All Men Are Not The Same

The Stepmother's Words

This chapter is dedicated to a teacher of mine who is now a colleague as well, Miss swadekka ! Thanks for your kind words which always encourage me!
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From the shadows appeared a familiar face, and then a second one. Dressed in black, the lady stepped into the police station followed by the person accompanying her. Maddox wondered whether she has come for him or for something else. But as soon as she spoke, Maddox's doubts were cleared.

"Good evening Sir, I'm Mrs Lydia Howard. I'm here for Maddox Howard. And here is Mr Jonathan Gilbert, he is ready to withdraw his complaint."

Maddox watched his stepmother speak to the police officer and by her side was Angelica's father. The latter seemed magically sober and had a plaster over his nose.

Lydia was the last person Maddox expected to see at that moment. Yet, she stood there, her eyes wandering around until they met his. She smiled at him, her smile conveying a thousand unsaid words. Maddox could not manage to smile back but he lowered his gaze instead, confused between whether to be grateful for what she was doing for him or to keep on hating her for what she did to his mother.

"Yes, I want to withdraw my plaint as I understood that I was at fault too and Maddox had his reasons for reacting the way he did," Mr Jonathan explained.

As Angelica's father was completing certain formalities, Lydia walked towards Maddox. She stood right in front of him, the metal bars between them.

"Maddox, I don't know whether what you did is right or wrong. I can't judge you my dear. But I only know that Miranda would hate to see you here today. No mother can bear to see her son behind bars. I know I'm not your mum, but I swear it pains me to see you like this. I know you are not the kind of guy to pick up fights. So please, don't allow people to turn you into what you are not," Lydia placed her hands over Maddox's fingers which were clasped around the metal bar but he immediately pulled his hand away, ignoring the tears in her eyes.

"Maddox, I know I can never take your mum's place in your heart or life, but at least I can be a friend to you, right? A best friend?" Lydia wished Maddox would answer her, but his silence clearly showed his rejection.

Maddox turned his face away without voicing out his thoughts. I lost my two best friends already. I do not need any more best friends.

After Maddox was released from the police station, the stepmom and stepson drove down to their house in complete silence. Although Lydia had a lot to say, she did not utter anything as she knew that Maddox resented each of her words. As for Maddox, he was wondering whether he felt more suffocated in that murky police cell or in this car with his stepmother for whom he could never make a place in his heart.

It was around seven in the evening when they reached their house. Evan was already there, sitting on an armchair in the veranda. As Maddox got down the car, Evan stood up and stared at him in such a way that froze the young guy's blood. He knew that his father would not spare him for what he has done.

"Just stop right there!" the furious man shouted as he lifted his hand, pointing towards where his son was standing. "You will not enter this house anymore! There is no place for a brute like you here!"

"Evan! Why are you reacting like this?" Lydia asked in a low tone trying to calm him down.

"Oh! So I'm the wrong one? Or he is? He has beaten up a man, and broken his nose! I don't want him here anymore!"

"Yes, he has broken someone's nose but you? All along your life, you have broken people's hearts!"

"Just shut up Lydia! Stop with your nonsense! I am just making it clear again that this guy will not step into my house again!"

"Your house? Excuse me, but I have to remind you that the house in which you are standing right now belongs to me. And Maddox has the right to stay in here!" Lydia retorted. "Come on Maddox, go to your room, you must be tired."

Maddox fought the urge to run away and leave everything behind. His father's words hurt him and he did not want to stay with him anymore. He also hated the fact that his stepmother whom he disliked was always doing him favours. He really wanted to leave their house. Yet, he was so exhausted that his legs were about to give in at any moment. He knew it was wiser for him to go and rest. He walked to the front door without even looking at his father and rushed inside the house right to his room and locked the door.

I wonder what mom would say if she was here today. I know she would feel really bad to hear what I've done.

Plunged into the darkness of his room, Maddox again welcomed memories of his mother, Miranda. Maddox recalled the days when he would be moody and would lock himself in his room at their old house. Miranda would then come and knock repeatedly, bringing him his favourite food to coax him.

Maddox's thoughts were interrupted as someone knocked at his door.

"Maddox! Please open the door. I have brought you dinner." Lydia's voice pierced through the door and Maddox could hear her clearly, but he chose to remain silent.

"Maddox, can you hear me? Are you asleep? Please eat your food first my dear. I have made some pasta the way you like it."

The idea of having his favourite pasta was tempting but Maddox did not want to face Lydia. He was about to reply and tell her he does not want to have dinner, but then he kept mum letting her believe he was asleep.

As soon as Lydia left, the events of the day were flashing back into Maddox's head. He attempted to discard them away but in vain. His stepmom's words flooded his mind.

"No mother can bear to see her son behind bars."
"Don't allow people to turn you into what you are not."

Maddox's head was aching as he remembered how Lydia stood against Evan for his sake. He was confused. He felt lonely. He lied down on his bed, staring at the ceiling, until the clock ticked ten.

Maddox then realised that refusing to eat dinner was not a good decision. He could not fall asleep due to the hunger pangs he was having. So, he decided to sneak out of his room into the kitchen hoping to find some leftover pasta.

As Maddox passed by Lydia and Evan's room, loud voices took grip of his steps. He stopped and listened. He knew that it was unethical to overhear other people's conversation but from what he heard, he knew that they were talking about him. He stood there only to hear things that would add up to his pain.

If only he walked away, he would have saved himself from the grief of overhearing more bitter truths.