Chapter 2 - The Kane Heir
Vivienne’s hatred was never loud in the beginning.
It arrived through small humiliations disguised as tradition.
At Bianca’s first formal Kane dinner, Vivienne changed the seating arrangement and placed her beside the kitchen door.
At the engagement party, she introduced Bianca as “Roman’s latest enthusiasm.”
Before the wedding, she sent Bianca a list of approved family jewelers, designers, and etiquette instructors.
Bianca returned the list untouched.
Roman confronted his mother repeatedly, but Vivienne was careful. She always acted surprised.
“I am only trying to help her adjust.”
Bianca refused to let Vivienne turn her into a frightened guest in her own marriage.
She married Roman in a private ceremony at an old stone church in Manhattan. Her mother sat in the front row. Roman’s family filled the opposite side, wearing expressions suited for a funeral.
For two years, Roman and Bianca lived in a townhouse away from the main estate. They were happy there.
Then Bianca became pregnant.
Roman’s joy was immediate and unguarded. He placed a hand over her stomach every morning, even before there was anything to feel.
Vivienne’s reaction was different.
“Have you confirmed the child is a boy?” she asked during dinner.
Bianca set down her fork. “The doctor says it’s a girl.”
Silence spread across the table.
Vivienne took a slow drink of wine.
“A daughter cannot inherit Roman’s position.”
Roman looked at her. “My child will inherit whatever I decide.”
“The Kane line has passed through sons for generations.”
“Then the tradition ends with me.”
Vivienne’s fingers tightened around her glass.
After that night, the attacks became less subtle.
Anonymous stories appeared online questioning Bianca’s background. A photograph of her mother’s apartment building was sent to gossip reporters. Bellafonte received false health complaints. Elena was followed home twice by an unfamiliar vehicle.
Roman investigated, but every path disappeared behind intermediaries.
Bianca knew who was responsible.
“Your mother wants me frightened,” she said.
Roman stood beside the nursery window, his expression dark. “She will not touch you.”
“She doesn’t need to touch me. She’s trying to make me leave.”
“Then she has failed.”
Roman moved them temporarily to the Kane estate after someone attempted to enter their townhouse through the rear courtyard. The mansion had reinforced gates, security cameras, and dozens of guards.
Bianca hated the decision.
“This is her territory.”
“It is mine,” Roman replied.
But Roman underestimated how deeply Vivienne’s influence reached.
The servants had worked for her for decades. Several guards owed their positions to Roman’s late father. His uncle Dominic controlled the estate’s internal security. His cousin Adrian handled staff schedules and surveillance.
Roman owned the mansion.
Vivienne owned the loyalty inside it.
For six weeks, nothing happened.
Then Roman received word that one of the family’s warehouses had been compromised. He left the estate with his senior men, promising Bianca he would return before midnight.
Vivienne waited until his vehicles disappeared beyond the gates.
At eight thirty, the mansion’s internet failed.
At eight thirty-five, Bianca’s phone lost service.
At eight forty, two women entered her bedroom.
They were dressed as household attendants, but Bianca had never seen them before.
“Mrs. Kane asked us to help you prepare for dinner.”
“I’m not attending dinner.”
One woman closed the door.
The other turned the lock.
Bianca backed away.
“Open that door.”
Vivienne entered from the dressing room.
She carried a pair of silver scissors.
“You have mistaken Roman’s affection for authority,” she said. “Tonight, we correct that mistake.”
Bianca’s hand moved protectively over her stomach.
“Touch me, and Roman will tear this family apart.”
May you like
Vivienne smiled.
“That is what we are going to discover.”
