Page 111 of My Damaged Protector

Not as much as I've missed her.

“I know, honey. It's so good to see you,” I respond, kissing her all over. She's giggling and it makes my heart swell with joy.

She's my best gift yet, so innocent and lively. I just hope she'll be understanding of our new situation.

“Can an old woman get some love around here, too?” my aunt says as she walks toward us. I laugh, and Olivia releases me so I can hug my aunt.

She attempts to twirl me when I'm in her hold but the only thing she manages to get out is a groan of displeasure, and we laugh at her.

“Damn. It was just yesterday when I used to carry you on my shoulder, and now I can't even lift you,” she grumbles.

Chuckling, I kiss her cheek. “It's good to see you too, Sheila,” I say in a teasing tone.

She huffs and waves off. “Let's go see this new house of yours before one of your neighbors reports a noise disturbance.”

She's probably right.

I follow her, my hand around Olivia who's clinging onto me.

Damn, she's missed me that much?

We haven't seen each other since last summer. She did come to visit during her last holiday break, but I was in the middle of a new project, so I just asked that Sheila take her in. We never once got to see each other before she left. Thinking about that makes me feel terrible.

I'm going to do better with her in the future.

I take them both inside and give them a tour of the house. Neither of them say a word throughout the tour, and I have no choice but to ask them what they think when we finally make it back into the living room.

“It's a beautiful space. The neighborhood looks beautiful, too,” my aunt says with a smile, but I can tell she's still not totally on board with this.

I turn to face Olivia. She has a neutral look on her face.

“It's a good one, I guess. I don't know why we need a new house, though. We have yours and Auntie's in Glazer Ville. Why do we need this one, especially when it's so far away? It's cool for vacation though,” she finishes with a nonchalant shrug.

My aunt gives me a look when Olivia is done talking. I more than anything want to delay this talk, but it's inevitable and it's probably best to have it now that Auntie's still here to help reason with her.

She tends to listen to her more, and she's leaving tomorrow at noon.

“Olivia, honey, why don't we all sit down?” I say and she instantly has her brow raised. Her suspicion is aroused.

“What's going on?” she asks.

Sighing, I bite on my lower lip in worry. Maybe I can delay telling her?

“Mom. Just tell me what's going on. Are you and Auntie relocating here?”

“Let's sit down first,” I say again.

“No. Tell me right now.”

There's that ugly stubbornness she inherited from her father. It scares me so much when I see his traits in her. I don't want her to be anything like him, and I know she won't. Especially now that I'm going to be raising her myself. If it's the last thing I do, I'll make sure both my children turn out right.

“Go sit right this minute, Olivia,” I demand, refusing to bend to her will.

She remains standing, her face set in a determined expression. I'm not about to back down either. And then she sighs and bites her lower lip, the only thing she takes from me apart from her eyes, and I crumble. So does she.

“Just tell me. Please.”

Fine.

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