Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Viktor

The next night…

I 'm sitting in my office nursing a drink, thinking about everything that has happened since the night Ava left. I'm a grown man doing his father's bidding. My father is the reason I am married to Fiona. Things certainly would have been different if I'd never met Fiona.

Looking back, the signs were there about who Fiona truly is. She's always been self-serving. Everything always had to be her way. She's cost me everything, because of her Ava isn't beside me. I drain my drink and stand to pour another one. There's a knock on the door.

"Come in," I say.

"Hey," Oliver says, walking inside.

"It's late. Why are you here?" I ask, pouring my drink. "I thought you were gone."

"I thought you might want to talk."

"Talk about what?"

"How are you doing?" I look at him, confused as to why he would think I want to talk. I'm done talking.

"What do you want, Oliver?" I ask as I head back to my chair.

"I want you to let me carry some of the weight on your shoulders. You're not alone, and right now, you're acting like you are." I take a sip of my drink and run my fingers through my hair. "I'm your brother, let me be here for you," he adds.

"I'm not in the mood, Oliver. I want to be left alone."

"Tough luck. I'm here and not going anywhere until we talk. Tell me at least one thing. Anything." I hear in his voice that he's worried, but it's not his place. This is not his problem. "Viktor, I'm your brother," he repeats. "You need to trust me." I look at him and take another drink. Oliver has always stood by me. I don't say it often, but he's always been a great little brother.

"What do you want me to tell you? Do you want me to tell you that I'm losing my fucking mind not knowing where Ava is, or do you want me to tell you that being with Fiona is driving me mad?" But more importantly, how the fuck did Fiona get pregnant? There it is. The question that has been nagging me, but I had not given it a voice. I was with Fiona for years. I know all her moves. The last thing she ever wanted was to be a mother. She said that countless times when we were together.

"What is it?"

"I want a DNA paternity test."

"What are you thinking?"

"Fiona is a calculating woman. She would never leave anything to chance. She would never risk losing everything by making a mistake like getting pregnant," I say as I drain my drink and stand.

"Where are you going?"

I don't answer. Not because he doesn't deserve an answer, but because answering him won't make a difference. I leave the office and set out to find Fiona. Walking to her bedroom on the first floor, I open the door, but it's empty. I know exactly where she is. I make my way upstairs to my bedroom. Just as I expected, she's laying in my bed.

"Great, you're finally here. I've been here for hours. Why don't you get ready for bed, and we can call it a night? I'm exhausted, and I bet you are too."

"Get the fuck out of my bed. I don't know how many times I need to fucking tell you."

"It's late. There's no reason for such hostility. How about you come into bed and let me relax you?" Fiona's words repulse me. I have never hated a woman the way I hate her.

"You're going to the doctor tomorrow to get a DNA paternity test."

"What are you talking about now?" she asks, pretending to be shocked by my words.

"The child growing inside of you can't be mine. I'm not falling for your bullshit. I know you, Fiona. You told me repeatedly in the past you never wanted kids. I'm not the father, and a paternity test will prove that."

"Are you kidding me, Viktor? Are you listening to yourself? You're the father of this baby. Are you seriously doubting me?" she asks, putting her hands on her belly.

"You can claim whatever you want. I want physical proof the child is mine."

"I don't need to do shit. I bet you're wishing this isn't your baby, so you can run to the arms of Ava. It's the only thing you really care about." She gets out of my bed.

"You will go for the paternity test. I'm not asking you."

"You're unbelievable. I'm trying to make a home for our family, and you're accusing me of what? Do you really think I would trick you? I don't need to fucking lie, Viktor. There's nothing to be gained."

"Except you do. I wouldn't put it past you that you're lying," I say more to myself.

"Fine, I'll go to my doctor and have the paternity test. I'll show you that this baby is yours, and you'll feel like a fool." She tries to close the gap between us, but I walk to my bedroom door.

"Get the fuck out of my bedroom. This is the last time I'm going to tell you. I won't be so patient next time."

"Baby, don't be like that."

"I won't repeat myself, Fiona."

"You used to be fun," she says as she walks out.

I could say something, but what is the point? Why waste time with her? Soon this nightmare will be over. The paternity test will prove the child Fiona is carrying isn't mine. There'll be no reason for me to stay married to Fiona. I can then focus on finding Ava myself. I made a mistake by not telling her the truth and letting her leave. My first step in rectifying that mistake will be to prove I'm not the father of Fiona's child.