Page 59 of Revenge

“Please,” she murmurs. I hold her belly.

“Do you know what we are having?” I ask.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ava

Itake a breath, trying to process that Viktor is here. In front of me, kneeling, feeling my belly. I don’t know if I should be happy or petrified of the consequences of him being here. It’s not that I don’t want him here. I’ve wanted this moment since the day the doctor confirmed I was pregnant. To share our beautiful gift. He presses his lips to my belly as his hands hold me in place. It’s an intimate moment I’ve wished for this entire pregnancy.

“Hi baby, I’m your Dad. I’m excited to meet you. Your mom has been keeping you safe, but now I’m here.” I feel our son kick. He looks at me. “Do you know the sex?” He repeats.

“Yes. Would you like to know?”

He smiles. “I would love to.”

“Come on.” I lead him to the corner so I can sit in the rocker where I’ll nurse our son. “Sit on the bed. This is about the only seat I’m comfortable in these days.” I sit. He smiles. “It’s a boy.”

“A son.” He kneels beside my chair and touches my belly. “You’re having our son. Why didn’t you tell me?” There’s a sadness in him I’ve never seen before.

“I almost did once, shortly after I found out. But so much was happening. You’re married, and your wife is pregnant. I didn’t want to be an inconvenience.” I lay my hand on top of his. This is what I’ve been craving. Sharing little moments like these with him.

“You would never be an inconvenience. You left before could explain everything. I’ll only be married to Fiona until my daughter is born. The moment she is born, I will divorce Fiona. I was going to look for you once that happened. I’m in love with you.”

I can’t help the tears.

“Please don’t cry. I wish I could take it all back. It was one night, and I was drunk.”

“I want to believe you. But you’re with her. You’re having a child together. How can you expect me to trust you after that?” Our eyes meet.

“I should have told you from the beginning what happened between Fiona and me. You and I had just gotten into an argument at Eros. I was pissed. While you left for home, I went to my office and started drinking. I drank more than I should have. The lights were off, and Fiona walked in pretending to be you.”

“Viktor—” I interrupt, not sure if I want him to continue.

“Listen, I know saying I was drunk is not an excuse, but I swear to you that I did not know. I would never willingly be with Fiona. I don’t want to be with her. It’s you I want to be with.”

“But you married her.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This is what hurts me most.

“I didn’t have a choice.” Something in his voice tells me he’s keeping something else from me. Before I can ask, he continues. “Give me the chance to make things right. The chance to show that you can trust me.”

I want to believe him. I need him. I’m going to ask him what he means by not having a choice when I hear shouting. Viktor stands as Max comes to my bedroom door.

“What is it?” I ask Max as I stand.

“Some woman is screaming both of your names.” He looks at Viktor, and just like that, the spell is broken.

“Open the fucking door. I know you’re in there.” I hear banging as I walk to my bedroom door.

“Stay here,” Viktor says as he leaves my bedroom, but I don’t listen. I won’t let him tell me what to do. The voice undeniably belongs to Fiona.

“I knew it. You came to see your whore,” she says, entering the apartment. Lisa has the door open she looks at me apologetically.

“I’m your wife, Viktor. I’m having your daughter. You need to be home with me and not her. And you said you wouldn’t say a word,” she shouts at me. “You fucking bitch. Why can’t you stay away from my family?” She lunges at me, but Max pulls me out of the way just as Viktor grabs Fiona.

“I have stayed away from your family. It’s not my fault he’s here.” I find myself saying. Viktor looks at me, confused. But Fiona starts to talk again, and he turns to face her.

“Viktor, I swear if you don’t leave with me, there will be consequences. And you,” she points at me. “If he leaves me, I swear his daughter won’t be born, and it will be on your conscience.”

“Fiona, enough,” Viktor shouts.

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