Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ava

I take a breath, trying to process that Viktor is here. In front of me, kneeling, feeling my belly. I don't know if I should be happy or petrified of the consequences of him being here. It's not that I don't want him here. I've wanted this moment since the day the doctor confirmed I was pregnant. To share our beautiful gift. He presses his lips to my belly as his hands hold me in place. It's an intimate moment I've wished for this entire pregnancy.

"Hi baby, I'm your Dad. I'm excited to meet you. Your mom has been keeping you safe, but now I'm here." I feel our son kick. He looks at me. "Do you know the sex?" He repeats.

"Yes. Would you like to know?"

He smiles. "I would love to."

"Come on." I lead him to the corner so I can sit in the rocker where I'll nurse our son. "Sit on the bed. This is about the only seat I'm comfortable in these days." I sit. He smiles. "It's a boy."

"A son." He kneels beside my chair and touches my belly. "You're having our son. Why didn't you tell me?" There's a sadness in him I've never seen before.

"I almost did once, shortly after I found out. But so much was happening. You're married, and your wife is pregnant. I didn't want to be an inconvenience." I lay my hand on top of his. This is what I've been craving. Sharing little moments like these with him.

"You would never be an inconvenience. You left before could explain everything. I'll only be married to Fiona until my daughter is born. The moment she is born, I will divorce Fiona. I was going to look for you once that happened. I'm in love with you."

I can't help the tears.

"Please don't cry. I wish I could take it all back. It was one night, and I was drunk."

"I want to believe you. But you're with her. You're having a child together. How can you expect me to trust you after that?" Our eyes meet.

"I should have told you from the beginning what happened between Fiona and me. You and I had just gotten into an argument at Eros. I was pissed. While you left for home, I went to my office and started drinking. I drank more than I should have. The lights were off, and Fiona walked in pretending to be you."

"Viktor—" I interrupt, not sure if I want him to continue.

"Listen, I know saying I was drunk is not an excuse, but I swear to you that I did not know. I would never willingly be with Fiona. I don't want to be with her. It's you I want to be with."

"But you married her." I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This is what hurts me most.

"I didn't have a choice." Something in his voice tells me he's keeping something else from me. Before I can ask, he continues. "Give me the chance to make things right. The chance to show that you can trust me."

I want to believe him. I need him. I'm going to ask him what he means by not having a choice when I hear shouting. Viktor stands as Max comes to my bedroom door.

"What is it?" I ask Max as I stand.

"Some woman is screaming both of your names." He looks at Viktor, and just like that, the spell is broken.

"Open the fucking door. I know you're in there." I hear banging as I walk to my bedroom door.

"Stay here," Viktor says as he leaves my bedroom, but I don't listen. I won't let him tell me what to do. The voice undeniably belongs to Fiona.

"I knew it. You came to see your whore," she says, entering the apartment. Lisa has the door open she looks at me apologetically.

"I'm your wife, Viktor. I'm having your daughter. You need to be home with me and not her. And you said you wouldn't say a word," she shouts at me. "You fucking bitch. Why can't you stay away from my family?" She lunges at me, but Max pulls me out of the way just as Viktor grabs Fiona.

"I have stayed away from your family. It's not my fault he's here." I find myself saying. Viktor looks at me, confused. But Fiona starts to talk again, and he turns to face her.

"Viktor, I swear if you don't leave with me, there will be consequences. And you," she points at me. "If he leaves me, I swear his daughter won't be born, and it will be on your conscience."

"Fiona, enough," Viktor shouts.

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.

"I'll help you pack," Lisa says. I stand and walk to the bedroom. "It's going to be okay." She tries to comfort me.

"I don't know anymore." I take a breath. "If it's okay with you, I want to keep my things and bedroom here. I'll continue to cover my half of the expenses."

"Of course you can keep your things here. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Thanks." I grab a carry-on and pack the essentials.

A million thoughts cross my mind. How did Viktor find out? Did Tina tell him? She wouldn't. I know Oliver didn't. If Oliver were going to, Viktor would have been here long ago. But I guess it doesn't matter. The cat's out of the bag. Viktor knows I'm pregnant, and there is no going back now. He is never going to walk away from me.

"Do you need help with anything?" Max asks from my bedroom door.

"No. I'm done." I zip the carry-on.

"Let me." He grabs it before I can move it to the floor.

"Thanks. Lisa, please don't tell anyone where I'm going."

"I don't exactly know where you're going," she says and laughs.

"Right. Good point." I can't help myself and laugh.

"But don't worry. My lips are sealed. I just want you to take care of yourself and the baby," she smiles.

"I will." I give her a quick hug, not wanting to stay any longer and risk Viktor walking back through the door. He is a man of his word.

"Call or text when you reach your destination."

"I will, promise."

"You're doing the right thing," Max says as we head downstairs. "Everything will be fine. I'm here. You aren't alone."

I smile. "You're a wonderful friend, Max. Thank you."

As I walk down the stairs, with his help, I become nervous. What if Marco is outside? If he sees me, he'll follow me. He'll tell Oliver or, worse, Viktor.

"What's wrong?" Max asks at the bottom of the stairs. I can't exactly tell him about Marco without him asking questions.

"Viktor might still be out outside."

"Let me check."

"There will be an SUV across the street with a guy or two inside." He eyes me suspiciously. "He owns a big company and takes security everywhere." I lie.

"Give me a sec."

I walk closer to the door but stay as hidden as possible. I can't risk Marco or Jimmy seeing me. They will ask me where I'm going. Not so much the other guys. They tend to be a little more laid back. Max comes back, no longer carrying my carry-on.

"I don't see any SUVs parked outside or men standing around."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, let's go."

We leave the building and head to his Jeep. I look around to make sure the coast is clear as Max said. I take a deep breath and get in the Jeep once I realize they are nowhere to be seen. Maybe seeing Viktor spooked them, or they went to get lunch. I glance back at the place I've been calling home. I would give anything for things to be different.

"It will take us a few hours to reach the cabin," Max says as I buckle myself in.

"Okay." I look at Max.

"Don't worry, we'll stop and feed the hungry hippo inside of you."

He sounds so serious I burst out laughing.

"Why are you calling my baby a hippo?"

"Because you're always hungry."

"You shouldn't call him a hippo." I'm laughing so hard I have to hold my belly.

"Why? It's harmless." He teases.

"Oh, Max." I shake my head. Being with Max, feels so normal.