The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: Your Luck’s Running out Tonight, Mr. Knight!
By the time they left the cabin, the clock was nearing nine.

The air outside had turned colder, the kind that nipped gently at their cheeks.

Axel carried a very sleepy Oliver in his arms, his head resting against his father’s shoulder.

“Looks like our little chef is running out of energy,” he murmured.

“Yes,” Evelyn said with a quiet laugh, glancing at their half-asleep son. “And he got even sleepier after taking that warm bath.”

…

They drove in comfortable silence, the rhythmic hum of the car blending with the faint sound of Oliver’s soft breathing.

Within ten minutes, Axel parked the car in front of the main entrance of their home.

Just as Evelyn unbuckled her seatbelt, a sleepy voice rose from the back seat.

“Daddy, don’t forget your promise.”

Both parents turned their heads in surprise.

Axel blinked, then exchanged a look with Evelyn before smiling. “What promise?”

Oliver rubbed his eyes and shrugged, “To read two books for me, Dad.”

“I didn’t forget,” He chuckled, “but I thought you were tired. Can we do it tomorrow instead?”

The little man shook his head hurriedly. “I’m not sleepy. I was just resting my eyes.”

Evelyn stifled a laugh. Her lips twitched as she thought, ‘My goodness, this boy sounds like a forty-year-old man trapped in a four-year-old’s body.’

Axel tilted his head, pretending to be serious. “Resting your eyes, huh? That’s what I say when I’m trying to nap during a meeting.”

Oliver puffed his chest proudly. “I know. I’m learning from you, Dad…”

Evelyn laughed, shaking her head. “Oh no, we’re in trouble now. He’s officially your mini version.”

Axel glanced back at his son with amusement. “Then I should start watching what I say.”

“Too late,” Evelyn said with a grin. “He already talks like you… sarcastic and confident.”

Oliver yawned but kept talking. “That’s not bad, Mommy. Daddy’s cool. Right, daddy?”

Evelyn rolled her eyes, pretending to sigh. “You’re both—”

Axel’s laughter filled the car, low and warm, as he got out and opened the back door.

“Alright, Mr. Wide Awake, time for bed.”

But as he bent to lift Oliver again, the boy shook his head and stretched his arms out. “I can walk. I’m big now.”

“Big?” Axel teased, raising an eyebrow. “You still need a stool to brush your teeth.”

“That’s because the sink is too high,” Oliver countered as they walked inside the house.

Evelyn couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her husband and son walking together, hand in hand; Axel tries to slow his steps to match his little boy’s tiny strides.

The sight melted her heart.

For all of Axel’s rough edges, he was gentle when it came to Oliver.

She quietly followed them inside, gently closing the door before pausing to watch her two boys as they went upstairs.

The house was warm and quiet, with the faint sound of Oliver’s laughter drifting from upstairs as Axel tried to convince him to read just one book.

When she no longer heard their voices, Evelyn finally moved to the bedroom.

She went into her room and directly headed to the bathroom to wash her face and change.

…

When she came out, she slipped into a pair of short satin pajamas, soft blue that contrasted beautifully with her fair skin.

Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders. She sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the book on her nightstand.

The clock ticked softly.

Ten minutes passed, then thirty.

By the time the hour hand neared ten, Axel still hadn’t returned.

Evelyn yawned, setting her book down for a moment. She adjusted the pillows, trying to keep herself awake.

Finally, around ten-thirty, the door opened and Axel stepped inside.

Evelyn looked up from her book. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his expression was a mix of fatigue and fondness.

“You’re still awake?” he asked, unbuttoning the top of his shirt.

“I wanted to say goodnight before sleep,” she said softly, closing the book on her lap.

Axel’s eyes lingered on her for a moment.

The weariness in his face seemed to melt away as he took in the sight of her… her hair cascading down her shoulders, her soft pajamas, the calm glow of the lamp painting her skin in gold.

“You look too beautiful,” he murmured.

Evelyn lifted a brow, amused. “Flattery? At this hour? You must want something.”

He grinned. “Just five minutes. I’ll wash up first.”

She nodded, pretending not to notice the way his eyes lingered before he turned toward the bathroom.

But halfway there, he stopped at the doorway and looked back with a mischievous glint.

“Do you want to accompany me? Shower? Warm bath?” he asked innocently.

Evelyn slowly looked up, her piercing glare clearly conveying her response.

Axel laughed, hands raised in playful surrender. “Alright, alright. I was just trying my luck.”

She rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. “Your luck’s running out tonight, Mr. Knight.”

“Maybe tomorrow, then,” he said playfully before disappearing into the bathroom.

The sound of running water soon filled the room.

Evelyn leaned back against the pillows, a small smile still on her face.

But it didn’t take long; she yawned again, her eyelids feeling heavy.

The warmth of the bed, the soft ticking of the clock, lulled her into a drowsy state.

Within minutes, sleep claimed her.

When Axel stepped out of the bathroom, towel around his shoulders, he stopped short.

His wife was already asleep, her hair spread over the pillow, one arm resting lightly above the blanket. The peaceful rise and fall of her chest made him smile.

“Too late,” he whispered to himself, amused.

He dried his hair quickly, pulled on his shorts, and turned off the bedside lamp.

The room fell into a comfortable darkness, broken only by the faint glow of the moon filtering through the curtains.

Quietly, he slipped into bed beside her. He didn’t want to wake her; she looked far too serene to be disturbed.

Leaning closer, he pressed a soft kiss against her cheek.

“Good night, Eve.”

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Her lips curved faintly, almost as if she had heard him in her dreams.

Axel smiled to himself, settling on his back, but sleep didn’t come easily.

His mind refused to quiet down. Thoughts of tomorrow’s Charity Dinner began to flood in.

He sighed quietly, glancing at Evelyn again. She shifted a little in her sleep, curling toward him unconsciously.

Her warmth pressed against his arm, and he felt her hand slide lightly against his side.

Just like that, the tension in his chest eased.