Chapter 10 Hello My Name Is Maverick

• At Alenvista Residences in the old town, Maverick was sprawled in front of the security door holding several bags in his hands.
• “Sasha, it's Daddy. Can you please open the door for me?”
• “No, Mommy said Sasha shouldn't open the door for anyone.” Came the soft voice of the little girl from the old rented house.
• Maverick sighed. “Didn't you call me the night before yesterday? I know you care about me, so I came to see you today and brought you your favorite fried chicken, burger, and toys.”
• “Really?”
• Sasha's voice lit up at the mention of the fried chicken burger, but soon her face fell.
• “But... but Mommy said I shouldn't open the door casually. She also told me to call you. I didn't dare to call you as I'm scared you'll get angry and hit me again.”
• Through the crack of the security door, Maverick looked at her thin face, his eyes reddening.
• “Daddy, why aren't you saying anything?” Sasha asked.
• “I'm here. I'm not leaving. Since Mommy doesn't allow you to open the door for me, then I will stay here and wait for Mommy to come back,” Maverick said.
• “But there's nowhere to sit outside. Will you get tired?” Sasha pouted.
• “Of course not. I won't get tired standing here as long as I can see you, Sasha.”
• Maverick turned around, tears unknowingly flowing down his cheeks.
• Just then, the door to the unit across opened.
• An elderly lady in her seventies stepped out. She was Esther Warren, who lived across from them.
• She had heard Sasha's voice. Worried about the little girl being alone at home, she came out to check.
• She had always taken good care of Josephine and Sasha, sometimes even sending them some homemade delicacies. Maverick was very grateful to her.
• “Mdm. Warren,” Maverick called out.
• “What are you up to now?” Esther looked wary.
• Maverick never called her “Mdm. Warren” before. He always called her “old hag.” There were several times when he found Esther meddling too much and almost smashed her door.
• “I-I came back to see Sasha,” Maverick said awkwardly.
• “Josie isn't home, right? Are you trying to trick Sasha into opening the door for you again, then come in and steal money?”
• Esther was angry and pointed at Maverick. “Maverick, you're not getting any younger. Sasha is about to start kindergarten. Can't you give her and her mother a break for once? Josie earns less than four thousand a month, working herself to the bone. She's raising Sasha and helping you pay off your debts. She can barely afford to eat, let alone give you money to lose! Take a good look at yourself, then at others. Even if they aren't rolling in wealth, at least they're fully capable, working hard and striving to provide a better life for their wives and children. What about you? What have you been up to all these years? Josie is such a wonderful woman, and yet you've caused her to get hospitalized several times. Do you even have a shred of humanity left in you? And Sasha, she's just a child. What does she know? Why do you take it out on her every time you lose money? Do you know how much damage it will cause her? Do you know it will leave her with lifelong childhood trauma? Go out and find out if there's anyone else who's a father like you!”
• Previously, both Esther and her husband, Willard Stone were teachers. However, they didn't retire. Instead, they were dismissed due to certain circumstances.
• Years of professional discipline had made it difficult for her to tolerate Maverick.
• Therefore, even though she knew that Maverick didn't like to hear it, she had to say it.
• In the end, she was so upset that she couldn't help but raise her walking stick, ready to strike Maverick.
• This time, Maverick didn't dodge. He just stood there with a bitter expression on his face.
• But from inside the rented house came Sasha's cries.
• “Don't hit my daddy!”
• Esther paused in her actions, then set her walking stick back down again.
• “Even if you've sunk so low, Sasha still stands by you. Reflect on yourself and ask yourself if you treated them well,” Esther said, turning to go back home.
• “Mdm. Warren!”
• Maverick pulled out one thousand and said, “This is the one thousand I owe you. Additionally, here are some canned goods and milk for you and Mr. Stone. I hope you won't find it inadequate.”
• Seeing the money in Maverick's hands, Esther couldn't believe it.
• Ever since Maverick got addicted to gambling, Esther never thought about asking for the one thousand back.
• By this point, four years had already passed, yet Maverick had never once considered returning the money. In fact, he'd even schemed several times to borrow more, but Esther had always refused him.
• Why the sudden change?
• Esther couldn't be bothered to ask more questions. She snorted and said, “I have money. If you really have a conscience, let Josie keep this money for you. As for these canned goods and milk, I don't want them. Give them to Sasha so she can get more nutrition. This child has never been chubby!”
• “Mdm. Warren!”
• Startled, Esther watched as Maverick suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud.
• “A man should have dignity and not kneel. What do you think you're doing? Let me tell you, I've seen through your tricks over the years. Even if you pull this stunt, I won't lend you money anymore!”
• “Mdm. Warren, a few years ago, I let myself go and acted like a beast. Thankfully, you and Mr. Stone were there to take care of Josie and Sasha. I will never forget this.”
• Maverick said solemnly, “I know you may not believe what I say, but I swear I won't be like before. I'll treat Josephine and Sasha well, and I'll treat you and Mr. Stone like my own grandparents!”
• Over the years, besides his parents and in-laws, Esther and her husband were the ones who had been kindest to Josephine and Sasha.
• After his realization, Maverick came to understand just how wonderful the elderly couple was.
• Though not related by blood, their bond was stronger than any blood tie.
• They were truly worthy of Maverick's respect.
• “You...”
• Seeing that Maverick didn't seem to be pretending, Esther hurriedly helped him up.
• “In repentance there is salvation.”
• Esther's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she patted off the dust from Maverick's knee.
• “You're only thirty years old. You still have a bright future ahead of you. If you can really understand it, it's not too late to change now. I'm happy for you.”
• In the end, Esther couldn't resist Maverick's persistence. She kept the one thousand and the things Maverick brought for her.
• At the same time, Maverick declined to wait at Esther's house for Josephine and decided to have a longer conversation with Sasha.
• Maverick and Sasha spent half an hour chatting to each other.
• Maverick told stories to Sasha, occasionally teasing her, making the little girl giggle with joy.
• Though Esther had gone back home, she stayed hidden behind the door, listening carefully.
• In the end, she realized that Maverick seemed truly different from before.
• In the hallway, the sound of footsteps echoed.
• The first thing Maverick saw were those high heels, so familiar that they couldn't be any more recognizable.
• Since their marriage, it seemed as though Josephine had not purchased any high heels.
• She used to be a woman who loved high heels!
• “What brought you here?”
• Josephine's cold voice interrupted Maverick's thoughts.
• “Ah...” Maverick let out a sigh, then smiled at Josephine.
• “Hello, my name is Maverick Lane.”