The Conspiracy of Baby-Switching novel Chapter 25

“He called over yesterday to ask me what kind of ring you would want.” I stare at her, horrified.

“And he’s going to go all out with a grand proposal, and I just want you to be excited when he does it, you know?” The walls begin to close in around me.

“Russel is a great guy, Violet.” She takes my hand across the table.

My eyes well with tears. “Why would he want to get married?”

“Because he loves you and you’ve been together for two years now. You guys are great together.”

“And you told me because…”

“Because I knew you would react like this and I wanted it to be to me and not him. He doesn’t deserve to see your face fall.”

Sheer terror begins to run rampant through my body. “I don’t want to get married, Deb.”

“Why not?”

Her silhouette blurs and I get a lump in my throat, unable to articulate myself.

“Russel is a great guy,” she tells me.

“I know he is.”

“And you two have great chemistry, and the sex is great.”

“I know.”

“And he loves you and he’s great with the kids. Remember how incredible he was when Buddy died?” I put my head into my hands.

“You should be jumping from the rooftops in excitement.”

“I should.”

“The only reason I told you is because deep down, I knew you wouldn’t be.”

“How?” I ask.

“What?”

“How did you know I wouldn’t be excited?”

She stares at me for a beat. “I watch the two of you together and it’s obvious that his affection is greater than yours. His commitment to the relationship is stronger than yours. He’s one hundred percent all in, and you’re…just not.”

“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me,” I whisper. “Russel is my dream guy, everything about him is perfect. But…” My voice trails off.

“He’s not him.”

“This has nothing to do with Gabriel,” I snap, annoyed.

“Doesn’t it?” she snaps back. “I think it does. I think you’re still hopelessly in love with Gabriel Ferrara, and no man, no matter how perfect he is will ever live up to him.”

“That’s complete bullshit. I haven’t thought of Gabriel in years.”

“Violet.” She squeezes my hand in hers. “You need to learn to love what’s good for you.”

Her silhouette blurs.

“Russel is good for you.” She gives me a sad smile. “He loves you.”

“I know.”

“If you don’t love him enough to marry him, you need to stop being selfish and let him go so that he can find someone else.”

I screw up my face in tears. “I don’t want to lose him.”

“Then don’t.” She smiles. “Marry him, be happy. Because that’s what you deserve. A man that worships the ground you walk on.”

The thought of marrying Russel rolls my stomach, in fact the thought of marrying anyone rolls my stomach.

“Please, Violet. Think on this, don’t mess up a perfect relationship because you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared, Deb, that isn’t it.”

“What is it, then?”

“The reality is…” sadness fills me to say this out loud, “…something is missing with Russ.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. If I knew, I would fix it.”

Gabriel

I slide the king into place. “Checkmate.” Mark rolls his eyes.

“Beating you is becoming boring.” I sigh.

“I only play with you because you pay me to,” he replies dryly.

I chuckle and sip my scotch.

“Why are we playing chess on a Saturday night, anyway?” he asks.

My eyes roam over to the wall of windows and the twinkling New York lights way down below. “I don’t know.” I sip my scotch. “Do you ever get the feeling that there is something missing?”

“How so?”

“I don’t know, I have everything…and yet.”

“If you want something more when you live the life you do, then the rest of us mere mortals are screwed,” he replies.

I sip my drink again as I drift into deep thought. “Maybe I should get married.”

“Maybe.” He shrugs. “Ariana is . . .” “Perfect.” I cut him off.

He nods.

We start a new game of chess as we both fall into our own thoughts. “I always thought when I met the one, I would be chomping at the bit to make it legal,” I say as I think out loud.

“Not sure if I’ll ever get married, to be honest,” Mark replies.

“I want children.”

“You need children to pass all this crap down to.” He gestures around my apartment.

“For the record, my eighty-million-dollar penthouse is not crap.”

She breaks into a broad smile as she sees me.

“Mama.” I kiss her two cheeks.

“Ciao, mio caro Gabriel.” (“Hello, my darling Gabriel.”) She smiles.

“Ales.” I pat my brother on the shoulder before sitting at the table.

Alessio pours me a glass of wine and passes it over. “Glad you’re here, Mom can lecture you now.” He raises his wineglass before taking a huge gulp.

My eyes flick up to my mother. “Che succede, mamma? Qualcosa non va?” (“What’s wrong, Mama?”)

“He canceled his date with Arabella.” She scowls.

Alessio looks over at me, deadpan, and I chuckle.

“If you like Arabella so much, you should date her yourself,” he replies dryly.

“She is the ultimate woman,” she replies.

“For Gabriel,” Alessio fires back.

“Gabriel is married.”

“Not yet.” I roll my eyes. “Calm down.”

“In five weeks, so same thing.”

“There’s still time to run.” Alessio smirks as he raises his glass to me.

I smile and then drop my face immediately.

My mother’s main mission in life is to marry off her children, she’s being met with harsh resistance on all counts.

I open the menu, peruse the choices and roll my eyes. “Why do we always come here. I hate vegan food.”

“And yet you always eat everything on your plate,” Mom replies.

“I want meat.” I sigh.

“When you are married, you will want for nothing.”

Ugh. I gulp my wine too, Alessio’s mood is rubbing off on me.

Nagging is her favorite sport.

“Where is Carina?” I ask.

“Your sister had an appointment.”

“What did you say to Arabella?” Mother asks Alessio.

I glance over and see a familiar face, what was his name. I watch him for a moment as I try to place him…Rodney.

He worked for me back when Gracie was here.

I wonder…