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“Nothing happened with Max,” I tell her, hoping it will encourage her to leave.
“I heard he tried to attack you.”
Now I’m the one who steps forward. Perhaps she was behind Max kidnapping me after all.
“Where did you hear that?” I try to take another step forward, but Oliver stops me.
When Diana remains quiet, Oliver snaps, “She asked you a question.”
“Does it matter?” Diana asks.
“It does. What do you know, Mom?” I demand. I’m over her antics.
“Look, I come in peace. I just want a minute alone with you, Ava.” As she speaks, I feel Viktor creeping up behind me.
“Not happening,” Viktor remarks, stopping beside me.
“It’s okay, Viktor. She can’t hurt me.” I turn to face him. He looks unsure. “I’ve got this.”
“I’m not leaving,” Viktor tells me.
“Neither am I,” Oliver chimes in.
“I want to do this.”
I look at them both. Oliver backs down first. After a brief nod, he leaves.
Viktor is a little slower to exit. “I’ll be right outside the living room.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I wait until he leaves before I speak. “What do you really want, Mom? How do you know Max?” She might think she is fooling me, but she isn’t.
“He found me and told me all the things that have happened to you because of Viktor Manarch.” She peers past me before facing me. “He’s scared for you. Max told me he had a plan to save you. Since then, I haven’t heard from him. I wanted to make sure you were okay. That he didn’t hurt you.”
I see right through her facade because Max’s words are playing clearly in my head.
“I thought you said you heard what happened with Max.”
“I meant that figuratively. Like I said, Max mentioned he wanted to get you away from Viktor.”
Does she really think I will believe a word out of her mouth?
“I haven’t seen Max. If that is the reason you’re here, you have your answer. If there isn’t anything else—”
“Can we have a seat?” my mother interrupts.
I’m hesitant to agree, but curious to discover her true intentions.
“Sure.”
I point at the couch. Once she sits, I sit across from her.
“Are you safe here? Max told me about all the attempts on your life.”
“What do you want, Mom?”
“Maybe you need to rethink staying here. The Manarchs aren’t exactly good people. I know firsthand. If you’re trapped, tell me. I’ll help you get out.” She’s trying to sound sincere, but she isn’t.
“You don’t get to return to my life and tell me how to live it.”
