"You are still awake Maddox?" David asked, glancing at his luminescent watch. "It's already 3:30 in the morning!" he exclaimed.

As he saw tears streaming along Maddox's cheeks, he reached for his face, attempting to wipe them off. Maddox did not need to give any explanation as his uncle could clearly understand his grief. David knew that it was impossible for Maddox to sleep with his wet eyes and a shattered heart.

"What are you reading?" David asked pointing towards the diary which Maddox held against his chest.

"My... my personal diary," Maddox mumbled.

"Hmmm... something your mum wrote?"

"Yes," Maddox replied, giving his uncle a brave smile through his tears.

"Can I have a look my boy?" asked David while taking the diary from Maddox.

David read the lines written by Miranda. He felt his chest being harshly squeezed. His throat felt swollen by the sudden rise of emotions. But he managed to speak out to Maddox as he knew that the latter was in great need of support.

"You know Maddox, your mother was an amazing woman. An outstanding wife. A great mother. I know it's extremely hard for you to accept that she left. I know you'll feel her absence each second of your life. But, trust me, she is still very much present in your life. She dwells within you. She has invested her life in you. Her values, her advices and her memories will always accompany you. No matter where you go, she will be with you."

David stopped abruptly and climbed out of the bed, searching for his bag. He drew something out of it and came back to Maddox in a flash.

"My boy, here, this is for you," he said with a grin as he handed over something to Maddox.

"W-what is this uncle?" Maddox inquired, looking at the shiny object he was holding through the darkness of his room.

"A gift from a heaven dweller," David answered.

A heaven dweller? Maddox wondered.

"This seems like a necklace," Maddox said, squinting his eyes and touching the object all over with his fingers, trying to make sure he was right.

"Yes. This is a heaven dweller's pendant. And she asked me to give it to her angel," David tried to cheer Maddox up.

"Uncle, I don't quite understand. Whose necklace is this?" the naive boy asked with impatience.

"Hmmm, this is your mum's pendant. She asked me to give that to you," David sighed.

"When? When did she give that to you?" Maddox nearly yelled due to the intense yet strange feelings he was having.

"Yesterday, at the hospital, after you left, I met the doctor to inquire about Miranda's health. Then, I went to meet her for a minute. I saw her with the nebulizer to help her breathe, so, I decided to leave and not to disturb her. But then, she saw me. She waved at me, signalling me to come to her. She then asked me to open the drawer of her bedside table where lied this pendant. She told me that this was a pendant her mother gave her, and it was of great value, so, she always kept it with her. Kind like, hid it from your dad, so that one day it could be of use to finance your higher education or anything. She said she always kept that for you. And that day she asked me to give it to you if ever something happened to her. She said, you may sell it someday if ever you need anything," David stopped as memories of his last meeting with Miranda made his heart shiver.

Maddox held the gold chain, tightening his fist and letting the diamond pendant hang down. He never saw his mother wear that before. He was not even aware that his mother had such an expensive piece of jewellery. He felt sad thinking that she has been keeping that for him. Miranda always sacrificed her happiness for her family.

Maddox made up his mind to always treasure that precious thing his mother left for him. I will not sell this for anything in this world.

"Let's get to bed now Maddox," David said yawning involuntarily.

"Yup," Maddox approved even if he knew he would not actually be able to fall asleep.

Maddox lied on his bed beside his uncle, trying not to think much about his loss. But then, some words from what his uncle just told him crept into his mind, "so, she always kept it with her. Kind like, hid it from your dad..." .

Why? Why did mum have to hide this pendant from dad? And does this mean that uncle knows the truth about mum and dad's relationship? Does he know about that bitter truth? Does he know why dad said he hates the day I was born?

Maddox mustered his courage and decided to ask his uncle about that unrevealed truth which has been tormenting him for years.

***********************

Dear readers,

First of all, I really appreciate all your comments and votes. Thanks for your infinite support!

Well, I will try to update more frequently as I know that most of us are as eager as Maddox to get to know that truth! Know that patience's fruits are sweet. ;)

I promise you a great story ahead. A story to inspire you.

With love,

Zumee.

(This chapter will be edited again to refine it. ;) )