Page 58 of Revenge

“Ava, is everything okay?” A man stops and stands behind her.

“Yes.” She turns to look at him, then back at me.

“Who the fuck is this?” I demand.

“Viktor, you need to leave.” She’s standing between the man and me.

“I’m Max, and you?” The man stands straighter as he speaks. He’s a joke if he thinks he can intimidate me.

“Doesn’t concern you.” I take her hand. There’s sadness in her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re pregnant?”

“Because it isn’t yours. It’s mine.” I see red as the man speaks. She turns to look at him, then back at me.

“Is it really his?” She doesn’t answer. Tears escape her. “It’s mine, isn’t it?” She still doesn’t answer. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I pull her to me.

“Viktor, please. We’re over.” I feel her swollen belly. “You have to forget about me. I’m fine. Your wife needs you.”

“You can’t be serious. I’m not going anywhere. You need me too.”

“Please.” More tears come.

“You need to leave. Ava doesn’t need you here,” Max says. I take a step forward.

“I suggest you stay out of this.”

“You’re making her suffer. Can’t you see it? Look at what your presence is doing to her. It’s not good for the baby.”

I take another step toward him, but Ava blocks me.

“Max, let me speak with Viktor alone,” she says, looking at him.

“Are you sure?” He eyes me.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?”

“Listen—”

“Please, Max.” He leaves as she steps forward, making me step aside so she can enter her bedroom. “Why are you here? Who told you?” She asks, her voice barely a whisper.

“It doesn’t matter. It should have been you.”

“Please don’t do this. There’s so much at stake. We can’t do this.” I stand in front of her and hold her head between my hands. I kiss her, tasting the saltiness of her tears. “Viktor?—”

“Ava, you’re having my child, and you kept it from me.”

“It was for the best. You need to focus on your wife and your child with her. You have to think of the consequences of being here.” More tears roll down her face. I kneel and touch her swollen belly.

“I don’t care. I’ve missed you so much.” I look up at her.

She closes her eyes.

“Please, don’t make this any harder than it has to be. You have to let me go.”

“How can I let you go when you’re the love of my life and carrying our child?”

“No, Viktor. Your place isn’t here. It’s with your wife and the child with her. They’re your family.” Her voice cracks.

“Fiona is not my family. You are.”

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