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“Ava, love makes you not think. I thought I loved Dougal, and look what happened to me. The man snatched my son from me.”
“Not that I owe you any explanations, but Viktor is not like his father.”
“If you aren’t careful, Viktor will do to you what Dougal did to me. I say take his money and run while you can. I’m sure you’ve earned it.”
I stand, not believing my ears. “Excuse me? Who the hell do you think you are? You’ve no right to speak badly of Viktor. You know nothing about him or us.”
“Get the fuck out, Diana.” Viktor storms into the living room. “Oliver—”
“Let’s go, Diana,” Oliver adds, immediately backing up Viktor’s campaign.
“This isn’t about you, Oliver. This is about your sister. But you’re just as brainwashed.” My mother glances between Oliver and me.
“I said get the fuck out!” Viktor roars.
“Ava, please,” my mother pleads.
“You have no right to tell me how to live my life, Mom. You lost that right the moment you left me.”
She stares at me as if I’m going to change my mind.
I’m not.
“I want nothing to do with you, Mom. Don’t ever come back here.”
When she takes a step toward me, Oliver takes one toward her.
“You’re making a mistake. I was in your shoes once.”
“Get the fuck out, NOW!” Oliver screams before Viktor has the chance.
“Leave, Mom.”
“Fine, but this isn’t over. You’re my little girl. I need to protect you from the Manarchs,” she declares, glaring at Viktor.
“I don’t need protecting from anything other than you.”
She stares at me for a few seconds before she starts leaving. Just as she is about to pass me, Viktor blocks her.
I wait until she is gone before I speak. “I guess my mother was the one who told Max I was in danger.”
“Ava…” Viktor starts.
“I’m fine. I just need a minute alone.”
Viktor steps aside to let me step out of the living room unaccompanied.
My mother was supposed to love and protect me, not destroy me.
I need to know why she didn’t.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Oliver
Something about Diana doesn’t feel right. She’s trying to force herself into Ava’s life. I’m not worried about her motives for me. She means nothing to me. But I’m not sure how Ava feels. She might claim she wants nothing to do with Diana, but Diana is still her mother.
As I watch Ava leave the room, I find myself taking inventory of the situation. I think about everything that has transpired since Diana resurfaced.
