The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Regret Won’t Change What He Did
Evelyn smiled faintly.

“It’s been a long time…”

“Yes, dear. I still remember her very well,” Lucy Walters said softly as she gently squeezed Evelyn’s hand, her voice warm with memories.

Before Evelyn could say something, Samuel Walters approached quietly, his expression heavy with regret.

“Honey,” he said weakly, looking at his wife, then Evelyn, “Eve… Let’s sit first.”

When they all sat down, Evelyn found herself beside her grandmother.

Meanwhile, Stella and her grandfather took the seats opposite them.

Samuel cleared his throat, his tone heavy with sincerity as he began, “Eve, there’s something I’ve wanted to say to you for years.”

Evelyn looked at him calmly. Waiting.

“I’m sorry, my dear. For what happened to you back then,” Samuel said, his expression growing somber.

Evelyn didn’t say anything, so he continued, his eyes filled with remorse.

“Your grandmother and I were in Europe on a three-week cruise. By the time we got back, it had already been a week since your father…” He hesitated, then said in his deep, low voice, “…since your father disowned you.”

Lucy’s hand clenched around Evelyn’s. Her eyes blurred as she tried to recall those sorrowful times in her life.

“I tried to find you,” Samuel continued, “but your father had already buried everything about you. We had no address, no number, nothing. I wanted to help, but I failed you.”

Evelyn nodded slowly. She already knew about it through Stella.

“I know, Grandpa. I heard about that from Stella…” She smiled softly, her voice calm and gentle. “And, please, Grandpa, stop blaming yourself, because I never blamed you. You were away, and I made my own choices.”

Lucy let out a shaky sigh, her tears finally drying. “You’re still the same, always so forgiving. I was afraid you hated us.”

“How could I?” Evelyn smiled faintly, her tone polite. “You were the only two people who truly cared for me when I was a child. You gave me everything my father couldn’t.”

Her grandmother smiled through glistening eyes, but then asked quietly, “Then why didn’t you visit us, dear? You never came back to the house. I thought you were still angry with us.”

Evelyn answered in a flat, honest tone, “Because I didn’t want to cross paths with William Walters.”

Both elders froze, their expressions faltering for a second before they quickly tried to compose themselves.

Samuel gave a slight nod, understanding. “That’s fair.”

Lucy sighed softly. “Your father is still stubborn. He always has been. But he regrets what he did in the past, even if he’ll never admit it.”

Evelyn’s eyes flickered with faint amusement. “Regret won’t undo what he did.”

Her grandmother lowered her gaze, sadness clouding her gentle face. “You’re right, Eve… You are right.”

Before the conversation grew complicated and too heavy, Stella, who had been quietly munching on her sushi for the last five minutes, suddenly looked up.

“Okay, okay… everyone’s getting too emotional,” she said, waving her chopsticks dramatically. “This was supposed to be a surprise lunch, not a family therapy session. Let’s eat, huh!?”

Lucy chuckled softly while Samuel shook his head, trying to hide his smile.

Evelyn let out a small laugh, too. “You never change, Stella…”

“I try not to,” Stella replied with a grin. “If I did, this lunch would be unbearably serious.”

Her answer brightened the mood, causing everyone at the table to laugh together.

The tense atmosphere was slightly relaxed.

Evelyn turned to her grandmother again, smiling warmly. “I’m happy to see you both. I’ve missed having you in my life.”

Lucy squeezed her hand. “Then let’s not lose each other again, alright?”

“Alright,” Evelyn said softly.

…

They finally could enjoy lunch.

Samuel had been smiling warmly as he listened to Evelyn talk about her current life.

But then, his expression changed slightly.

A faint crease appeared on his forehead as a memory stirred.

His voice softened, hesitant. “Eve, I’m sorry to ask… how about the child? Did you—”

Before he could finish, Stella eagerly interrupted him. “Grandpa! Sister Eve… has a son. His name is Oliver. He just turned four a few days ago.”

Evelyn’s eyes snapped toward her sister, shooting her a look that clearly said ‘not now’.

But it was too late.

Lucy and Samuel froze for a heartbeat, then looked at each other in astonishment before breaking into smiles.

“Four years old?” Lucy gasped, her eyes filling with tears. “You mean… we have a great-grandson?”

Evelyn sighed quietly but couldn’t help smiling at her grandmother’s excitement. “Yes, Grandma. His name is Oliver.”

Samuel’s face softened as if a heavy burden had lifted from his chest.

“Thank God,” he whispered, tears blurring his eyes. “I was worried… I feared something terrible might have happened to you, Eve, in the past. But God watches over you… Oh my… I feel so happy.”

Lucy reached out, took Evelyn’s hand, and squeezed it affectionately.

“Eve, we’re so happy to hear this. You have no idea how long we’ve prayed for you, for your safety, and for you to find happiness again. Oh dear, I can’t wait to meet him.”

Before Evelyn could reply, Stella added cheerfully, “Oh, you’ll love him, Grandma! He’s smart and polite and looks exactly like—”

Evelyn’s glare at Stella was enough to make her press her lips, worried her sister would stuff sushi in her mouth.

“Like who?” Lucy asked curiously.

“—like sister Eve,” Stella finished weakly, forcing an awkward laugh.

Lucy chuckled at their playful tension. “He sounds wonderful. When can we see him? Why didn’t you invite us to his birthday?”

“Grandma, I’m sorry. I didn’t invite many people to his birthday. Just family and close friends who already know about him.”

Stella piped up again. “Oh, but Grandma, you’ll never guess… Mom and I were both invited to the celebration. The party was beautiful.”

Evelyn narrowed her eyes at her sister, “Stella, stop giving out spoilers.”

Samuel laughed heartily, the first genuine laugh he’d had all afternoon.

“You two haven’t changed at all. One always keeps secrets, and the other can’t stop spilling them.”

Lucy smiled warmly. “Evelyn, dear, please let us meet him soon. He’s our first great-grandson, after all. I want to bake him something special.”

Her grandmother’s excitement melted Evelyn’s hesitation. She nodded softly. “Alright. I’ll bring Oliver to meet you both soon.”

The couple exchanged a joyful look. Lucy’s eyes shimmered, and Samuel smiled proudly.

“We’ll be waiting, Eve…”

Though Evelyn smiled, a quiet unease settled in her heart. She prayed they wouldn’t ask about Oliver’s father.

That was a conversation she wasn’t ready to have now.