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“So, she was already pregnant.” I’m not sure if she’s asking me or telling me.
“Yes, but I didn’t care.”
My heart rate picks up when she asks, “Do you love her?”
“I do,” I confess with a brisk nod.
My lips curve at the side when she murmurs, “Good. She deserves a good man like you.” We are immediately shown to a table when we enter the bistro. I pull out a chair for her, suddenly fond of her. “Such the gentleman. With a man like you, why did she go back to Viktor?”
“I don’t know your name or if you’re indeed Ava’s mother, but…”
We’re interrupted by the waiter who appears at the table to take our order.
When he leaves, my mystery date announces, “My name is Diana Byrne. I was with Pat O’Brien for a few years before I had to leave.” As wary of me as I am of her, she adds, “I gain nothing from lying to you, but you could gain everything if you listen. I can help you win Ava once and for all. You’ll never have to worry about Viktor Manarch again.”
“Why do you want to help me? You don’t know me.”
“I know I don’t want my daughter married to Viktor Manarch. The Manarchs are dangerous. I would never have allowed her to associate with Viktor if I were home. Their marriage will be her destruction, and I can’t let my daughter be hurt like that.”
“How do you know the Manarchs?”
She waits for the waiter to place our drinks on the table and leave before answering, “I knew Viktor’s father once upon a time. Let’s just say I know firsthand what that family is capable of.” With a roll of her eyes, she takes a sip of her drink.
Since her dislike seems genuine, I utter, “I guess it won’t hurt to hear you out.”
She gives me a sly grin. “Trust me, you won’t regret it.”
After squeezing my knee, she locks her eyes with mine. In the better lighting of the bistro, I can see a resemblance between Diana and Ava.
It quickens my pulse as rapidly as Ava’s smile. “I’m listening.”
ChapterTwelve
Diana
Two days later…
When I left this city over a decade ago, I had no intention of setting foot in the place that destroyed my life. As an Irish, I was expected to marry and have children, but I wasn’t cut out to be a mother.
In fact, the thought that I am one makes me cringe. But to get what I want, I have to reprise my role as a mother. So here I am, meeting with Ava after so many years. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she is making it tougher than it should be.
“Why are you here?” Ava’s narrowed gaze is filled with anger.
“I’m your mother. Why else would I be here? I want to see my little girl.”
I try to close the gap between us, but she strides around the couch to wedge a large piece of furniture between us. Not exactly what I need at the moment. I need things to go smoothly, not roadblock after roadblock.
“I’m here, so tell me what you want to, then leave.”
I sit on the couch across from her. There’s nothing to gain in making her angrier. “I told you. To reconnect.” I aim for my voice to sound maternal, hoping it will smooth things over. My attempt is borderline successful.
“After all these years? Now you want to reconnect?” She chuckles. It isn’t a true laugh. “I’m good. No, thank you.”
“Whatever your father told you about me, I’m sure they were lies.”
“As if I’d believe you over him, considering he’s the parent who stuck around.” She ambles to the window, her mind elsewhere.
“It’s not that simple, Ava. I wasn’t ready to be a mother. We both felt it best that I leave.”
