Page 91 of Revenge
The thought makes me laugh. I wouldn’t put it past him.
I’m not exactly sure if this is the right call. I know Oliver is telling the truth. He’s been good to Nikolas and me. He’s like a brother, and I have to trust he’s telling me the truth. He’s been here for me all along, no questions asked.
It’s not long before he’s loading Nikolas and me in the SUV, and I don’t fail to notice the other two SUVs and the dozen men with us. I’m being guarded better than royalty, but I suppose Nikolas is royalty for a criminal empire. He’s the son of the man who will take over the Manarch Clan. I’m not an idiot, Nikolas has a claim to the Manarch Clan, and I hate what it implies.
After we arrive at the mansion, Viktor tells me he and Fiona are divorced and assures me she isn’t in the house. We head upstairs so he can show me Nikolas’ new bedroom.
Viktor opens the door to the right of my old bedroom. Inside the bedroom, everything is perfect, and I’m in awe. The walls are painted a soft gray with his crib as the focal point. The furniture is white, with a beautiful glider and ottoman in one corner and a gorgeous rug in the center. The bedroom looks like it came out of a magazine.
“Do you like it?” Viktor asks.
“Yes, thank you.” He puts the car seat on the changing table, it’s unorthodox, but it does put Niko at the perfect height to lift him out. I take Niko—I can’t believe I’m calling him Niko—out and lay him in a bassinet I hadn’t noticed beside the glider. “You thought of everything.” I smile, seeing what an amazing father Viktor already is to our son, but I never doubted he wouldn’t be.
“Are you hungry? Do you want something to drink? Are you tired?” he asks when I face him.
“I’m fine. Thank you. You can go about your day.” He looks at me, unsure. Then I hear the cry of a baby. “Is your daughter here? I thought you said Fiona was gone.” Suddenly I’m on high alert and angry. I’m not doing this.
“Aisling is here, but Fiona is not.”
“I… I don’t understand,” I stammer.
“Aisling lives with me. Fiona is an unfit mother.” I look at Niko to make sure he’s fine before I lead Viktor out of the bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar. I cross my arms.
“Is that how it’s going to be? Will you decide I’m an unfit mother, too, and take Niko from me?”
“Of course not.” There’s a furrow between his brows as he takes a step forward. “Why would you say that? You’re nothing like Fiona. You’ve seen what Fiona is capable of. You’re an amazing mother to our son.” He closes the gap, and I see his intention to touch my face, but I take a step back. He looks hurt, but how am I supposed to know he’s telling the truth? My head’s a mess.
“I don’t believe you.” Aisling’s cries grow louder. “Are you going to let her cry?” I scold him.
“The nanny’s with her,” he tells me.
“For goodness sake.” I follow the cries, and find her to the left of my old bedroom. I open the door and find the nanny trying to soothe her, but Aisling is not having it.
“Mr. Manarch, I apologize. I’m not sure why she’s fussy. I’ve fed and changed her.” The poor girl looks and sounds flustered. Before he speaks, I walk to the nanny.
“Hand her to me.” She looks at me, then at Viktor. “Don’t look at him. Look at me.” She looks at me, confused. “Hand her to me.” I hear Viktor chuckle. “Hi, sweetheart. What’s wrong? It’s okay. What do you need, sweet girl?” I embrace her, and suddenly, the cries stop. I softly rock her.
“Give us the room,” Viktor orders and the nanny leaves. “You’re a natural,” he tells me as he stalks my way.
“She needs her mother.” I walk over to the glider, which looks unused.
“Fiona has never been a mother to Aisling,” he declares as I sit. “She’s held her a handful of times since she was born.”
I look at Aisling. “But she’s perfect. What mother wouldn’t want to be with this sweet baby?” It breaks my heart that Fiona could be so cruel and leave Aisling behind. For Aisling to feel like her mother doesn’t love her or care about her.
“Fiona—” I start to speak but close my eyes instead, overwhelmed by what I’m walking into.
We’re quiet for a while. I feel Viktor watching Aisling and me. There are moments when our eyes meet, but I can’t get caught in his web. I need to focus on Niko. He’s the only reason I’m here. When I’m sure Aisling is finally asleep, I walk to her bassinet and lay her down. How could a mother leave her baby behind? But then I think of my own mother. She left me behind without any regard for me. Tears start rolling unbidden down my cheeks. The pain is unbearable and overwhelming.
“What is it?” Viktor stands beside me. I take the baby monitor and leave the bedroom. “Ava, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
“I can’t believe Fiona left without Aisling. I know what it feels like to be abandoned by the one person who is supposed to protect and love you.” He pulls me into his arms and holds me. His sandalwood scent instantly soothes me, and for a moment, I find myself consumed by him, forgetting everything that has happened up until now. His closeness reminds me of how much I’ve missed him.
“Mr. Manarch,” Mary interrupts us apologetically. Instantly the spell is broken. “Ms. O’Brien, how nice to see you.” I pull away from Viktor.
“Yes, it’s nice to see you too, Mary.” I step away from Viktor, and I can see he isn’t happy.
“Did you need something?” Viktor is cold toward Mary.
