Ignoring Jennie's words, Tyrone sat on the couch, keeping her on his lap, and gave her two more taps on her bottom.

Jennie was shocked and burst into tears. "Tyrone..." It wasn't just the pain but feeling unfairly treated.

"Do you understand what you did wrong? Promise you won't bolt off like that again?" Tyrone's voice was serious.

“I... I didn't bolt..." Jennie tried to defend herself but Tyrone's response was two more solid pats.

Biting her lip, she confessed, "Okay, I get it now."

“Promise you won't pull this stunt again?"

“Nope, that won't happen."

Sitting her next to him on the sofa, Tyrone looked her dead in the eye. “Now spill it. What's the deal with your uncle picking you up?"

Jennie pouted. "Not my uncle."

Tyrone raised an eyebrow. “Then who?"

“My grandpa."

"Your grandpa?" Tyrone froze. Could it be Keilani's father? Did he come to Mathias?

"Yep." Jennie nodded.

"Did you even know your grandpa before?" Tyrone frowned.

"No."

"So, how did you figure it was him and not some random stranger?"

"I... I guessed." Jennie shot Tyrone a glance, betraying a flicker of guilt.

“You've got guts, going off with a stranger! Weren't you scared he'd whisk you away somewhere?" Tyrone tried to sound annoyed but ended up laughing sulkily as he tried to playfully spank Jennie, only for her to slip away like an eel.

“Listen up, Tyrone, I wasn't just guessing. I saw him at the mall yesterday..." Jennie quickly recounted her run-in with Kaleb at the mall the day before.

"So what? Lots of parents hurt their kids, let alone a grandpa you've never met. Just because you share blood doesn't mean he won't harm you. What if he keeps you there and refuses to send you back? What if he takes out his anger on you? And even if you are sure you are safe around him, you should've told me. We were freaking out, me and Sabrina. Not to mention your kindergarten crew, waiting for dinner until you call."