The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 232

Chapter 232: Family Dinner Party
Soon, everyone moved to the dining table where Danny, the chef, had prepared a luxurious birthday dinner.

The presentation was beautiful, with an inviting aroma, but for the first few minutes, the atmosphere remained stiff.

Forks clinked a little too carefully. Napkins were unfolded with unnecessary precision.

Everyone kept stealing glances at everyone else, as if unsure which family should breathe first.

And then Oliver saved the night.

“Daddy… Congratulations on turning a year older…” he said with his cute voice, full of excitement, looking so proud of his own words that the whole table slowly burst into laughter.

Axel smiled, though there was a slight heaviness behind it.

Turning older was not exactly something he enjoyed being reminded of by his four-year-old son.

“Hahaha, brother-in-law, don’t worry,” Stella chimed in immediately. “You do not look older than your actual age. You are still young as long as you smile.”

Then, Stella turned to Evelyn and raised her brows dramatically. “Right, sister Eve…?”

Before Evelyn could answer, Alicia chimed in, “Stop teasing your brother-in-law,” she scolded, giving Stella a smack on the back, though her lips were twitching.

Evelyn leaned closer to Axel, whispering softly, “Right, you still look young, the same age as me. As long as you smile often.”

Axel glanced at her, his voice lower than before. “Really? We are almost ten years apart, Eve.”

“I am serious,” Evelyn replied as she looked into his eyes. “No one believes you are in your late thirties. People always assume you are in your early thirties.”

Axel chuckled quietly and reached under the table for her hand.

“Well, I do not mind getting old. As long as you stay beside me, Eve,” he said with his affectionate gaze.

Her heart swelled.

Evelyn lowered her voice even further, her words meant only for him. “I will stay beside you forever.”

While the two exchanged loving whispers, Amanda Knight, seated beside Oliver, was busy laughing with her grandson at his amusing comments.

“Oh dear, your daddy is indeed getting old, in fact older,” Amanda said as she added more meat onto Oliver’s plate. “And one important thing, you need to eat more if you want to grow tall and strong like daddy.”

Oliver puffed out his cheeks in determination and continued eating.

The whole table laughed when he announced loudly through a mouthful, “I will grow tall and strong. Like Daddy!”

Conversation shifted again.

This time, Alexander Knight proudly bragged that Oliver took after him in looks, which made Samuel Walters sit up straight and insist, equally proudly, that the boy clearly looked like the Walters side.

Axel and Evelyn can only laugh at how their family has now grown closer, despite the silent grudge between their fathers.

By the time dessert arrived, the entire table was lively.

Even Alicia and Lucy, who started the evening tense, were now smiling naturally.

When the final plates were cleared, Stella stood and raised her glass excitedly.

“Brother-in-law, happy birthday!”

Everyone lifted their glasses, even Oliver, who proudly held up his cup of orange juice.

Axel, who had not experienced this kind of warm, chaotic, heartfelt birthday celebration since his early teens, felt something unfamiliar rise in his chest. Something soft.

He stood slowly and looked at each person at the table. “Thank you, all.”

That was all he said, but everyone could feel the sincerity behind it.

“Brother, here.” Stella handed a wrapped box to Evelyn, who then passed it to Axel. “Please accept this cheap present. If you do not like it, please do not sue me…”

Samuel and Lucy hurriedly added their own gifts to the table. “Yes, we are old now. Our gifts are limited,” Lucy said jokingly.

Evelyn almost spat out her sparkling water from laughing. Her family never failed to entertain her.

Axel accepted each present with a calm smile. He truly appreciated every one of them.

No matter how complicated everything had been between their families, seeing them all here tonight meant far more than he allowed himself to show.

After dessert, everyone moved to the living room.

All the elders settled into the seating area. At the same time, Oliver squeezed himself into the center, talking excitedly about his horses, Cloud and Browny. The elders listened with a patience only grandparents possessed.

Meanwhile, Evelyn and Stella sat together near the wooden stove.

Stella leaned close and whispered, “Sis, I think our father’s senses have returned.”

“What do you mean?”

Stella looked around carefully to make sure no one else could hear before whispering again. “Dad refuses to divorce Mom.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “What?”

Stella shook her head, her voice full of disbelief. “He is the one who kept a mistress and betrayed Mom, but now he suddenly does not want a divorce. Is he insane?”

Evelyn let out a long sigh. She knew exactly why their father had changed his mind. Lana’s betrayal had wounded his pride.

And Evelyn knew for sure, her father was the kind of man who would crawl back only after losing everything.

“He must be insane,” Evelyn said, shaking with silent laughter. “So what did Alice say?”

Stella’s expression turned gloomy. “You know, Mom… She loves him. And a few times she asks me… should she forgive him?”

Evelyn gasped in surprise. “Has she lost her mind? How could she even consider that?”

Stella rolled her eyes. “We really share the same blood, sis. I also reacted exactly like that.”

Evelyn reached over and patted her sister’s shoulder, trying to comfort her. Stella often hid her sadness behind her jokes, but she could read her well—she is sad.

“And you?” Evelyn asked softly. “Did you even consider accepting Dad again?”

“No!” Stella spat immediately. “I would rather leave the house than accept him back.”

Evelyn chuckled. “That is my sister.” She squeezed Stella’s hand gently. “Do not worry. I will talk to Alice.”

Stella exhaled heavily, grateful. “Thanks, sis.”

The soft glow from the stove flickered across their faces.

Laughter from the elders echoed through the room. Oliver’s excited voice floated across the space as he explained how Cloud liked apples more than carrots.

Then, Evelyn turned to check Axel, but she didn’t see him in the room.

‘Since when did he leave?’ She wondered.