Chapter 22

 Max's POV 

I sighed, frustrated. Priscilla was angry, and I knew she wouldn't rest until she got what she wanted. I needed to calm her down for the sake of both her and the baby.

"I hope you're all happy now!" I said, struggling to control my frustration. "I told you all to drop the topic. Do you all think I'm crazy for staying quiet and not hurting Nelly? I'm doing this for my baby's well-being. I want my baby to be healthy and forget about Nelly. No one is going to mention her name in this house."

I rose from my chair and headed upstairs, hearing sobs coming from Priscilla's room. I knew Nelly's words had hurt her deeply, referring to her as a street kid. There was a story behind Priscilla's background that I didn't yet know, but I knew deep down that she had never been born on the streets. I needed to be patient with her and lend a listening ear when she was ready to open up.

I entered her room, sitting on the bed next to her calmly and patiently. "Priscilla, I'm sorry Nelly called you a street kid," I began. Priscilla continued sobbing, burying her face in her knees.

"Don't let Nelly's words get to you," I continued. "You're more than a girl who grew up in the streets. You have dreams and ambitions and are destined for success. In my opinion, you're much better than Nelly. Instead of being hurt by her words, work hard and prove yourself to be the amazing woman I know you are."

Priscilla raised her head, her eyes red and puffy. "It's not my choice to grow up on the streets, wearing torn and old clothes," she cried. "I was mocked by kids my age, and it hurt me a lot. I didn't choose this life. Why am I being punished for it? I don't want to stay here if people are going to mock me."

"Priscilla, please calm down," I said, heartbroken seeing her like this. "I won't let anyone mock you in my presence, I promise."

"You won't be able to stop people from talking badly about me," Priscilla said, crying harder. "You couldn't even stop Nelly. How can you stop the whole world? Everyone will say I trapped you with this baby. The whole world will call me a whore, a gold digger, and a chancer. You can't stop all that because you love peace. I can't stay here."

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. She was right; I couldn't protect her from Nelly and kept quiet while she was insulted. "Priscilla, I'm sorry," I said, the weight of my sorrow heavy. "I know I couldn't say anything to Nelly, and I'm sorry. This isn't easy for me either. I just lost the woman I loved to my uncle. My heart is broken. I'm doing my best to be here for you and our baby. I will try my best to make sure no one insults you again."

Priscilla wrapped her arms around me, and I hugged her tightly as she cried.

Priscilla cried her heart out until she finally fell into a deep slumber. For some reason, I didn't want to leave her alone, she would wake up and be sad again, so I decided to just sleep in her room for tonight, holding her for comfort. 

 Priscilla's POV 

The growling of my stomach woke me up. When I tried to sit up, something strong held me back. I looked next to me and saw Max sleeping with his arms wrapped around my waist. I frowned, but memories of last night flooded my mind and softened my expression. I didn't understand why Nelly's words had hurt me so deeply, causing real tears to fall from my eyes. I wasn't one to cry often, but lately, my emotions had been controlling me more than usual, and it was not something I was comfortable with.

"Max!" I shook his body to wake him up. He sprang up immediately, releasing me in the process. I sat up too.

"Are you okay?" Max asked with concern etched all over his face.

"I'm just hungry and my head aches a lot. I think I cried too much," I admitted, grateful that my anger had subsided. Otherwise, I might have seriously injured someone yesterday. Crying helped me to control my temper, but it also gave me a headache.

"Should I call a doctor or give you a head massage?" Max offered.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine if I sleep, but right now, I'm starving," I said.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Just a sandwich or something. I want to eat and sleep," I told him.

"Okay. Wait for me here; I'll be right back," Max said as he got out of bed and put on his slippers before heading out, leaving me alone.

I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I wished my mother were still alive. Then, I wouldn't be in this situation of carrying a stranger's child. I was a surrogate mother by force, but what choice did I have? The baby was already growing inside of me. I usually don't care about what people say about me. However, if anyone insulted my upbringing, it would be an insult to my mother's hard work and everything she taught me. Today, Nelly had called me a street kid who had trapped a rich man with a baby. The more I thought about it, the angrier and more hurt I felt. My head throbbed even harder. I couldn't stand all of this nonsense because it might drive me insane. Sleeping would help me a lot because that was what I needed right now. So, I decided to go back to sleep.

 Max's POV. 

Priscilla was fast asleep when I returned to the room. It seemed that her exhaustion from crying had taken its toll, as she had mentioned having a headache. It was only 3 a.m., so it was understandable that she was both tired and sleepy. Wanting to ensure her well-being, I placed the tray of food on the nightstand and joined her on the bed. I knew that if she was left alone, she would likely have nightmares, so I chose to stay by her side throughout the night.

The next day 

I squinted my eyes at the rays of sunshine that streamed through the curtains, attacking me with their intensity. Sitting up in bed, I stretched my body and let out a yawn.

"Good morning, Priscilla," I turned my attention to the bathroom door where Max's voice was coming from.

"Good morning," I said sleepily.

"I've prepared a bath for you. Go and take a bath, meanwhile, I'll bring your breakfast and medicine," Max said, a smile on his lips. I had lost all will to be angry at him because of that smile. Yeah, I was envious of him. He knew how to smile even when he was hurting, something I couldn't do.

"Okay," I said shortly, making my way to the bathroom while he left the room.

By the time I finished getting dressed, Max arrived with a tray of food in his hand. Without saying anything, I started eating quietly. After I finished, I sat on the bed silently. The maid took away the plates, leaving Max and me alone.

"Your class is about to start. Are you ready?" Max asked, his smile still present.

I rested my head on the headboard. "I'm not in the mood today," I whispered.

"Should I take you somewhere?" Max asked calmly.

I shook my head in response.

Max walked across the room and sat next to me on the bed. "Are you angry?" He asked softly.

"Yes," I said shortly.

"Will beating Nelly up reduce your anger?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Okay, if beating Nelly up brings a smile to her face, then let's go," Max said. I frowned and glared at him.

"Where?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"You want to beat Nelly up, right? So, we are going to her house," Max said calmly.

My eyes widened, and I blinked at him, thinking that he was joking. But he wasn't. He was serious. Well, who am I to disagree with him? I want to beat Nelly up for the sake of my peace of mind.

"Come, let's go," Max said, rising off the bed. I followed him, and both of us left the room.