Clutching my aching lower belly, I fixed my gaze on Maxton, who was busy comforting Priscilla. My voice trembled with restrained fury as I reminded him, "You know perfectly well that I just had surgery."
Even as the words escaped my lips, a drunken man lunged toward me. Without hesitation, I shoved him away, the anger bubbling within me, fueling my strength.
When I refused, Maxton's face twisted with disgust. "Still pretending? Three years ago, when you had a stomach bleed, you downed two bottles like it was nothing. Do you really think I'll believe you now?"
The sarcasm in his voice ignited the simmering anger buried deep within me. I yanked free from the drunken man’s grip, fury blinding me as I marched up to Maxton. Without a second thought, I slapped him with all the strength I could muster and turned to leave.
From the safety of Maxton's arms, Priscilla peered at me with mock innocence. "Maxton, Solana says she's not feeling well. If she truly can’t drink, I’ll drink instead. I can just go to the hospital for an IV afterward," she murmured pitifully.
Maxton’s grip on my wrist tightened painfully, his gaze sharp and merciless. "Look at Priscilla, then look at yourself," he sneered. "It’s just a few drinks. Will it kill you?"
His words cut deeper than his harsh grip, which had turned my wrist red. My struggles only seemed to amuse him further. "Solana, I’m giving you face here. Do you still think you’re some kind of saint? You’ve already lost a child; who else would want you, this worthless piece of trash? Be good and drink for Priscilla. You know I still need you."
Sensing the fury in Maxton’s expression, Priscilla clutched his hand with trembling fingers. "Maxton, please don’t be angry. Solana might still resent me. It’s my fault for being thoughtless. If you’re upset, blame me for being useless and failing to help you," she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes.
As her sobs grew louder, Maxton released my wrist and turned to wipe her tears, his earlier anger melting into concern.
The men at the table, noticing the rising tension, hurried to pull Maxton back to his seat.
Seizing the moment, I shoved the door open and stepped out without looking back.
"Looks like she’s truly upset. Aren’t you going to comfort her?" one of them teased.