The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 223

Chapter 223: The Best Gift He Could Ever Ask For
Axel glanced at her, his smirk spreading wider by the second. “Know about your plan to surprise me? Yes.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “Unbelievable. Did our little boss tell you about it?”

“In a way… Not directly, of course,” Axel admitted with a soft laugh, “But he dropped enough hints that even a fool would notice. Something about a ‘super-secret party’ and ‘Mommy’s shiny present.'”

Evelyn burst into laughter, shaking her head in disbelief. “Oh, heaven help me! I told him to keep it quiet, not broadcast it to the world.”

“He tried,” Axel said, amused. “But you know him… he gets too excited. He looked so proud of himself, too. Don’t blame him.”

Evelyn leaned back against the seat, still laughing softly.

“I won’t. I can just imagine him pacing around, holding himself back from blurting it out. Poor boy. It must have been torture for him not to tell anyone, especially since he loves explaining things in detail.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure Jimmy already knows. He’s probably been interrogated by our son all week.”

“Of course, he knows,” Evelyn said with a playful smile. “Jimmy’s the one helping me with the dinner arrangements. And Danny’s in on it too. Someone has to cook your favorite dishes, after all.”

For a moment, Axel just stared at her, feigning disbelief.

“So my butler and my chef are now part of your little conspiracy?”

She tried to look innocent but failed miserably, giggling as she said, “They didn’t betray you, I promise. They’re just helping me create the perfect surprise. You know, team effort.”

Axel laughed softly, shaking his head. “Unbelievable. My own staff turned against me.”

Evelyn reached out and patted his shoulder gently, her eyes sparkling.

“Oh, come on, Mr. Knight. Don’t look so betrayed. You’re loved, that’s all. Everyone just wants to make your day special.”

Axel gave her a long, amused look before finally sighing in defeat. “You really make that house feel like home, Eve.”

The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten.

She blinked at him, caught off guard by how easily he could melt her heart with just a few words.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her tone softening. “But you make it interesting.”

He chuckled, the corner of his mouth lifting. “That’s how we balance each other.”

Evelyn smiled, glancing out the window as the car glided smoothly down the quiet road.

The orange hue of the setting sun painted everything in a warm glow, and the city lights began to flicker in the distance. It was peaceful, almost too perfect.

After a few moments, Axel reached over and took her hand, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles.

She turned to look at him, her heart tugging again at the sight of that easy smile of his, the one that always made her heart flutter.

He didn’t say anything else, and neither did she.

The comfortable silence between them spoke more than words ever could.

Evelyn leaned back in her seat, still holding his hand, her lips curving into a soft smile.

“You know,” she said quietly, “I think this might be my favorite drive home ever.”

Axel glanced at her briefly, his eyes warm. “Good,” he said, giving her hand a light squeeze. “Because every road with you leads home.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes at his charm but couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face. “Smooth talker.”

He chuckled lightly without a sound, eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Only for you, Mrs. Knight.”

And with that, the car continued down the glowing street, heading fast toward the Valley.

…

When the car finally rolled to a stop in front of their house, the front door burst open before Axel could even pull the handbrake.

A small figure dashed across the driveway, his laughter echoing through the air.

“Daddy! Mommy!” Oliver shouted, his tiny legs moving as fast as they could.

Jimmy followed closely behind, attempting to keep up, but the four-year-old was far too fast. “Young master, wait! Don’t get too close to the car…”

Axel stepped out of the car and smiled as he saw his son barreling toward him. He barely had time to straighten before Oliver jumped into his arms, giggling as he caught him effortlessly.

“Whoa, slow down there, buddy,” Axel said, his deep voice filled with amusement. “Someone… really, deeply, missed us, huh?”

Oliver grinned widely, showing a mix of excitement and upset.

“I missed both of you so much.” Then he saw Evelyn with her curious and worried gaze, “Mommy, you’re late…

Evelyn had just stepped out of the car when she heard that. She laughed, leaning in to kiss her son’s cheek.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Mommy took too long…”

“I waited all day. I didn’t even take a nap because I don’t want to miss when you arrive,” he reported with a sad expression.

Evelyn gasped softly, her hand brushing his cheek. “Oh no! Really? You must be tired.”

Oliver quickly shook his head.

“No, I’m strong. I was waiting because I wanted to tell you…I learned how to ride a big horse today! Mr. Harris said I did amazing!”

“Really?” Axel asked, pretending to be shocked. “Already a horse rider? What’s next, racing cars?”

Oliver laughed proudly. “Maybe next week—”

Evelyn smiled tenderly, unable to resist showering him with another round of kisses on his cheeks.

“My little rider. Mommy’s so proud of you.”

“And I practiced piano too,” Oliver added happily.

“You practiced both piano and horse riding? Wow, that’s impressive.” Evelyn said.

“Because I’m a big boy now.”

Axel chuckled softly, shifting him in his arms. “Big enough to stay awake all day, I see.”

Oliver gave him a sleepy look, though his excitement refused to fade.

“It’s okay, Daddy. I waited because I wanted to ask Mommy something.”

“Oh?” Evelyn asked, smiling as she brushed a stray hair from his forehead. “What do you want to ask, sweetheart?”

Oliver leaned closer and whispered, “Mommy, how was your mission to get Daddy’s present?”

But his voice was loud enough for Axel to hear.

Evelyn was biting her lip to stop herself from laughing. Axel raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

“Oh, the mission?” She whispered back, “It was a success.”

“Yay! Then Daddy’s going to love it!” he whispered.

“Of course…” Evelyn answered while glancing at Axel.

‘Hmm, I’m sure I will,’ Axel gazed, shifting between his wife and son.

“Alright,” Axel continued as he started walking toward the house, still holding Oliver securely in his arms. “Now, let’s get inside.”

Evelyn walked beside them, her fingers intertwined with his free hand. While Oliver rested his head on Axel’s shoulder, humming softly as his eyes started to grow heavy.

As the three of them stepped into the warm glow of their home, Axel felt something stir deep in his chest… a quiet happiness he hadn’t known he was missing all those years before Evelyn came back into his life.

This birthday would be different.

This year, he wouldn’t be celebrating with business associates or alone in his office, reminiscing about past business decisions or making a five-year strategic plan.

But, he would spend it with the only people who truly mattered, his wife and his son.

And for Axel Knight, that was the best gift he could ever ask for.