The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 168

Chapter 168: You Will Make Me Cry!
The long lunch party that had started with laughter, music, and Oliver’s unstoppable energy had finally ended.

It was almost three in the afternoon when Axel carried the now-sleeping birthday boy up to his room.

Evelyn followed beside him, her heart still full from the day.

Oliver’s small arms were wrapped around his father’s neck, his face buried against Axel’s shoulder, completely lost to dreams after hours of excitement.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this exhausted,” Evelyn whispered, smiling as she gently brushed a few strands of hair from Oliver’s forehead. “He’s been entertaining the whole family and friends since morning.”

Axel adjusted his son carefully.

“He earned it. He met half the family, made new friends, and ate enough cake to last him a week.”

Evelyn chuckled softly.

“You forgot the part where he tried to show the family how he fed Browny, and he fed the poor pony with his fork.”

“Oh, right,” Axel said, his voice warm. “And then you screamed like someone was being kidnapped.”

“Because he almost poked Browny’s nose!” Evelyn argued softly, covering her mouth to keep from laughing too loudly. “I thought that poor pony would bite him back.”

Axel lay Oliver down on the bed, pulling the blanket up to his chest.

For a long moment, they both stood there watching him sleep, his tiny chest rising and falling peacefully.

Evelyn’s expression softened.

“He looks so happy.”

“He is,” Axel said quietly. “And I think today meant a lot to him.”

She nodded. “It did. Meeting everyone, being surrounded by family… It’s something I used to dream about for him.”

Axel turned to her.

“You gave him that, Eve. You made this happen.”

Her eyes glistened slightly as she smiled. “No, we both did. Thank you, Axel…”

He leaned closer and kissed her forehead, his voice low. “I’m proud of you.”

That simple statement made her chest tighten with emotion. “Don’t say that. You’ll make me cry.”

“Then I’ll stop,” he said with a faint grin. “Because if you cry, I’ll have to call Oscar for help. And I don’t want him laughing at me again.”

Evelyn laughed softly, shaking her head. “He would too.”

Axel smirked. “Exactly.”

They left Oliver’s room quietly, heading to the first floor.

The house was slowly returning to silence after hours of noise and joy.

…

Downstairs, one by one, the guests began saying their goodbyes.

Axel’s grandparents left first, followed by Jackson, Alicia, and the others.

Evelyn personally escorted each of them out, exchanging warm hugs and promising to meet again soon.

By the time Aunt Martha stood at the doorway, only she, Evelyn, and Axel remained.

Martha’s presence always brought a soothing comfort, the kind Evelyn had longed for when she was still living in Willowcrest, hiding from the world.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay a night?” Evelyn asked, gently holding Martha’s hand. “You can rest here, and we’ll drive you back tomorrow morning to the airport. You can use Axel’s jet…”

Martha smiled kindly but shook her head.

“If I don’t go home tonight, I won’t be able to sleep. You know me. I’ll be worrying about him…”

Evelyn sighs quietly, understanding why Aunty Martha is hesitant to leave her house. She waits for her son to come back, even though she knows that hope will never come true.

“Aunty, Henry…” she begins, but can’t quite finish her sentence. She feels sorry for her.

Martha gently patted Evelyn’s hand. A smile appeared on her lips as she said, “Eve, I just worry he suddenly comes back and I’m not there, he’ll think I already moved…”

Evelyn’s expression softened with concern.

“You always worry too much, Auntie. Henry won’t think that way. Maybe if he really comes back, he will wait… He is an adult.”

“Maybe,” Martha replied, her smile faint but wistful. “But no matter how old they get, they’re still our babies. You’ll see what I mean when Oliver grows up.”

Evelyn nodded.

“I already understand it,” she whispered. “Every time he steps out of my sight, I worry.”

“That’s how you know you’re a mother,” Martha said, squeezing her hand affectionately.

Then she straightened and smiled again. “You did well today, sweetheart. Your home is beautiful, your family is lovely, and your husband… well, that man adores you. You’re glowing.”

Evelyn chuckled shyly.

“Thank you. But I’m still learning how to balance everything.”

“You’ll be fine,” Martha assured. “You have a good heart. That’s enough.”

Before leaving, Martha pulled her into a long, warm hug.

“Promise me one thing,” she whispered. “Come visit me in Willowcrest before the year ends. I’ll make Oliver’s favorite chicken pie.”

Evelyn smiled, her voice soft. “I promise.”

Martha waved from the car window as it rolled down the driveway.

Evelyn stood there until the car disappeared around the bend, her heart both full and heavy.

She missed that woman already.

…

When she turned back, Axel was standing by the doorway, hands in his pockets, watching her with a gentle expression.

“Is she gone?” he asked.

Evelyn nodded, stepping back toward the house. “Yes. She insisted. Said she couldn’t relax unless she went home.”

He smiled faintly. “That sounds like her.”

“Hmm, she is. Oh, has Oscar settled in yet?”

“Yes. He’s in the guest room. Apparently, he made some deal with Oliver that he has to stay until tomorrow.”

She laughed.

“Of course. Oliver’s favorite uncle always gets special privileges.”

“Which means we’ll have him wandering around here at breakfast, too,” Axel added dryly.

“You sound so thrilled,” she teased.

“Oh, absolutely, why wouldn’t I?” Axel replied sarcastically. “There’s nothing like beginning the day with Oscar hacking into the coffee machine and offering parenting tips.”

Evelyn chuckled softly as she leaned against him.

“Be nice to him. He is like my brother. And he likes you too. A fan of yours, I think.”

“He annoys me,” Axel replied, though his tone was affectionate. “But I suppose I can survive one more night.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate it,” she murmured, resting her head against his chest.

Axel wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.

The warmth of his embrace melted the last of her exhaustion. She looked up at him, her voice soft. “It was a good day, wasn’t it?”

He nodded. “Better than good.”