Chapter 13
Bianca agreed to one mediated meeting with Gavin almost two years later.
Not because she was considering reconciliation.
She was not.
Because Luca was old enough to recognize Gavin in supervised visits, and Bianca wanted one conversation before the family court reviewed whether those visits should eventually expand.
Gavin looked older.
He had lost weight.
No tailored charcoal suit.
No Rusk board pin.
He began:
“I knew you didn’t own the properties.”
Bianca did not react.
“I need you to know that.”
“I do know.”
“I wasn’t trying to steal from your father.”
“That is what you still think helps you?”
Gavin stopped.
Bianca leaned forward.
“You brought documents into an emergency room that falsely said I controlled fifty-two million dollars.”
“I thought the standstill would last forty-five days.”
“I know.”
“Ashbourne would have refinanced.”
“Maybe.”
“Marcello’s property would never have moved.”
“You keep explaining the part where you think nobody would have lost a building.”
Gavin’s voice weakened.
“What do you want me to say?”
“The truth.”
“I lied to the bank.”
“More.”
He looked down.
“I used you.”
“More.”
Silence.
Then:
“I thought if I could get you to sign, I could fix everything before you ever suffered from it.”
Bianca laughed softly.
“I was already suffering.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“No. You knew then.”
That distinction mattered.
He had seen her blood pressure.
Heard her say she was scared.
Watched Elias prepare tests.
And still thought:
One signature first.
Gavin covered his face.
“I was terrified of losing Harbor Point.”
“Why?”
“Because it was supposed to be mine.”
There it was.
Not the property.
The role.
Lenora had spent thirty years telling Gavin he would inherit leadership if he proved he could handle the largest project the Rusks had ever attempted.
If Northbridge removed him and Ashbourne took control, the story of Gavin Rusk as successor ended publicly.
Bianca said:
“So you put your succession problem on my hospital bed.”
“Yes.”
He cried.
She did not comfort him.
Then Gavin asked:
“Do you hate me?”
“No.”
He looked surprised.
Bianca continued.
“I stopped organizing my life around how I feel about you.”
That answer landed harder than anger.
Then he asked about Luca.
“Do you think I’ll ever have normal time with him?”
“That is for the court and for what you do over years.”
“Not you?”
“I’m his mother. Of course my view matters.”
She held his eyes.
“But I’m not going to turn custody into revenge for our marriage.”
For the first time, Gavin nodded without trying to bargain.
That was useful.
May you like
Not redemption.
Useful.
