The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 36

~ Violet ~

"Honey, they're waiting for you inside. Who are you talking to?"

Barbara was staring at Violet in confusion. She looked at her daughter and at the strange man, before turning to Violet again. Violet was frozen like a statue, unable to speak. Meanwhile, Adrian was shuffling uncomfortably. He knew his arrival was stirring up trouble. "I'll be in the car, I'll wait for you," Adrian said to Violet, nodding his head before turning to the parking lot. Barbara watched as Adrian excused himself and left. Her face was still full of questions.

"Sweetheart?" she asked again.

Violet looked at her mother for the first time and tears began pooling in her eyes. She didn't have the strength to act strong anymore. She knew she had to come clean about everything. "Mom, I have to talk to you," Violet's voice was shaking.

"Sure, but sweetie, they're all waiting for you-" "It's important,"

Barbara saw the look in Violet's eyes and she knew her daughter was serious. Letting out a sigh, Barbara took a step closer and put a hand on Violet's cheek, caressing her gently. "Okay, tell me," she said.

Violet didn't even know where to begin. What Barbara knew about Damon was only that he was a mafia king who once kidnapped her, but she escaped. That was the story that Dylan spun. Now, how could Violet explain everything in the amount of time they had? "I think I have to go," she blurted instead, not knowing how else to say it.

"Go?" Barbara gaped.

"There's a guy that I'm in love with and he's in trouble..." Violet paused for a moment before adding, "I have to see him,"

"But honey, I thought you're in love with Luke?"

"I love Luke the way I love you and I love Dylan. But this guy... he's different,"

Violet knew the words she was saying weren't enough. There was no way she could explain how she feels for Damon and what he means to her. Tears began raining down her face uncontrollably, ruining whatever mascara or make up on her eyes.

"Oh, sweetheart," Barbara sighed and pulled Violet into her chest. Violet sobbed harder as Barbara stroked her hair. "He's the baby's father, isn't he?"

Violet pulled away instantly.

"What?" she gaped at her mother.

"I know the baby isn't Luke's," Barbara stated matter of factly. "So it's probably his, the mafia man?"

"Wait, you knew?" Violet squeaked.

"Honey, do you remember what you said when you told me you and Luke were engaged?" Barbara asked back.

Of course, Violet remembered that moment. She just came back from the doctor's office with Luke. She was so scared and confused, but Luke came to the rescue. She knew she couldn't get rid of the baby, but she also didn't know how to raise a kid on her own. So Luke stepped up and committed himself to raise the baby with her.

"Mom, Luke and I are engaged," Violet told her mother as she stood next to Luke in the dining room.

Barbara's mouth fell open in shock.

"What?"

"That's right, Mrs. Carvey," Luke nodded and took Violet's hand. "I love your daughter very much. I asked her to marry me today and she said yes,"

Barbara's eyes were wide as saucers. She raced over to Luke and Violet, pulling them both into a hug.

"Oh my God, that's wonderful news!"

"And that's not all," Violet continued. "I'm also pregnant,"

"You're pregnant?" Barbara gaped, looking at Violet's face and at her stomach.

"About five weeks along," Violet nodded sheepishly. "Luke and I just came back from the doctor's office and that's what they told me,"

Barbara was speechless for a moment. Her baby daughter was having a baby and she couldn't help but feel emotional.

"Oh my God, sweetheart!" Tears were running down Barbara's face as she held Violet's cheeks with her hands. "You're pregnant?"

"Yes, mom," Violet nodded and choked back her tears. "I'm pregnant,"

Barbara stared at Violet's face a second longer. The two women were crying and holding onto each other. Letting out a deep sigh, Barbara pulled Violet into a hug again, holding her as tightly as she could.

"That day, you said 'I'm pregnant' instead of 'we'. And that's when I knew," Barbara said simply.

Violet stared at her mother and her mouth formed an 'o'. She didn't know what to say. Her mother knew all along that Luke wasn't the father, but she never said anything. More tears were running down Violet's face and she buried herself into her mother's embrace. "Mom, I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to lie..."

"I understand. You must have your reasons for keeping me out of it," Barbara said understandingly. She kept stroking Violet's hair to soothe her.

"I wanted to tell you since day one, but... things were complicated... And I didn't think I was going to fall in love with him like this..." Sierra tried her best to explain through the sobs. "I knew you and Dylan didn't approve of our relationship... but I love him and he loves me... I love him so much, it hurts..."

Barbara let out a long sigh. Of course, she didn't want to hear that her daughter was in love with a mafia man who murders people for a living. But seeing Violet crying and hurting like this, it was worse.

"You really love this man?" she asked.

"Yes," Violet nodded firmly.

"And you're sure that he loves you too?"

"More than anything in the world,"

From an outsider's perspective, it was difficult to comprehend that a ruthless mafia man could really be in love with a girl. Barbara knew many stories about them. Hell, her husband was tormented to death by them. And yet, her daughter was fully convinced that this man was different.

"Was that why you were gone for a few months at that time? You were with the baby's father?" she asked. "Yeah,"

"And that's why Dylan and Luke left, they came and got you?"

"Yeah,"

"Well, honey, I don't know what to say..." Barbara sighed again. "Now you're telling me you want to go see this mafia man because he's in trouble?"

"He's giving up his life for me, mom!" Violet couldn't help but tear up again.

"Mom, all my life, I've never found anything this real. He's the most loving person I know. Our story isn't perfect and we hurt each other, but it's the most real love I've ever seen and will ever see. Without him, nothing in my life makes sense..." Violet continued through the tears. "I have to see him," This time, Barbara also couldn't hold back. She was crying with Violet as they held onto each other.

"This is difficult. Hearing your daughter wants to see a mafia man isn't something any mother wants to hear, but..." Barbara paused for a beat before continuing, "If there's anything I learned from losing your dad, is that if you've found something that's real in this lifetime, and I mean really real, then you hold onto it. No matter how hard things get or who stands in your way, you hold onto that. Because without it, life isn't worth a damn second," "Mom..."

"I think you know that too, right, sweetheart?"

Violet and her mother shared a knowing look. It was hard for Barbara to do this, but she forced a smile and released Violet from her hug.

"Alright, go then," she said. "I'll take care of everyone there. You have my blessing. But be careful,"

"I will," Violet nodded, eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks, mom,"

Violet turned to her heels, but before she went too far, Barbara called out again.

"Oh, honey,"

"Yes?"

"What about Luke?"

Violet stopped for a moment to think.

"I'll talk to him,"

Within the next few minutes, Barbara went inside and told everyone that there will not be a wedding today. People were gasping in shock, but none were more shocked than Luke. Barbara then told Luke to go to the bride's room because Violet was waiting for him. He raced over there like his life depended on it. As soon as he stepped inside, he found Violet had already changed into her normal clothes. The wedding dress was lying flat on the couch.

"Violet?" Luke's eyes were filled with worry and confusion. "What's happening, are you alright?"

Luke raced over to her and held her arms. Violet held onto his hand for a moment before pulling it down. "Luke, I'm so sorry... but I can't go through with the wedding,"

Luke searched her eyes for signs of uncertainty, but there was nothing there. She already made up her mind. "Violet, if the wedding is too much for you, we don't have to do it," he said. "We can just go on with life-"

"No, Luke, you're not hearing me," Violet cut him off, shaking her head. "I can't marry you,"

"Why?"

Because... I can't ever stop loving him. Because he will never stop loving me. One way or another, we're always going to be haunted by each other.

"Damon needs my help," Violet said instead. He's in trouble. I have to go see him,"

"Damon? Why would he need your help?" Luke couldn't hide the disdain in his voice.

"I can't explain everything right now, but I really owe you an apology. I understand if you can't ever forgive me, but please know, I really do love you and I'm really sorry for everything-"

"Wait, wait a second!" Luke raised his voice and shook his head in disbelief. "You're not really leaving right now, are you?"

Violet only forced out a smile. Then she grabbed her bag and turned for the door.

"Violet, come on!" Luke yelled and pulled her arm, stopping her tracks. "Can't you see? This is just another one of Damon's tricks. He probably knew we're getting married and he's doing this to get you back!"

Luke's chest was heaving up and down, but Violet remained calm. There was a stillness in her that she couldn't explain. A peace that surpassed any understanding. Because though she knew she was making a terrible choice, it was the right choice. "Maybe it is, maybe it's not. But I have to go and see it through," she told him.

"Violet, please... don't do this..." Luke pleaded as his eyes hung onto her every word. "Think about the baby,"

Violet glanced down at her stomach and back at Luke. She didn't know what she was getting herself into by going to see Damon. It might be dangerous, it might be risky. But to think of the alternative- not trying to save Damon when she had the chance, Violet would never be able to live with that.

"I'm doing this for the baby too, Luke. The baby deserves to know their father," she said, pausing for a beat before adding, "And you deserve better,"

Luke's eyes were glassy. He was holding back the tears, and he couldn't do anything but stand there like a statue. He knew this wasn't a fight that he could win. This was as far as he could take it. Violet was never his to begin with. She always belonged to someone else, and always will be.

"I'm really, really sorry," Violet said as she touched his arm gently.

In a last ditch attempt to get her to stay, Luke's hand went to hold Violet's. Violet shook her head gently and pulled her hand away. And without saying another word, she slipped past him and walked out the door. For the longest time, Luke remained standing there, heartbroken and unable to move, drowning in his defeat.

Violet wiped the last of her tears away as she approached the parking lot. Some of the townspeople were still around, and they were all staring and pointing at her.

Amongst the crowd were Dylan, Ivy, and Barbara. Dylan was staring at Violet with worried eyes. It looked as if he wanted to go to her, but Violet gave her a look, saying no. Dylan stood in his spot and Barbara put a hand on his shoulder. This time around, Dylan also knew there was no stopping her. So, he just watched in silence as she approached the big black car parked in the middle of the lot.

As soon as Violet arrived at the car's door, it opened from the inside and Adrian stretched his hand out. On the driver's seat was Beau and on the front seat was Liam. Violet nodded at the guys and took Adrian's hand, climbing inside the car.

"Are you ready?" Adrian asked.

Violet nodded her head firmly.

"Take me to him,"