Dennis hung his head, shaking it. “No, Grandpa, I'm not mad at you."

Dennis had been spoiled all his life. The worst thing he'd ever experienced was Kevin smacking his palm until it turned red and puffy. Of course he was upset.

Kevin's voice was gentle. "If you're not angry, let Grandpa see your hand."

Dennis glanced up, hesitated, and then slowly offered his left palm.

Kevin took it, turning the small hand over in his own. It had been a couple of days, so the swelling had gone down a lot. The redness was mostly gone, but you could still see faint marks from the ruler.

"Does it still hurt?" Kevin asked.

Dennis shook his head, speaking so quietly it was almost a whisper. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

Kevin looked right at him. "That's not true. You always cry when you get the tiniest scrape. There's no way this doesn't hurt. Grandpa wants you to tell the truth, not fib."

Dennis's eyes darted nervously. "...It hurts. A little."

Kevin nodded. “Dennis, I know you're upset. And... Grandpa needs to apologize. I shouldn't have acted like that the other day. I shouldn't have hit you. I was wrong. Will you forgive me? Grandpa really hopes you will."

Dennis's eyes widened, pure shock on his face. “Grandpa...”

Growing up in the Lane family, respecting elders was pretty much the first rule he'd learned. He'd never even imagined his great-grandpa would ever say sorry to him.

Kevin gave him a soft smile. "Don't worry. Take your time. Think about whether you want to forgive Grandpa. For now, let's put some ointment on that hand, okay?"

Still a little stunned, Dennis let Kevin take off his backpack and guide him to the couch.

He watched as Kevin accepted a jar of ointment from a maid. Those old hands trembled a little as he scooped out a generous amount and gently rubbed it into Dennis's palm.

Dennis watched in silence, his eyes gradually turning red, his right hand clutching the sofa cushion.

Kids have a hard time hiding their feelings, and their tears are even harder to hide.

Kevin heard the softest sniffling and looked up. He sighed. "Why are you crying now? Did I hurt you?"

Dennis shook his head, eyes watery. "Grandpa..."

"I'm right here."

Dennis's lips wobbled as he started to cry, wiping his face with the back of his hand.

Kevin finished rubbing in the ointment and cleaned his fingers with a tissue. He looked at Dennis, warm and gentle. "You felt wronged, didn't you?"

Dennis nodded hard. "You were so mean that day, Grandpa. I was really scared.” "I know I was wrong."

Dennis sniffled. "You didn't just yell at me. You hit me too. I felt so sad..."

Kevin nodded. "I'll do better from now on."

This boy was the only great-grandson in the Lane family's main branch.

Dennis cried even harder. “And you... you wouldn't... you wouldn't help me....” His voice got smaller and smaller.

He rubbed at his eyes and snuck a cautious look at Kevin, worried he'd get mad again just because Dennis mentioned his mom.

Kevin's face stayed calm. Not even a trace of anger.

Dennis's eyes flickered. Gathering his courage, he said, "I'm not really mad, I just.....

I just really miss Mom. That's why... I acted like that..."

Still, Kevin didn't look angry. He only reached over and gently ruffled Dennis's hair. "I know."

Dennis blinked, completely taken aback.

He knows? What did that even mean? Before, just mentioning his mom would make Grandpa furious and send him for the ruler.

Everything felt different now.

Dennis bit his lip. "Grandpa, you're really not angry I said that?"

Kevin looked at him with those deep, old eyes and spoke softly. "It was Grandpa's fault for not thinking things through. That's why

everything's been so hard for you. It was my mistake

Dennis forgot to cry. He clapped a hand over his mouth, staring at Kevin in disbelief.

Kevin still had his hand on Dennis's

head, eyes lowered like he was thinking about something important. After a few quiet seconds, he looked up again There was a new resolve in his eyes, a decision Dennis couldn't quite read.

Dennis's eyes were bright with tears, his thick lashes stuck together. He looked almost angelic.

He was the only great-grandson in

the Lane Estate. What was the harm in spoiling him a little more? Being loved too much wasn't really a problem. And even if it was, the Lane family would always be there for him.

sŵnovels

swnl

Kevin heard himself say, clear and steady, “Dennis, do you miss your mom that much?"

Dennis nodded hard. "I do, Grandpa. I really, really miss her."

Kevin's voice was gentle. "I don't want you to be disappointed. I don't want you to

feel distant from me, either. So..."

Dennis just looked at him, confused.

Kevin gave a little smile. “Grandpa's decided to help your mom. How does that sound?"

It took Dennis a few seconds to process what he'd just heard.

Then, his eyes went huge. He jumped off the couch with a little yelp, his face full of disbelief. "Grandpa!"

Kevin chuckled softly. "I'm right here.”

“Grandpa!” Dennis cheered, throwing his arms around Kevin and squeezing him in a tight hug.

"Thank you, Grandpa!"

He was so happy, his whole face lit up, bouncing even as he stayed wrapped in Kevin's arms.

Kevin couldn't help but laugh too, his heart light. "You don't need to thank me."

Dennis was so excited he didn't know what to do next. He wriggled out of the hug and started running and skipping around the living room.

Kevin watched him, amused. "Careful. Don't trip."

Dennis raced back, eyes shining. “Grandpa, does this mean I'll get to see Mom soon?"

Kevin folded his hands behind his back, voice steady but honest. “Dennis, Grandpa can't make any promises. I don't know if I can make it happen, but I promise I'll try my very best."