Page 49 of Revenge

“When did you see her? Does she know about the baby?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, we ran into each other,” I confess.

“You mean to tell me she’s kept this from Viktor?”

“She told me to stay away from Viktor. She threatened the baby and me.”

“That’s insane. I fucking hate her. Have you seen her since she threatened you?”

“No, and I’m hoping it stays like that.”

“What a bitch.”

“It was better this way.” I look at my belly and touch it.

“He loves you. You didn’t give him a chance to explain everything. There’s so much you don’t know.”

“That might be true. But he married Fiona, and that’s all I need to know.”

“This is so fucked up.”

“Not anymore. He doesn’t need to know that I’m pregnant. I need to move on.” I stay quiet for a few seconds in the deepest part of me, I know I will never be able to move on. “Now that you do, I need you to swear that you won’t tell him.” She’s quiet. “Tina, if you tell him, I’ll have to disappear again.” I’m making the same plea I used on Oliver. Hoping that it would work on her like it had with him.

“Don’t disappear. I swear I won’t tell Viktor. Just let me be here for you. Be an auntie to your baby.” She smiles.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

We spend the next couple of hours talking and shopping for baby stuff. It feels normal, like the old times, spending time with my best friend, finding comfort in her craziness. But it’s not normal. I’m hiding from the love of my life and keeping a secret from him. Once she leaves, I’ll be lonely again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Viktor

Afew weeks have passed since the attempt on my life. I know Cillian was behind it. I might not have proof, but my gut is telling me so. At a different time, I would have waged war without proof. You don’t get away with trying to kill me. But I find myself thinking of my child with Fiona and Ava. Ava might not be here, but she will never forgive me if I get myself killed.

“Promise me that no matter what, you will always come home. That you will never get yourself killed.”

“I can’t promise that. You know the life I live.”

“You’re the air I breathe. Without you, I might as well be dead too.” Her words are certain. They are coming from her core. “Viktor?—”

“I’ll always come home to you.”

When I made that promise, I meant it, and even though she isn’t beside me now, I intend to keep it. I look at my cell and pull up a picture of Ava. She’s in bed wearing my T-shirt, reading a book, a normal moment, nothing special about the day.

I miss the normal days with her. The days when I would play hooky in the mansion, doing nothing productive, just being with her. Ava is an exceptional woman who made me a better man.

“Mr. Manarch, you have a visitor,” my PA tells me seconds before Fiona enters.

“Hi, baby,” she greets me.

“Thank you, Becky. Hold my calls.” I turn to Fiona. “Why are you here?” I ask as she approaches.

“I came to ask you to lunch. You didn’t come home last night.” She saunters around my desk. I stand and walk to the window.

“I’m busy.”

“How long are you going to be like this? We’re going to be a family. Our baby needs us. I need you.” From the corner of my eye, I see her touch her belly. Like always, I wish it was Ava and not Fiona carrying my child. The thought of Fiona being the mother of my child repulses me.

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