Chapter 62

Priscilla's POV

I held onto the hem of my jacket tightly, trying to prevent the tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes. He didn't look well, but I decided to walk away from him anyway, without caring. I know it's selfish, but I can't help it. I've already been through too much pain, and I'm not ready to take on any more. I'm tired of fighting battles that I don't need to fight, especially the battle of love. I know that it would only damage me even more, leaving me broken and unable to pick up the pieces.

As I stood at the entrance, I took a few deep breaths. I'm aware that everyone may think I'm doing something wrong, but I can't please everyone. All I can do is believe in myself and have the courage to prove to them that I'm doing the right thing for me, and me only.

"Thank you for coming, Priscilla. It really means a lot to me that you're here, despite everything Max did to you," Liz's voice came from behind me. I took a deep breath, forcing a smile as I turned to face her.

"I was only trying to help, but now...I think I should go. I don't want to be close to Max and give him false hopes that I'll be coming back here," I explained. I understood what Liz must be going through; Max was her brother and she loved him. I had come all the way here because I understood her pain, but now I couldn't stay any longer. If Max came here again, I wouldn't be able to leave after seeing how he looked.

"I'm sorry for putting you through this, Priscilla. It wasn't my intention to bring you here after Max said all those things to you... But I'm helpless. I don't want him to remember anything," Liz apologized, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Don't worry, I don't wish anything ill for Max either. That's why I came here. You don't have to apologize about it," I reassured her. But the truth was, I wanted to get out of here. I was holding back a lot of emotions, and Max's hurtful words kept ringing in my ears, driving me insane.

"I'll go and get my jacket, then I'll drop you off. Please wait for me," Liz said, and I simply nodded. She hurried inside, leaving me to lean against the walls and close my eyes. I didn't want to think too much, as the stress was overwhelming. Soon, I heard footsteps approaching, assuming it was Liz. I opened my eyes, only to find Max standing in front of me, his eyes filled with sadness.

"Priscilla, please stay," he pleaded. I didn't like this situation at all. I knew that if I saw him looking so pitiful, my heart would soften and I might change my mind, which wouldn't be for the best. Max walked over to me, causing my eyes to widen as he dropped to his knees and took my hands in his.

"Priscilla, I am so sorry for everything I said that day. I didn't mean any of it. It was anger and jealousy consuming me. I know that doesn't justify my actions. But Priscilla, I am deeply in love with you. The thought of another guy spending time with you drove me insane; I couldn't bear it. I wanted to be the only one to share your time. Please, don't leave. You have become a part of me that I cannot live without. My thoughts are filled with you, and my heart aches for your love. I know I'm a messed up jerk, unable to please a woman and only causing them pain. I know all of that. But please, give me a chance to show you how truly sorry I am. Please."

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, I swallowed hard, feeling my stomach tighten. The tears I had been holding back began to flow from my eyes.

"Priscilla, please say something," Max begged, and I couldn't bear to see him in this state. I didn't know why, but I felt a pang in my heart that was incredibly painful.

"Max, I forgive you for everything, but I can't stay here," I finally said, ignoring what he had just said about being madly in love with me. I didn't believe in fairytales; love only existed in fairytales, not in real life.

"Priscilla, don't you love me too?" Max asked. I swallowed hard. I was going to break his heart to save my own. I knew I was being selfish, but I couldn't help it.

"I don't love you, Max. I see you as a brother and friend, and nothing else. You shouldn't love me either. Love is just an old myth that existed a long time ago. Now, love is nothing but a fairytale. We see it in movies and read it in novels, but not in real life," I said, not even trying to stop the tears flowing out of my eyes. Deep down, I knew I didn't mean each word I was saying. I had feelings for Max, but I didn't believe in love.

Max released my hands, tears streaming down his face. My own eyes welled up with tears as well. But I knew I had to do this for both of us. Max and I were very different, and if I gave in to my feelings for him, it would only result in tears and heartbreak, something I didn't want.

"Are you rejecting me, Priscilla?" Max's voice softened, but I could sense the coldness in it. I swallowed hard, feeling an ache in my chest.

"Answer me, damn it!!!" Max shouted, his tone filled with anger and hurt.

"I'm not rejecting you," I said firmly, "but I simply have no feelings for you. You're not in love with me, you're just feeling guilty and throwing love in my face so I can come back here like a fool and stay with you!" I yelled back, knowing that what I was doing was wrong, selfish, and heartless, but I had to do it for my own sake.

Max's grip on my shoulder was tight, his hands shaking with anger. "Are you doubting the love I feel for you in my heart? How dare you insult my feelings like this! Why did you give me false hope that we could be together? Why, damn it?!" he yelled, his voice filled with frustration.

I had always been afraid of Max's temper, and this was the reason why I kept my feelings for him hidden. "You have fallen in love with me, but I haven't fallen in love with you," I replied calmly. "Don't blame me for your mistakes."

Max's anger only seemed to grow, and I could feel my anxiety rising. "Let's just end it all here," I said quickly, trying to control my emotions. "Nothing is happening between me and you, nothing. The only thing that brings us together is your babies, and once I give birth to them, I will hand them over to you, and then we can go our separate ways."

"I'm sorry for what I'm about to do," Max said, his tone ominous. "You've pushed my limits, but our deal is far from being over. Remember the contract that you have signed, to be my fiancé until you give birth. I'm sorry to say, but the time has come. The engagement is on Friday, and you will have to get ready to be my fiancé. I'm giving you a week to think about it, or I will drag you to court. Think wisely."

"Do what you do best, but I'm not returning here. Drag me to court if you want, but I'm not afraid of being jailed. I'd rather rot in jail than fall in love," I firmly declared. Max released his grip on me with such force that I stumbled, narrowly avoiding a fall. However, I couldn't escape the sharp pain shooting through my back as it collided with the wall.

"You will come back here whether you like it or not. Just wait and watch," Max seethed before storming back inside the house. Tears streamed down my face as I stood there, not wanting to wait any longer for Liz. I decided to leave, feeling the weight of the hurtful words exchanged between Max and myself.

Deep down, I knew Max was just lashing out in anger, and he wouldn't actually take me to court. He only wanted to inflict pain on me because I had hurt him. But that didn't excuse his behavior; he was acting out of sadistic impulse and nothing else.