Chapter 9 - SERENA KNEW THERE WOULD BE A BABY
Serena’s attorney eventually permitted a second interview.
She stopped pretending she knew nothing.
“I knew Mother wanted me to take one twin home.”
There.
Not necessarily forever.
But home.
“When did she tell you?”
“Three weeks before delivery.”
“What did you say?”
“No.”
“Then why prepare a nursery?”
Serena looked down.
“Because I wanted her to be right.”
That answer was honest enough to hurt.
Lucia told Serena:
Gianna would be overwhelmed.
Massimo would spend half his time working.
Two newborns would create chaos.
One twin could stay with Serena for “a few weeks.”
Then a few months.
Serena could bond.
Help.
Become essential.
Gianna would eventually appreciate it.
Serena knew Gianna had never agreed.
Still, she bought the crib.
Then the birth.
When both boys arrived healthy, Lucia called Serena.
“Two sons.”
Serena said:
“I know.”
Lucia:
“This is the chance.”
Serena thought she meant pressure.
Family argument.
Not a hospital switch.
Then at 8:47, she followed Lucia into the restricted corridor.
Why?
“She said she was going to talk to the nurse.”
Instead, Lucia moved toward the bassinets.
Serena saw her opening Luca’s bracelet.
“What are you doing?”
Lucia:
“Making room.”
Serena claimed she told her to stop.
Camera had no audio.
Messages supported some objection.
Then:
“Did you see Lucia move Luca?”
Serena cried.
“Yes.”
“Did you see her move Baby Mercer?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you call a nurse?”
That was the question.
Serena covered her face.
“Because I froze.”
“Why carry the purse?”
“Mother shoved it at me.”
“Did you know Luca’s band was inside?”
“I saw her put it in.”
“Why reach for the purse after Nolan scanned the mismatch?”
Serena looked down.
“I wanted to hide it.”
There.
Complicity after the act.
Why?
“To protect Mother?”
“Yes.”
“And yourself?”
“Yes.”
Then:
“Did you intend to take Luca home?”
Silence.
“I wanted to.”
Not:
I had permission.
Not:
I thought it was legal.
Wanted.
That was enough to define her moral position.
But one question remained.
Did she know Lucia intended to substitute another mother’s infant from the beginning?
Serena said no.
Evidence supported uncertainty.
May you like
The deeper mechanics belonged to Lucia.
Chapter Ten would remove the last ambiguity.
