"Good," Axel said finally. "Take care of Ethan. Make sure he receives proper medical treatment. I need him to recover as soon as possible."
"Of course, boss. They are already transferring him to the basecamp, where he will receive the best medical care.
"I will fly there tomorrow morning."
Silence hit the other end of the line.
"Collins!?"
"Boss..." Collins’ voice carried a clear shock now. "If you come personally, you’ll expose your identity. You know that."
Axel opened his eyes, gaze fixed on the dark horizon beyond the window.
He thought of Ethan. The boy he had pulled from death. The man who had stood beside him without hesitation. The brothers’ fate had given him in the strangest way possible.
And now... someone had tried to take him away.
Axel’s lips curved into a faint smile. Not warm. Not gentle.
Dangerous.
"Let it be," he said simply.
Collins did not argue further. He knew better.
The call ended. Axel lowered the phone slowly, his expression returning to its usual composed elegance, as if nothing had shaken him at all.
But the air in the room had changed. It grew colder, as if the heater had malfunctioned.
"Man, you really should get some sleep now, or your wife will find out you’re working till down again..."
Axel smiled faintly as he left his study room.
...
The next morning arrived quietly.
Evelyn woke to a faint rustling sound. The sound was coming from the walk-in closet.
Her eyelids felt heavy, her body still wrapped in the warmth of sleep, but curiosity nudged her awake.
She turned her head toward the sound, squinting into the dim room.
"Huh...?" she murmured.
She lifted her arm and tapped the digital clock on the bedside table. The glowing numbers blinked back at her.
5:42 AM.
Her brows rose.
"Axel’s awake?" she muttered, her voice raspy with sleep. "So early? It’s not even six yet. The moon hasn’t even retired from its shift."
She pushed the blanket aside and carefully swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her knee protested slightly, but she ignored it, reaching for the hair tie on the nightstand.
With slow, clumsy movements, she gathered her messy hair into a loose ponytail.
By the time she finished, the closet door opened.
Axel stepped out, already dressed in a black shirt and matching trousers. His hair was neatly styled. His watch sat perfectly on his wrist. Not a single wrinkle dared exist on him.
He looked painfully handsome, unfair to humanity.
When their eyes met, he immediately walked toward her, his expression softening.
"I’m sorry," he said gently. "Did I wake you?"

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