s freedom.”
“I am preserving this family,” Vivian replied.
“Roman vanished for six weeks.
Elena questioned every financial decision I made.
Milo will inherit everything, yet she wanted outsiders examining our accounts.”
Roman moved closer.
“You punished a three-year-old because his name is on a trust.”
“I taught him that inheritance does not make him a king.”
“No.
You taught him to hide when he was hungry.”
Milo dropped his spoon.
The sound made him flinch, and Roman immediately knelt.
“You’re not in trouble,” Roman said.
“Grandma said crying makes food go away.”
Roman closed his eyes.
Milo touched his cheek with a sticky hand.
“Don’t cry, Daddy.
I’ll be quiet.”
Roman pulled him close, but Milo’s next words nearly folded him in half.
“If Mama wanted me, she would have come.”
“Elena wanted you every minute,” Roman said.
“I should never have left you here.”
Vivian’s heel clicked against the floor.
“This performance changes nothing.”
Roman stood with Milo in his arms.
“Where is my wife?”
“Sign the trust agreement, and Caroline will call.”
Vivian slid a folder across the table.
Roman opened it and saw a transfer of every company vote held in Milo’s name.
Sophia read over his shoulder.
“She doesn’t just want temporary control.
This gives her Milo’s inheritance.”
“It keeps the assets under experienced leadership,” Vivian said.
Roman tore the agreement in half.
A hard knock sounded at the front door.
Two uniformed officers entered with Julian Mercer, Vivian’s attorney.
Julian carried a court folder and avoided Roman’s eyes.
“Mr.
Valenti,” he said, “the court has issued an emergency protection order.”
“Against whom?”
“Against you.”
Vivian allowed herself a small smile.
Julian opened the order.
“The dining-room camera recorded you striking two members of your family.
Until tomorrow’s hearing, Vivian has been granted temporary guardianship of Milo.”
Sophia stepped forward.
“That camera also recorded what they did to him.”
“The file submitted to the court begins when Roman removed his jacket,” Julian said.
Roman looked toward the small camera above the doorway.
Its indicator light was dark.
“You cut the earlier recording,” he told Vivian.
“I submitted what the camera captured.”
One officer approached.
“Sir, we need you to hand over the child.”
Milo wrapped both arms around Roman’s neck.
“No!
Grandma will put me under the table again.”
The officer stopped.
Vivian extended her hands.
“Come to Grandmother.”
Milo buried his face against Roman.
Roman stared at the order, then at the frightened boy in his arms.
If he resisted, Vivian would have the scene she wanted.
He kissed Milo’s hair.
“I’m not leaving you.”
Julian’s phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen, and the folder slipped slightly in his hand.
“What is it?” Vivian demanded.
Julian looked up at Roman.
“The court just received another video.”
May you like
Sophia raised her phone.
“And this one,” she said, “starts before dinner.”
