Chapter 105: I Need To Go
Axel stood a few feet away, his broad back turned slightly, phone pressed to his ear, one hand massaging his forehead like the conversation was not going well.
Evelyn tried not to look at Axel. She forced her attention toward Oliver, who was happily chattering to Jimmy, the butler.
Her son seemed fascinated by Jimmy, possibly explaining about the horse or something else, since they are a few feet away from her place, she can’t hear what they are talking about.
However, watching her son laugh and even follow Jimmy as they walk toward the stable brings her happiness.
Still, it was hard not to glance back at Axel. Every line of his body screamed tension.
She didn’t need to hear the words to know the call wasn’t going well.
His jaw was set tight, his brow furrowed, and when his gaze finally turned to her, Evelyn was caught.
Too late to look away, she gave him the only thing she could manage: a small, reassuring smile.
And for reasons she didn’t dare name, her chest tightened.
When did she start worrying about him like this? Had it begun back in Willowcrest?
Or only now, watching him look so grim under the perfect sunlight of The Valley?
She couldn’t tell.
All she knew was that his troubled face tugged at her heart in ways she couldn’t control.
"Is everything okay?" she asked softly, rising from her chair and taking a cautious step toward him.
Axel didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached out, cupping her face in his large, warm hands.
His sudden intimacy made her pulse leap. He had been getting bolder lately, less hesitant about touching her.
And though it made her nervous, she couldn’t deny how much she liked it. The truth pressed against her chest, desperate to escape.
’I don’t mind. I want this. I want you...’ Those words are screaming in her mind, pushing their way through her lips; however, she eventually still couldn’t bring herself to say it.
"I’m sorry, Eve..." His voice was low, a reluctant flash in his gaze. "But I need to go."
Her heart tightened to see his worry and anger in his eyes.
Go?
He tried to mask the sadness in his tone with a faint smile, but she saw through it.
"There’s something I have to take care of immediately. But..." His thumbs brushed against her cheeks. "I promise I’ll be back before dinner."
Dinner. That felt far away. Too long. Still, Evelyn forced herself to stay calm. If he was leaving, it must be important. And the last thing she wanted was to add to his burden.
"Hmm," she managed, smiling back at him. "You should go. Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine."
His eyes softened, but instead of letting go, he leaned closer.
Too close.
So close her lashes fluttered in panic, her heart hammering wildly in her chest.
’Was he...? Was he about to steal a kiss?’ Her throat went dry.
But instead of stealing the kiss she both dreaded and longed for, Axel smiled. The kind of smile that had no right being so devastating.
"Don’t sleep before me," he murmured. "Remember? This is our first night in this house. You know what I’m expecting, right?"
Her brain fizzled.
What? First night? Expecting what?!
She frowned, blinking rapidly, completely flustered.
"W-What do you mean?"
His lips curved in a sly, knowing grin.
"Don’t avoid your promise, Eve. I know you’re already falling for me."
She gasped.
Of course, he knew. How could he not? Her traitorous blushes, her racing heart, the way she stared at him when she thought he wasn’t looking.
Every secret feeling she’d tried to hide must have been screaming at him all this time.
And still, words failed her.
She could only stare, wide-eyed and silent, while her pulse pounded in her ears.
Axel leaned down, and for one dizzying moment, she thought he’d claim her lips after all.
But no.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead instead.
It feels warm. Steady. Intimate in its own way.
Her knees nearly gave out.
"Bye," he said simply, releasing her and striding back toward the house with that confident gait that made her insides twist.
Evelyn remained rooted to the spot, her heartbeat in absolute chaos.
’Why do my legs feel like I just ran a marathon?’ she wondered helplessly.
Was it the forehead kiss? Or the terrifying possibility that tonight might truly be their ’first night’ together as husband and wife?
She wasn’t sure which thought made her blush harder.
Her eyes lingered on the door he’d disappeared through.
She didn’t even know how long she stood there, dazed and replaying the moment in her mind like some teenage girl rehearsing her crush’s smile.
Then a small, innocent voice shattered her spinning thoughts.
"Mommy..."
Evelyn tried to adjust her expression as she turned.
Oliver came running toward her, hair mussed, cheeks flushed, a grin splitting his face.
She bent down just in time to catch him as he threw himself into her arms.
"Where’s Daddy?" he asked, pouting, his lips pushed out in a way that was far too much like Axel’s. "I wanted to show him my horse."
Evelyn forced a soft smile, brushing his hair back from his forehead.
"Daddy had to work. But he’ll be back for dinner. You can show him then."
Oliver’s shoulders slumped.
"But Cloud was waiting..."
Her brows arched. "Cloud?"
He brightened instantly, all sadness forgotten.
"Yes... My horse. Jimmy said he’s mine. Daddy bought him for me. Mommy, do you want to see? Come, come... He’s the best horse I’ve ever seen."
Evelyn can’t help but laugh inwardly. So it was true... Axel had already taken care of it. She thought the horse had not yet arrived.
"Of course, sweetheart. Show me."
Oliver grabbed her hand and tugged her eagerly back toward the stables. He chattered nonstop the whole way, describing how Cloud had "the long and fastest legs" and "liked to race cars."
Evelyn laughed at his enthusiasm.
When they reached the stall, Oliver pressed his face against the wood and pointed proudly.
"See? Isn’t he handsome? He looks so white like Cloud..."
The horse was magnificent, its pristine white gleaming in the light, muscles rippling with strength.
Evelyn had to admit Axel’s choice was perfect.
"Yes," she whispered, stroking Oliver’s back. "He’s very handsome. Daddy chose well."
Oliver beamed.
...
Later, when Oliver settled in his room to take a nap, Evelyn returned to her bedroom.
She closed her bedroom door, and just as she was about to check the walk-in closet, her phone buzzed on the coffee table in the corner.
When she glanced at the screen, she froze.