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Ava
I’m sitting on my bed, looking around the bedroom. It’s empty. If you were to walk in right now, you would never imagine someone was staying in this bedroom. The last of the boxes were taken a few hours ago. I couldn’t believe it when Viktor came to me a few days ago.
“I told you I don’t want to talk to you.” I turn to walk into my bedroom.
“You don’t have to talk. All you have to do is listen.” His voice is both stern and gentle. I stop and look at him.
“What bullshit are you going to feed me now?” He takes a deep breath controlling the anger he is trying to hide.
“If you are serious about not wanting to live here, I have a penthouse in the city you can move into.”
“What is the catch?” I cross my arms.
“No catch. You can go as you please as long as security is with you.”
“I thought you said there wasn’t a catch.”
“This is for safety measures. I’m willing to give you the freedom to leave the mansion, but you must give me this for my peace of mind.”
“I don’t like it,” I snap. I’m being irrational, of course. This makes sense. I know he is just trying to keep Niko and me safe.
“It’s not about you, Ava. This is about our son. After me, he is the most important chess piece on the board. He is my heir.” He closes the gap between us. I want to yell, tell him to fuck off, but I’m frozen in place.“Please,” he says. In his eyes, I can see there is some form of a plea.
“Fine.” I don’t get to say another word. He pushes me against the wall and kisses me. Reminding me once again, he has the final word.
“Ms. O’Brien,” Mary calls from the bedroom door.
“Hi, Mary.”
“Everything is ready. I’ve packed a lunch so you won’t have to worry at the apartment. Are you sure you don’t want me to come along and help you settle?” I smile.
“No. I’ll be fine but thank you.”
I walk out of my bedroom feeling nostalgic, almost sad. I guess it is 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’m standing in front of Aisling’s bedroom door. I’ve been dreading this moment all day. I don’t know how I can do this. I don’t know if I can leave her behind. I can’t abandon her as my mother abandoned me. This is fucking hard. I exhale and open her door. She is peacefully sleeping in her crib. My perfect little girl. Life has dealt her a shitty hand. I walk over and softly caress her head. I don’t know if I can be without her. Before I know it, I’m crying. I feel 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 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 stands and picks me up. He walks to his bedroom. Inside he sits me on his bed.“Talk to me.” He kneels before me.
“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 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 is your daughter.”
