CHAPTER 121: PERFECT MORNING

The living room felt cozy, with a blazing fire in the fireplace, soft rugs, and big windows that looked out onto the woods.

Just as Evelyn was about to check the kitchen, she heard it, the low hum of an engine outside.

Her heart leaped.

She went to the window and peeked through the curtains.

Axel’s car had pulled up outside the cabin.

He was stepping out, tall and handsome as always, but what made her eyes soften wasn’t him; it was the little boy hopping out of the passenger seat.

Oliver.

Her son’s small hand was tucked into Axel’s as they walked toward the cabin.

She hurried to the door and swung it open. Immediately, the chilly morning breeze flowed in, bringing the smell of pine and earth.

"Mommy..." Oliver’s excited voice broke through the quiet, and he ran toward her, his small arms wrapping tightly around her waist.

Evelyn laughed softly, then carried him in her arms.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"Mommy, good morning..." Oliver’s small mouth formed a pout, his big eyes glimmering with worry. "Why did you leave me? I was looking for you... I thought you left me."

She felt instantly guilty.

Her son had never woken up without her, and this was the first time he’d opened his eyes to find her gone. She could only imagine how panicked and heartbroken he must have been.

"Oh, sweetheart... I’m so sorry," she whispered, her voice soft. "But now you’re here, right? Mommy’s not going anywhere."

She sat on the sofa and let him sit on her lap. He fit perfectly against her as she wrapped her arms around him, gently rocking him.

"Are you still mad at Mommy?" she murmured, as she kissed the top of his head.

Oliver shook his head, his tiny fingers clutching her sweater.

"No, I’m not. Because daddy came and brought me here." His voice was still shaky but filled with relief.

Then he looked up with a serious expression. "But I’m hungry, Mommy..."

Evelyn chuckled softly, her guilt melting into amusement when she saw his big eyes spark with exaggerated sadness, his favorite weapon.

"Oh no," she said, playing along, "I made my poor little man wait too long for breakfast."

"Oops," she added quickly, realizing the time when she glanced at the clock. "It’s already past seven. Alright, I’ll make something quick..."

Before she could move, Oliver shook his head vigorously.

"Daddy said he’ll make pancakes for us. Right, Daddy?"

Oliver’s tone sounds hopeful, and his gaze shifts toward the kitchen, where Axel is moving around.

Evelyn blinked. ’He’s cooking?’

She turned her head and saw Axel standing at the stove, sleeves rolled up, flipping a pancake with the kind of focus.

Oliver pointed proudly. "See? Daddy’s cooking for us. He said it’s his specialty."

Axel smirked without looking away from the pan.

"I wouldn’t go that far, Buddy. Let’s just say I’m trying not to burn the cabin down."

Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. This was the second time she had seen him in the kitchen.

"You? In a kitchen? This I have to see."

Axel set the spatula down and turned to Oliver.

"Hey, buddy, why don’t you go check out the loft upstairs? The view up there is really amazing. You’ll like it."

Oliver turned to look at the loft. "Really?"

"Really."

Without another thought, Oliver dashed toward the stairs.

"Be careful!" Evelyn called out after him, watching until he reached the top safely. Only then did she turn her full attention back to Axel.

"So," she said with a teasing smile, "since when does the great Axel Knight make pancakes?"

He gave her a sidelong glance, lips curving slightly. "Since I decided I like impressing my wife."

Her cheeks warmed instantly, but she hid it with a smile.

"You do realize pancakes aren’t exactly a high-stakes performance, right?"

"That’s where you’re wrong," he replied thoughtfully, pouring more batter into the pan. "If I mess these up, Oliver will never trust me with breakfast again."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Fine, you win. I’ll make the coffee then."

"Good idea," he said, flipping a pancake with surprising skill. "I already asked Jimmy to stock everything. The beans are over there, try the darker roast."

Evelyn raised a brow. "Wow. You really did prepare for this, didn’t you?"

"Of course," Axel said smoothly, eyes still on the stove. "This is our cabin. I prepared everything."

Her heart did a strange, fluttery thing at that.

She busied herself with the coffee machine, making two lattes while sneaking glances at him every few seconds.

He caught her looking once and grinned. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said quickly. "Just trying to figure out who you are and what you’ve done with the real Axel Knight."

He chuckled. "Well, he’s still here..."

They worked smoothly together in peaceful harmony.

He was plating the pancakes while she set down cups of coffee, syrup, butter, and fresh fruit.

For a moment, it almost felt natural.

When Oliver came running back down the stairs, his face lit up at the sight of the table.

"Whoa! Pancakes!"

Axel grinned proudly. "Not bad, huh?"

Oliver climbed onto his chair and immediately took a big bite. His eyes widened.

"Mmm! Daddy, it’s good!"

Axel smiled.

They ate together, laughter and light conversation filling the cabin.

The morning sunlight poured in through the windows, catching in Oliver’s hair and softening Axel’s sharp features.

Evelyn feels her morning is perfect, just like when they were still in Willowcrest. She can prepare breakfast, but now Axel is there with her in the kitchen.

When they finished, Axel leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee. "This tastes good, Eve..."

"Thanks..."

The morning passed too quickly.

By the time they packed up and returned to their house, the peaceful quiet of the cabin felt like a dream.

...

Back home, Axel didn’t stay longer as he needed to go to his office.

Evelyn settled back into her usual rhythm, playing with Oliver, catching up on messages, and organizing a few things on her laptop.

But her mind is distracted when she remembers something.

Today wasn’t just any day.

Evelyn’s phone buzzed with a new message.

"Sis, it’s happening today. I’m meeting Lana in an hour. I’ll call you after." From: Stella.

A smile appeared on her lips, "Finally..."

Lana, the gold digger who stole and corrupted their father’s heart and soul, and now has her claws trying to grip the family company, will soon meet her doom!