Chapter 532
Despite what he said, Tessa still insisted on reminding him to watch out for himself. "You need to remember to protect yourself first," she said gently. He nodded quietly. After leaving the hospital, Timothy returned to the office while Tessa brought Gregory home. While they were on the way back, Gregory clung to Tessa while mumbling to her. "Your grandmother is a fierce and bad person, Aunt Tessa. I don't like her," he mumbled.
When she saw the young boy standing up for her, she recalled how he had tried to protect her while they were in the hospital ward. A warm feeling spread across her chest. She tapped Gregory on his nose while giggling. "I know, right? She used to bully me so badly."
Gregory felt sorry for her when he heard what she said. "Don't worry, Aunt Tessa. Daddy and I will always protect you from now on." He raised his tiny head up while staring at her with a sincere look in his eyes. When she saw the young boy looking at her so earnestly, she felt tears welling up in her eyes for some reason. She had to blink back the tears in order to stop herself from crying.
"Okay. You can protect me once you're all grown up, Gregory." She lowered her head to plant a kiss on the young boy's forehead. He ran his fingers across the spot she had kissed before spreading his lips into a wide grin. Later that night, Nicholas got off work and returned home just a while after Gregory and Tessa reached home. However, he wasn't alone—Kieran was following closely behind him. Both of them walked over with their backs turned against the light, which sharpened their features and made them look especially attractive.
"Daddy! Uncle Kieran!" Gregory let out an excited cry when he saw them. Nicholas nodded before he laid his gentle gaze on Tessa. "You're back," she said with a sweet smile. She didn't forget to greet Kieran as well. "It's been a while, Young Master Kieran."
To her surprise, Kieran shot her a rather annoyed gaze when he heard her words. "You can just call me by my name. Only outsiders call me Young Master Kieran."
She froze for a moment as she hadn't expected him to make a comment about her being a part of the family, and her face turned slightly warm. Then, she nodded in acknowledgment of his words.
The few of them chatted for a while more before Nicholas let out a light cough. He shot a glance in his brother's direction. Kieran immediately understood what Nicholas meant, so he stood up and excused himself. "It’s getting late, Tessa. I'll have to bring Gregory back to his grandmother's."
Tessa eyed Nicholas puzzledly. "Isn't Gregory joining us for dinner tonight?" Even Gregory pouted to show his dissatisfaction. "You’re evil, Daddy. You're taking me away again! You're going to have Aunt Tessa all to yourself. I'm not leaving!" The young boy clung to Tessa's arm as he spoke.
Nicholas wasn't surprised by the boy’s reaction—he had already expected the boy to make a fuss. So, he shot Kieran another glance, and he responded with an okay' signal before edging closer to the young boy. "Don't come near me, Uncle Kieran. I'm not going to go with you." Gregory edged closer to Tessa as he spoke.
Kieran began to address the boy in a soft tone. "I'm not bringing you anywhere, Gregory. I just want to talk to you for a while." He bent down and whispered something into Gregory's ear after that. When Kieran stood up again, Gregory’s face had a conflicted look. Soon enough, the young boy came to a shocking decision.
"Fine. I’ll have dinner with Uncle Kieran tonight. I won't stay with Aunt Tessa anymore," Gregory mumbled. Then, he let go of Tessa before obediently shifting and standing next to Kieran.
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