Page 78 of Revenge

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ava

Couple of days ago I returned home, but I have yet to tell Oliver I’m back. I’m afraid if I do, he will ask questions that I don’t want to answer. He will know something is wrong. I asked Max to give me some space. He continues to tell me he’s good with just being friends. But I know how he feels. I wish I could try it with Max. But I don’t even want to imagine what Viktor would think or how he would react if I got into a relationship with Max.

My life is not what I pictured it would be by now. I’m twenty-four years old, not married, and pregnant. Let’s not forget that my son’s father is married. Talk about being a statistic.

Looking out the window, I think, how did it happen? How did I get here? When did I get pregnant? We were always so careful. I haven’t thought much about it, but you know how it is when you have too much time on your hands. Your brain gets away from you. I bet it was that day he whisked me to his hotel. He’d been stressed, and I wanted him to reset. We had such a fun-filled day. I wanted him to forget for a moment the weight of the world he carries.

“Put me down.” I giggle.

“You said you wanted to take a swim.”

“I’m not wearing a bathing suit, and people can come to the jacuzzi.” I see him take his cell out.

“Have the jacuzzi area closed for maintenance for the next few hours.” I’m not sure who he’s talking with, but he doesn’t wait for a response.

“Viktor put me down.” He slaps my ass, waking my libido. He sets me down and walks over to a towel rack. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to claim the woman I’m marrying.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“Have you not learned anything, baby girl?”

Those are the moments I miss the most. The quiet ones. The ones that might seem small and insignificant but mean everything to me. He made love to me over and over again that day. After the jacuzzi, he took me to a room, and we were in bed until the next afternoon. I’m pretty sure I forgot to take my pill that day.

“Your daddy can make me forgetful. Wow!” I feel a sharp pain. I take a deep breath and continue to go about my day.

I sit back on the couch and try to take it easy by reading a magazine. Suddenly the sharp pain comes again. There’s a knock at the door. I can barely stand, but the knocking continues, louder now. It takes me forever, but I make it and open the door.

“Are you okay?” Max asks in a panic and walks inside the apartment.

“Why are you here, Max? I told you I needed space.”

“I wanted to check on you. I was calling, but you didn’t answer. I was worried. What’s going on?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m in labor.” I try to take deep breaths to reduce the pain like I was taught.

“What should I do? What can I get you?” I want to slap Max. His panic is not helping me.

“Take a breath,” I order, trying to breathe through a contraction. The time has come.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what to do.” The man looks like a white sheet of paper.

“Get me my cell,” I say once the contraction passes. I dial the only person who will not freak out and know what to do.

“Ava, are you okay?” There’s a sudden panic in his voice.

“No. I need you. It’s time. The baby is coming, and Max is freaking out. I can’t do this alone.” I try not to cry. I know I need to keep my cool.

“Where are you?”

“Home. I got back a few days ago.”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Do you think you’ll be all right?”

“I think so. Contractions are about twelve to fifteen minutes apart.”

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