CHAPTER 131: MAYBE YOUR FAMILY?

After they talked for a few minutes, Axel finally leaned in close and whispered, "Eve, we should head home soon. I miss Oliver already. And Oliver is likely missing me, too."

Evelyn nodded.

"You’re right." She stood and turned to Alicia. "Alice, we’ll go first. I’ll call you later about Oliver’s birthday party, okay?"

"Of course," Alicia said, standing to hug her. She whispers, "And, Eve... I’m so happy for you... He looks polite and kind, different from what I read on the news."

Evelyn pulled back slightly enough to meet Alicia in the eyes.

"Don’t read anything on the internet, Alice. That news was trash. And, yes, he’s not as scary as the papers say. He is the most loving and caring man I have ever met."

"Of course..." Alicia chuckled, then lowered her voice. "Well, he’s much scarier in person... but in a good way."

Evelyn softly laughed before she finally left.

Axel reached out to hold her hand, smiled politely as he said, "That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about me."

Before Evelyn could say something, Stella’s voice distracted her.

"Bye, lovebirds! Try not to shut down another city block on the way home!" Stella waved as they left.

Evelyn didn’t turn, but she raised a hand in warning. "Bye, Stella..."

Axel chuckled as he guided her walk to the main door, his hand squeezing hers warmly.

"Your sister’s got spirit."

"Yes. But sometimes she forgets there is a line between bold and stupid. And when that happens, she could be a menace," Evelyn muttered. "So, don’t encourage her."

...

In the car, heading to The Valley

The car glided through the evening traffic.

Evelyn leaned back against the seat, finally feeling at ease as Axel reached over with one hand and took hers.

His grip was steady, his focus fixed on the road as he steered through the bustling streets.

"You know," she said, turning slightly toward him, "...you didn’t have to book the entire restaurant and make it close for the other."

He didn’t look away from the road as he replied, "Just in case. I’ve always prepared for the worst scenario."

She smiled faintly.

"You worry too much."

"I plan ahead," he corrected smoothly. "You call it worrying. I call it prevention from getting my ass kicked."

Evelyn rolled her eyes, though the corner of her lips lifted into a smile. "Whatever helps you sleep soundly at night, Mr. Knight..."

"Exactly," he said, smirking.

She shook her head, fighting a laugh.

"Anyway, I was thinking... Oliver’s birthday is next week. I want to throw him a small, private party at home. Just us, Alice, Stella... maybe a few of your close friends or family if you want."

Axel didn’t answer right away.

The hum of the engine filled the silence between them.

Evelyn didn’t push. She simply turned her gaze to the city outside, the familiar skyline that once defined her life.

There was a time when this city was her entire world.

Meetings, clients, endless deadlines.

Late nights at the office, parties that blurred into mornings, chasing approval from people who didn’t matter.

Her weekends were the only time she saw her family, unless work got in the way first.

Now, the same skyline felt different. Softer. Like she was finally looking at it from the outside.

Then Axel’s calm voice broke through her thoughts.

"That sounds perfect. Oliver deserves it. And honestly..."

His lips curved slightly, eyes still on the road.

"I kind of enjoy watching your family try to interrogate me."

Evelyn laughed, turning to him.

"Oh, so you like being questioned?"

"I like seeing you smile while they do it," he said.

She gave him a suspicious look. "Smooth answer."

He flashed a grin. "Wasn’t trying to be."

"You were absolutely trying to be."

Axel shrugged. "Can you blame me?"

Evelyn sighed with a small laugh, shaking her head. "Fine, you win. Again."

"Always."

She gave him a playful glare, then changed the subject.

"So... you’ll invite your friends? Maybe your family?"

His expression shifted.

Subtle, but enough for her to notice.

His fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.

"I haven’t decided about my friends," he said finally. "But family... no."

Evelyn’s smile faded. The warmth in the car dimmed a little.

She’d seen that look before; the quiet shadow that came whenever his family was mentioned.

"Axel... why?"

He didn’t reply, and she didn’t push him any further. She had learned not to.

She’d asked him before, too many times, about what really happened between their families.

About why her father hated the Knights.

About why Axel’s family seemed to return that hatred twice over.

But every time she asked, he shut down, just like this.

It wasn’t anger, it was distance. An indifferent distance. The kind of distance that came from disregarding old wounds. A wound that never healed.

So, this time, she just turned her gaze back to the window, letting the silence stretch.

Outside, vehicles gradually disappeared, and tall buildings gave way to trees as they moved farther from the central business district.

Then, out of nowhere, his voice came low, but carrying something heavier beneath it.

"Eve, my grandparents want to meet you."

Evelyn blinked, startled.

She turned to look at him. "Wait, what? I thought you didn’t want me to meet them."

"My parents, yes," he corrected quietly, glancing briefly at her before shifting his attention back to the street ahead.

"Oh..." she said. "So, your grandparents are different?"

A small smile tugged at his lips.

"They’re the only ones who never took sides. They didn’t agree with what my parents did... or what they said about your father."

Evelyn tilted her head, studying him. "And what did they say?"

He gave a short, humorless laugh.

"That’s a story for another day."

She narrowed her eyes. "You always say that when the topic’s uncomfortable."

"Because it usually is," he admitted.

Evelyn silently sighs before she leans back in her seat.

"Axel... I hope one day, you’re going to tell me everything."

He glanced at her, amused. "You sure you want to hear everything? Some things are better left buried."

"I’m not afraid of buried things," she said quietly. "Only lies."

That made him pause.

For a few seconds, the air felt heavier.

Finally, he exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders. "Alright... I’ll tell you one thing about me that no one else knows."