Evelyn was silently staring at him, still half-panicked from oversleeping, half-hungry, and entirely embarrassed.
Her inner voice screamed, ’Yes, Axel. You made a mistake. You let me sleep too long. Why did you not wake me up? Why is the sun winning this battle? And most importantly... Why am I starving again?’
But she took a slow breath, forcing a smile.
"No, you did nothing wrong," she said, though her urgency leaked through her voice. "I just woke up and realized I’m late. I thought you had already left for the office."
Axel glanced at the clock, then at her, amused.
"It is only seven. You are not late, my dear..."
"For me, that is late," she sighs, "I usually wake up before you. But today, the sun bullied me."
His lips twitched, fighting a laugh. "The sun bullied you?"
"Yes. It was too bright. My eyes were suffering."
He stepped closer, tilting her chin lightly to examine her sleepy expression.
"Eve, you know what? You look cute with puffy eyes."
She pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes at him before speaking helplessly, "Mr. Knight, I’m not trying to be cute. I just want to look presentable."
He chuckled, then leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Relax. You are ready just in time. I was about to wake you to join us for breakfast. Our little boss is already waiting in the dining room..."
That relieved her.
"Let’s go. Don’t keep our little boss waiting, or he might file a complaint with his great-grandparents." She held Axel’s hand and hurriedly guided him toward the door.
Axel can’t help but laugh at her words. He walks beside her and asks, "So, my pretty wife, who can kick a dozen gangsters afraid of them?"
Evelyn glanced at him briefly, "You didn’t?"
"No," he asked playfully, but Evelyn shot him a glare. He quickly explained, "They’re not ghosts...why should I be afraid?" he shrugged lightly.
Evelyn shook her head and chuckled, "You are right. They are not ghosts, but it would be troublesome if our elders side with the little boss. They will grant any sweets for him."
"Ahh... You are correct about that," Axel said with a light laugh. "Alright... hurry up."
Her stomach growled loudly in response.
Axel raised a brow. "Someone sounds hungry."
She covered her belly with both hands, "Ignore that."
"I cannot," he said, amused. "It is louder than the morning alarm."
...
When Evelyn and Axel entered the dining room, Oliver was already sitting at the table, swinging his legs, eyes sparkling like a child who had been starving for days rather than just a few hours.
"Mom, Dad, hurry, hurry... I’m hungry," he announced. Then he patted the chair beside him and beamed. "Sit with me here, Mom."
"Yes, sweetheart." Evelyn immediately slipped her hand from Axel’s. She went straight to her son, smothering him with abundant hugs and kisses before taking the seat he had reserved for her.
Oliver swallowed a spoonful of scrambled eggs before answering proudly, "This is my rest day. I will play with Mommy."
Evelyn pinched his cheek, smiling. "That sounds lovely."
Axel cleared his throat. "Playing is good. But not too much. Mommy might get tired."
"I’ll be fine. It’s just playing."
Axel gave her a tight smile. Internally, he was wrestling with the possibility that she might be pregnant.
He could not jump to conclusions, though, not before talking to his doctor. Until then, he needed Evelyn protected, calm, and very, very safe.
"Inside the house is better," Axel added casually. "You know, relaxing activities... Read the book. Watching a cartoon... Or
"Inside? Why? Oliver and I already made plans."
Axel’s hand freezes in mid-air, "Plans?"
"Yes. We’re going to hike to the cabin in the mountains," Evelyn announced lightly, as if she was saying she planned to walk ten steps instead of thousands.
Oliver nodded excitedly. "Yes! We will go up, cook yummy food, and come back before dark. Right, Mommy?"
"Right, sweetheart..." Evelyn responded while ruffling his smooth hair.
If Axel had been drinking water, he would have choked on it. "Hiking? Why hiking? Why not use a car?"
"Because I miss walking," Evelyn replied. "I’ve been too busy lately. I want fresh air. The scenery will be beautiful today, and the temperature is perfect. Right, Oliver?"

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