The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 284

Chapter 284: We Are Expecting Another Child
Alexander Knight was still staring at her. Coldly. As if her existence alone disturbed the air he breathed.

Evelyn’s fingers tightened unconsciously around Axel’s hand.

Axel immediately noticed, his eyes flicking to her pale knuckles.

He turned back toward his grandfather and Uncle Erick. “Thank you, Uncle…” he said sincerely. “I appreciate your acceptance.” His voice held a calm confidence, but the protective edge beneath it was unmistakable.

Then Axel looked straight at his father.

“Father,” he began in a calm tone, but his eyes showed his anger, “I am not asking for your approval. But I will not let you hurt my wife’s feelings.”

Evelyn’s breath caught.

Alexander frowned, staring at Axel.

“I hope,” Axel continued, his gaze never wavering, “…you will not say anything that will harm her again.”

The room froze.

Alexander stiffened, his lips pressing into a hard line, clearly displeased but unable to retaliate under the watchful eyes of his own father.

Evelyn felt a rush of conflicting emotions: worry, relief, gratitude, and a warmth spreading through her chest.

Axel’s words echoed in her mind. He is not asking for approval, but refusing to let anyone hurt her.

In that moment, she felt her grip loosen on his hand only because she realized she had begun clinging to him too tightly.

She looked at him, and he turned his head slightly, giving her a reassuring smile. It was small, brief, but enough to calm her racing heart.

Andrew nods, slightly satisfied. “Good. Now that the matter is clear, let us not turn this into more drama.”

Eleanor gently patted Evelyn’s knee. “Now, I can officially say welcome to the Knight family, dear…” she whispered softly.

It makes Evelyn feel even more at ease. “Thank you, Grandma…”

Conversation slowly resumed around the living room.

The tension lessened.

Not fully, but enough for Evelyn to feel she was not drowning in it anymore.

Even though her father-in-law, Alexander, still looked at her as if she were an unwelcome shadow.

But she had Axel.

She had Amanda, Andrew, and Eleanor.

She had Erick and his family.

She had people in this house who had accepted her… no questions asked.

Evelyn softly exhaled, a gentle smile on her lips.

The living room’s atmosphere had settled, replacing earlier tension with a warmer feeling.

However, her smile gradually faded as Axel unexpectedly surprised her with an announcement he boldly shared, catching her off guard.

“Evelyn and I have a four-year-old son…” Axel paused when he felt Evelyn’s hand tighten around his.

He turned to her with a reassuring smile and gently squeezed her hand.

Then he continued, looking at his father: “His name is Oliver Taylor Knight.” His tone carried no hesitation.

Although his grandparents and mother already knew, Axel wanted Alexander and Erick to hear it from him directly. Oliver deserved to be acknowledged.

“Oh my God, Axel… why did you hide it from us?” Erick protested, sounding more delighted than offended. His eyes were shining with excitement. “Congratulations again, Axel. Evelyn… congratulations.”

The almost silent room instantly burst into soft laughter and broad smiles.

Even Eleanor and Andrew clapped with joy, and Amanda smiled with excitement, her eyes glowing.

Only Alexander remained silent. His posture stiffened slightly, yet his expression had changed. The gloom that had shadowed his face earlier had softened. Surprise flickered in his eyes, and there was even a brief spark of something that looked like restrained joy.

He tried not to look at Axel and Evelyn. Instead, he turned toward Amanda as if silently interrogating her. Amanda simply patted his arm, clearly telling him they would discuss it later.

Evelyn noticed everything. The shift in Alexander’s demeanor eased the tightness in her chest.

“So tell us about Oliver. How is he?” Erick asked. His wife, Sandra, nodded enthusiastically beside him.

“He must be adorable,” Sandra added. “Axel, Evelyn, can we meet Oliver?”

Evelyn looked to Axel, silently asking whether she should answer. Axel gave her a slight nod along with a warm smile, encouraging her.

Evelyn returned his smile before turning to Erick and Sandra. “Of course. We would love for you to meet Oliver. We can arrange a visit to our home…”

Erick and Sandra lit up instantly, their excitement almost overflowing. Even their daughters leaned in, eyes bright.

“We want to meet him too…” one of the girls said with a shy grin.

Evelyn smiled at them, “Sure. We will arrange it soon…”

Sandra placed a hand over her chest. “Amanda, Andrew, and Eleanor met him already. That is so unfair,” she teased with jealousy.

Andrew chuckled. “That is the advantage of great-grandparents…”

The family burst into another round of laughter.

For a moment, they all forgot about the heavy grief of the funeral and the complicated history surrounding Evelyn’s last name.

Now, they simply talked like a family.

A real, warm family.

And Evelyn soaked in every second of it. The acceptance, the laughter, the curious questions, and the genuine joy. She felt her world settle into a peaceful place.

When Evelyn sensed it was time for them to head back home, Axel seemed to think differently.

“There is one more thing I want to tell you,” Axel said calmly.

His voice made everyone turn toward him. Even Alexander looked up this time.

Axel showed no tension. Only a warm, gentle smile touched his lips, rare enough that even Evelyn blinked in surprise.

“What is it?” Andrew asked, leaning forward, clearly impatient.

Eleanor stared at Axel with curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “Yes, tell us.”

Amanda tilted her head, also eager to hear whatever secret he was holding.

But Axel did not look at any of them. Instead, he gazed at Evelyn, his eyes softening with a loving, meaningful warmth that made her heart race.

Then he faced his family again.

“We are expecting another child. My wife is now pregnant.”

The room froze.

Eleanor’s jaw dropped.

Amanda gasped loudly.

Erick’s eyes widened from his chair as if unsure whether to laugh happily or hug someone.

Sandra covered her mouth in delight, and the girls squealed.

Andrew blinked several times. “Pregnant? Again? Now? Really?”

Evelyn’s cheeks flushed as she nodded shyly.

For a moment, the room exploded louder than before.

Eleanor clapped her hands. “Oh, Eve, this is wonderful news!”

Amanda practically launched herself at the young couple, wrapping Evelyn in a tight, warm hug.

“You are giving us another grandchild,” she said with emotional laughter. “I wish I could frame this moment.”

Erick grinned widely. “Three congratulations in one day. Axel, you are full of surprises.”

Even Alexander, though quiet, no longer had anger on his face. He seemed overwhelmed, confused, yet unmistakably softened.

Axel slipped an arm around Evelyn’s shoulders.

Evelyn smiled shyly as everyone showered her with questions and blessings.