Chapter 55

Title: Priscilla's POV

After the guards opened the gate for me, I entered the house. My head was still aching, but not as much as before. Being alone helped me relax and forget all the unnecessary things. Everyone was already gathered for dinner, but after what happened at the hospital, I lost my appetite and didn't want to face Max.

"Priscilla," Liz called me before I could make my way upstairs. I stopped, and she approached me. I stood at the stairway, feeling Max's eyes on me, but I didn't spare him a glance. His words had hurt me deeply, and I couldn't forgive him.

"What happened? You look so sad," Liz asked me, concern etched on her face.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. I just came from the hospital. Maybe that's why I look sad. You know what, go and enjoy your meal. I need to take some rest," I replied, making my way upstairs. Liz followed me.

"Priscilla, you know you can tell me anything, right?" Liz asked as we both entered my room. I placed my bag on the couch before sitting down. Liz sat next to me, her expression still worried. I sighed and explained everything that had happened at the hospital. Liz gasped in shock.

"I'm so sorry, Priscilla. Maybe he was just worried about you, and that's why he said those things," Liz said, pulling me into a hug. Tears welled up in my eyes. I didn't like the way Max questioned my character every time. Was it because I used to live on the streets? Was it because I was once a beggar? I usually didn't care about people's opinions of me, but Max's opinion mattered to me, and it hurt me deeply that he thought so poorly of me.

"There's no need to defend him, Liz. I know he meant every word he said to me," I said, hunching over and trying to swallow my sobs. "He thinks I'm like Nelly. The most painful part is that he's the one who brought me here. I didn't ask him to make me his surrogate. I came with him because I thought he was going to offer me a job, but he had other intentions. He's acting as if I came here to take his money, and I don't like it at all."

"Maybe he likes you, otherwise why would he be so mean to you? I think he's hiding his feelings behind a cold facade," Liz said, but I quickly moved away from her. What does she mean if she says that he likes me? Had he liked me, he wouldn't have accused me of such a thing.

"Your brother can't tolerate me. He was taking care of me because he thought I was pregnant with his child, but now that he isn't sure, he can't stand me for a second. I don't blame him though. No one has ever liked me except for my mother. She was the only person who understood and loved me for who I was. She knew what I had gone through and what forced me to become a street kid. I don't expect anyone else to understand or like me; everyone can just hate me. It's fine. I'm used to it by now," I said, tears flowing out of my eyes. I don't even know why I was crying.

"Priscilla, please don't cry because of Max, and don't ever say that no one likes you. I love you and I see you as my younger sister. You are the most amazing girl I've ever seen, so kind-hearted. Today you are sick, why? Because you went out on a rainy night to teach those guys who were bullying Lurry a lesson. You also gave Nelly all your hard-earned money because you wanted her to be free from Max's wrath. When Max was feeling down and depressed, you took care of him all alone. I think you are an amazing woman, Priscilla, and no one in their right senses would hate an angel like you," Liz said with a smile, wiping my tears with her thumb.

"Now wipe your tears and stop crying. Why would you cry because of Max? Who is he to make you cry like this? Does he have a right to snatch away your beautiful smile? The answer is no, and you shouldn't allow him to be okay!" Liz said, and I chuckled, nodding my head.

"That's the spirit. Now come on, let's go and have our dinner. I'm sure the babies are starving in the tummy," Liz said, beaming, and the two of us headed out of the room to the dining room.

Title: Max's POV

I watched Priscilla sitting by the pool all alone. I had expected her to come to my room after dinner, but she didn't. She must have been hurt by what I said earlier, but I couldn't help it. I had to vent my anger on someone, and she happened to be that someone. I knew she couldn't sleep when she was alone, which meant she was going to sit there all night drawing her sketches.

"Are you just going to stand here or are you going to apologize to her?" Liz stood behind me, her hands crossed over her chest.

"Aren't you going to work tomorrow?" I asked her, ignoring what she said.

"Max, I know that we didn't spend our childhood together, but from the 5 years we spent together, I've never seen this side of you! Nelly was your wife, and she used to hang out with her male friends. Never once did I see you get angry at seeing her becoming close with them. But now, the thought of Priscilla and Nicolas is driving you crazy! Why? Is there a problem if Priscilla and Nicolas date each other? I mean, to you, it seems like a big problem that you had to call a poor girl names, like she is a married woman who is cheating on her husband."

"Are you by any chance falling in love with her?" Liz's questions caught me off guard. Of course, I'm not falling in love with Priscilla. I wouldn't dare to fall in love with her. She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen, and kind and all, but she was not the kind of girl I wanted to be with. Priscilla was not even a wife material, she was no less than a wildcat. The way she dresses was not the way I would want the woman I love to dress, and lastly, and not the least, she was once a street kid. This is why I don't see myself falling for her, because I've seen her at her worst and lowest points in life.

"Silence means a lot of things, Max. I usually take silence as a yes," Liz added.

"I'm not in love with her. I mean, how can I fall in love so soon? My divorce is not even finalized as yet, so how can I be in love with someone else?" I asked. I didn't know if I was convincing Liz or myself because I didn't know.

"Love is a feeling that comes unexpectedly with the person you least expected. You might be getting separated from Nelly, but deep down you know that you never loved that woman, which is the reason she had to try and find it in your uncle. You have given her everything, but all she wanted was love, which is something you didn't give her. But now, you are falling in love with Priscilla. If you don't believe what I'm telling you, then ask your heart, and I'm sure you will get the right response. Don't forget to apologize to her," Liz said, walking away.

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach. I couldn't seem to understand anything at all, so I pinched my bottom lip. I know that I'm not in love with Priscilla, and I'm very sure of it. I can't take Liz's words seriously; she has never been in love. How could she know that I'm in love? Priscilla was not my type, and I'm not in love with her. That's the end of it. After convincing myself, I started making my way toward Priscilla. I should apologize to her for everything I said at the hospital.