Chapter 43

Max's POV

"I will always prioritize my wealth over anything, Nelly. That's just the way it is," Dave conceded, revealing his true colors. A smirk crept across my face at the sight of tears in Nelly's saddened eyes. This was precisely the reaction I desired from Dave.

"On that note, I have some good news for you, Nelly. Do you recall the three-month time frame granted by the court? I'm sorry to inform you that you'll have to come back with me, don't you think uncle? " I stated calmly, relishing Dave's discomfort.

"Yes, you can take her with you. I don't mind at all," Dave chirped, exhibiting his greed and selfishness. I'd never seen a more avaricious character in my life.

"Dave, how could you agree to this? You claimed to love me, yet you're just sending me off with him," Nelly cried, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Nelly, please go with him. He's your husband, and I can't keep living with you. You're putting everything I've worked for at risk, and I can't bear it. I'm sorry," Dave stated indifferently.

"Uncle Dave, make sure you send Nelly to my villa before heading to the board meeting. You don't know what could happen if you don't do as I've asked," I said as I rose from my seat. "I'm leaving. Don't be late for the meeting."

As I exited the mansion, I could hear Dave and Nelly bickering loudly. I relished the feeling of success in executing my first step of revenge.

Under the driver's assistance, I got into the car and asked to be taken to Mark's hospital, determined to make sure that Priscilla underwent an abortion that day. I couldn't bear the thought of her being pregnant and not being certain whether I was the father or not. I didn't want to be let down any further.

As the car pulled up in front of the hospital entrance, I stepped out and made my way inside. After asking about Priscilla's whereabouts, I headed to the elevator and journeyed up to the third floor, reaching Ward No. 10.

I barged into the room, where I found Mark examining Priscilla while Liz sat on a chair beside her. All eyes turned towards me, and Mark looked annoyed by my sudden, unannounced arrival.

"Max, have you lost your mind? I'm busy with a patient, can't you see?" Mark's tone was full of frustration and irritation, but I just rolled my eyes.

"I need you to abort those babies today," I said coldly, hoping Mark would comply.

"Do you have Priscilla's agreement?" Mark asked me as he made his way towards me.

"No," I replied firmly. "But she doesn't get to decide, as she's not even their mother. I got her pregnant, and now I want her to undergo the abortion procedure. I won't take no for an answer," I declared.

"I'm not having an abortion, and that's the end of the story," Priscilla stood firm in her decision. I could see she was sitting on the hospital bed, looking pale and exhausted.

"Priscilla, you can't decide that because you're not even the mother of those children. I got you pregnant, and right now, I want you to have an abortion," I insisted, looking at my surroundings.

"As I said, I will not undergo the abortion procedure abruptly just because you want it. If you force me, I will report you to the police that you got me pregnant as a surrogate without my explicit knowledge or consent. To add insult to injury, you didn't even pay me for it," Priscilla replied furiously, her face turning red. Of course, I knew she would make things harder by being obstinate.

"Priscilla, do you really think the police will believe you without any evidence? I have proof that clearly shows your signatures. You agreed to be my surrogate, whether you were aware of it or not. The police are going to believe me," I said, making sure to keep my emotions in check.

"I have three witnesses, including Liz, Mark, and Nicolas. They will support me because they know you tricked me," Priscilla said.

I was stunned. As far as I remember, only Mark, Nicolas, and I knew about this whole surrogate scenario. Who could the third witness be?

"I'm sorry, Mark, but Priscilla is right. It's not fair to coerce her into undergoing such a serious procedure under these circumstances," Max said, aligning with Priscilla.

"I'm sorry, Max, but I can't let you treat Priscilla unjustly. I won't think twice before dragging you to court. You very well know that I've never lost a case since I started my career as a lawyer. No lawyer you will hire will win against me," Liz said, taunting me.

"Well, then, if you don't want to have an abortion, it's your choice, but I don't want you in my house anymore. You will have to find a new place to stay," I retaliated.

"I'm going to stay in your house. Remember what you said? You said that you were going to take care of me until I gave birth to your children. If I run away from your house, I will have to pay you a million. But unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money, which means you are stuck with me," Priscilla said weakly yet confidently, using my words against me.

"Max, my friend, you made this bed and now you need to lie in it," Mark said, patting my shoulders. "You will have to take care of her, or else you could rot in jail. Just look at how pale she is. She has been working tirelessly, and now it is taking a toll on her and the babies. I'll prescribe some medicines for her, but make sure she takes as much rest as she can and eats properly," Mark advised, rubbing salt into my wound. I shook my head in disbelief.

"Anyways, I've called for a board meeting tomorrow at sharp 8. I hope you and Liz will be present. I've made up my mind to take over as the chairman, and I hope you won't support Dave the way you supported her," I said, before storming out of the room. I knew that I could never win against Priscilla, she was so stubborn that once she made her decision there was no changing it, that's just that.

Author's POV

"Dave, be honest with me. Did you ever truly love me, or was it just about having sex with me? Do you love me or are you just lusting after my body?" Nelly's tears flowed freely as her breaths came in short gasps. She had fallen deeply in love with him.

Dave let out a sigh. Of course, he wasn't going to choose Nelly over his wealth. There were plenty of other women out there for him to find. "Nelly, you are a beautiful woman. I enjoy spending time with you and having sex with you, but I never once said that I loved you. I can't sacrifice my wealth for you. I'm sorry, but you will have to return to your husband. I'm sure he will forgive you and move on." Dave explained calmly.

His words felt like a sharp dagger piercing Nelly's heart. How could he say that after promising her the world? He was breaking her heart all over again. Why?

"Dave, you can't do this to me again. I love you, and I want to be with you. We can start a new life together without all of this money. Please don't make me go back to Max. He will hurt me, he's angry with both of us, and he wants revenge. Can't you see how much he has changed? Please, Dave, let's just run away together." Nelly begged through sobs.

"Nelly, love doesn't pay the bills, and it alone cannot bring you happiness. Money, on the other hand, can do a lot of things that love cannot. You can't eat love, and it can't buy you everything you want. I'm sorry, but I don't believe in love the way you do. You have to go back to Max. If you really love me as much as you say you do, then you can do this for me, right?" Dave spoke in a monotone voice, devoid of any emotion.

Nelly ran her hands through her hair in disbelief. How could Dave be saying this? "Dave, I'm pregnant with your baby," Nelly revealed, hoping to change his mind. She had just found out and was planning to surprise him.

"Just get an abortion. You've done it before, so it shouldn't be a problem this time." Dave said, crushing Nelly's last hope. She couldn't believe how cruel he was being.

"Dave, how can you do this to me? I left Max because of you. Now you're just pushing me back towards him because you want to be wealthy. What about my feelings?" Nelly cried, her tears streaming down her face.

Dave scoffed at her. "Nelly, that girl was right. Remember what Max's girlfriend said? Don't leave your husband for another man because that man won't marry you. I won't be foolish enough to sacrifice my wealth for you, nor will I be foolish enough to marry you. What if you find someone better than me and leave me too? What was happening between us was just a fling. I'm serious now. Get ready so I can take you back to your husband's house." With those words, Dave stood up from the chair and made his way upstairs, leaving Nelly alone to sob. Her body trembled with anger as she threw the plates and glasses from the table onto the floor, shattering them into a million pieces, just like her heart.

Priscilla's POV

After returning from the hospital, Liz made sure that I wouldn't leave the house. However, once she left, I couldn't resist the urge to escape my room and sit in the sitting room. My thoughts immediately drifted to Max, I couldn't help but reflect on how much he had changed. Had he only been kind to me because he believed I was carrying his child? It seemed like he had given up on any hope of happiness and lost interest in everything.

Deep down, I knew that Max wasn't the villain he portrayed himself to be. I understood his pain and feeling of betrayal. That's why he wanted me to have an abortion, to shield himself from further disappointment. I couldn't explain it, but I couldn't bear to see him in pain or trying to change himself. He didn't deserve all this suffering, so I was determined to do whatever it took to save him from this heartache before it completely consumed him.

As I heard footsteps approaching the dining room, I anxiously turned my gaze towards the entrance. It was Max walking in. Max had always been attractive, but at that moment, he seemed even more captivating. There was a cold aura surrounding him that made him both alluring and intimidating. I quickly pushed the thought away, knowing I shouldn't fall for his charm.

When he reached where I was sitting, he tossed a bunch of papers on the coffee table before sitting across from me. I furrowed my brows as I picked up the paper and began reviewing them.

"An Engagement Contract!" I exclaimed, reading the title aloud. I turned to Max, seeking clarification.

"And then?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"This is a new contract. If you don't want me to force you into having an abortion, you'll have to pretend to be my fiancée in front of the world until you give birth," Max explained with a smirk. I scoffed in disbelief.

"You've lost your mind, Max. What makes you think I'll agree to sign such nonsense?" I questioned, unable to fathom why he wanted me to sign yet another contract on top of everything.

"It's simple. If you want to keep the pregnancy, you'll have to sign these papers and pretend to be my fiancée. Otherwise..." Max trailed off, his smirk growing.

"Otherwise what?" I asked coldly, bracing myself for his answer.

"Otherwise, I'll trick you into having an abortion, just like I manipulated you into being a surrogate mother," Max revealed, causing me to shudder. At that moment, I realized he was blackmailing me, leaving me no choice but to comply to protect my unborn child.

"How can I trust you, Max? What if this is just another one of your schemes?" I asked my trust in him wavering. He wasn't the same Max I once knew; there was a chance he was playing me for a fool.

Max grinned widely, his gaze piercing through me. "You know, since I've spent time with you, I've been wondering if you're truly a street kid. Aren't you supposed to be naive about how wealth works? I can't figure out if you're wise or cunning. It's still a mystery," Max said, his tone icy.

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you'll never fully understand me, no matter how hard you try. All I can tell you is that I'm not a fool. You fooled me once, but you won't have that luxury again, not in this lifetime or the next seven. Just tell me what I want to hear and stop deflecting," I asserted firmly.

"You're right. Everything is written in these papers. I won't force you into having an abortion if you agree to be my contracted fiancée," Max confirmed, but I couldn't bring myself to trust his words anymore.

"And you expect me to blindly trust you? Forget it, I'll sign these papers when Liz arrives," I declared, placing the papers back on the table.

"Fine then," Max replied, standing up from the couch.

"Oh, and I need a foot massage," I added. Max looked at me, disbelief written all over his face.

"Didn't I say you should have an abortion? You refuse, yet now you want me to give you a foot massage? Are you serious?" Max retorted sarcastically.

"It's fine if you don't want to. In that case, I won't sign the papers even after Liz goes through them," I threatened, a small grin playing on my lips.

"Seriously?" Max questioned, and I nodded.

"It's your choice. I know how much you need my help with this because I'm the only one who can handle it flawlessly," I taunted. Max sighed, and I smirked, knowing he would eventually agree. Deep down, I also wanted to spend time with him because I missed him, even though I knew he wouldn't care for me in the same way anymore.