Chapter 4 - THE SHIFT THAT WASN'T MINE
“No overtime?”
I stared at the words.
My regular shift was supposed to end at six.
Vanessa had kept me until nearly eight already.
And the new schedule would have required me to work until eleven thirty.
Without extra pay.
I looked at her.
“Miss Bellini, I can't afford to work those hours for nothing.”
Vanessa gave a frustrated sigh.
“Those were planning notes. Nobody said you wouldn't be compensated.”
Luca pointed toward the book.
“Then what does 'no overtime' mean?”
She leaned closer.
For a moment, she looked genuinely surprised by what she saw.
“That's a payroll instruction.”
“Yes,” Luca said. “I can read it.”
“I meant no unauthorized overtime. The salary arrangements were going to change.”
Mrs. Carter looked up.
“That isn't what I understood.”
Vanessa turned sharply.
“What?”
Mrs. Carter swallowed.
“You told me the extra evening hours would be considered part of the new residential positions.”
“Exactly.”
“But the new salaries haven't been approved.”
Vanessa hesitated.
Mrs. Carter continued.
“And Emily hasn't agreed to become a residential employee.”
Luca closed his eyes briefly.
When he opened them, his expression had hardened.
“So you changed her hours, removed the overtime authorization, and expected her to accept a position she hadn't been offered.”
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“It's how household transitions are managed.”
“No,” Luca said. “It's how you managed this one.”
I looked down at Lily.
She was watching me carefully.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Do you have to work till bedtime?”
I hugged her closer.
“No.”
She studied my face.
“Promise?”
I held out my little finger.
She hooked hers around it.
“Promise.”
Then she whispered, “But you promised pancakes.”
My throat tightened.
“I know, sweetheart.”
She looked embarrassed.
“It's okay if we can't.”
That almost broke me.
Because she wasn't asking for a vacation.
Or expensive toys.
Or anything I couldn't buy.
She was asking for pancakes with her mother.
And even that had somehow become something she felt guilty about wanting.
Luca heard her.
He looked at the untouched dessert plates.
Then toward me.
“Emily, you should have been home two hours ago.”
I shook my head.
“Mr. Moretti, I was afraid I'd lose my job.”
His expression changed.
“Because Vanessa threatened to fire you?”
I nodded.
“And I couldn't risk it. My rent is due next week.”
Vanessa looked away.
I continued before I lost my nerve.
“Lily's father doesn't pay support. I've been saving for a better coat and repairs to our car.”
My voice shook.
“I know those things aren't your responsibility.”
Luca interrupted gently.
“They don't have to be my responsibility for your working hours to matter.”
I looked at him.
He continued.
“You had permission to leave at six. I gave you my word.”
I couldn't answer.
He turned toward Mrs. Carter.
“Has Emily been paid for the extra hours she's worked tonight?”
Mrs. Carter checked the service book.
“Not yet, sir.”
“Make sure she is.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And review the hours altered under this new arrangement.”
Mrs. Carter nodded.
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Luca, you're treating me like I've stolen something.”
He looked at her.
“You took time Emily had already promised her daughter.”
Vanessa fell silent.
Luca glanced toward Lily.
“Time she couldn't get back.”
Teresa reached across the table and took my hand.
“Sweetheart, I remember those years.”
I looked toward her.
She smiled sadly.
“When Luca was little, Antonio worked late at the garage, and I took evening shifts at a diner.”
Luca lowered his eyes.
Teresa continued.
“Some nights we were so tired we barely spoke over supper.”
She looked at Lily.
“But he always wanted me there.”
Lily nodded solemnly.
“I like when Mommy sits with me.”
Teresa smiled.
“Of course you do.”
Luca looked toward his mother.
“Do you remember the night I fell asleep waiting for you at the diner?”
Teresa laughed softly.
“You were six.”
“I remember waking up in Dad's truck.”
“He carried you out because you wouldn't let go of my apron.”
Luca smiled faintly.
Then his eyes moved toward Lily's cotton label.
The smile disappeared.
“Vanessa, you knew that story.”
She looked at him.
“Yes.”
“My mother told it to you when we first got engaged.”
“I remember.”
“Then how could you look at Lily tonight and not understand what she was afraid of?”
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“I wasn't trying to frighten her.”
“But you did.”
She lowered her head.
For a moment, I thought the conversation was finally reaching her.
Then Mrs. Carter turned another page in the service book.
Her expression tightened.
“Mr. Moretti, may I ask Miss Bellini something?”
Luca nodded.
She looked toward Vanessa.
“Why was I instructed to request applications for Emily's position?”
My heart stopped.
Vanessa stared at her.
“Mrs. Carter—”
“You told me last week to find someone who could work overnight without childcare restrictions.”
I felt Lily's fingers tighten around mine.
Luca turned slowly.
“Applications?”
Mrs. Carter nodded.
“I spoke to two candidates through our regular staffing agency.”
Vanessa's face turned pale.
“That was a precaution.”
Mrs. Carter continued.
“You said Emily would probably refuse the new hours.”
My stomach tightened.
Luca looked at Vanessa.
“You knew she couldn't work overnight?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Yes.”
“And you changed her schedule anyway?”
“I hoped she'd reconsider.”
Mrs. Carter's voice became firmer.
“Miss Bellini, you told me not to offer Emily another position if she refused.”
Vanessa stared at her.
Luca slowly stood.
“Why?”
Nobody moved.
He repeated the question.
“Why would you deliberately give her hours you knew she couldn't work?”
Vanessa looked toward me.
Then toward Teresa.
Something bitter moved across her face.
Finally, Mrs. Carter spoke.
May you like
She sounded almost ashamed.
“Because Miss Bellini told me Emily would be gone before the wedding anyway.”
