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“I want her things out of my bedroom immediately.”
“Where do you want them?”
“Bedroom downstairs. I want her as far away as possible.”
“She isn’t going to like that.” He tells me like that matter to me.
“I don’t give a fuck what she likes. Have Mary move Fiona’s things before I get back from the wedding.” I stand and pour myself a drink. I don’t have a choice. I have to marry Fiona for the sake of Ava’s safety. Oliver walks over and puts his hand on my shoulder.
“I wish there was something I could say or do for you.”
“Find her. She is on her own. Her life is in danger, and it’s my fault.” I close my eyes and rub my temple.
I don’t let him speak. I leave my office. All this is making me want to deck someone. But I have to keep myself level-headed. For Ava’s sake, I need to proceed with this pretense. The irony is not lost in me. Not so long ago Ava and I were living in a pretense of our own. In my bedroom, Ava’s scent no longer lingers. I take the key to the bedroom across from mine. Ava’s bedroom. It doesn’t have any of her things, but a faint scent of her lingers, lavender. It’s the only trace left that she was ever in this house. Despite her things not being in the bedroom, everything reminds me of her. I leave the bedroom and lock it. Besides my office, it is the only other room in the house I have chosen to keep locked while Fiona lives here. She doesn’t know it yet, but once my child is born, I’m divorcing her. I will find Ava and marry her.
“Mr. Manarch,” Mary greets.
“Hello, Mary.”
“I want to let you know Ms. McIntyre’s belongings are being moved to the guest room downstairs.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you be needing anything else?”
“I’ve locked Ava’s bedroom. I expect it to remain locked at all times.”
“Of course, Mr. Manarch.”
“Mary,” I start. I feel like I should explain to her what is happening and why. But I’m not that man. I won’t show anyone anything that might be perceived as a weakness.
“Yes, Mr. Manarch?”
“Nothing. Take the evening off. I will be home late.” I walk towards the stairs.
“If I may, Mr. Manarch,” I stop.“I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now. It can’t be easy to marrying someone out of duty.”
“Mary,” I start, unsure what I want to say.
“We all came to love Ms. O’Brien. The tides can turn at any moment. Don’t lose hope.” She gives me a motherly look.
I want to tell her how inappropriate she is being. Everything happening doesn’t concern her. Her job is to keep this house, not me. I already have a mother. Yet, I want to find comfort in her words. Anything to make sense of this. This house without Ava is empty. It is no longer a home.
?
“You can at least pretend you are happy,” Fiona says.
“There is nothing to be happy about.”
“We have guests, and as of twenty minutes ago, I became your wife. Get over that whore and smile.” I turn and look at Fiona.
“You will not speak of Ava again.”
“Daddy,” She says as Cillian approaches.
“You look beautiful. Congratulations, Viktor.” Cillian holds out his hand. I’m going to refuse it when I spot my father looking at me.
“Thank you.” I shake his hand.“If you will excuse me.” I stand before he starts a conversation.
