Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Viktor

" F iona, you're torturing yourself." I hear Fiona's mother.

"I just spoke to the fucking guy, and nothing happened to her. She has more lives than a cat." They're talking in the kitchen.

"Sweetheart, you need to stop. You're risking someone discovering your secret. You need to leave that girl alone. She already told you she isn't going to tell Viktor. There's no reason to worry. If she hasn't told him by now, I doubt she will." I stand closer to hear the conversation. Who is Fiona talking about, and what is her mother warning her about?

"I don't trust her, and I don't believe her, Mom. I can't risk it. There is too much on the line. I have to get rid of her. As long as she lives, she's a threat. Under no circumstances will I allow Viktor to find out Ava is pregnant with his child."

"You need to calm down, sweetheart. This stress isn't good for the baby."

"What did you just say?" I enter the kitchen, knowing exactly what she said.

"Nothing. What did you hear?" Fiona mumbles.

"Is Ava pregnant?" I'm a few steps from Fiona.

"I don't know what you think you heard, but it was not that. That's preposterous," Fiona says, but I can see she's lying.

"Do you take me for a fool? I know what I heard." I turn to leave the kitchen.

"Viktor, stop. Where are you going?" Fiona asks, but I don't stop. I take out my cell.

"Where are you?" I ask Oliver.

"In the garage. Why?"

"I need Ava's address."

"That's not a good idea. You said it yourself. Things are fragile right now. If you go to her, it will tip the scales."

"She's having my child." I end the call as I enter the garage.

Oliver sees me enter but looks away. He knew Ava is pregnant and kept it from me. Is this what he has been hiding? What has him preoccupied?

"Who told you?" He finally asks.

"Did you know?" I ask, furious. He goes back to not saying anything. "I asked a question."

He lets out a deep breath. "Yes."

"And you kept it from me? Fuck you, Oliver. You know how I feel about her. A child changes things. She needs me."

"I know you don't want to hear this, but it changes nothing. At the moment, Ava doesn't need you. She's still at risk, probably more now than ever." I want to grab him by the neck and rip him a new one.

"The address Oliver," I repeat.

"Don't cross a line you won't be able to come back from. She's fine where she is. She's safe."

"I won't ask again."

He exhales hard. "I'll take you." He takes a step toward me.

"It's for the best if you don't. Text me the address." I leave the garage and walk to my SUV. I get in wanting to deck Oliver and destroy Fiona's life. They've made a fool of me.

Oliver's text arrives. The address tells me she's been close to me the entire time, just on the other side of town. If I wasn't enraged, I would probably laugh. How did I not know? Who else has been keeping this secret? I drive, and flashes of moments with her play in my mind like a montage. Every time I made her mine. Every moment we spent together. I've loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her. She is having my child.

Pulling up to the address, I find myself lost for words. I don't know if she's home, but I'm willing to wait as long as it takes. I won't leave without speaking with her. Upstairs I ring the bell, and a young woman opens the door.

"Can I help you?" she asks.

"I'm looking for Ava."

"She's not here. But if you tell me your name, I'll tell her you stopped by." I don't care for her tone.

"Do you know how long before she returns?"

"I don't. But I'll tell her you stopped by." She's cold and attempts to close the door. I stop the door with my hand.

"I'll wait." I push my way in.

"You can't come in here." She tries to stop me by getting in the way.

"Yet here I am," I tell her walking inside.

"I'll call the police."

"Go right ahead." I move deeper into the apartment. "Which one is her bedroom?"

"You need to leave. She doesn't want to see you. She doesn't need you in her life," she says, apparently knowing who I am. I ignore her and open the first door, but it isn't hers. Her scent isn't here. "You have to leave. She'll be home any minute." I hear her say, but I ignore her and open the next door.

Immediately, I'm welcomed by her scent. A scent I've missed and know well. To one side of the room is her bed and on the other is a crib. On the dresser is a frame with a sonogram. I lift it, overwhelmed with sorrow. She's been doing this alone. The crib is ready for our child. I sit on the bed holding a blanket that will keep our child warm.

"It's crazy outside." I hear Ava's voice. "What's wrong? Are you sure?" I can't hear what the woman is telling her. Then I hear footsteps. "Viktor, what are you doing here?" she asks from the doorway, touching her swollen belly. I can't believe it. She looks more beautiful than ever. She takes my breath away.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask as I stand.

"You have to go. You shouldn't be here."

I walk toward her.

"Ava, is everything okay?" A man stops and stands behind her.

"Yes." She turns to look at him, then back at me.

"Who the fuck is this?" I demand.

"Viktor, you need to leave." She's standing between the man and me.

"I'm Max, and you?" The man stands straighter as he speaks. He's a joke if he thinks he can intimidate me.

"Doesn't concern you." I take her hand. There's sadness in her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you're pregnant?"

"Because it isn't yours. It's mine." I see red as the man speaks. She turns to look at him, then back at me.

"Is it really his?" She doesn't answer. Tears escape her. "It's mine, isn't it?" She still doesn't answer. "Why didn't you tell me?" I pull her to me.

"Viktor, please. We're over." I feel her swollen belly. "You have to forget about me. I'm fine. Your wife needs you."

"You can't be serious. I'm not going anywhere. You need me too."

"Please." More tears come.

"You need to leave. Ava doesn't need you here," Max says. I take a step forward.

"I suggest you stay out of this."

"You're making her suffer. Can't you see it? Look at what your presence is doing to her. It's not good for the baby."

I take another step toward him, but Ava blocks me.

"Max, let me speak with Viktor alone," she says, looking at him.

"Are you sure?" He eyes me.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?"

"Listen—"

"Please, Max." He leaves as she steps forward, making me step aside so she can enter her bedroom. "Why are you here? Who told you?" She asks, her voice barely a whisper.

"It doesn't matter. It should have been you."

"Please don't do this. There's so much at stake. We can't do this." I stand in front of her and hold her head between my hands. I kiss her, tasting the saltiness of her tears. "Viktor?—"

"Ava, you're having my child, and you kept it from me."

"It was for the best. You need to focus on your wife and your child with her. You have to think of the consequences of being here." More tears roll down her face. I kneel and touch her swollen belly.

"I don't care. I've missed you so much." I look up at her.

She closes her eyes.

"Please, don't make this any harder than it has to be. You have to let me go."

"How can I let you go when you're the love of my life and carrying our child?"

"No, Viktor. Your place isn't here. It's with your wife and the child with her. They're your family." Her voice cracks.

"Fiona is not my family. You are."

"Please," she murmurs. I hold her belly.

"Do you know what we are having?" I ask.