The Conspiracy of Baby-Switching novel Chapter 76

Gabriel

We drive down the road and my eyes flick to watch Violet disappear in the rearview mirror. My heart is in my throat, I was hoping that after thinking on it all night she would have had a change of heart.

Obviously not.

Ouch...

"So." I fake a smile to the children. "Tell me where your school is."

"You go up here and turn that way," Dom says as he puts his little hand up.

"You mean right?" He frowns.

"That's your right hand, so that direction is right." "Oh yes." He nods.

"I'm left-handed," Lucia announces.

"You are?" I frown.

"Me too," Dominic replies.

"You take after me." I smile proudly. "I'm left-handed."

Their eyes both widen. "You are?"

"Whoa..." Lucia whispers in astonishment. "We're left-handed like our dad."

And just like that, my day is better.

We arrive at the school and I park the car.

"What are you doing?" Dominic asks.

"Well..." I pause, unsure what he's asking.

"Mom just drops us and drives away."

"Can I come in and see your classroom?" I ask. "I'd like to see it."

"Oh yes," Lucia gasps. "I'll show you all around the school. The library is the best part."

"Okay, great." I smile. I glance at my watch—I have a Zoom meeting at nine fifteen but they'll have to wait.

We get out of the car, Lucia takes my hand and we walk down toward the school. The moms who are all standing around the front gate all turn to watch us as we approach, they are in gym clothes and have strollers with younger children.

It's a ponytail brigade, not one woman is made up or has makeup on.

Weird.

We walk past them and I give an awkward smile and nod. "Morning." "Morning," a few reply.

"Who is that?" I hear them whisper.

Lucia turns back to them. "This is our dad," she calls, totally unfazed.

and my heart stops.

The name Dominic in the top right corner, the picture is of a campfire and four people sitting around it. They're holding sticks with marshmallows on them. The teacher has written a comment across the bottom.

My dad came over and we played Uno and had a campfire.

It was the best

Emotion overwhelms me, and the picture blurs.

What is it with me lately, these kids have made me an emotional basket case.

"This is the best thing I have ever seen." I smile as I stare at it. "When it gets taken down from the wall, can I please have this? I'd like to hang it in my office so I can look at it every day."

Dominic smiles up at me, and I push the hair back from his forehead as I stare down at him.

This kid.

"And where is your picture, Lucia?" My eyes return to scan the wall, and I see the name Lucia in the bottom row. It's a picture of a girl with dark hair.

Huh?

My dad's girlfriend came over and was angry. She smashed our glasses

"Oh..." My eyes widen in horror.