Evelyn’s hand trembled slightly as she brushed her finger across the glass fra. "Where did Axel get this one?" she whispered.
The image before her was so precious, so raw, that her chest tightened just looking at it.
It was her in the hospital, holding newborn Oliver in her arms, her hair ssy, her cheeks flushed, and her smile so wide it almost looked unreal.
That was the happiest mont of her life, and one of the most private.
She never showed this picture to anyone, not even to Axel. It was one she’d assud only the nurses or Aunty Martha had captured.
And yet here it was, neatly frad on Axel’s restroom, looking as if it had been treasured all this ti.
Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the fra to her chest as tears welled in her eyes.
Her heart ward with a rush of affection she hadn’t expected to feel today. Knowing Axel had kept this picture so close to him. It filled her heart with a gentle and profound feeling, sothing almost sacred.
Evelyn was so lost in her emotions that she didn’t notice when Axel appeared at the doorway. His eyes softened instantly at the sight of her sitting on the edge of his bed, shoulders slightly trembling.
"Eve? Are you alright?" His voice was quiet but filled with concern.
Startled, she turned quickly, blinking her tears away, but before she could say a word, Axel had already crossed the room in long strides and sat beside her.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek.
Evelyn sniffled softly, unable to speak for a mont. Instead, she showed him the photo she was holding.
Axel exhaled in relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
"Ah. That." He smiled faintly. "For a second, I thought your leg was hurting again."
"Do I look like I’m crying over my leg...?"
He chuckled and reached out to take the photo from her hands.
For a mont, he just stared at it too. His expression was unreadable.
Then, softly, he said, "I found it when we renovated our house in Willowcrest. It was tucked inside one of the old boxes in your bedroom."
His voice grew quieter. "I wasn’t there when you gave birth to him. I wasn’t there to hold your hand or see him for the first ti. I’ll never forgive myself for that."
Evelyn’s heart clenched. She touched his hand gently. "Axel..."
He shook his head slightly. "You don’t have to say anything. I should have found you sooner. If I’d known—if I’d even guessed—you were pregnant, I would have been there."
"You didn’t know because I didn’t tell you. You can’t bla yourself for that."
He looked at her, conflicted. "Still, I should have tried harder."
"You did," she said quietly. "You’ve always been there for us since the day you found out. That’s what matters. The rest... It’s just part of our story."
Axel let out a slow breath and looked at her again, this ti with a small, boyish smile. "You always know how to make feel less like a villain."
"Well, you’re a reford villain," she teased, lightly nudging his arm. "And you still have ti to redeem yourself, you know."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How so?"
"You still have a chance," she said playfully, pretending to be serious. "If we have a second child, you can be there from the very beginning."
Axel froze for a second. Then his eyes lit up like a man who’d just been told he’d won a million-dollar prize. "A second child?"
Evelyn instantly regretted her words when she saw that dangerous spark in his eyes. "Wait. No, no, no. That’s not what I—"
But Axel was already grinning, that wicked grin that usually spelled trouble.
"Evelyn Knight, are you suggesting we start working on that project right now?"
"Axel!" she yelped, swatting at his arm as he leaned a little closer, his tone turning teasingly low.
"We’re already in the perfect setting," he said, glancing around the room. "Private, quiet, comfortable bed—"
"And inside your office, are you kidding ?" Evelyn cut him off, glaring even as she laughed. "Have you lost your mind? What if soone hears us?"
"Eve, the walls are soundproof."
"Good for your etings, not for your mischief," she grabbed a pillow and lightly threw it at him. "Behave, Mr. Knight. We’re going ho before sunset. I promised Oliver I’d be back before dark."
Axel sighed, as if she’d just canceled his favorite holiday. "You and your promises..."
"Soone has to be the responsible parent," she said primly, suppressing a smile as she looked at his somber expression.
He leaned closer, "You say that like I’m not capable of responsibility."
"You’re capable," she said with a faint smile. "Just selectively responsible. Especially when it involves taking off your shirt."
Axel laughed deeply, shaking his head as he stood up. "Alright, Mrs. Knight. You win! For now."
"Good answer," she said, trying not to grin too hard as she followed him out of the room.
They left the office shortly after, with Axel insisting on driving her ho.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, the soft glow of the late afternoon sun filled the car.
For a while, neither spoke.
Evelyn rested her hand on her lap, watching the city pass by in flashes of gold and shadow.
It wasn’t until they were halfway ho that Axel finally broke the silence. "Did you finish shopping?"
"Yes, I found exactly what I wanted."
"Oh?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the road. "When can you pick it up?"
"That’s what I was going to ask you. When will it be delivered?"
Axel’s lips twitched upward. "It’s probably already at the house. Or tomorrow morning."
Evelyn blinked. "What? That fast? I only ordered it a few hours ago!"
He chuckled. "I have a few people who handle logistics excellently. Better than most people."
She was about to tease him again when he asked, "Are you shopping for my birthday?"
Her reaction was hurried and suspiciously defensive. "No. Of course not."
Axel laughed softly, clearly unconvinced. "Thank you, Eve. You rembered my birthday."
"Wait, I didn’t say—" she began, then stopped, narrowing her eyes. "You knew?"
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