Page 60 of Revenge

This is why I didn’t want him to know I’m pregnant. It’s why I didn’t want him to find me. This is more than I want to deal with. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to Viktor or his daughter because of me.

“You both need to leave,” I order Viktor and Fiona.

“I’m not done talking with you,” Viktor tells me as he turns to face me.

“There’s nothing more to talk about.” I start to cry again. I hate these damn hormones. But I know it’s not just the hormones.

“She’s moved on. Can’t you see she has a new man in her life?” Fiona yells, looking at Max.

“Please go,” I say between sobs.

“I’ll be back for you.” He pulls me in for a hug.

“Viktor, I fucking swear,” Fiona yells.

“Go, I beg you.”

“I love you, Ava. I’ll be back for you.” He kisses my forehead. His lips ignite a fire inside of me, reminding me of how much I love him. “Let’s go, Fiona.” He grabs her arm and leads her out the door. He looks at me one last time. My heart breaks all over again. I turn away, hiding my pain. At the end of the day, she’s his wife, and I’m not.

“Are you okay?” Max asks as I stand frozen in place, looking at my front door.

“No.” I cry harder.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was him at first.” Lisa says, standing beside me.

“It’s all right. He was bound to find me. Secrets always have a way of coming to the surface. And Viktor does what pleases him. I was never going to stay hidden forever.”

“What do you need? What can I do?” Max asks.

I don’t know what I need. That’s a lie—I need Viktor. I need his strong arms holding me, his warmth. Him telling me that everything is going to be fine. Seeing him just reminded me I love him more now than ever. Why can’t I forget him? Why can’t I rip the love I feel from inside of me? It would be so much easier.

I can’t stay here. He’ll come back for me. He’ll walk away from Fiona and his daughter without a thought now that he knows I’m pregnant. I can’t let him do that, not when there’s so much hanging in the balance. Fiona’s threat can’t be taken lightly.

“I need to leave.” I finally say.

“Where will you go?” Lisa asks.

“Anywhere. Viktor will be back for me. I have to think about what’s best for everyone. He’ll only think about what he wants and damn the consequences.” I say, frantically thinking of where I could go that he won’t find me.

“I have somewhere you can go,” Max says.

“Where?” I turn to him.

“I have a cabin up north. It’s quiet. I go there when I need to get away.”

“I couldn’t impose.”

“You aren’t. I’m offering.” He smiles. “You can go for as long as you need.” He takes my hand and dries my tears with the other. It’s so intimate I find myself taking a step back. There’s a flash of hurt, but he quickly hides it. “This isn’t good for your son. The stress Viktor brings to your life isn’t healthy. You have to think about what’s best for you and your son.” He smiles. Somehow, it’s comforting. I know he’s right.

“Regardless of Viktor, from what I saw of her, Fiona isn’t going to go away. She’s whom you need to guard against, not him.” Lisa adds. And that’s the truth. I told Lisa about Fiona but didn’t go into the details. All she knows is that the man I love had to marry another woman.

“We can go. If you don’t like it, I’ll help you find somewhere else.” I look at Max. I’m due in two months, and they’re right. I don’t need the stress, and Fiona won’t stand around and do nothing.

“Okay,” I finally say.

“We can leave whenever you want.”

“Now, if it’s okay. I don’t want to give him a chance to come back and find me,” I confess.

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