Chapter 39

Max's POV

After putting Priscilla to bed, I made my way to my study to calm down after what had just happened. I never expected Priscilla to kiss me, nor did I expect to kiss her back. I realized that I was holding onto too much anger that was clouding my judgment. I knew I had to keep it together until Priscilla gave birth to my child.

As I walked down the hallway lost in thought, I heard moans and groans coming from Nelly's room. I wasn't sure whether she was watching a movie or having sex with someone, but I had to find out. My heart was pounding as I approached her room. To my surprise, I saw my Uncle Dave kissing Nelly passionately, and she was responding with the same intensity.

"Did you make him sign the paper yet?" Dave asked as he pulled Nelly onto his lap on the bed.

"Yes, the house is officially in your name. Can I come back home now? You chased me out so badly that I thought you didn't love me anymore. I was so happy when I got your call that day. I missed you so much," Nelly said.

I was in shock. I remembered signing some papers a few days prior, never realizing that Nelly had tricked me into giving Dave ownership of the main mansion. I couldn't believe that Nelly could be so cruel.

"How can I leave you? I just wanted you to gain entrance into this house so that you could get those papers signed. Had you not brought that girl home, you wouldn't have agreed to make Max sign those papers. Now that everything is sorted, we will leave this house and go to our house," Dave said as he kissed Nelly on the forehead.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had trusted Nelly, yet she had betrayed me. My heart skipped a beat when they mentioned a baby.

"What about the baby? Won't we tell Max about the baby?" Nelly asked.

"We both don't want that baby! So let him believe that we know nothing about surrogacy. He will keep his focus on taking care of that street kid, trying to make sure that his baby is safe. He will not go to the office or do anything. And I will use that opportunity to take everything away from him. After I take everything away from him, we will tell him that the baby is mine, not his. He will go mad, and it will be over for him. He will lose everything, and we can finally be happy together," Dave said.

My fists clenched in fury. I couldn't believe that Nelly would be involved in something like this. I felt used and betrayed.

"But, I'm not sure if the baby is his or yours. I was two months pregnant. How can we be sure that the baby is not his?" Nelly asked.

"We don't care about babies. We don't need a child in our lives. Let them raise it whether it's mine or his," Dave said as he kissed Nelly's neck.

I had had enough. Dave and Nelly would pay for this betrayal. They had gone too far, and I wouldn't let them get away with It. Right, I need to pull myself together, I need to let this anger out and think properly about how to deal with this matter and punish Nelly and Dave for making a fool out of me. I walked away from Nelly's room.

Priscilla's POV

I groaned when I felt the sunlight streaming in through my windows, blinding my eyes. I opened my eyes and sat up in bed. I felt a strong and painful throbbing headache and realized that I was also very hungry. With unsteady steps, I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom.

After taking a shower, I felt much better and more relaxed. I changed my clothes and headed downstairs. I found Liz and Lurry in the dining room, having breakfast.

"Good morning, Liz. And good morning to you too, Larry," I said as I pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Morning, Priscilla. How are you feeling? You were so drunk yesterday," Liz said, looking like she was hungover.

"My head is pounding, but I think I'll be fine if I eat something and take my medicine," I said as I served food onto my plate.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. Have you seen Max anywhere?" Liz asked.

"No, I think he went to the office," I said. I don't even remember what happened yesterday. I hope I didn't do anything to upset him.

"Maybe," Liz mumbled.

"Liz, can you please help me?" I asked. Liz looked at me curiously.

"Anything for you, dear. Just tell me what you need," Liz said, and I smiled.

"I want to work. Can you help me find a job?" I asked. I can't keep sitting at home without doing anything. I'm pregnant, but I'm not sick. I can't rely on others, I need to make my own money and be independent.

"What are you good at?" Liz asked. I let out a sigh. The truth was, I was only good at singing and designing clothes. But I had promised myself that I would never sing again, after what happened to my mother. However, right now, I feel like I have no other choice. It's the only thing I can do.

"I'm good at singing and designing clothes, but it's been a long time since I've done either. I just want a job. I can do anything, even cleaning," I told her.

"No, why would you clean when you have such beautiful talents? I know you may not be educated, but that doesn't matter. Your talents are what matter the most. I'll contact some of my friends and see how they can help," Liz said. I smiled happily at her. At least I won't be sitting around for nine months doing nothing. I need to learn to stand up for myself financially and make a name for myself.

After breakfast, Liz left for work and Lurry went off to school, leaving me alone in a sprawling mansion. With nothing to do and no one to talk to, I wandered into the sitting room feeling suffocated. Max had been missing since morning, and I wondered if I had done something to upset him. He had promised not to go to work until after I gave birth, so I couldn't imagine where he had gone.

"Mrs. Priscilla, I've prepared lunch for you," Marie said, interrupting my thoughts.

"Marie, do you know where Max went?" I asked her, ignoring her offer of lunch.

"After you left for the club, Mr. Dave arrived at the house and went to Mrs. Nelly's room. Sir caught them together again, and I saw him leave the house in tears. He seemed really hurt, and I doubt he'll be back anytime soon," Marie informed me.

I gasped in shock and felt a heavy weight settle in my stomach. I couldn't believe that Nelly and Dave were shameless enough to carry on in Max's own house.

"Do you know where he went?" I asked Marie, trying to control the swirl of emotions inside me.

"Ma'am, I suggest you stay away from him right now. Sir usually leaves the house when he's upset, to clear his head or weigh his options. Let him be, he'll come back when he's ready," Marie advised me.

"Marie, please tell me where he is?" I pleaded, my voice quivering. I couldn't bear the thought of Max hurting himself because of Nelly. He might be drinking or harming himself in anger.

"Ma'am, you should stay here. You're pregnant, and Sir is not in a good frame of mind. He might harm you or the baby. Give him space to deal with his feelings, and he'll come back when he's ready," Marie repeated.

My throat tightened painfully, making it hard to breathe. I wished I knew where Max was and prayed that he was safe wherever he was.

" Please eat ma'am! "Marie said.

"I'm not hungry, Marie. I need some fresh air. I'll go out for a while," I said, slipping on my slippers and heading out of the house.

The day passed in a blur, and before I knew it, it was evening. Liz and Lurry were home, and I shared Marie's news with them. They were just as angry and worried about Max's well-being.

"That witch! How could she be so brazen? Now my brother is hurting," Liz fumed. I understood her feelings entirely; I loathed Nelly with every fiber of my being.

"Where did Auntie Suzie go? Did she skip town after realizing what a lowlife Nelly is? I swear I'm going to kill both of them," Lurry seethed, her face flushed with anger.

"I don't care about Nelly right now. I'm only worried about Max. Do you have any idea where he is?" I asked, my heart pounding with worry. I just wanted to see him, to know he was okay.

"Max likes to be alone when he's upset. He's probably trying to sort his head out. The best thing we can do is give him space and let him come back to us when he's ready," Liz advised.

I gritted my teeth, frustrated and anxious. I just wanted to see Max, to hold him, and tell him everything would be okay. But, for the moment, I would have to put up with the uncertainty and the pain, praying that Max was safe.