Chapter 4 : Bianca denied abusing Lucy.
Bianca denied abusing Lucy.
Through counsel, she described the incidents as “poorly judged behavioral discipline.”
She admitted using the dog bowl as a threat.
She admitted placing food inside it that morning.
She insisted Lucy had never been required to eat from it before.
Emma’s video contradicted part of that.
The footage showed Bianca forcing Lucy downward repeatedly while Marcus laughed.
Still, the video did not show Lucy actually eating.
That distinction mattered legally.
Vittorio’s attorney, Leah Morrison, refused to exaggerate.
“You have strong evidence of degrading and coercive treatment. We don’t need to invent stronger evidence.”
Vittorio looked at her.
“I know what I saw.”
“Yes. Let that be enough.”
Bianca also claimed Lucy’s behavior had recently become difficult.
She supplied examples.
Interrupting meetings.
Entering Vittorio’s office without knocking.
Crying when Bianca and Vittorio attended events without her.
Refusing to call Bianca “Mom.”
That last one stopped him.
“Who asked her to?”
Leah looked through the production.
“Bianca.”
Vittorio had never known.
Lucy’s therapist later confirmed the child had been uncomfortable with the request.
“She has a mother in her own history,” Dr. Susan Bell said. “A future stepmother cannot assign herself that title.”
Bianca had apparently interpreted Lucy’s refusal as rejection.
Marcus reinforced it.
Text messages between the siblings showed repeated discussions about “establishing the new household before the wedding.”
One read:
BIANCA: She runs to Vittorio every time I tell her no.
MARCUS: Because he rewards it.
Another:
BIANCA: She knows crying gets him.
MARCUS: Then stop letting crying reach him.
Vittorio read that line twice.
Stop letting crying reach him.
It explained the closed door.
The early meetings.
Emma’s blocked complaints.
But Marcus’s motive remained unclear.
Bianca wanted authority as the future wife.
Ugly, but understandable as a motive.
Why did Marcus care whether a five-year-old interrupted her father at breakfast?
Leah answered carefully.
“Maybe he believes he’s helping his sister.”
Vittorio looked at the meeting schedule.
May you like
“Then why move my work?”
That question stayed open.
Related Stories
