Chapter 24 - SERENA TELLS THE JURY SHE WANTED HIM
Serena walked to the witness stand without looking at us.
Her plea agreement was disclosed.
The jury knew she hoped cooperation would reduce sentence.
Defense would use that.
Correctly.
The prosecutor asked:
“Did Lucia discuss giving you one twin before birth?”
“Yes.”
“Did Gianna agree?”
“No.”
“Did Massimo?”
“No.”
“Did you still prepare a nursery?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Serena swallowed.
“Because I wanted one of the babies.”
Silence.
Then the corridor.
Lucia entered.
Serena followed.
She saw Luca.
Saw Baby Mercer.
Saw Lucia open Luca’s band.
“What did you say?”
“I told her to stop.”
“Did you call a nurse?”
“No.”
“Did you take Luca away from Lucia?”
“No.”
“Did you leave?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Serena started crying.
“Because I wanted to see if she could actually do it.”
There.
Not freezing alone.
Curiosity mixed with desire.
Then:
“Did she switch the infants?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know the other baby belonged to another mother?”
“I knew he wasn’t Gianna’s.”
“Did that stop you?”
“No.”
Then the purse.
“I knew Luca’s bracelet was inside.”
“Why reach for it?”
“To hide it.”
Defense attacked.
“You are blaming your mother to save yourself.”
“Yes.”
Serena’s lawyer almost reacted.
She continued:
“I am trying to reduce my sentence. I am also telling the truth.”
Good.
Then:
“Did Lucia force you to enter the corridor?”
“No.”
“Force you to stay silent?”
“No.”
“Force you to reach for the purse?”
“No.”
That hurt Lucia less than it hurt Serena.
But truth separated responsibility.
Then defense:
“Did Lucia ever say she wanted to harm either baby?”
“No.”
“Did she intend the Mercer baby to leave with Gianna permanently?”
“Not that she told me.”
“Did she believe Luca would remain with you only temporarily?”
“At first.”
“What does that mean?”
Serena looked toward Gianna.
“She said temporary becomes normal if people get used to it.”
There.
The plan in one sentence.
Then the hardest question.
“Did you love Luca?”
Serena cried.
“I didn’t know him.”
Exactly.
She had loved the idea of being needed.
May you like
Not the baby.
That distinction mattered.
