Chapter 19 - GIANNNA’S BAD DECISION
Gianna made her own mistake.
Not equal.
Still real.
A gossip site published photographs of Lucia leaving court.
Headline:
BELLANTE MATRIARCH ACCUSED IN BABY-SWAP PLOT.
Comments were ugly.
Some blamed Gianna.
Called her weak.
Said a real Bellante wife would have handled it privately.
She read too many.
Then she posted a photograph to a private family group.
Both twins.
Caption:
My sons. Both of them. Nobody else’s.
Reasonable.
Then she added:
Serena knew exactly what was happening.
That was broader than evidence at the time.
She knew Serena had been present.
Knew Serena reached for the purse.
Did not yet know exact degree of preplanning.
A cousin screenshot the post.
It leaked.
Serena’s lawyer immediately argued public prejudice.
Gianna felt sick.
She deleted it.
Too late.
She issued one statement through counsel:
I spoke beyond what has been established regarding Serena’s advance knowledge. I know what I personally witnessed and what evidence has shown, but the court will determine criminal responsibility.
She hated doing it.
I understood.
Then she said:
“I wanted everyone to stop treating her like Mother’s helpless daughter.”
“I know.”
“She helped.”
“Yes.”
“But I made the same mistake you keep making.”
“What?”
“Turned anger into certainty.”
There.
We were learning together.
May you like
Not beautifully.
Not quickly.
