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“Tina,” I lightly shove her.
I look at dresses despite my objection. Viktor loves me in dresses and I’m craving his darker side. I can already picture myself wearing it with nothing under as we eat. Maybe even spread my legs a little. What has he done to me? We are fifteen minutes into the search. I can’t find anything that would work.
“I am not going to find anything.”
“Did you look over to the left? There are a few Valentino’s that will look great on you.” I walk over hoping to have better luck.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the whore.” I follow the voice. Fiona is staring with her smug face. I move to another section. “How cute, you think you can ignore me.” I don’t speak. “I have a secret to share with you. It’s about Viktor and me.” I look at her. “I knew it would get your attention.” She moves closer to me.
“What do you want Fiona? Just give up already. Move on.”
“You are the one who needs to move on. You see Viktor and I have been enjoying amazing nights of passion lately.”
“Why are you lying?”
“I am not. All those late nights. Where did you think he was?” I know she is baiting me. Viktor wouldn’t. “You are thinking about it. You know it’s true. But that is not why I am telling you. You should congratulate me.” I stay quiet. “I guess you don’t want to ask. It’s not like we are BFFs. I am just going to tell you. Viktor is going to be a daddy.” I drop the dress I am holding. “Oh, poor you. Didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Save yourself the trouble of staying with him. He has to marry me now. Otherwise, his father will kill him before he lets him marry you. He has to take responsibility for our baby.” She lays her hand on her stomach. I look at her stomach. Her mouth is moving but all I heard was she is having Viktor’s baby. I turn to leave. “Your time is up. Go back to where you belong.” She taps her watch.
I don’t let her say more. She has to be lying. She is spiteful. He wouldn’t do this to us, to me. But can it be true? He has been working late. He doesn’t tell me where he has been. Sometimes he gets in bed late or leaves early. No, I can’t let her get in my head. There is no way. He finds her repulsive. He has told me this over and over again.
“What’s wrong?” Tina looks at me with concern. “Why are you crying?”
“I have to go. Stay, finish shopping. I’ll see you later.”
“Wait,” she calls. But I keep walking.
“Ms. O’Brien,” Marco calls.
“I want to go. Please have someone take Tina home.”
I walk to the SUV in front of me. Marco opens the door. I slide in. My phone rings. The screen reads Tina. I let it go to voicemail. I can’t talk. The tears are free falling. I can’t stop thinking there might be some truth to Fiona’s words even though the logical part of me is screaming that it’s a lie. She just wants to hurt me. He wouldn’t hurt me like this. But why would she lie about something like a baby? He wouldn’t. There is no way. My phone beeps.
Tina: I just saw the devil. What did she tell you?
Tina: Talk to me. You can’t believe anything she says
Tina: I’m coming over
I look at the texts but don’t have the strength or desire to answer. I want to be left alone. My phone rings again. The screen reads Viktor. I don’t answer. He is the last person I want to speak with right now. Two more times and I still don’t answer. I look out the window and see how a beautiful day has turned into pure darkness.
“Ms. O’Brien, Mr. Manarch would like to speak to you.” Marco says from the front passenger seat. I don’t say anything. “Ms. O’Brien?” I don’t answer and keep looking out the window. My phone beeps.
Viktor: Ava answer the phone
Viktor: I am not asking
Viktor: If you don’t answer you will deal with the consequences
I take a deep breath…
Ava: Nothing to say. I’ll see you at your house
He texts a few more times but I put the phone on silent. I can’t stop thinking of Fiona or her implications. Did he really sleep with her? A baby. Is she pregnant? How many times has he slept with her and then me? How stupid have I been? I really was fooling myself. He is Viktor Manarch. He has it all. Of course he would be with her. She is perfect. She is everything I am not. Why would he want me? I knew this day would come. It was too good to be true. I am at a loss. By the time I see where we are, the gate is opening. Viktor is waiting at the front door. The car stops. He opens the door to let me out.
“Why the fuck are you not answering your phone?” His voice is demanding. I say nothing. “What’s wrong?” I push him out of the way and walk. “What the fuck happened, Marco?” I hear him shout.
For the first time since we started our arrangement the house feels cold. It makes me shiver. I feel like it was all a dream. I walk upstairs still hearing him shout. I go to our bedroom. Regardless of what is happening we still have people coming over for dinner. This is not what I need. But I have to swallow my pain. I go to the bathroom and wash my face.
“What did she tell you?” Viktor’s voice is cold, demanding.
