Page 193 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

“No. You can analyze the metadata, verify the source files, and check the chain of custody whenever you want.”

My answer seems to make him even more thoughtful.

“And the second video?”

“A screen recording covering the entire transfer process. You can see exactly which files were opened and copied.”

For several long seconds, he says nothing, his eyes fixed on the screen.

Then he finally speaks.

“Excellent. We’re finally starting to build a solid case against her. Between Ms. Delorme’s testimony…”

“Ivanov,” I correct him.

Every head turns toward me.

I repeat calmly:

“Ms. Ivanov.”

A smile crosses the inspector’s face before he immediately corrects himself.

“Between Ms. Ivanov’s testimony and the evidence attached to this case, we may finally have her.”

“Bianca is pregnant,” Valeria says quietly, almost wearily.

I immediately turn toward her.

She’s looked exhausted lately. Paler. More distant too. And it’s starting to seriously worry me.

She’s also become more guarded around me.

Is she hiding something about her health?

“That doesn’t change what she’s done,” Sanders replies. “It may affect the conditions of her indictment, but not the facts themselves.”

Silence settles briefly over the room.

Then Valeria speaks again, thoughtful.

“In the recording… there was a certain intimacy between them. More than just a strategic relationship.”

Inspector Sanders looks at her with renewed interest.

“You think Peltier could be the father?”

It’s not really a question. He’s already following the logic further.

“If that’s the case, then they were meeting privately on a regular basis. Which raises another question: why was Bianca still so determined to marry Mr. Ivanov?”

“The pregnancy probably wasn’t planned,” Valeria replies after a moment. “And judging from their conversation… I think she always wanted Dante.”

For a moment, all remain silent.

“What conversation?” the inspector asks in an oddly neutral tone.

Damn it. He caught the slip.