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“Then how the fuck did this happen?” He stops in front of me and grabs me by the neck, his grip painful. “I know you. You’re a conniving bitch who will do anything to get your way. You are just like me.”
“Fine. I'll get an abortion then.”
His grip on my throat tightens. “You will do no such thing. You will have the child, and Anita will raise it.” The anger in his voice vibrates through his hand around my neck.
“No.”
When I dig my nails into the leathery skin of his hands, he laughs. “I’ll lock you up in this place with guards if I have to.”
I kick him until he has no choice but to let me go. “We will see about that.” I snarl at him, my voice hoarse…
Dougal made good on his threat. I was sequestered in what was once our love nest for the entire pregnancy. He stopped visiting as the months passed. The last time I saw him was shortly after I’d given birth to our son. Dougal ripped him out of my arms without looking at me. That was the day I swore never to fall for another man. I had loved Dougal, but that day I learned true hatred.
My anger wasn’t about him taking our son, Oliver. I didn’t care about him. I wasn’t lying when I told Dougal I didn’t want to be a mother. I only got pregnant to get what I wanted. When that failed, Oliver was no longer useful to me. There was no point in me keeping him.
Truthfully, Oliver was better off with Anita. She was a good mother to Viktor and a better person than me. Dougal and I weren’t exactly discreet. Anita knew we were together. Only a blind person would have missed the affair.
I met Pat shortly after I disappeared from the neighborhood. I don’t know what possessed me to give him the time of day. Perhaps I was bored and wanted something different? I never expected to be with him as long as I was. He was far from my type. But it was nice playing house with him for a little while. Then I stupidly got pregnant with Ava. It was reckless of me.
History was repeating itself, but I still had no desire to be a mother. Pat wanted her, so I gave him Ava and drained our bank account—a fair trade. He got a daughter, and I got a one-way ticket out of town.
Or so I thought.
After years of living my life how I wanted to, it’s time for me to meet my children. A return to the city where it all started seemed like the next logical step. Dougal might not have wanted to leave Anita for me twenty-eight years ago, but things have changed. My daughter is married to his son.
I wonder what he’ll say when he learns that Ava is my daughter.
His response isn’t the sole reason I’ve come back, though. I’m done playing the con game. Ava is married to a Manarch, the one thing I never achieved. She is my ticket to getting what is rightfully mine.
Dougal won’t have a choice this time around.
We are, after all, family.
* * *
I walk to the entrance of an establishment called Eros. I was told I could find Oliver here. It’s time to reveal who I am. When he interrupted Ava and me arguing, I realized he had no idea who I am. Dougal probably forbade anyone from ever disclosing my name. My children are Manarchs despite Dougal’s failed attempt.
“We’re closed.” A man at the door announces. “Can I help you?”
“I don’t know…” I rake my nails across his sculpted pecs, “… can you help me?”
He smiles. “We open later tonight, after nine. I can get you in then.”
“You’re cute.” I blind him with flattery before moving to the real reason for my niceties. “But I’m actually here to speak with Oliver Manarch.”
After a few seconds, he faces me. “What’s your name?”
I wait for him to remove his cell before answering, “Tell him Diana is here. I’m a friend of his father.”
After a second of contemplation, he dials a number, then squashes his cell to his ear.
“Hey, there’s a woman here to see you. She says her name is Diana.” I can’t hear his caller’s responses, but he nods his head occasionally. “She said she’s a friend of your father.” Another pause. “Okay.” He concludes the call, then places his cell in his pocket. “You can go inside.”
I flutter my lashes at him when he opens the door for me. “Thanks.”
I still have it.
Inside, there are men everywhere. It reminds me of the good old days with Dougal.
