Chapter 13 - THE DAY AN OLD WOMAN FACED THE PEOPLE WHO STOLE HER HOME|
The courtroom was crowded when we arrived.
Reporters filled the back benches.
Several elderly homeowners from Taylor Street sat together near the aisle.
Mrs. Alvarez held Gianna's hand as we walked inside.
And near the front stood Vanessa Moretti.
She wore a cream-colored designer suit.
Her blonde hair was perfectly arranged.
A diamond necklace glittered beneath the courtroom lights.
She looked nothing like the woman who had spent the previous week threatening an elderly relative and a housemaid.
Beside her sat Dominic Bellini.
He watched us with cold, calculating eyes.
Luca entered behind us.
The room became noticeably quieter.
People recognized him.
Some lowered their voices.
Others stared openly.
But Luca ignored them.
He guided his aunt toward her seat.
Then he knelt beside her.
"Are you sure you're ready?"
Gianna nodded.
"I've been ready since the moment she told me I didn't belong at your wedding."
Luca kissed her hand.
"Then tell the truth."
She smiled.
"That's the only thing I have left to give."
The judge entered.
Everyone stood.
The hearing concerned Gianna's request for emergency protection against eviction, property transfer, and demolition while the disputed documents were investigated.
Evelyn presented the original trust records found in Antonio's safe-deposit box.
She showed the court the questionable release bearing Gianna's name.
She also produced the bank signature samples demonstrating how dramatically the disputed signature differed from Gianna's recent handwriting.
Then she introduced the letter falsely signed with Luca's name.
And the eviction notice bearing Vanessa Moretti's name before the marriage had occurred.
Vanessa's attorney argued that the documents were part of a legitimate redevelopment agreement.
He claimed Gianna had initially consented and later become confused.
Evelyn stood.
"Your Honor, there is evidence that the supposed consent was obtained through documents my client never signed."
"There's also evidence that someone attempted to characterize her as mentally incapable without a reliable assessment."
The judge looked toward Gianna.
"Ms. Moretti, would you like to address the court?"
Gianna slowly stood.
I rose to help her.
She squeezed my hand.
"Thank you, dear."
Then she faced the judge.
"My name is Gianna Moretti."
"I'm seventy-nine years old."
"I have arthritis in my knees, and sometimes I forget where I leave my reading glasses."
A few people smiled.
"But I haven't forgotten who I am."
"And I haven't forgotten the house my brother bought for me."
Her voice trembled.
"When Luca was six, his family lost almost everything."
"I sold my wedding gown so he could eat and have a warm coat."
She paused.
"I didn't do it because I expected a reward."
"I did it because he was a little boy who needed someone."
Luca lowered his head.
Gianna continued.
"Years later, my brother bought me a house."
"He said I'd never have to be frightened of losing my home again."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"That promise meant more to me than any money."
She looked toward Vanessa.
"Then this woman called me."
"She said I would embarrass my nephew at his wedding."
"She offered me money to stay away."
"And when I refused, someone sent me papers saying my home was no longer mine."
The judge listened carefully.
Gianna's voice grew stronger.
"I never agreed to leave."
"I never signed away my rights."
"And I never gave anyone permission to speak for me."
She stood a little straighter.
"They took a copy of my signature."
"They tried to take my house."
"But they did not take my right to tell the truth."
The courtroom remained silent.
Then Gianna added something that made my chest ache.
"Your Honor, I know I'm old."
"I know I don't have many years left."
"But the years I have are still mine."
"And I would like to spend them somewhere I am loved."
I began crying.
So did Mrs. Alvarez.
Luca wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
Vanessa stared straight ahead.
When Gianna finished, the judge thanked her and allowed her to sit.
Evelyn next introduced the disputed statement carrying my name.
My attorney provided my travel records, approved leave, and supporting photographs from the day I had supposedly witnessed the property agreement.
The judge examined them.
Then Evelyn presented evidence that copies of staff signatures had been requested by Vanessa's wedding coordinator.
She also submitted the relevant financial records Nora Hayes had provided through her attorney.
Those records showed payments connected to the disputed property documents.
The judge questioned both sides about the medical report, notarization, and proposed demolition.
Vanessa's attorney attempted to explain each document separately.
But the overall pattern became increasingly difficult to ignore.
An elderly woman's disputed signature.
An unverified claim that she lacked decision-making capacity.
A house-clearing operation before the court had resolved ownership.
A demolition request filed before the suspicious fire.
And a witness statement contradicted by travel records.
Finally, the judge announced her decision.
The court would issue an emergency order preventing further efforts to evict Gianna, transfer the disputed property rights, or demolish the house while the matter proceeded.
The parties were directed to preserve relevant records.
A further hearing would address the underlying ownership and fraud allegations.
Gianna covered her mouth.
"Does that mean I can keep my house?"
Evelyn leaned toward her.
"It means they cannot take it from you while the court examines these claims."
"We've won an important protection."
Gianna began crying.
Luca wrapped his arms around her.
For a moment, the courthouse disappeared around them.
There was only a nephew holding the woman who had once held him.
As we walked into the hallway, reporters approached.
But before Luca could speak, Vanessa stepped in front of us.
Her expression was furious.
"You've ruined everything."
Gianna looked at her calmly.
"No, dear."
"You did that yourself."
Vanessa turned toward Luca.
"You're really going to throw away our marriage because of this?"
Luca looked at his aunt.
Then he looked back at the woman he'd married.
"Our marriage was in trouble the moment you decided my family was something to be ashamed of."
Vanessa's eyes filled with angry tears.
"I gave you everything!"
Luca shook his head.
"You gave me a wedding."
"Gianna gave me a childhood."
Vanessa stepped backward.
Then she looked toward me.
"You think you've won, Claire?"
I said nothing.
She leaned closer.
"You still don't know what kind of man Luca really is."
Before I could answer, two investigators approached her with attorneys nearby.
An arrest warrant had been obtained in the separate criminal investigation into the fraudulent property transactions.
Vanessa's face went white.
Dominic stood.
"What is the meaning of this?"
One investigator turned toward him.
"Mr. Bellini, we also need to speak with you regarding an active investigation."
Vanessa looked toward Luca.
For the first time, the diamonds around her neck couldn't protect her from what was happening.
She was taken into custody without the dramatic scene she might once have imagined for someone else.
Outside the courthouse, Gianna stood beneath the gray Chicago sky.
The wind lifted the worn sleeves of her blue dress.
Reporters called her name.
Cameras flashed.
But she looked only at Luca.
"Sweetheart, are you all right?"
He smiled sadly.
"I think I'm beginning to be."
She reached up and touched his cheek.
"Then let's go home."
Luca nodded.
But when we reached the courthouse steps, he turned toward me.
"Claire, Vanessa was right about one thing."
I looked at him.
"What?"
"There's a lot about my past you don't know."
May you like
His expression was serious.
"And before anyone calls me a good man for protecting my aunt, I need to tell you what I did before all this happened."
