Invisible to My First Love (Harper and Maddox) novel Chapter 30

Maddox 

After a meal, Uncle Sebastian and I were finally able to be alone in the study on the second floor, away from the overlapping chatter, cheers and loud music. 

“Well, check out this place,” he said as soon as he walked in. 

“I thought it was time to make a few changes,” I said, closing the door behind me. “What do think?” 

“9/10.” 

“What? Why not 10/10?” 

you 

Reaching for a book from one of the shelves, he said, “You shouldn’t have gotten rid of that black table. You know I loved it.” 

“But this brown one is an upgrade.” I leaned against it. 

He nodded in agreement, then suddenly coughed. 

“Are you okay?” I asked. 

He sighed with relief. “I’m fine, but for a moment there, I thought the poison from Margot’s cake was starting to take effect.” 

I chuckled. “I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt that way about it.” 

“Come on. Just think about it, had that been the case we were all going to die along with her.” 

“Had I known that she would actually be the one to make it, I would have never agreed to it. Kate made sure to leave out that information.” 

“So, that’s Kate,” he said. “I saw you constantly ignoring her. It didn’t really seem like she was your date.” 

“She was, until you arrived.” 

While that was mostly true, it was also because I had given up on trying to paint a certain picture in front of Harper. 

He chuckled, his gaze now thoughtful as he flipped through the pages and came across my mother’s picture. 

“Happy birthday. Had my sister been alive today, she’d be so proud, just like your father is.” 

I scoffed. “Yeah, and what a way to show it by giving me that present.” 

He closed the book and gently set it on the table. “Come on, you know he’s trying. That’s why you two had that conversation when you played golf with him a few weeks ago.” 

I sighed. “You’re right.” 

“Who knew your father had it in him to do such a thing? That’s really a good start.” 

“Yes, but don’t tell him that.” My eyes widened a little. 

He raised his eyebrows. “Scared I might end up exposing the fact that I know something I shouldn’t?” 

“It’s just…” I trailed off at the sound of overlapping heels and voices in the hallway. 

I couldn’t make out who it was at first until they were close enough. It was Harper and her friends. My forehead creased when I learned that Margot had slapped her and planned to throw the three of them out. It wasn’t her party and I wasn’t about to let that happen. 

My uncle leaned forward as I began to type a message to the head of security so they wouldn’t obey Margot’s orders. I even included three names in the message. 

“Is that the same Harper you told me about a few weeks ago?” he asked quietly, reading the name from the message. 

I nodded, then paid attention to the conversation the three of them were having. 

They began to analyse the artwork, Ella and Zoey’s version of what they could see cracking me up and my uncle. 

It was all quite amusing until Harper focused on the lone child painting. I tightened the grip on the phone in my hand as I closed my eyes to listen to my racing heart while she broke it down for them. 

Her friends burst into laughter, but I wasn’t laughing anymore. 

My uncle and I stood in silence until their voices faded the further they got away so they could get back to the party. 

“You okay?” he asked. 

I clenched my jaw as I faced the floor. “Harper’s been right before and she’s not far from the truth this time.” 

“And you hate it.” He chuckled softly, placing his hand on my shoulder. “It was because you let me watch you paint a few years after you came to live with me that I got to understand you and everything you could never express with words. You could’ve shut me out if you wanted to, but you let me in. I’m not going to tell you how to live your life, but having someone else see the other side of you that others don’t? It doesn’t happen everyday.” 

He was right, but that didn’t make it easier. 

As I told him what else Harper had been right about, we were interrupted when a pair of heels in the hallway clicked against the floor until they stopped just outside the study. The door creaked open and my father poked his head in first, which was quite the surprise and right after he stepped in, Margot followed behind him and closed the door. 

“You’re still in the study?” Margot faked a laugh. “What could you two be talking about that takes so long?” 

Uncle Sebastian narrowed his eyes dramatically, pushing himself off the table. “Hmm… let’s see, this party, the presents, the guests, the future and oh, the poison.” 

I held in my laugh. 

“Poison?” Margot’s eyes widened. 

“Trust me, you’re the one person who’s definitely safe,” he assured her. 

I held in my laugh again, glancing at my father who just eyed me suspiciously. 

“I just wanted to see you before we leave,” he said, stepping forward. “I know I say this a lot, but I mean it. I’m proud of you.” 

She placed a hand on her stomach as she burst into laughter. “Come on. You know it was that delicious and eye–catching. Give me some credit,” 

She scoffed. “Happy birthday. If only Racheal could see-” 

She flinched but quickly composed herself with a scowl. “What? You think she’s watching over you right now? I’m the one who’s always been here. You can try to push me away all you want, but I’m here to stay. It’s not like you haven’t known that for years.” 

“Is that why you’re still trying so hard? Going as far as deciding who gets to be thrown out of my party? That’s right, I heard about it. I dare you to try that with security and see if they’ll listen to you. The people in my life only get to acknowledge you if I do it first.” 

My father didn’t even get the chance to get close enough, but he gave me a small smile. “I’ll see you in your new office.” 

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