Mr Bodyguard, Protect Your Heart!
Chapter 118: HELLO GRANDMA

Chapter 118: HELLO GRANDMA

But then I wouldn’t have been able to hear you bragging in such a good mood, would I?"

Hearing Senior Sterling say that, Dante froze for a moment. His shoulders stiffened slightly before a shy smile crept onto his face. He pursed his lips, trying to suppress the wide grin threatening to form, and rubbed the back of his neck. His gaze shifted to Senior Sterling as he muttered, "So, you heard that, Grandpa?"

At that moment, Dante felt a tinge of embarrassment. He had been boasting to Calix with so much pride, and now, knowing that his grandfather had overheard everything, a warm but awkward feeling settled in his chest.

Senior Sterling, noticing Dante’s reaction, let out a hearty chuckle. He nodded his head in confirmation, his aged yet sharp eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yes, yes, I did," he replied, his voice laced with warmth.

Then, Senior Sterling looked ahead. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he gave a slow nod. "And I am happy."

Turning back to Dante, his gaze softened, holding a quiet kind of pride. "Dante, you remember what you promised me, don’t you? That you would always protect Dove and Gavriel from harm?"

Dante’s expression turned serious. He met his grandfather’s gaze, nodding firmly. "Yes, Grandpa. And even if I hadn’t promised you, I would have done it anyway. After all, my life now belongs to them."

Hearing those words, Senior Sterling finally nodded in satisfaction. A weight seemed to lift off his shoulders. If there was only one thing he wished for before he left this world, it was to know that his granddaughter would have someone to stand by her side.

Dove was strong—stronger than most gave her credit for. Fierce, independent, and capable of showing the world she could handle everything on her own.

But deep down, Senior Sterling knew that strength could sometimes be a mask. And Dove, she herself was also still child. Forced to grow quickly under different circumstances. She, too, needed someone to lean on, someone to love and cherish her.

And knowing that Dante had vowed to be that person reassured him in a way nothing else could.

With that, Senior Sterling let out a deep breath and smiled.

--

Meanwhile, inside the mansion...

KNOCK! KNOCK!

The soft yet persistent knocking echoed through the hallway.

After a few moments, Freya opened her door, only to see... nothing.

She blinked, momentarily puzzled, and was about to close the door when she instinctively glanced downward.

And there he was.

Standing right in front of her, blinking up at her with wide, innocent eyes, was a small figure.

Gavriel.

Well, she couldn’t be blamed for not noticing him at first. The little boy was so small that he barely reached her waist. And besides, she hadn’t expected anyone—least of all him—to come knocking at her door this late in the evening.

For a moment, she just stared at him, surprised. "You?" she finally asked, her voice softer than usual.

Gavi’s face lit up with a grin. "Good evening, Grandma!"

Freya blinked again, still trying to process his presence. "G-Good evening," she replied, the words slipping out almost automatically.

Before she could say anything else, Gavi continued, "How are you doing? Oh, but first, can I come in?"

Freya, still slightly taken aback, hesitated for only a second before stepping aside. "Sure."

She watched as the little boy walked inside, his small hands clutching what looked like a book.

Curious, she noted the object but didn’t ask about it immediately. Instead, she quietly closed the door behind him and turned to face him.

Gavi wasted no time making himself comfortable. Without needing an invitation, he climbed onto the couch, settling in as if he belonged there.

Freya observed him for a moment before moving to sit opposite him. Her eyes studied him with mild curiosity.

"Do you have something to tell me, Gavi?" she asked.

Gavi shook his head. "No, Grandma. I just came to see you."

Freya felt a slight jolt of surprise at his words.

Came to see me?

Gavi nodded innocently and continued,

"Ever since we arrived, I haven’t had much time to spend with you. I only see you at the breakfast table and sometimes during dinner. We haven’t had the chance to bond properly. So, here I am."

Freya was genuinely taken aback. This little boy had come to her simply because he wanted to spend time with her?

Something in her chest tightened. Long long had it been that someone has come looking for her, except for her own son sometimes?

She had thought that the strained history between her and Dove would extend to Gavi as well. That perhaps, even unknowingly, Dove would keep her son distant from her. But here he was, completely of his own will, wanting to connect.

Before she knew it, she voiced the thought lingering in her mind.

"But wouldn’t your mom scold you?"

She hadn’t meant to say it out loud—it had been more of an inner thought.

Gavi blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Why would Momma scold me?"

He looked at her curiously, then continued, "Because I came to see you at this time? But I already asked Momma for permission."

Freya blinked again. "Permission?"

Gavi nodded earnestly. "Yes, Grandma. I told Momma that I hadn’t had enough time to bond with you properly, and she told me I could come visit you now. She said I can come talk to you before bed."

Freya could hardly believe what she was hearing.

It seemed Dove had truly let go of whatever resentment or distance had once been between them.

At first, Freya had assumed Dove was merely being polite—keeping things for the sake of appearances. But now, it was clear.

Dove wasn’t just tolerating her presence.

She was allowing her son to love her freely.

A warm feeling settled in Freya’s chest.

And it was right. Because Dove did not want her son to grow up in a familial enviornment where the elders did not have good relationship among themselves.

She wanted Gavi to grow up among loved ones. And for that, she was willing to let go many things.

A small smile formed on Freya’s lips.

Gavi’s eyebrows then lifted slightly as if he suddenly remembered something. With a quick movement, he stretched out his small hand, offering her a piece of paper.

"Grandma, this is for you," he said brightly.

"Huh?" Freya instinctively took the paper, her curiosity piqued.

When she looked down, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

She glanced back at Gavi. "You drew this?"

Gavi pursed his lips before nodding eagerly. "Yes, Grandma! It’s a bouquet of flowers I drew for you. I’m still small, so this is the best I could bring you myself. I hope you like it. And I also made one for Great Grandpa! He liked it too!" he added happily.

Freya looked at the drawing—a colorful bouquet of different flowers. At the bottom, written in a child’s handwriting, were the words:

[For Grandma]

She was surprised that such a young child had made something so thoughtful.

Looking back at Gavi, she smiled, her voice softer than before. "This is beautiful. You’re very talented. I like it very much."

Hearing that, Gavi beamed, his happiness radiating through the room.

And for the first time in a long while, Freya felt something she hadn’t felt in years.

A deep, genuine warmth.