"Neither. It’s a long story."
Jackson raised a teasing eyebrow. "Judging by the way you’re looking at her, I’d say you are the one who is falling for her?"
Axel’s reply was a half-smile, "Well, you could say that."
Jackson was stunned. He couldn’t believe his friend had finally fallen for someone else.
Then, Jackson leaned casually against the wall, still watching Evelyn.
"You know what’s funny? After I said no, my parents tried again. They thought maybe if I didn’t want her, my younger brother, Daniel, would. And guess what? Daniel said yes."
Axel’s brow lifted slightly. "But she didn’t marry him either."
"Exactly," Jackson said, chuckling softly. "Because Evelyn turned him down right before the engagement was finalized, and her father lost it. He kicked her out of the house."
Jackson’s smile faded a little before continuing.
"I remember because my mom called me, saying Mr. Walters was furious. He said Evelyn refused to marry and brought shame to the family. It was all over the business circle for a week. I believe you know that?"
Axel stayed silent, his mind suddenly linking the questions that had often crossed his mind: "Why did William Walters kick his daughter out of the family?"
’So that’s what happened...’ He feels bitter. All this time, Evelyn had never told him the whole story.
When he once asked why her father disowned her, she had simply said it was because she didn’t dare to reveal his name.
But now, hearing Jackson’s account of the truth was starting to make more sense.
’She refused Daniel because she already knew she was pregnant... with my son.’
A quiet realization struck him... a mix of joy and guilt. She had carried that burden alone, faced her father’s wrath, and still chosen to protect the truth. To protect their son. And him.
Axel’s chest tightened. He never thought he’d feel this level of admiration and regret at once.
Jackson’s voice broke his train of thought again.
"Man, I had no idea she ended up with you. If my parents hear this, they’ll need CPR. Evelyn Walters married Axel Knight...two family rivals under one roof. That’s basically headline material."
Axel let out a small, dry laugh.
"They’ll survive. But, please, don’t mention anything... Only the people invited here know she is my wife."
"No worries, man... my lips are sealed. Doctor’s honor." Then, with a playful glint in his eye, Jackson added, "But I gotta say... you’re one lucky bastard."
Axel chuckled softly. "I know. I am!" He kept walking with his family.
As they stepped fully into the living room, Evelyn turned from across the room, her eyes meeting Axel’s for a fleeting second.
Evelyn smiled faintly, but it slowly faded when she saw the man walking beside him. She recognized the man the moment she saw him: Lincoln.
Hearing the name in her mind was enough to make her heart tighten.
Still fresh in her mind, she almost married one of them, Daniel Lincoln, if she hadn’t gotten pregnant after that wild night with Axel.
However, what surprised her the most was knowing that Jackson Lincoln is Axel’s best friend.
’If Axel invited him to come here, which means they are best friends, right?’ The questions tumbled in her mind like marbles rolling on the floor.
Her thoughts started spinning wildly. And before she could even process it, Axel was suddenly beside her. His hand slid gently around her waist, grounding her.
"Eve," he said. "Let me carry him." He took Oliver from her and held him in his arms. "Let me introduce you to my friend, Jackson. You can call him Jack."
Evelyn managed a polite smile and extended her hand.
"It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Lincoln."
"Please," Jackson said with an easy grin, shaking her hand, "Jack is fine. No one calls me ’Mr. Lincoln’ unless they’re suing me."
Evelyn chuckled softly.
Axel continued, his tone smooth, "Jack, this is my wife, Evelyn. And this little guy here is our son, Oliver."
At that, Oliver peeked shyly.
"So this is the young man everyone’s been talking about. Hello there, little Oliver. I’m Uncle Jack." Jackson smiled.
Oliver looked serious for a moment before whispering, "You’re not my real uncle."
Jackson’s eyebrows shot up, but Axel was already chuckling. "He’s very honest," he said, amused.
"Well," Jackson replied, grinning at Oliver, "you’re right. But if I bring you a cake next time, maybe we can upgrade my title?"
Oliver’s face lit up.
"Okay! But chocolate cake. Not carrot cake. Mommy says carrot cake is healthy, and I don’t like it."
Evelyn almost laughed hearing that.
Jackson laughed heartily. "Noted. Chocolate only. You and I will get along just fine."
The room was filled with warm laughter. The tension Evelyn had felt moments earlier eased away.
She appreciated that Jackson was friendly and easygoing. He didn’t even mention Daniel, his brother, or her family, the Walters, in their conversation.
But before she could say more, Oliver’s attention snapped elsewhere.
His big brown eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. "Granny Martha...!?" he shouted in pure excitement.
Everyone in the room turned toward the doorway.
Martha stepped in with Jimmy right behind her, holding a small gift bag and wearing her usual kind smile.
Evelyn barely had time to react before Oliver wriggled in Axel’s arms.
"Daddy, put me down. Granny’s here—"
Axel chuckled and lowered him to the floor. The boy took off like a bullet, his little legs carrying him straight into Martha’s arms.
"Granny Martha..." he squealed, wrapping his arms around her neck.
Martha’s eyes misted as she scooped him up, holding him close.
"Oh, sweetheart... look at you. You’ve grown taller every time I blink. What are you eating these days? Fertilizer?" Martha smiled teasingly. "You grow faster than my sunflower."
Everyone laughed.
Even Axel cracked a smile, shaking his head.
Oliver giggled.
"No. No.... Granny. Just chocolate cake. Blueberry pancake. Waffles and lots of milk."
Martha gasped before continuing with her warm smile, "Ah, that explains it. All the sweetness is going straight to your height."
Oliver nodded solemnly. "But, Mommy says too much chocolate and sweetness is bad for my teeth."
Martha leaned closer and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "Don’t worry, darling. Granny will sneak you some when Mommy’s not looking."
Evelyn can’t help but laugh. She approached them and said, "I heard that."