Chapter 32

 Priscilla's POV 

I lay on my bed, facing the ceiling. All the insults started swirling in my head. Everyone will keep on insulting me. It's not that I care about what people say about me; I don't care. But I can't take anyone's insult when I'm not in the wrong. I'm not a gold digger nor am I a whore. It troubles me a lot when someone insults me.

The door to my room was pushed open. I didn't try to sit up and see because I knew it must be Max.

"Priscilla, I've brought you something," I heard Max saying. I didn't sit up on the bed.

"I don't want anything!" I said curtly. I didn't want anything. I was thinking of a way to punish Nelly; today I got insulted because of her.

"Priscilla, I know that you must be hurt by what my Auntie said, but don't take her words to heart. That's just how she is. Just don't mind her," Max said again.

"Did you realize that this is all because of you? You are the one who forced me into this nonsense, and now I have to deal with the insults and yours too. You know, if there's anything I hate in this world, it's being accused of something I didn't do or something I know nothing about. I'm not a whore. I don't even know how to trap a man or what it even feels like to have sex. I never wrecked anyone's home. I'm not a gold digger. If I wanted your money, I wouldn't have returned it that day. I don't think I can bear all this. I really can't," I said, tears started welling up in my eyes again. Screw this pregnancy and everything.

"Priscilla," Max called my name. I sat on the bed, wiping my tears.

"What? You can't even stand up for me when I'm being insulted when this is all your fault. I'm pregnant. How do you expect me to deal with everything? I have to speak for you in front of Nelly, I have to take care of you when you are drunk, and the insults you throw at me. I can't bear all this," I said, trying to swallow all my sobs.

Max sat on the bed, he took my hands into his. "I know that this is not easy for you, but please be patient. Once the baby is born, you won't have to face all these problems for my sake," Max said. I pulled my hands out of his.

"You shouldn't have done what you did with me. You forced your way on me without even telling me about it. You just thought you could do anything because you're rich, because of your money. You think you can buy anything," I said angrily. I couldn't stop the overwhelming emotions.

"Priscilla, I know that what I did was wrong, and I'm not denying it. But don't try to make me the villain here. That day, I did you a favor. You were so hopeless and depressed. If I hadn't taken you that day, you would have killed yourself because you had no reason to keep on living. Right now, you are fit and fine, all because of me. I think you should be grateful," Max said. My muscles tightened, and my heart started pounding. I could feel heat flushing through my body.

"You didn't do me a favor, and I didn't ask for your favor. I would have survived without you. You should have let me die. I would have been far better off than being insulted every day for something I was tricked into doing," I yelled through gritted teeth.

"Stop acting like a victim, Priscilla, because you are not. The world was never fair. Just be grateful that you have a roof over your head. You are not running in the streets begging people for money or food. Just be grateful that you have a roof over your head. You are not paying rent or buying any food. Just stop giving your ego and pride too much importance. Just take advantage of the situation and stop complaining," Max said, his tone louder. My body quivered in anger. How dare he think that he is doing me a favor? I'm losing my self-respect because of him, and now he has the nerve to insult me.

"Fuck you, Max!" I yelled, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Fuck you too, Priscilla. Cry if you want to. I can't keep on begging you to calm down just because you're pregnant. Right now, you are acting immature. Grow up, woman. You are not a baby anymore, and I really can't babysit a grown woman like you. I have my problems to deal with, and you are not making anything better with these complaints of yours. I'm trying to be nice and treat you well, but you are stubborn. You don't listen to me and do things your way. Yet, I'm still trying, but you make all my efforts go in vain," Max shouted, and my anger increased, as did my tears.

"You think you are mature? Where was your maturity when you were busy drinking and crying over that whore you call your wife? Where was your maturity when I had to carry you from the bar to your room, soaked in your vomit? Where was it? I'm better than you. I can blame the pregnancy for my immaturity and for crying so much. But where do you blame for your immaturity?" I asked. I'm sure my eyes were red now because of crying so much.

"Are you done?" Max asked, and I glared at him through my blurry eyes, filled with tears.

"I'm not done yet, but I want to sleep. I'm tired," I said. I couldn't stay awake any longer. I lay on the bed and pulled the blanket to my chest. Max lay next to me, facing the ceiling. Just as I thought I was going to fall asleep, I heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Max asked loudly.

"It's me, your Auntie. Don't tell me you are going to sleep with that woman. Nelly is waiting for you in your room," I couldn't believe that lady was this crazy, coming late at this hour.

"Auntie, please don't disturb us. We are sleeping," Max yelled.

 ~~~

I was awakened by the sweet sound of birds chirping outside. Sunlight streamed in through the window and caused me to squint. As I got out of bed, I realized that I was alone. Perhaps Max had woken up early. After taking a shower and getting dressed in a denim skirt, oversized shirt, and Crocs, I headed out of the room.

Marie greeted me and I waved before entering the dining room to find Auntie and Nelly sitting together. I couldn't spot Max and was tempted to ignore the two women, but I decided to show respect to Auntie since she was older than me.

"Good morning, Auntie," I greeted her calmly.

"What are you wearing? Is this what your mother taught you? Walking around half-naked and stealing other people's husbands?" Auntie asked, making my fists tighten with anger.

I forced a smile and replied, "Auntie, please refrain from mentioning my mother again. And I don't need your judgment. I grew up without you, and we don't know each other. Please mind your business, and I'll do the same. And remember, I choose to respect people, so it's up to me whether or not I show you the worst side of me."

"Are you threatening me?" Auntie asked as her face turned red.

"I'm just giving you advice," I replied, keeping my tone even.

"Is this how you speak to your elders?" Auntie asked, still fuming.

"I speak and treat people the way they deserve to be treated. Right now, I'm treating you and Nelly accordingly," I stated, remaining cool.

"Priscilla, you're awake. I made you breakfast. Come and eat," Max came in, interrupting the tense moment.

"Thank you, darling," I replied with a fake smile, linking my arm with his as we walked to the dining room.

"We have a doctor's appointment today," Max informed me as we sat down to eat.

"Okay," I replied, my tone barely above a whisper.

"You okay?" Max asked, looking concerned.

"Does it matter to you if I am or not?" I couldn't help but shoot back, pushing my food around my plate.

"Besides being pregnant, I care about you. Please tell me if something's bothering you," Max said.

"What about Nelly?" I blurted out, unable to tolerate her any longer.

"I used to care about her, but not anymore," he claimed, but I didn't know if he was telling the truth.

"Chase her out of this house. Women like her are dangerous, and my instincts are telling me that my life and the baby are in danger," I warned, truly feeling uneasy around Nelly.

"I won't let anything happen to you or the baby. If Nelly tries anything, I won't spare her," Max promised, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Don't say I didn't warn you. I don't care about myself, and I doubt you do either. But you might lose your baby," I said, my words laced with concern.

"You're overthinking this. Let it go. You'll fall ill if you stress out too much," Max said.

"I'm done talking about this. But don't say I didn't warn you," I replied, focusing on finishing my meal.

 ~ Author's POV ~

Auntie Suzie sneered as she watched Max and Nelly leave the mansion. "That girl isn't coming back. Right now, Max cares about her because she's pregnant, but once she loses the baby, he won't care about her. He'll come back to you," she said to Nelly.

Confused, Nelly asked, "What are you talking about, Auntie?"

"Just wait and watch," Auntie Suzie replied and picked up her phone to dial a number. After conversing with her hitman, she hung up, satisfied that Priscilla would be removed from the picture.

Nelly smiled, grateful for her Auntie's support. She knew Auntie Suzie would do anything to prevent Max and her marriage from falling apart.

"Thank you, Auntie. I knew I could always count on you," said Nelly.

"I won't let a woman like that have her way and ruin people's marriages. Max is yours, and that's final," Auntie Suzie declared, recalling how her husband had left her with nothing for a gold digger.

Nelly went to the dining room to make some coffee for her Auntie, hoping to please her. There was no other choice but to keep Auntie Suzie happy.