Now,
Standing in his study, that image replayed again and again.
Axel’s instincts screamed that Max wouldn’t stop there. He knew his cousin too well.
Max had always been dangerously clever. Able to charm, deceive, and manipulate anyone to get what he wanted.
Even their grandfather had once said, "Maxime has the smile of a gentleman and the mind of a snake."
If Max managed to learn Evelyn’s name, things would get messy. And he couldn’t risk that.
He took a slow breath and reached for his phone.
"Collins," he said when the line connected.
"Boss," replied a deep, steady voice. "It’s been a while since you called me this late. What’s going on?"
"I need you to monitor someone. Maxime Knight."
There was a pause. "Your cousin?"
"Yes. I want every movement tracked. Calls, meetings, messages, travel routes...everything. And Collins," he added, his tone sharpening, "don’t get caught. If Max finds out someone’s watching him, he’ll dig until he learns who. You know how he plays."
"Understood, boss. Do you want me to start tonight?"
"Immediately. And I want a full report tomorrow morning. I need to know his weaknesses, his habits, the people he trusts, and the things he fears. Every detail. He’s too smart to fight head-on, so I’ll need leverage."
"You’ll have it," Collins replied before the line ended.
Axel slipped his phone into his pocket and exhaled.
For a few seconds, the quiet returned, except now, it wasn’t peaceful. It was heavy.
He turned back to the window, staring at the moon again.
"Max..." he muttered under his breath. "If you go after her, you’ll wish you hadn’t."
Finally, he pushed away from the glass and left the study.
The house was quiet when he stepped into the hall, with the soft hum of the heater in a certain spot as the only sound.
He loosened his collar as he walked toward the bedroom.
But when he opened the door, the room was empty.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. Evelyn was probably still upstairs with Oliver.
Axel crossed the hall toward the staircase, but just as he reached the landing, he noticed a faint light coming from down the corridor.
Evelyn’s office door was slightly ajar.
He frowned.
It was nearly midnight... too late for her to still be working.
He crept toward the door, his footsteps soundless on the marble floor.
The glow from inside spilled out in a narrow strip across the hall.
As he got closer, he heard her voice. Soft. Calm. But not like when she talked to him or Oliver. There was a different tone, sharp and cautious.
He stopped right at the doorway, his hand hovering just inches from the handle.
"...Yes! I need to see his profile tomorrow morning," she said, her voice low but firm. "And be careful... They are people you can’t mess with. So, make sure you don’t leave any traces there. Or you will be in danger."
Axel froze.
He couldn’t see her face, but he recognized the tension in her tone.
His heartbeat sped up.
’Who does she talk to? Who was investigated?’
The air in the corridor seemed to shrink, thick with confusion.
His fingers hesitated on the doorknob, uncertain whether to enter or stay listening.
For another second, he didn’t move.
He just listened until she finally ended the call.
...
Evelyn stretched her arms up and groaned softly, her muscles protesting after hours at her desk.
"Finally done..." she muttered, rubbing her eyes until her vision stopped blurring.
A wide yawn escaped her lips. She blinked at the clock and sighed. It’s almost midnight.
When she turned toward the door, she froze. It was slightly ajar.
"Wait! I thought I closed that...?" she murmured, narrowing her eyes.
Shaking off the thought, she shut down her computer and stepped out of her office, padding barefoot through the quiet hallway.
Before heading downstairs, she peeked into Oliver’s room. Her little boy was still fast asleep.
Her lips curled into a gentle smile. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
Rushing to the first floor, her thoughts shifted to Axel.
’Is he still working? Why didn’t he come find me?’ she wondered as she walked toward his study at the end of the hall.
Evelyn knocked softly.
"Axel?"
"Come in," came his deep voice from inside.
She peeked through the door. "You’re still up? It’s almost midnight."
"I just finished." He closed his laptop and walked over to her, the exhaustion in his face replaced by a faint smile. "Are you sleepy yet?"
"I’m tired. Can we sleep now?"
"Of course," he said, taking her hand gently as they walked back to their bedroom. "Go ahead and lie down. I’ll join you after I clean up."
"Okay."
She smiled and climbed into bed, sinking into the soft sheets.
But no matter how she tried, sleep wouldn’t come easily.
Her mind kept circling back to that man, the one who showed up last night, the one who made Axel’s expression harden like stone.
’Who was he? And why did he bother Axel that much?’
Her gaze drifted to the bathroom door. The water was still running. He’d been in there a while.
She exhaled slowly and finally closed her eyes, letting exhaustion win.
...
When Evelyn woke the next morning, warmth enveloped her.
Axel’s arms were wrapped tightly around her, his breath slow and steady against her neck.
She shifted slightly, "Axel, are you still sleeping?"
"Good morning," came his husky reply. His voice was low, rough with sleep, and it made her cheeks warm instantly.
"Morning..."
For a few quiet moments, she stayed still in his embrace, listening to his heartbeat. It was calm and steady, so unlike the tension she’d felt in him last night.
"You’re not going to the office today?" she asked, her voice muffled against his chest.
"I will," he said lazily, eyes still closed. "But not right away. I promised Oliver I’d spend the entire morning with him."
Evelyn’s smile widened. "That’s nice. He would love that."
"I know... he’s already planning to drag me outside to help him feed Cloud and Browny. And also make him pancakes."
She laughed softly when Axel kissed the top of her head. The lighthearted moment made her forget her unease for a second, until her mind returned to last night.
Her smile faded slightly.
The image of Axel’s cousin, the tension in his voice, and the coldness in his eyes all came rushing back.
She wanted to check her cell phone. Maybe Oliver has already sent his report.
As she started to move, Axel’s voice stopped her.
"Eve," he murmured, still holding her close. "Do you have a secret I don’t know?"