Evelyn’s eyes beamed with curiosity and worry. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear it... afraid the truth might change how she saw him.
However, her mouth betrayed her as she softly asked, "Yes, what is it?"
"My grandfather was the only person who believed in me when no one else did."
Axel’s voice dropped lower, rougher.
"When I started the company, my father laughed in my face. My mother told me to quit before I embarrassed the family. But my grandfather... he was the one who invested the first dollar I ever earned."
Evelyn’s expression softened. "He sounds like a good man."
"He is," Axel said with a slight nod. "And he wants to meet the woman who made me... not hate the world so much."
For a moment, she couldn’t find her voice. She didn’t know the whole story of his past, or how much loneliness he’d carried before meeting her. But hearing the quiet ache behind his words made her chest tighten.
Without thinking, she reached out and placed her hand gently on his arm.
"Axel, I’m glad you told me." She smiles.
He glanced at her, his expression softening. Then, without a word, he took her hand and laid it on his lap, holding it there.
The car hummed quietly as they drove on, saying not a word.
It feels like the world outside is blurred into streaks of fading light.
Then Axel reached out and cupped her face, brushing his thumb over her cheek.
"Do you feel better now that I’ve told you about my family?"
Evelyn nodded slowly, even though she still didn’t get what she wanted to hear: Why the Walters and the Knights despised each other.
A faint smile curved his lips before he dropped another shocking news, "Eve, my grandmother already threatened to show up at our house if I keep delaying it."
Evelyn was utterly surprised. "Wait... what? She’s coming? W-When?"
The thought of a Knight stepping into their home sent a nervous flutter straight through her stomach.
Axel laughed at her expression.
"No. Not if we go to their house to meet them first. Don’t worry too much. I’ll handle it." He smiles to try to ease her worry.
She sighed in relief. "I’m sorry if I seem shocked. I need some emotional preparation before hosting your family, so I’m not ready yet."
"I know."
...
The golden lights of The Valley shimmered in the distance, and Evelyn finally felt her nerves loosen.
She’d been out all day, and her thoughts kept circling back to one thing: her son.
By the time they pulled into the driveway, the sun had dipped low behind the hills. The house glowed warm and alive against the twilight.
Before Evelyn could unbuckle her seatbelt, the front door burst open.
"Mom! Dad!"
Oliver’s voice rang out like a bit of trumpet as he sprinted across the yard, his tiny shoes slapping the pavement.
Evelyn barely had time to step out before her son collided with her legs, hugging her tight.
She laughed, scooping him up. "Whoa, slow down, sweetheart."
He wrapped his small arms around her neck, pouting dramatically. "Mommy... why were you gone so long?"
"Really? But, I wasn’t gone that long..." she said, smiling as she carried him toward the main door.
"Yes, you were, Mom." He blinked. "Mom, Jimmy said I should take my nap, but I told him, ’No! Mom and Dad are coming home and I’m gonna wait for them!’"
Axel walked up beside them, his expression softening.
"Guess someone really missed us, huh?" Axel teased.
"I didn’t miss you, Dad," Oliver said quickly, though his grin betrayed him. "Just Mommy."
Axel smirked.
"Oh, no... I feel sad now," he said as he put on a pouting face while smiling.
Then, he lifted Oliver from Evelyn’s arms and hoisted him onto his shoulders.
Oliver giggled, looking proud as he successfully teased his father.
Then, he’s clutching his father’s head for balance. "Dad, did Mommy tell you? Next week’s my birthday!"
Evelyn laughed before answering him, "Of course he knows, sweetheart. We’ve been planning something special."
"Something super special," Axel added. "And don’t tell your mom, but I might’ve gotten you something cooler than she did."
Evelyn arched a brow. "Oh, really? We’ll see about that, Mr. Knight."
Oliver looked between them, eyes sparkling. "Are you two fighting again?"
"Fighting?" Axel grinned. "I wouldn’t dare."
His tone made Oliver giggle again, and Evelyn shook her head, trying not to smile.
...
Later that evening, after dinner, Evelyn stayed with Oliver in his room.
They sat on his bed, surrounded by half-open picture books.
She read to him until his eyelids started to droop, but every time she paused, he’d perk up again.
"One more, Mommy," he pleaded, holding up a book about trucks.
"You’ve said ’one more’ five times already," she teased, laughing softly.
"But this one’s my favorite," he said, his voice slow and sleepy.
Evelyn took the book, glancing toward the door where Axel stood leaning against the frame.
He’d been hovering for the last fifteen minutes, pretending to check on them, but she knew better; he wanted her to return to their bedroom.
"Still reading?" Axel asked, crossing his arms.
Evelyn smiled. "Let him win tonight."
Axel grinned and shook his head, stepping back quietly as she started the story.
By the time she reached the last page, Oliver’s eyes were half-closed. She set the book aside and stroked his hair.
"Are you that worried I’ll be busy again tomorrow?" she asked gently.
"Hmm... I like it when you’re home. But I’m scared you’ll go to work like Daddy. I can’t follow you to your office."
Her heart squeezed. She wanted to take him everywhere, but she couldn’t risk it.
Not when people still recognized her as the fallen heiress, Evelyn Walters. To the world, she wasn’t Mrs. Knight. Not yet.
"That’s why you made me read all those books?" she asked softly.
Oliver nodded weakly.
She smiled and brushed his bangs away from his forehead.
"Sweetheart, I promise I won’t be gone for too long next time."
"Promise?"
"Promise," She smiled before continuing. "But tomorrow and the next few days are gonna be busy since I’m planning your birthday and taking care of some family stuff. So, you need to spend some time with Jimmy, okay?"
He frowned. "Family stuff?"
"Yes, family stuff," she said, kissing his temple. "But I’ll be back before you even notice I’m gone."
That seemed to satisfy him, at least until he blinked awake again, eyes suddenly wide.
"Mommy—"