Chapter 4

Our eyes glued to the roof to floor window from where we could see the garden and garage of the house clearly, the similar black car drove inside, and Uncle Walter came out of it.

He was the in charge of looking out the matters in Hughes House, and direct in contact with Grandma. I narrowed my eyes to catch the panic on her face, she was biting her lips, and I had to purse my lips to hide the smile, it was hard to keep my face straight.

I knew a small child could never go that far alone until he had been pushed to do that. She got this by herself.

"Madam!" he bowed his head to me showing respect, his tone soft and caring, however, when his gaze switched to Rosie, his face twisted and when he talked left no space for argument.

"I have brought the order of Old Madam, that you should be taught how children need to be controlled" my interest perked up, Grandma always came up with new ideas when it was about teaching.

"What do you mean Uncle Walter?" she stuttered in fear.

"Please come out, you are to kneel until Old Madam's decide to end the punishment" my eyes widened and I turned to look out of the window, it was snowing today and kneeling outside would freeze her. She wasn't cooperating despite being called twice by Uncle Walter, in end she was dragged forcefully and knelt on the ground covered in snow.

I followed them out and called him. He stopped me, assuming I was about to favor her but that wasn't my intention. I had nothing to do with her, instead how she had been using her kid to ruin my things, I thought she deserved it and I felt a wave of calm rush down in my body when I saw her shrinking from cold but couldn't stand up. Defying Grandma's order would not be good for her, and I doubted that Joshua would be able to keep her safe if she did that.

Uncle Walter was busy keeping eyes on her and informing Grandma that her order had been applied, however, I was looking forward to hearing about her health so that I could inform her about mine and Joshua's divorce.

I sighed, although, by time, financial matters of Hughes family were now being handled by Joshua, however, Grandma ensured that the Hughes House still held the power and authority to make the final decision, which meant I had to inform her of my decision.

I was going back to my room; Aunty Molly was cleaning up the lounge when she called me seeing coming back inside.

"What should I do about this painting?" she was hesitating, I glanced at the painting with straight face. I was glad I never kept the original art piece by Grandpa here and sent it to my friend's Art Museum, where it received the applause and recognition it deserved. However, I had to get its replica to avoid questions of Hughes House.

"Leave it, Uncle Walter knew better what should be done. He will eventually get it picked; you can clean the rest" she nodded her head and resumed the cleaning.

"Uncle Joshua is coming home" I was about to enter my room when Jeremy's loud voice stopped me, and I was forced to spin on my heels to look at him.

"I have informed him what you did and he is coming home. You wait; he will punish and then leave you for what you did with my mom" I chuckled. This kid was amusing me every time we were face to face.

Poor Jeremy! He badly wanted me to get out of Joshua's life.

"You want to try pushing him to leave me, go ahead." At this point Joshua had left with no importance in my life. He had lost all respect. However, no matter how badly he wanted to have Rosie in his life instead of me, this wasn't the time, he couldn't rush for it, and he couldn't divorce me either because that would mean, his widowed sister-in-law was living with him alone under the same roof. People would mock them and he would be fine if it would directed just him, but having a word on his love wouldn't be acceptable to him.

I heard Joshua's car horn shortly; he indeed was quick to save his love. I picked the box and left to greet him. Though I didn't have a minor interest in watching him taking care of her, but my heart had already hardened, so without any hesitation, I was on staircase when I overheard him talking with Rosie.

She was blaming me for guiding and persuading Jeremy to destroy the painting and causing this scene, as if I had already planned everything. I rolled my eyes at her fake tears; however, I wouldn't deny that I was interested to hear what he said to her.

"You are mistaken Rosie, Scarlet is the kindest person I have ever met, and she would never play tricks on a child. Moreover, she would never lie about Grandpa, she was close to him in his last days, and Grandpa liked her a lot for her soft and polite nature."

Rosie didn't like his admiring for her and cried louder, I scrunched my nose at the noise.

"You have changed Joshua" she accused him and I tilted my head, for a second I thought to go ahead and interrupt them, but Joshua's word halted me.

"I haven't changed a bit"

"So, you're saying you haven't consummated your marriage?" I gulped; I wasn't expecting her to be so daring to ask him directly.

"I haven't touched her" Joshua's hesitating voice reached to my ears, why was he hesitating? Wasn't he waiting for this day to assure his love that he had never made any love with me. Anyways I was losing patience hence walked over and distracted his attention from her to mine.

"Joshua, Grandma Ella has called and invited us for dinner, can you make it?" Grandma Ella had good terms and relation with my parents. After their death she took me in and raised. The White Family and the Hughes were a good business partner for long now.

"Sure, I will pick you up" I didn't know if it was another compensation he wanted to make, that he instantly agreed. I didn't pester and extended a box towards him. His eyes held question.

"Your birthday gift. Originally it was meant to be our wedding anniversary gift, but since you were busy and I didn't get time to give it to you, I think your birthday is near, so its better to call it a birthday gift." I sighed in end, he lowered his head, I doubt if it was due to any shame.

"I'm sorry I was busy with work" I smiled, I knew now what work it was.

"That's okay" I looked at watch; I was going to meet Phoebe.

"I am heading to meet the friend" I handed over box to him and turned to leave when his words caught me.

"I'll compensate" I smirked and jerked my head.

"Sure, I'll be waiting" I muttered under my breath and left them alone to deal with their problems.