"Uncle?" Maddox called for the third time but again there was no answer. David was fast asleep and Maddox decided not to disturb him. His uncle has also had a hard day along with him.

Maddox turned to his left, seeking some sleep. He was playing with the strands of hair falling over his forehead, imagining his mum who used to do so to put him to sleep. He made up his mind to speak to his uncle at breakfast.

Barely three hours later, the sun was already shining bright above the horizon. Maddox was in the kitchen, making himself a cup of milk.

"Three small spoons of milk powder, one spoon of sugar, pour in the hot water, stir and your milk is ready my little prince!"

Maddox felt like he could hear Miranda's voice giving him instructions as she used to say these words nearly each morning while making her beloved son's milk. The whole house reminded the little boy of his mother. Her footsteps, her laughter, her scoldings, all resonated within the walls of the now dull house. Their dwelling has gone lifeless without Miranda. She was the soul of their little family.

The day Miranda left home to go to the hospital, Maddox did not have the least hint that she would not step back into the house again. That day while leaving, Miranda held her son tight saying, "Honey, you always say you are a grown-up boy, right? So, baby, oops... I mean, my big boy, you should now take care of yourself."

She smiled her brightest although her eyes were mirroring her hopelessness and then, she left.

At that moment, Maddox thought that she was asking him to take care of himself for the days she would be away from home. He did not know that from that moment on, he would have to handle himself lifelong.

As Maddox sat by the table to drink his milk, he heard someone stepping into the kitchen.

"Good morning Maddox!" greeted David, still yawning, his eyes slightly swollen.

"Good morning uncle."

"Your dad is not yet home?" David inquired, looking around the kitchen, "or is he still asleep?"

"No, he didn't come back home," Maddox answered in a plain voice. "Anyway, what will you have uncle? Some milk or coffee?" the little boy quickly asked, attempting to change the topic for he did not even want to think about where his father had spent the night. Mr Howard usually spent whole nights out especially on weekends, yet Maddox never thought that he would do so even on the night his wife passed away.

"Don't worry dear, I will make some omelette and tea for both of us," David replied.

Maddox sat down to drink his milk and was lost in his own thoughts.
I couldn't even make myself a good cup of milk. This tastes so bland!
What will I do after uncle leaves? How will I manage on my own? Will dad be there to help me?

Elisa's death certainly drained the happiness out of Maddox's life and affected his childhood adversely but Miranda's death seemed to have put a full stop to Maddox's life.

Within a few minutes, Maddox and David were both seated by the small kitchen table, eating their breakfast in complete silence. They were each lost in a world of their own when suddenly the little boy blurted out, "Uncle, I have something to ask you."

"Yes my boy, what is it?" David answered, breaking out of his own thoughts.

"Uncle, promise me that you will give me the answers I am seeking. Please, promise me," Maddox pleaded in a faint voice, pricking his omelette with a fork.

"Uh? I don't understand dear. What answers are you looking for?" David asked, looking towards his nephew who has not moved his gaze away from his plate.

"I simply want to ask you some questions. And, I believe that it is very important for me to have the answers," Maddox explained, still looking down in despair.

"Hmmm, okay my boy, if they are important questions, of course I will answer them for you."

"Promise?" the little boy asked as he lifted his head to look at his uncle, a ray of hope brightening his eyes.

"Promise," David smiled, placing his hand over Maddox's forearm.

"Uncle, yesterday night you said my mum saved that pendant for me..." Maddox started.

"Yes dear, she did," David nodded.

"And...and you also said," Maddox paused and took a deep breath. "You said that she was kind of hiding it from my dad."

"Did...did I say this?" David stammered.

"Yes, you did. Uncle, why did mum have to hide this pendant from dad?" Maddox questioned.

David remained silent for a few seconds before answering, "Son, it's...it's just that your dad has always had a lot of financial issues. And your mother helped him with all she had. And this was her last piece of jewellery. She did not want your dad to know she has it, otherwise he may have asked for it. She wanted to keep it for you. That's why she kept it away secretly."

Maddox did not react to his uncle's answer. He sat silently, digging into his plate.

"What are you doing to your omelette my dear? It will get cold. Eat it my boy," David coaxed.

"Uncle, there is something else I want to ask."

"Yes?"

"Why did my dad hate my mum?"

"What? Why are you asking this?" David asked in utter panic and confusion.

"Because I have witnessed this hatred for ten years. Because it killed me to see him mistreat my mother and what hurt more was that I never had an answer to my questions. I never understood why he hated my mum," Maddox went breathless, his eyes holding a mixture of anger and pain.

"Tell me, why did he hate her?" Maddox repeated in a louder tone.

"Son, please calm down. Son, it is their personal matter. And...and I don't have any answer for you," David said, without meeting Maddox's eyes which were desperately stuck on him.

"He did not only hate my mum! He hated me too! It concerns me as well. I need to know why!" shouted the little boy.

"Who said he hated you dear?" David muttered, trying to keep his calm despite the growing anger he was feeling towards Evan.

"He said it himself! He said...he said he hates the day I was born," Maddox bursted into tears.

"Ssssh, calm down Maddox. Please, calm down," David turned towards the young boy, placing his hands on the latter's shoulders.

"Please answer me uncle. Please tell me. I'm begging you. Please tell me the truth. No matter how hard it is. Please tell me why he hated us."

"Son, please eat up your food. We will speak about this later. Promise."

"No, no! You have to tell me. These unanswered questions have tormented me for years! I need answers now! Just tell me why he hated my mum so much! Just give me an answer! Tell me!" Maddox yelled as he gripped his uncle's shirt, almost shaking him up. "You have to tell me uncle! You have to! Why did he hate my mother? Why?"

"Because your mum forced him to marry her!" David yelled back, his eyes full of tears. "She forced him."

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Dear readers,

What do you expect from the next chapter? How do you feel after hearing David's declaration?

Awaiting your answers and votes (if you've liked the chapter.)

With love,
Zumee.