This chapter is dedicated to all my cousins, those who are on Wattpad and those who are not as well, for their endless support. AbiirHaana ZaynabGunglee dila17 UmmAbdurRahman9 UmmHibbahMuslimah heroictyke MIrfaanChady WaseemahChady YaSeEnChady FardeenChady fawwaz2305
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Just as David was about to start narrating another of Miranda's misfortunes, the front door creaked open. Maddox immediately stood up from his seat, leaving his food, and rushed towards the living room.

"Hey Maddox, you did not even eat your breakfast! I will go and see who it is, you come back and..." David's words remained incomplete as his nephew already left the kitchen.

In the living room stood Evan and his boss, Miss Lydia Robert. Maddox easily recognised her as she spent quite a long time at Maddox's place the previous day. She also accompanied Evan to the cemetery from where both of them disappeared.

"Hello Maddox," greeted Lydia with a slight smile filled with pity as Evan reached for a chair and signalled her to sit down.

"Hello," Maddox replied back, not returning the smile though. He did not understand why he was not pleased to see that lady although he knew that he was only his father's boss and that she must simply have come to pay him a visit out of politeness and sympathy. Maddox felt weird seeing his father's refined behaviour towards her. He never saw Evan being so respectful and kind and it all seemed like hypocrisy and pretense to him.

At that very moment, David barged in asking, "who is it Maddox?"

His smile faded away the moment his eyes fell on the two persons sitting side by side in the room. He immediately turned back without even greeting them and left. The little boy was intrigued by his uncle's cranky behaviour and did not know how to react. He stood silently, staring at his father and Miss Lydia who were looking at each other in confusion, apparently because of David's reaction.

"Maddox, my boy, can you stay here and chat with Lydia while I go and bring us something to drink?" Evan asked, his gentle tone stupefied the ten-year old lad. He was both shocked and angered by the way his father pretended to be good in front of outsiders while he has always been a monster towards his wife and kids. It also felt strange to hear his name out of his father's mouth and that too in such an affectionate tone. He did not remember the last time his father called him by his name. His ears were only used to hear himself being called names like 'stupid', 'bloody fool', 'useless chap' or anything hurtful.

Evan went to the kitchen leaving Maddox and Lydia in an utter silence which grew more awkward as more minutes went by. I wonder why dad is taking so long.

Finally, Lydia broke the ice by asking the little boy about his mother. And this was probably the worst idea she ever had.

"Maddox, your mum was very ill right?" Lydia questioned, her voice showing great concern.

Maddox simply nodded at her question, as he was not in the mood to get engaged in any kind of conversation with that lady who was but a stranger to him.

"I know it pains you that she is gone, but in a way, God has ended her suffering. You have to be strong," Lydia went on but once more, she received no answer from Maddox whose eyes were glued to the floor.

"I know it's very hard, Maddox. It is a pain we cannot describe. I know how you feel, I know."

"No! You don't know! You can't know how I feel!" Maddox blurted out, releasing the frustration he has been holding since the moment he saw his father enter the house accompanied by Miss Lydia. For some unknown reasons, he felt there was something fishy about his father's relationship with her. He felt angry and was about to leave but then he remembered that Miranda would never want his son to disrespect guests. He always taught Maddox good manners, so, the little boy quickly apologised to Lydia as he did not want people to question Miranda's upbringing.

"I'm sorry Ma'am. It's just that at this moment I feel like no one can understand my pain. And it irritates me to hear people say 'I know how you feel'. It agonises me. Because, no one can understand this pain unless that person has also lost his mother. I'm sorry I have been rude."

"It's okay dear," Lydia replied giving Maddox another smile, trying to comfort him.

"So, here is some fresh lemon juice Lydia," said Evan as he entered the living room holding a platter upon which stood three glasses of homemade lemonade. He handed one to Lydia and one to Maddox but the latter refused to have the drink saying that he has just had milk. The little boy then excused himself as he left the room. He went around the house looking for his uncle. He glanced through the kitchen window and found David sitting on an old metal chair in the yard.

"Uncle, what are you doing here?" Maddox inquired as he approached David.

"Just breathing in some fresh air," the latter winked.

"But why did you leave angrily when you saw dad and his boss?"

"His boss?" David asked as he let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" Maddox went perplexed.

"Because she is not his boss. She is far from being his boss."