Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
Viktor
“ E verything’s lovely, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Anita. I hope you like the menu,” Ava says with a smile. I stand by Ava, holding her in a side hug. Her body feels tense, but she’s putting on a good show for my mother.
“Anyone care for a drink?” I ask.
“Martini,” Mom says.
“I’m fine, thank you,” Ava answers. I kiss the top of her head. I walk over to Oliver, who’s talking with Tina.
“How’s she doing?” Tina asks.
“Don’t know. She won’t talk.”
“I’m sure she will once we’re all gone,” Tina adds.
“Oliver, have you heard anything?” I ask him.
“Nothing on Fiona yet.”
Suddenly the front door opens.
“Good evening,” my father greets us. What the fuck is he doing here? “I hope you don’t mind that I brought guests,” He continues. Behind him are Cillian and Fiona.
“How dare you?” I walk to the door. “This is my house.”
“Which I paid for,” he snarls. “You’re hosting a family dinner. What better place to discuss the turn of events?” From the corner of my eyes, I see Tina and my mother next to Ava.
“There’s nothing to discuss, and you weren’t invited. Get the fuck out of my house.”
“Mind your manners, Viktor. I made you, and I can also end you.”
“Take it easy, Dougal. You’re going to give yourself a heart attack. How about we pour some drinks and get this party started.” Cillian says.
Fiona is silent, but she’s all smiles.
“There’s nothing to discuss, and this isn’t a party,” I say louder.
“We both know it isn’t the case,” gushes Fiona.
“You’re a fucking psycho,” I tell her.
Fiona moves closer to me. “Babe, after our beautiful nights together, the most wonderful thing happened. We’re having a baby.” She places her hands on her stomach.
“Fucking lies,” I bark. I look for Ava. She’s still standing beside Tina and my mother, frozen in place. I can’t read her, so I start to walk to her.
“I wouldn’t, if I were you,” my father thunders.
“Another threat?”
“A fact. You’ll make an honest woman out of Fiona and take responsibility for your actions. The wedding is set for tomorrow afternoon. It will be intimate. There’s no point in waiting now.”
“I’m not marrying her. If she’s pregnant, I’ll give the child my name. I’ll take care of the child, but there’s no need for us to be married.” A loud bang startles me. The cup Ava was holding lays shattered on the floor. “Ava,” I call, but she’s already running upstairs.
“I’ll kill her if you don’t honor our name,” rasps my father. I look at him in disgust. This man is supposed to be my father. “Fiona is carrying my grandchild. You’ll do as I say.”
“For all you know, she’s lying,” I spit out.
“Except I’m not. Daddy took me to the doctor today. We have a sonogram. Would you like to see it?” The room is instantly cold. Fiona is holding a piece of paper. This can’t be happening.
“I want everyone to get the fuck out of my house. I want you all gone,” I snarl.
I run upstairs. The door to our bedroom is ajar, and I find Ava packing a case. She’s sobbing like her heart is breaking, and I just want to hold her and make her feel better. I want to tell her this is all a lie. That everything will be okay. I want to erase the night I slept with Fiona. I want to erase the last fifteen minutes. I was wrong to keep it from her. I know that now. If Fiona is pregnant with my child, there’s no changing that. But there’s nothing I can say to Ava to make this right. Seeing the pain I've caused her, is breaking me. I’d do anything to take it all back. I have no idea what I can say to make her stay and listen to me. I refuse to let this be our end. I refuse to lose her.
“Ava, please stop. It’s not what you think.”
“You, who knows everything, what is it that I’m thinking? Please tell me. Because I don’t even know myself. This is beyond...” She stops mid-sentence.
“It was a mistake. I was drunk. I didn’t know it was Fiona.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” She laughs.
“I want to be with you. You’re the only woman for me. I’ll make things right. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I couldn’t risk losing you. I can’t lose you.”
“I trusted you. I gave myself to you. I loved you. For what? You have given me nothing but heartache.”
“Ava…” I start, but she walks away.
I’m at a loss.
What the fuck am I supposed to do now?