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“I already told you. She doesn’t live here, and she isn’t my wife. We are divorced.” I find myself adding.
She doesn’t say anything which surprises me. Instead she takes the stairs quietly. I can’t fail to see she is my Ava but isn’t at the same time. But I’m determined to make this right. She will see this is where she belongs. We are a family.
“I will fix this, Ava. I promise to make things right.”
She continues her silence even we reach upstairs. I see she is hurting, and I’m to blame. I have to do whatever I can to end this war with Cillian and my father and start my life with my family.
Chapter Forty
Ava
“If you swear the danger is real, I’ll leave with you no questions asked,” I tell Oliver as I lay Nikolas on his bassinet.
“He isn’t lying, and you know I wouldn’t lie to you. Not about this. We’ve been through enough these five months to know I would never put you or my nephew in harm’s way.” Oliver has been my rock. I wouldn’t have made it without him.
“And you swear the mansion is the safest place?” He looks at me, thinking. Before I ask again, he speaks.
“I don’t know if it is. But what I do know, you aren’t any safer elsewhere. The mansion is a fortress. It would take a field army to get through to you or my nephew. We stand a better chance fighting there.”
“Don’t think I won’t leave at the first sign of trouble. Nikolas is my world, and he will always come first. I don’t care about the Manarch name.”
“Agreed. We should go before Viktor sends an army to get you.” 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 has been good to Nikolas and me. He is like a brother. I have to trust he knows what he is telling me. He has been here for me, no questions asked. It’s not long before he is loading Nikolas and me in the SUV. 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 is 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.
?
Viktor opens the door to the right of my old bedroom. Inside the bedroom everything is perfect. I’m in awe. The walls are painted a soft gray. Nikolas is perfectly stenciled on the wall where his crib is a focal point. The furniture is white. There is a beautiful glider and ottoman in the corner, and a perfect 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. Unorthodox, but considering I am not ready to bend, it works. I take 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.
“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 am on high alert and angry. I am not doing this.
“Aisling is here but not Fiona.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Aisling lives with me. Fiona is an unfit mother.” I look at Niko to make sure he is fine before I lead Viktor out of the bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar. I cross my arms.
“Is that how it is going to be? Are you also going to decide I am an unfit mother too and take Niko from me?”
“Of course not.” He takes a step forward.“Why would you say that? You are nothing like Fiona. You better than anyone has learned what Fiona is capable of. You are 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 is telling the truth? My head is a mess.
“I don’t believe you.” The cries of Aisling grow louder.“Are you going to let her cry?” I accuse.
“The nanny is with her.” He tells me.
“For goodness sake.” I follow the cries, and she is to the left of my old bedroom. I open the door. I find the nanny trying to soothe her. But Aisling is not having it.
“Mr. Manarch, I apologize. I’m not sure why she is fussy. I’ve fed and changed her.” The poor girl 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. Hand her to me.” I hear Viktor chuckle.“Hi, sweetheart. What is wrong? It’s ok.” I embrace her, and suddenly, the cries stop. I softly rock her.
“Give us the room,” Viktor commands. The nanny leaves.“You are a natural,” he tells me as he walks towards me.
