Page 69 of Revenge

“Everything looks and smells delicious. But you shouldn’t have.” I say as I sit.

“Are you kidding? It was my pleasure. I don’t get to use my cooking skills enough.” He pours a glass of sparkling water.

“Thank you.” I take the first bite. “Wow, this is delicious.”

“I’m sure you’re exaggerating. Your cooking is better.” He winks, and I smile.

“I don’t know about that.”

We eat in silence for a few minutes before he speaks.

“Ava, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, anything.”

“I know you haven’t told me much about Viktor. But what did you talk about when you asked me to leave?”

I put my fork down and looked out of the window before answering. “It’s complicated.”

“Why didn’t you let him believe it was my child? I wouldn’t have cared, and it probably would have been better.”

“Because Oliver is his brother.”

“The guy from the hospital?”

“Yes.”

“And he kept it from him?”

“It’s complicated,” I say again.

“You deserve better than Viktor. He’s married.” I don’t like his implication.

“He wasn’t married when we were together,” I say, annoyed and offended.

“I didn’t mean anything.” There’s a pause. Like he’s looking for what he wants to say. “I couldn’t help but notice his wife is pregnant too,” he finally says.

“Can we change the conversation? I don’t want to talk about them anymore.”

“Of course, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I stand with my plate in hand and walk toward the kitchen.

“I’ll take that. Why don’t you relax?” he says, standing.

“I got it.”

He stops me and takes my plate.

“You’re my guest. The sun is setting, why don’t you enjoy the view.”

“That sounds nice, thank you.” I walk to the bay window. I hadn’t noticed the seating area there before. I sit and look down at my belly.

“Before I know it, you will be here, my sweet boy,” I say, smiling, caressing my belly, then gazing wistfully out the window. “I wonder what type of man you will become. God, please help me be a good mother. Give me strength and courage in these difficult moments. I pray for my son to be born strong and that he’s a happy boy filled with love.” I look down at my belly. “Here I am talking to you, my beautiful boy, telling you how much I love you. I’m going to give you all the love that I wasn’t given by my mother. I’ll always be here for you.”

I watch the sunset over the lake where the water is still. It’s so peaceful. I’m not sure how much time passes.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Max comments.

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