The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Meeting The Great Grandparents
As the doors opened, the afternoon sunlight poured in, illuminating the driveway where a sleek car had just stopped.

A pair of familiar figures stepped out, Eleanor and Andrew Knight.

The moment Oliver saw them.

Andrew was tall and broad-shouldered, his salt-and-pepper hair giving him an air of quiet authority, while Eleanor exuded warmth and grace.

Her eyes softened immediately when she saw the small boy gripping Axel’s hand.

“Oh, Andrew,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “Look at him…”

Oliver shyly hid behind his father’s leg.

Evelyn smiled gently and encouraged him, “Go on, sweetheart. Say hello to your great-grandparents.”

With a slight nod, Oliver stepped forward. “Hello… I’m Oliver,” he said politely.

Eleanor knelt, tears glistening in her eyes as she cupped his cheek gently.

“You have your father’s eyes,” she murmured. “And that smile… oh, darling, I remember that smile years ago. It’s exactly like Axel’s when he was your age.”

Axel laughed softly. “Except this one’s less menacing.”

Andrew chuckled, shaking his grandson’s hand before lifting Oliver with ease. “You’re a strong little man, aren’t you? Four years old today, I hear.”

Oliver grinned, holding up four fingers. “Yes! I’m four! Daddy said I’m a big boy now.”

“That’s right,” Eleanor said fondly, smoothing his hair. “And we’ve brought you something special for your birthday.”

Oliver gasped. “Really?”

“Of course,” Andrew said, setting him down again. “But you’ll have to wait until after lunch. Will you wait and be nice while waiting?”

The little boy nodded eagerly and thoughtfully, as if accepting a critical mission. The adults laughed.

Evelyn stood beside Axel, quietly soaking in the moment. Seeing her husband’s grandparents embracing her son filled her with a deep, peaceful sense.

She was lost in her thoughts, her heart full to the brim with gratitude and quiet joy.

Then, out of nowhere, Eleanor leaned closer to her, “Oh, Dear Eve…”

Evelyn blinked in surprise, but when she met the older woman’s gaze, all she saw was softness and understanding.

“You’ve given this family a gift, dear,” Eleanor whispered, gently patting her hand. “Thank you.”

Emotion welled up in Evelyn’s chest, tightening her throat. She smiled, her eyes glistening. “No, Grandma,” she whispered back. “Thank you for accepting us.”

Axel, who overheard their conversation, smiled and gently slipped his hand into Evelyn’s, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

It was a simple gesture, but one that said everything: he was grateful to have her.

“Alright, everyone,” Axel said with a faint smile. “Let’s go inside before we all freeze.”

But just as they were about to head in, the sound of another car engine rumbled from down the drive.

Evelyn followed Axel’s gaze.

Axel urged Evelyn and his grandparents to enter first while he waited for the guest to arrive.

He already knew who it was. A message on his phone had appeared minutes earlier, just before his grandpa arrived.

“Boss, Jackson Lincoln passing the first gate.” From: Liam

Then,

Another text message followed seconds later.

“Boss, I’m on the way to the house now with Aunty Martha! Are we late?” From: Liam

Axel replied, “No. But hurry.”

Before he could even slip the phone back into his pocket, a sleek black car rolled to a stop.

A man stepped out, tall and broad-shouldered, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses as he tossed his keys to the staff.

“Axel!” he called out, walking briskly toward him. “Sorry, man. Am I late?”

Axel’s lips curved slightly. “Jack. Not yet. But this is not likely you, man.”

Jackson laughed as they shook hands. “You sound like my mom. I already have enough of that at home.”

They started walking toward the house together.

“Why did you only come now?” Axel asked, giving him a side glance.

“There was an emergency surgery,” Jackson replied, rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt as if the evidence of his long day could be brushed away with a casual gesture. “I had to lead it myself.”

Axel arched his brow. “You’re the CEO of Lincoln International Hospital now, and you’re still doing surgeries?”

Jackson grinned, unbothered. “What can I say? The patient was a family member. I couldn’t just delegate it.”

“Who?” Axel asked.

But before Jackson could answer, his steps suddenly faltered. His hand shot out to grab Axel’s arm, stopping him mid-step.

“Wait…” His voice dropped, his gaze fixed on something, or rather, someone, inside the seating area.

From his spot, he could see Evelyn, her gentle laughter drifting softly through the hallway. She was holding a boy in her arms and talking to a few people.

Jackson stared as if his brain refused to process what his eyes were seeing.

“Axel…” he muttered, still not looking away. “Your wife is…?”

“Evelyn Knight,” Axel answered simply, his tone casual. But the second he caught the disbelief on his friend’s face, his smile faded a little. “Why? You know her?”

Jackson turned toward him slowly, still stunned. “You mean… Evelyn Walters?”

Axel nodded once. “The same one.”

“Wait, you’re serious?” Jackson blinked, genuinely rattled. “You’re married to her?”

Axel folded his arms, amused. “Is there another Evelyn I should know about?”

Jackson dragged a hand through his hair, laughing incredulously.

“Man, I can’t believe this. I actually know her. Well… not well, but… do you remember when I told you my parents tried to set me up with someone for an arranged marriage?”

Axel frowned, trying to recall. “Yeah. That was a long time ago.”

“She was the one,” Jackson smiled, turning back his gaze to Evelyn.

“What?” Axel asked, confused.

Then, Jackson turns to see Axel again.

“That woman holding your son, Evelyn Walters. My parents wanted me to marry her five or six years ago. I was thirty-three then, and she was twenty-five. Your wife’s father wanted the match, but I turned it down because she looked too young. I thought it’d be awkward and too uncool to even date her.”

Axel blinked, expression unreadable. “You’re telling me you almost became my son’s father?”

Jackson sighed dramatically. “Man… When you put it like that, it sounds like I dodged a soap opera.”

“Trust me,” Axel muttered, “it was one.”

Jackson laughed, shaking his head.

“I can’t believe this. She’s really that Evelyn. Damn, you two are nine years apart? What happened, man… she stalked you, or did you kidnap her?”

Axel smirked. “Neither. It’s a long story.”