chapter 24

 Max's POV

A group of journalists approached us and started asking, "Excuse me, Mr. Manh, is this the woman who caused your marriage to fall apart?" Priscilla's face turned red with anger upon hearing the question.

Another journalist chimed in, "Mrs. Hanh, were you the one who broke up the Hanhs' marriage? We've heard rumors that you're pregnant. Can you confirm or deny that?" The group of journalists surrounded us, snapping photos, and bombarding us with questions.

Yet another journalist asked, "We heard that you grew up on the streets, Mrs. Is this child just a ploy to trap Mr. Hanh?"

I couldn't bear this anymore. I couldn't let anyone disrespect Priscilla for my mistakes. "What's happening between me and Priscilla is none of your business," I said sternly. "And, for your information, she didn't break my marriage because it was already broken before I even met Priscilla. So, please don't try to blame Priscilla. Please."

I held Priscilla's hand tightly, and we started walking away , but the journalists wouldn't let us go. "Mr. Hanh, please tell us the truth. Is she the woman who broke up your marriage? Why are you trying to defend her?" asked another journalist, blocking our way.

I couldn't believe that they wouldn't stop. How did they even find all this information? I think Nelly was behind this for sure. Only she could stoop this low. Before I could say anything, Priscilla stepped in.

"Yes, I'm the woman who broke up their marriage. Yes, I'm trapping Max with this baby because I'm poor and hungry. Yes, all the rumors you heard are true. Any more questions?" Priscilla yelled.

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself? How could you wreck someone else's marriage? How could you stoop so low?" asked another journalist.

"Why should I be ashamed?" replied Priscilla. "I'm a gold digger, and I'm just digging for gold. It's an easy way to become rich without raising a finger or doing any work. You are working, right? So, please let me do my work and do yours. In other words, mind your own business, and I'll mind mine. If you try to ask me any nonsensical questions, I'll punch your face and turn it blue and black."

Priscilla continued walking to the car, leaving the journalists dumbfounded. "You all are so shameless," I said, shaking my head, before running to catch up with Priscilla.

"Priscilla, I'm sorry that this happened. I didn't know that this was going to happen." I tried to explain as soon as I reached the car. I felt a strong fist connecting with my cheek. I stumbled a step back, but luckily I didn't fall. I could taste blood next to my cheek. That was a strong one. I didn't expect it.

"I'm not sorry about this," Priscilla declared angrily before getting inside the car and banging the door closed. She was angry, and it was my fault. I wish she was not dragged into my affairs. Now, the whole world is going to mock her, calling her names when she is innocent. Sighing, I walked to the car, forgetting the blood that was dripping off my cheek.

I started the engine and drove out of the parking lot. I didn't dare say anything. Priscilla was quiet the whole time. This time she was not facing the window but looking at the road. She looked lost in her world. Her expression didn't give anything away. I wish I knew what was happening in her mind. What if she is planning to run away with the baby?

"Priscilla, I'm truly sorry that this is happening. I didn't know that the media was following us. Had I known, I wouldn't have gone out with you. Please forgive me," I said. Priscilla kept quiet, totally ignoring me. I would rather have her shouting at me than see her this quiet without uttering a word.

"Priscilla, I hate your silence. Shout at me or yell at me for bringing you out of the car. Just say anything, I won't mind, I promise." Priscilla said nothing. I swallowed hard. I better leave her alone.

After an hour of driving, we finally arrived home. I parked my car in front of the mansion. Priscilla was the first one to get out of the car, and I followed her.

"Brother," Liz rushed towards us as soon as we entered the house. "Priscilla is all over the news. People are calling her names on social media." Liz handed me the tablet. Priscilla was already on the stairs heading to her room.

"You are a lawyer, right? Call your colleagues and make sure all the media companies involved in this are sued and taken to court before the sun sets," I said, handing her the tablet. I followed Priscilla upstairs.

 Priscilla's POV 

I closed the door to my room, feeling overheated, muscles quivering in anger, tears welling up in my eyes. Overwhelmed by these emotions, I miss my mom, our one room with no windows or door. I long for the simplicity of worrying about evening meals and my mother's medicine. This house suffocates me. Now the world labels me: homewrecker, whore, gold digger. These accusations are false, a result of Max's deception. I'm not sure how much more I can endure.

My sobs filled the room as I buried my face in the pillow. I miss my mom; if she were alive, I wouldn't have met Max. All this nonsense wouldn't be happening in my life in the first place. I can't even run away from here because I'm pregnant, I have no job, and no education. I'm just trapped in an unending nightmare, and I have no idea when it will ever end because apparently, I've signed a contract I have no idea about.

I heard footsteps coming into my room, and I sobbed even harder. Max had come here only to rub salt in my wounds.

"Priscilla," Max called my name. I could feel my blood tension rising. This was all because of him, and now he wants to come and lecture me and tell me that I have to control my anger.

"I'm not here to lecture you. I will not tell you to control your anger either. If you want to hit me as much as you want, taunt me for being a fool and quiet. Do anything you want, but please don't cry. I can't see a wild cat like you crying," Max said. I grasped my jaws, and my body temperature rose even more. Is he calling me a wild cat right now? I sat up on the bed, and I glared at him through my blurry, teary eyes.

"Max, did you just call me a wild cat?" I asked, swallowing my sobs and wiping my tears. 

Max shrugged while walking to the bed where I was. "I mean, you are a wild cat rather than a girl. I mean, who punches like that? Only a wild cat could do that," Max said. I grabbed a pillow next to me, and before I knew it, I threw it at Max, but he snagged it.

"See, exactly. That's how a wild cat behaves," Max said jokingly. He sat on the bed. "But I like this side of you, not the crying one. You should always smile because you look more beautiful when you smile."

I rolled my eyes and wiped my tears from my face. He is right, I'm not a crying baby. This is all because of this pregnancy.

"Of course, I'm not crying, just a moment of weakness," I said, defending myself…Max's attempt to speak was cut in by the sudden churning in my stomach. I swiftly got up from the bed and hurried to the bathroom, where I began to violently vomit into the sink. I discharged everything I had eaten earlier that morning. Once I finished, I flushed the sink and could feel the sweat dripping from my forehead. I rinsed my mouth and left the bathroom.

"Are you okay?" Max asked, his tone filled with concern.

"Do I look fine to you?" I retorted curtly. I'm sure I'm not looking fine, but he still asks. Who does that?

"I'm sorry. That was a stupid question. Are you hungry?" Max asked, and I glared at him.

"Stop acting like my husband, okay? I'm fine," I said. My tone was filled with annoyance.

"I'm sorry about that, too," Max said. I sauntered past him and strolled to the bed. I sat down, resting my head on the headboard. Max came next to me and sat on the other side of the bed. We sat in silence. I didn't want to talk to him.

The knock on the door snarled us out of our daze.

"Come in," Max said. The door opened, and a maid walked in.

"Sir, Mr. Nelly has arrived," the maid said. Incredible, this is just great! What a day. What does she want now after getting me humiliated by the media? Today, if she dares to mess with me, I'm just going to grab her hair and bang her head on the walls. Once and for all.

"Tell her that we will meet in court tomorrow morning, and I'm busy and I have no time for her," Max said. I could catch a glimpse of change in his expression; he was acting indifferently, but I knew that deep down, he was hurt, and I knew that I was being inconsiderate for stressing him with my problems when he already had his but it was also his fault, he made this bad and he must lie on it. 

"I think you should talk to her. I mean, you have to know why she did what she did to you. For the sake of your peace of mind," I blurted out before I could stop myself. Max looked at me, his eyes filled with uncertainty.

"Are you sure?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Don't worry about me. I won't die if you leave. I'm pregnant, not sick," I said, and Max chuckled.

"I will be back soon," Max said, rising off the bed.

"Even if you do come, I don't give a fuck," I said, but he was already out of the room. Taking a nap will do me good because exhaustion was taking over me.