Evelyn quietly took a deep breath as Axel seed to sense her unease.
She turned to him with a small, reassuring smile, though her nerves still fluttered inside.
As they sat down, Axel was beside her, and Amanda was across from them. The tension that had been pressing against her chest began to ease.
Lunch started pleasantly.
The food looked delish and tasted even better.
It was Evelyn’s first ti in this private restaurant owned by Apex Holdings, and she already knew she wanted to co back.
The place had a calm elegance, just enough warmth to make her forget her anxiety, almost.
Their conversation began light and harmless.
They talked about art, travel, and Evelyn’s work in charity programs, particularly her partnership with Hope dical Centre.
Her mother-in-law listened attentively, smiling every ti Evelyn spoke, making her feel surprisingly comfortable.
But then Amanda shifted the topic... directly to Axel.
"Eve, you know that Axel always ends up in gossip columns...right?" Amanda teased, glancing at her son.
Axel froze mid-bite, eyeing his mother warily, as though anticipating trouble.
Evelyn bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. She briefly nods. "Y-Yes, I know..."
Amanda looked between them and smiled.
"But don’t worry, Eve. Because he has never once brought any of those won to et . You are the first. And, this is the best decision he’s made so far."
Evelyn’s cheeks flushed, warmth spreading through her chest. "I’ll take that as a complint," she said shyly.
"It is..." Amanda said with a wink to Evelyn, then turned to Axel, "Finally, soone who can handle this stubborn man. Congrats, son!" She smiles.
"Mom, please," Axel sighed, though the corner of his mouth twitched.
Amanda and Evelyn laughed together.
The earlier stiffness lted into a warm rhythm of laughter, teasing, and shared glances.
By the ti their plates were half-empty, Evelyn realized her shoulders had relaxed. Amanda’s warmth reminded her of what family should feel like.
Then Axel set his fork down, his tone soft. "Mom," he said, glancing at Evelyn before continuing, "there’s sothing you should know."
Amanda tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What is it?"
Axel took Evelyn’s hand beneath the table and said quietly, "We actually have a son."
Amanda was utterly stunned.
"A son?" Her eyes widened with disbelief and growing excitent. She turned to Evelyn. "How old is he?"
"His na is Oliver. He’s four."
Amanda froze. For a mont, she looked between the two of them as tears welled in her eyes.
Then she covered her mouth, laughing softly in disbelief. "Axel Knight, you have a son... and you never told ?"
"Mom, I wanted to wait until things were calr between our families. But now... it feels right." Axel’s expression softened.
"Thank you, Eve..." Amanda whispered, her soft voice barely audible as she held her happy tears, "For giving a grandson."
Evelyn’s heart swelled. "You’ll love him. He’s so much like Axel...stubborn, charming, and always hungry."
"Then I absolutely can’t wait to et him. May I?"
"Of course," Evelyn said warmly.
"Mom, co to dinner tomorrow. It’s my birthday, and it’s ti you t Oliver properly."
Amanda clasped her hands, her eyes glowing with joy. "I wouldn’t miss it. I will definitely co..."
However, it didn’t take long...
Axel’s expression shifted. Again. "Mom... you can’t tell Father." His voice was firm. "I don’t want him near Oliver. Not until he changes his attitude."
"Axel..." Amanda’s smile faltered.
Evelyn tensed. The air thickened instantly. She could see the sadness in Amanda’s eyes and the stubbornness in Axel’s. Quietly, she reached under the table and squeezed his hand. It was her silent way of saying, "Stop, don’t pressure your mom."
As if he understood what she was trying to say, Axel sighed and turned to look at his mother. "I’m sorry, Mom. But, I hope you can understand ..." he said quietly.
"It’s alright, son. I understand. You don’t have to worry. I won’t say a word."
Evelyn quickly jumped in, eager to shift the mood.
"Amanda, Oliver would love you... He’s obsessed with horses. He talks about them all day."
"Oh, really?" Amanda’s eyes bead excitedly.
"Yes. And he’s so curious about everything... he asks about the dragon, cars, even why his pancakes aren’t perfectly round."
Amanda laughed, delighted. "That sounds adorable. Now I know what to get him as a present."
"Mom, please don’t give him a horse. He already has two."
Amanda raised a brow. "Two? How do you even know I plan to buy a horse for him?"
"I know you too well, mom..."
Amanda gasped, trying to hold back a laugh. "Fine, I’ll buy a classic piano for him. Eve, you ntioned he already played a song, right?"
Evelyn smiled, watching them banter.
"Yes. But don’t worry, Amanda. You don’t have to buy him anything. eting you will be a special gift for him."
"No. No...Dear, I will buy him sothing..." Amanda still wonders what the best present for Oliver is, ignoring her son and Evelyn, who try to stop her.
"You can still get him sothing else. Maybe a toy horse this ti?" Evelyn suggested.
Amanda laughed again. "I suppose I could do that. Though sothing tells your son would rather have a real one that can knock over my garden fence."
"Sounds like him," Axel said dryly.
The room filled with laughter and warmth once again. The awkwardness from earlier seed like a distant mory.
...
By the end of lunch, Amanda looked visibly happier, her earlier tears replaced by smiles.
Soon, the three of them walk out of the restaurant.
However, before Amanda got into her car, she moved closer to Evelyn and hugged her.
"Thank you, my dear. You’ve made so happy today."
Evelyn returned the hug, her voice soft. "No, Amanda. I thank you..."
"Alright, I will go now," Amanda said and stepped into her car.
"Bye, Amanda. See you soon..." Evelyn waved as the car drove away.
Axel slightly nods to his mother, his hand still resting on Evelyn’s waist as the car finally moves away.
"See?" he murmured near her ear, his tone filled with amusent. "You handled the eting perfectly."
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