CHAPTER 31: HATE HIM?

"A-Axel... what are you doing here?"

Evelyn’s voice trembled just slightly, though she tried to steady it. Seeing him, tall, composed, with sharp eyes in the dim hallway light, was the last thing she expected at this hour.

He tilted his head, as if her question was amusing, hands buried casually in the pockets of his long coat.

"Well, I called you. Five times. You didn’t answer."

Her stomach twisted. He said it so matter-of-factly, like ignoring him was a crime punishable by midnight visits.

Heat rose to her cheeks, but whether it was anger, guilt, or something else fluttering inside her, she couldn’t tell.

Evelyn briefly turned a glance inside the apartment, where she checked Oliver’s bedroom. Her son was sleeping soundly, safe and peaceful.

She inhaled slowly before turning her gaze back on Axel.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t hear... And I was tired," she said, searching for words that wouldn’t betray her too much. "Axel, I didn’t want to..." Her throat closed around the rest.

Axel’s gaze sharpened, the corner of his mouth tilting slightly. "Didn’t want to see me?" His voice was low and smooth, but there was a sharpness in it.

Her hand tightened on the doorframe. She forced herself to meet his eyes, though her heart hammered in her chest, "It’s late. You should come back tomorrow."

"Late doesn’t matter." His reply was calm and unhurried. "I already promised Oliver I’d play with him. So I rushed here as soon as I finished business in the capital." He added.

At her son’s name, her chest tightened once again. The memory of Oliver’s questions earlier this morning flickered in her mind.

"Oliver’s asleep," she said softly, clinging to the excuse. "Come back tomorrow morning. We can have breakfast together..."

Axel leaned forward slightly, close enough that she felt the weight of his gaze pressing against her skin.

"Then I’ll keep my voice down. Let’s talk..."

’Talk? Again?’ Evelyn sighs deeply, feeling exhausted. She’s now half asleep and half awake.

"Axel..." Her sigh carried every ounce of her exhaustion, every sleepless night. "You can’t just show up at my door like this." Her brow arched, suspicion edging her words. "Ah, how did you even get inside? The building is secure. Only tenants can access the elevators and stairs."

"Why not?" he asked casually, as if the question itself was irrelevant.

Her mouth fell open. Was he even serious? He acted like boundaries were just smoke, something he could walk right through without any trouble.

She narrowed her eyes at his gaze, "Seriously, how do you even have a key card?" she asked again, demanding his serious answer.

That was when his lips curved into the faintest smile.

"Well, Evelyn, I’m a tenant in this building. I bought the unit next door."

For a moment, she thought she’d misheard him.

"Yo-Youu... what?"

"I live here now." Her tone was calm and firm, as if the decision didn’t need explaining. "I’m your neighbor... Until our marriage documents are finalized!"

The words slammed into her, harder than she expected. Her gaze snapped to him, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "You bought the apartment next to mine?"

"Yes. That’s what I told you..." His answer was steady, as if it were the most straightforward truth in the world.

She still can’t believe he does that. Just because she refused to move to his hotel as he had wanted, he has now decided to become her neighbor instead.

"Why... why would you do that?"

His eyes soften as he looks at her flattering expression, "Because it was the closest one to you and Oliver. Can you allow me to enter? I need to place this present for our son."

Without knowing, she opened the door wide to let him in.

"Thank you..." he said and walked as if he lived there. It caused Evelyn to sigh deeply as she closed the door behind her.

Axel didn’t sit down; he placed the paper bag on the coffee table.

Then, stood in the middle of the living room, his tall frame filling the cramped space as his eyes roamed over every corner. The silence stretched. He didn’t have to say anything; his expression spoke volumes.

The entire apartment was barely the size of his study back in the capital. He took in the three-seater sofa, the small kitchen tucked to the side, and the narrow hallway leading to the bedrooms.

A heaviness pressed against his chest. The thought of his son, Evelyn, living here... It’s bothering him.

For a brief moment, Axel imagined them in a different place; bigger, brighter, safer.

And the only way to make that happen is to process their marriage, get them out of this suffocating place, and give them the life they deserve.

After one last look at the room, he turned back to Evelyn.

"I’m sorry to stop by this late," he said, his voice no longer as cold as before. "But I didn’t have a choice... I already promised Oliver."

Evelyn exhaled, "I know... he asked me about it." She rubbed at her temple, fatigue making her shoulders feel heavy. "I already explained you’re busy in the capital and would probably come tomorrow. So... you can return tomorrow."

Axel studied her closely, "Why do you look like you hate me?" he asked.

Her lips parted in surprise. ’Hate him? Why would she hate him?’

She really didn’t have the energy to humor him now with her sarcastic words.

"I’m not," she said quickly, though her voice carried the weight of exhaustion. "I’m glad you’re here, Axel. But I’m drained... I haven’t slept since coming back from the hospital. And... two days in the hospital, I can barely sleep."

Something flickered in his expression. Regret. He looked away briefly, the tension in his shoulders easing.

"Ah. Sorry." His voice softened, quieter than before. "Alright, I’ll come tomorrow morning."

He turned and left without saying another word. However, before opening the door, he paused and looked back at her.

Evelyn was about to scold him.

But before she could speak, he asked, "Evelyn, have you told Oliver about me?"

"Yes!"

For the first time, she saw him smile, a smile meant just for her. Her heart fluttered in her chest, beating a little faster.

The door clicked shut, and silence returned, but not her heart and mind.

"Axel Knight, how can I sleep now?"