chapter 26

 Priscilla's POV 

I opened my eyes as soon as Max left the room. I pretended to be asleep so he could have some time alone. I had never been in love before, so I couldn't relate to heartbreak, but I could see the pain in his eyes. He seemed crushed, especially after returning from talking to Nelly. Although I didn't have any special feelings for him, what was happening wasn't right.

I got out of bed, put on my slippers, and headed for the door. The whole house seemed to be empty. Granny, Liz, and Lurry were nowhere to be seen. I wondered where everyone had gone. 

"Excuse me, have you seen Max?" I asked the lady who was doing the house chores and cooking.

"Sir is in the bar," replied the lady, who was setting the table.

"Could you please tell me where the bar is?" I asked while starting to worry. Who knows what a heartbroken person might do? What if Max takes his own life and leaves me all alone with this baby?

"Head upstairs to the third floor," she said politely.

"Thank you very much, Marie," I said respectfully. 

I just hoped Max would pull himself together and not do anything foolish after getting me pregnant. I already had so much on my plate, and I couldn't imagine him turning to alcohol for support or harming himself in any way. I knew the terrible things people did when they used alcohol to cope. My father had witnessed it and became a monster because of it. The sound of broken glass, screams, and insults played in my head. I couldn't bear to witness Max's transformation like I did with my father. 

I walked until I came to the bar area, and what I saw horrified me. There were broken glasses all over the floor, along with blood and spilled alcohol. Max had a whiskey bottle in his hand and was drinking it fast; he appeared to be drunk. My worst fears were coming true. I knew what happened when people turned to drink for solace, and it was never good.

I made my way over to him. "Max," I called out from behind. He quickly turned to look at me, and my eyes widened when I saw the blood on his hands. His white shirt was also stained with blood, and his eyes were red from tears. He seemed so in pain and drunk. I didn't want to let him drink and turn into a monster like my father, so I had no choice but to intervene.

"Max, please don't drink. Look, your hand is hurt, and you're even bleeding," I said calmly.

He held his hand, but then he shoved me away, and I stumbled and fell. It hurt so much that I had to massage my back immediately, and tears welled up in my eyes.

"Priscilla, please leave me alone for a moment. I need to be alone," Max said, his tone a husky one, filled with pain.

I swallowed hard; I had never seen him in such a state before. He was letting every emotion he had been holding back out for everyone to see, and he looked so hurt. I wanted to leave him alone, but not with alcohol. I couldn't let him drown his sorrows in a bottle. I couldn't let him go down the wrong path when he was going to be a father.

"Max, I'm not leaving you here. Look, your hand is hurt, and you're even bleeding," I said calmly. 

He pushed me back again, and I fell to the floor. I felt a sharp pain in my back, and it caused me to rub it immediately. Tears sprang to my eyes.

"Priscilla, I said leave me alone. What part of that don't you understand? You are just a street kid; don't try to act like my wife just because you are living in my house. Stay within your limits," Max yelled loudly.

I could feel the images of my father yelling at my mother replaying in my head. I couldn't bear it. I couldn't be in the same situation again. His words processed in my head, causing a painful pang in my heart. 

I got up from the floor and ran out of the room with tears streaming down my face. I knew then that I had to leave him alone. If I was Nothing but a street kid to Max, there was no need for me to stay. At least I understood what he was going through, and it was best for me to keep my distance. 

 Max's POV 

I ran my hands through my hair, watching Priscilla leave the bar. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I realized the impact of my words. Fueled by anger and hurt, I had wrongly directed my venting towards her. The bottle of alcohol slipped from my grasp, shattering against the walls, its contents spilling onto the floor. Determined to follow Priscilla, I stumbled out of the bar, my vision blurred and my body weakened by excessive drinking. My head spun, causing me to lose balance and collapse onto the floor. Darkness enveloped me swiftly.

 ***

I squinted at the ray of sunshine that attacked my eyes, blinding me. I sat up in bed, feeling a sharp pain in my head. It was throbbing so badly. The memories of everything that happened yesterday started playing in my head like a movie. Fuck! I hurt Priscilla yesterday. Still feeling sleepy, I sat on the bed. My eyes fell on my hand, which was covered with bandages. I realized that I was shirtless. Who did this? I scanned the room and my eyes fell on the petite body curled up on the couch. Priscilla! Did she take care of me the whole night? Fuck! She slept on the couch. Yesterday, I pushed her hard. She must be in pain.

I rose from the bed, my feet touching the cold floor. I walked to the couch where she was sleeping and scooped her into my arms. My eyes widened when I saw a tear stain on her face, her eyes puffy. My chest tightened. Did she cry all night because of me?

I felt a lump in my throat. I shouldn't have gone to the bar yesterday. I shouldn't have drunk so much. Priscilla was doing me a huge favor. I was the one who tricked her. I didn't have any right to insult her yesterday, but I was just hurt and angry.

Just as I carefully laid Priscilla on the bed, she opened her eyes. Our eyes met, but she quickly sat up on the bed, shifting away from me. Her expression was unreadable. She must be enraged.

I cleared my throat. "Priscilla, I'm sorry," I murmured.

"Apologizing to a street kid is an insult for a billionaire like you. I'm sorry for trying to interfere in your life. I'm sorry that you tricked me into getting me pregnant without my permission. I'm sorry for staying in your house. I'm sorry for everything I did and didn't do," Priscilla said. Her eyes welled up with tears. She rose from the bed on the other side and ran to the bathroom.

I couldn't say anything because my words got stuck in my throat. I had hurt her unknowingly. She seemed angry and hurt too, yet she took care of me the whole night. I was such a jerk yesterday, and I don't even know how to begin to apologize to Priscilla. Crying isn't good for her at this stage of pregnancy. What should I do?

My phone rang, snapping me out of my daze. I grabbed it from the nightstand. Without checking the caller, I answered the call and placed the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" I said calmly.

"Good morning, Sir. I hope you haven't forgotten about the court hearing today at 10." It was Travis, my assistant.

"I remember. I will be there," I said and hung up the phone. I threw it on the bed. I hope this divorce thing will be over as soon as possible.