Page 112 of Revenge
I leave my bedroom feeling nostalgic, almost sad. I guess it’s a feeling of loss. This house has always been home in one way or another. There are so many memories here, but the bitter ones have overpowered the good ones. I walk to Aisling’s bedroom door. This is the moment I’ve been dreading all day. I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can leave her behind, abandon her as my mother abandoned me. This is fucking hard.
I exhale and open Aisling’s bedroom door. She’s sleeping peacefully in her crib, my perfect little girl. Life sure has dealt her a shitty hand. I softly caress her head. I don’t know if I can be without her. Before I know it, I’m crying, and it feels like I can’t breathe.
“I love you, sweetheart,” I say between sobs. I almost run out of her bedroom. I close her door and fall to my knees.
“Ava, what’s wrong?” I hear Viktor cry as he runs to me. He kneels in front of me.
“Oh, Viktor,” I say as the fresh tears come.
“Talk to me. What’s wrong? Is it Aisling?” He asks, looking at her door.
“I can’t do this.” I throw myself at him. His arms tighten around me.
“What can’t you do?”
“I can’t leave her,” I cry harder.
“Oh, baby girl,” he says soothingly as he stands, picks me up and carries me to his bedroom. Inside he sits me on his bed. “Talk to me.” He kneels before me.
“I… I don’t know how to explain it. Leaving her is like a piece of me will be missing.”
“What do you want?” We stare, neither saying a word.
“I want things to be simple. I want you to not have slept with Fiona. I want Aisling to be my daughter and not Fiona’s.” I finally confess.
“I’m sorry. I know I’ve made a mess of things.” He takes my hands in his. “You don’t have to leave Aisling. In fact, I insist she goes with you. She’s your daughter.”
“Fiona could come at any moment and take her from me.” There it is. This is a fear I won’t admit to myself.
“Fiona will never get near Aisling ever again. You’re her mother.” The way he says it has me believing it. “You focus on our children.” I throw myself at him.
“You have no idea what your words mean. I know it’s been hard for you to let me leave the mansion. But I really believe it’s for the best. This place is filled with so much sorrow.” I lean in and kiss him. “I love you, Viktor. That will never change.”
“I love you, too.” It’s all he says before he pushes me onto the bed and claims me, showing me the depth of his love for me.
I’m sitting on the couch in the living room, exhausted. The penthouse, I swear, feels bigger than the mansion. It’s a two-floor penthouse with four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. I don’t envy the person who has to clean this place. At least I know it won’t be me. Two of the bedrooms have been assigned to the kids, one is the master, and the other is a guest room. My babies will stay on the second floor, and I’m staying in the guest room on the first. It’s beautiful. All the walls in the common areas are made of glass, and I have a perfect view of the city.
Aisling and Niko will be together in his bedroom today since hers needs to be set up properly. The kitchen is made for a chef, which I love, but my favorite part is the master bath. It has a soaking tub that oversees the city. This place is amazing.
“Ms. O’Brien, do you have a minute?” Marco asks.
“Of course. What’s up?”
“I want to go over some details if you don’t mind.”
“Let me guess, instructions left by Viktor,” I roll my eyes. He laughs. “Go ahead.”
“We are set up in the apartment next door. Mr. Manarch owns the entire floor.”
“Of course he does.” I shake my head.
“We don’t want to be in your way. I’ll be there with a team. All I ask is for you to let me know if you’re leaving the penthouse.”
“You know Marco, I’m too tired to argue with you,” I laugh, and he joins in.
“If you need anything, I’m on speed dial three.” He hands me a cell.
“What happened to one and two? Actually, don’t answer that. I’m sure I know.” He smiles.
