Chapter 99: Welcome Back, Evelyn!
’Wow, Axel Knight sure knows how to make an impression,’ Evelyn started talking to her mind. ’The man takes a cold shower and comes out looking like a walking temptation.’
He offered, "Need my help?"
"No, thanks. I’m done..."
Then,
Oliver came in a moment later. He was already dressed in his home clothes, running to his father to hug him, before taking his seat.
"Mommy, is it ready? Wow... This looks delicious, Mom..." His little nose wiggled as he inhaled the buttery air.
"Yes, mister impatient," Evelyn teased, setting down his plate of scrambled eggs and hash browns. "Careful, sweetheart, don’t do it too fast... It’s hot."
Oliver clapped his hands with a cheerful gesture, then eagerly dove in, his fork working enthusiastically to enjoy the meal.
The moment the first bite of hash browns touched his tongue, his eyes widened, and his cheeks filled up like a chipmunk.
He chewed dramatically before announcing, "Mmm... Mommy, you’re the best cook in the world."
Evelyn laughed warmly and cheerfully.
"Oh dear, flattery this early in the morning? Where did you pick up those lines? From your daddy?"
Axel, who sat opposite Evelyn, lifted an eyebrow.
"Of course, he is charming like me..." He reached out to ruffle Oliver’s hair gently, his expression soft in a way Evelyn didn’t often see. "Eat slowly, buddy. No one’s stealing your eggs."
Oliver nods and continues to eat.
Evelyn placed Axel’s breakfast in front of him, trying to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him smiling at their son. He wasn’t the cold, guarded man people whispered about, at least that’s how she’d seen him in the last few days.
The room was filled with the sound of Oliver’s chewing, exaggerated compliments, and Axel’s quiet amusement. Evelyn found herself smiling more than she realized, her chest warm with something unfamiliar in her heart.
Halfway through the meal, Axel cleared his throat. "I need to tell you both something." He looks at Evelyn and Oliver in return.
Evelyn’s fork froze midway to her lips. That tone... it wasn’t stern, but it was severe enough to command attention.
Oliver blinked between his parents, cheeks puffed with eggs.
"What is it, Daddy?"
Axel’s eyes rested briefly on Evelyn before he spoke. "We’re moving to the capital. The day after tomorrow."
Evelyn’s heart gave a slight lurch.
She knew this would happen since she was the one who asked him to move, but she had thought they had at least another week.
"The day after tomorrow?" she repeated, her voice steady, even though her mind was already spinning; packing, saying goodbye to Martha, and feeling nervous to return to the city she grew up in.
"Yes. It’s safer if we move faster. And it’s time for Oliver to visit the place I’ve prepared for him and... of course, for you."
Before Evelyn could respond, Oliver’s fork clattered onto his plate.
Then he asked excitedly, "Daddy... We’re moving? To the capital? Really?" His eyes sparkled, pure excitement radiating off him. "I’ll get to live in Daddy’s house? For real?"
Axel reached over and rested a hand on his son’s shoulder. "For real. We’ll be together, stay there..."
Oliver smiled widely before saying, "Yay, I can’t wait. Mommy, can I bring all my toys? Please?"
Evelyn’s lips curled into an amusing smile.
"We’ll see what we can do, sweetheart. Maybe not all of them."
Axel interjected smoothly, "No need to pack too much. Leave most of it here. That way, when we come back, most of our things will still be here waiting for us. Clothes, toys, the basic stuff. And, you and Oliver can shop in the capital, in case you want anything new."
Evelyn studied him for a moment, then nodded. It made sense. Besides, shopping with Oliver would be fun.
"Alright. That works."
"Can we go shopping for Legos? And maybe a robot? And snacks?"
Axel chuckled, shaking his head.
"One thing at a time, buddy. Eat your breakfast first."
The laughter carried on, Oliver providing most of the chatter, Evelyn teasing him about eating too fast, and Axel sneaking in gentle corrections with patience that melted her heart.
But just as Evelyn allowed herself to relax, her mind jolted with a forgotten detail. Stella. Her sister was still downstairs on the fourth floor.
Evelyn frowned, wondering if Stella had food in the fridge or if she was still sleeping.
After finishing breakfast, Axel excused himself to attend his meeting.
Meanwhile, Evelyn and Oliver visit Stella.
...
Evelyn spent the last two days quietly preparing for the move.
She packed only the essentials, making sure Oliver had everything he needed, and even slipped away to the Beach Side café to meet Aunty Martha.
Tells the truth about a reporter who already knows that she lives in that city.
She was grateful that Aunty Martha understood. She asked her to visit again someday, and she promised to do so.
When the moving day finally came, they flew with Axel’s jet.
Her feelings were mixed; she was relieved to leave Willowcrest but nervous about what awaited her in the capital.
Four years had passed since she last walked the streets of Elaris, and returning now felt like stepping into a storm she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
Yet Axel’s steady presence eased her doubts. Every time her thoughts began to return to her past, his hand found hers, reminding her that she wasn’t facing this alone.
She looked out the window as Willowcrest faded into the distance, taking with it both painful memories and the small joys she had held onto.
The flight was only three hours, but to Evelyn it felt like the final stretch of a long journey.
When the jet landed, Axel leaned close and whispered, "Welcome back, Evelyn. You’re not the same as before. You’re stronger now. You’re Evelyn Knight."
Her heart trembled at his words, but she managed a smile.
It was true.
The old Chapter had closed, and a new one had begun.
She had left Willowcrest behind. Ahead lay Elaris...her home, her challenge, and her chance to start again.