Max's POV
I had a smirk on my face as I watched her reaction. Her face had turned red, and her body was shivering slightly. I could even hear her heart beating fast. It was exactly the reaction I wanted.
I have made a decision to protect her from any harm and shower her with all the love she deserves. I don't care about her past mistakes. I want her to leave her past behind and think of the future with me. I always want to love, protect and respect her.
I will make sure that she is safe and secure, and I will ensure that there is no evidence against her. I want her to live a happy and free life without any fear.
I am confident that she loves me too, and I will make her confess her feelings to me within a week.
As the movie ended, Priscilla had already fallen asleep. She was exhausted from carrying twins at her age, which was no easy task. Her belly had grown rapidly in just four months, making it even harder for her. But for me, she was a shining star in my dark world, and I would do anything to make things easier for her.
Gently, I picked up Priscilla in my arms and headed to our bedroom. I carefully placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket, as it was a bit chilly that night. I then walked out to the balcony and took out my phone. I needed to talk to Nicolas urgently.
As soon as I dialled his number, he answered after a few rings.
"Hey, Max. Whatsapp? "Nicolas asked on the other side of the call, he sounded annoyed and I knew it was because of work. He is now the CEO of one of my companies and his work has increased.
"All good, can you do me a favour? It's very important. "I asked, not wanting to waste his time, 'cause he sounded tired, I don't know if he was tired from fucking my sister or tired because of work.
"I'm not in the mood to do any favours for anyone today, I'm so tired. "Nicolas said and I scoffed.
"You have some nerves! How can you refuse to do me a favor when you are busy fucking my sister behind my back? "I asked, I was just pulling his leg.
"Fine Max, what do you want? "He asked and my lips twisted, good boy.
"I want you to investigate everything about the Jenks family if you can. I want you to get me all the CCTV footage from their mansion. "I said in a serious tone, I wanted to make sure that my star shine was safe and protected.
"You are such a selfish jerk Max, why didn't you tell me that you have found Priscilla? Are you seriously hiding my friend from me? "Nicolas asked, with a wavering voice I didn't know he would be upset about it.
"No need to cry about it, I only found her yesterday. Remember the phone number I asked you to track, it was hers. "I explained. "Please gather all the information I want and email me by evening… "
"Okay, lemme get started and see what I can get!"Nicolas said and hung up the phone.
After talking to Nicolas, I decided to bake a cake for Priscilla. I know how much she loves cakes… I made a mental note to buy myself new clothes online while I stayed here cause I didn't bring any clothes to wear.
••••••••••••••
I baked a cake and finished it. I even ordered new clothes online for myself. After taking a bath, I wore one of Priscilla's oversized shirts, but she was still asleep. I was worried that something might have happened to her, but she was breathing steadily. I could tell she hadn't slept in days.
The day went by in a blur. I made dinner, but Priscilla was still sleeping. That's when I decided to take her laptop and log in to my email account to see if Nicolas had sent me an email yet.
I sat on the couch near Priscilla's bed with the laptop and waited for it to start up. Once it did, I logged in to my account and saw that I had many emails, but I ignored them until I found the one from Nicolas. It read, "Man! I think we should meet in person. I can't convey the message over the phone. I have only sent the CCTV footage. I will explain the rest."
As I read the email, my hands trembled. I was scared to watch the video, but I knew I had to see it. Despite feeling like my heart was going to break, I gathered all the courage I could muster and clicked on the "play" button. The video started playing.
As I watched the video, I couldn't help but smile at the sight of a young Priscilla sitting on her bed, completely engrossed in drawing something. Her long black hair almost covered her face as she focused on the book and pen in her hand. The room was decorated in pink, matching the pink dress that Priscilla was wearing. Suddenly, the door to her room was pushed open, and Priscilla jumped in terror. A man stumbled in, appearing to be drunk. He walked towards the bed where Priscilla was sitting and stopped. She stopped drawing and retreated to the corner of the bed, hugging her knees tightly. It was clear that she was scared.
I couldn't hear what the man was saying, but Priscilla looked terrified. He approached the bed and forcefully grabbed her leg, pulling her closer. Then, he slapped her across the face, shouting something I couldn't make out. Young Priscilla cried, tears welling in her eyes. The man smirked and climbed onto the bed. I clenched my fist as he tried to undress her. Priscilla fought back, kicking and shouting through her tears. But he tore her dress apart, leaving her with only her panties. When she tried to kick him again, he slapped her hard, pinning her down and groping her. This whole situation is absolutely despicable.
Priscilla fought back against her attacker, but unfortunately, he overpowered her. It was horrifying to witness such a young girl in this situation. As the man undressed, my heart raced, knowing what was about to happen. However, Priscilla's quick thinking saved her. She grabbed a jug of water and struck the man on the head, breaking it into pieces. Seizing the opportunity, she pushed him away and made a daring escape. It's truly sickening to think that this man could be Priscilla's own father. I couldn't bear to watch the video, but I know I must gather evidence to prove her innocence and find the best lawyer to fight for her. This despicable act must not go unpunished.
I hit the play button on the next video. Suddenly, a woman in her 30s forcefully brought Priscilla into the room and locked the door. She looked just like Priscilla, but older. They were clearly arguing, and Priscilla didn't seem to agree with her. However, after the woman said something to her, Priscilla reluctantly nodded her head. The woman then guided Priscilla to hide in the closet, wiping away her tears before walking to the bed. Moments later, the door burst open and five men entered the room. My heart skipped a beat as I realised one of them was my uncle, who had undergone plastic surgery. My father was there too, along with Nicolas's father and another man I didn't recognize. They all wore smirks on their faces. A rush of heat surged through my body, causing my muscles to tremble.
My father was the first one to violently tear off her dress and brutally attack her. My uncle joined in, followed by Nic's father and another man whose identity I didn't know. They all found amusement in the horrifying scene, while Priscilla's father stood at the entrance, indifferent to her suffering. Priscilla's mother screamed and pleaded, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Suddenly, the closet door swung open and Priscilla emerged, clutching a gun. She shot my father first, and he collapsed to the floor. Then, one by one, Nic's father, the unknown man, and my uncle met the same fate. Priscilla's hands trembled, causing her aim to falter, and my uncle was only grazed on the arm. The four assailants lay motionless, blood staining the floor. Priscilla's gaze burned with anger as she confronted her father, while her mother sobbed in agony, barely clinging to life. Priscilla's father said something, and she knelt before him, begging for something. It was a scene of vengeance and desperation, a twisted tale of justice served.
But he grabbed her by her hair and pushed her on the floor. Priscilla fired the remaining bullet and her father was also lying on the floor lifeless. Priscilla's mother cried even more while Priscilla stood there, her eyes lifeless. Her mother kept on crying until she fell on the floor unconscious. Priscilla too fell on the floor, she seemed like she was fainting.
Minutes passed, and I was about to close my laptop when I observed movement from the floor. Priscilla's father rose off the floor, revealing a bulletproof vest hidden beneath his shirt. The blood was also simulated. He discreetly stashed the bulletproof vest under the bed and produced a bottle from his pocket, which he proceeded to consume entirely. He then returned to his original position, appearing lifeless. Another minute passed, and my uncle rose from the floor, clutching his shoulder. After assessing the room and realising everyone appeared deceased, he exited the room with unsteady and shaky steps.
I closed my laptop, tears streaming down my face. I was aware that my father had a history of infidelity, but I never expected him to be capable of such heinous acts. It's difficult to comprehend how he could engage in such disgusting behaviour. Now I understand why Uncle Dave underwent sudden plastic surgery after my father's death - he was trying to conceal his involvement. Nic's father appeared to be a respectable man, serving as my father's right-hand. How could he be involved in such a crime? What will happen if Priscilla discovers the truth? I'm certain she will despise me for the rest of her life, as my father is responsible for her mother's absence. My mind is in turmoil, I must see Nicolas immediately before I lose my sanity. I grabbed my car keys from the coffee table and left the apartment., .
•••••••••••••••••••••
"I___I can't believe this!! "Liz trembled with sobs after I had shown both her and Nicolas the CCTV footage that Nicolas had sent me earlier. Nicolas stood there like a statue, his eyes wide open, tears flowing out of his eyes and I couldn't stop my tears.
"Priscilla is going to hate us all, she is going to hate us, our fathers are the reason for her pain and suffering and as they say, children pay for their parent's sins. "Nicolas said, calming but his tears kept on flowing out of his eyes.
"M__My heart was filled with hate for the person who killed my father but now it's turned out that my father was the only one on the wrong path. The poor girl was trying to protect her mother from a disgusting man who had no shame at all. They all deserve to die!!! "Liz sobbed even harder, I had no words to say, I felt so tired and helpless. I loved Priscilla and I knew that the truth was going to break her into pieces and I was not ready to lose her.
"We should tell her the truth, only she will decide if she wants us in her life or not. "Nicolas said, I wasn't going to tell her the truth. I loved Priscilla and I didn't want to lose her because of something I didn't do.
"We can't tell her the truth. "I said, both Liz and Nicolas looked at me with their teary eyes.
"M__Max, you can't be selfish. Y__You are not going to decide anything for Priscilla, let her make her own decisions if she wants us in her life or not. "Liz stammered through her sobs, her eyes were red and her face was pale, the smile disappeared from her face.
"Do you think telling her the truth will do her any good? No, the truth is going to break her and bring back all the bad memories. "I said, trying to swallow my sobs, I do not know why fate is doing this to me, just when I thought I found the woman I love then this?..
"Max is right, I don't think telling Priscilla the truth will do her any good, especially when she is pregnant. She might harm the babies or die herself due to so much stress, she is a surrogate and it's very risky and complicated already, we all don't want anything bad to happen to her. "Mark, who has been quiet the whole time, said he was unexpectedly calm but I could see the anger hidden behind that calm facade.
"What happens in the dark always comes to light. One way or the other, Priscilla will know the truth, she will feel betrayed If she realises that we didn't tell her the truth when you knew it all. "Nicolas said,
"As I said before Priscilla is pregnant and her emotions are all over the place, what If she learns the truth and decides to kill you all or kill herself? Then what? Will telling the truth be right if it's sent her to jail or her earlier grave? "Mark asked, I was grateful that he understood all my fears. "Pull yourself together and pretend as if you know nothing like before, and let the poor girl breathe some after everything that has happened to her. She is too young to take all this. "
"What about her father who is possibly still alive? What if he wants to Avenge her or continue where he had left off by molesting her? "Nicolas asked, my adrenaline spiked and I could feel my stomach hardening like a rock. I almost forgot about him. There must be a reason why he did this and I'm very scared that he might harm Priscilla.
"We are all here to protect her, aren't we? Nothing will happen to her as long as she is still with us. "Mark said, I don't know why he is so calm right now after knowing that my father had molested his sister. I expected him to punch me in the face or something but he didn't.
"Mark, aren't you angry at us? I mean you look so calm right now and it's bothering me. "I said truthfully, he should react.
"I'm just thinking if there's a way I can bring your fathers to life and give them the worst and most painful death they can imagine but it's seen like even science can't help me, I will have to wait until I die, I will surely punish your father. "Mark said with a dark smirk on his lips I've never seen him like this before, I agree with him, I wish I could bring him back and kill him with my bare hands.
"Guys, I need some air. I'm feeling so nauseous and suffocated that I might faint. "Liz said, rising from the couch, her face was stained with tears. She made her way out and Nicolas followed her.,
Mark looked at me, his expression unreadable. I wished he could just punch me, then maybe, I would feel better but he didn't and I was feeling even more guilty.
"You love her right? "He asked and I nodded without saying anything.
"If you ever dare break her heart, trust me I will break all your bones and operate on you myself with no painkillers. Trust me, that would be the worst experience ever. "Mark said, he rose from the couch, fixed his suit, and made his way out.
Right now all I needed was a drink, and alcohol to make sure I forgot everything I saw and acted normally in front of Priscilla, or else I might tell her the truth if I'm this sober, as they say, truth is more bitter than salt and I was feeling the bitterness in my heart and I can't get rid of it If I don't drink.