The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover-Chapter 354: Are You Insulting My Speed, Mr. Knight?

Only when he was satisfied did Axel speak. "My wife," he said softly, "did you forget? I promised to dine with you and your family."

"I remember," she giggled when he leaned in to kiss her, quickly turning her head so his lips brushed her cheek instead. "I just thought you’d be busy. You stayed beside me for almost a week."

Axel chuckled, guiding her toward the clinic door.

"That’s why I hire capable people. They handle my work so I can handle you."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "That might be the most shameless line you’ve ever said, Mr. Knight..." She laughed softly.

"And yet," he replied smoothly, "it worked...you laugh."

They stepped out of the clinic and began walking toward the main house.

Axel slowed his pace to match her smaller, careful steps, his hand never leaving hers.

"You truly have many trusted and capable people," Evelyn said genuinely. "I’m impressed."

Her mind briefly wandered to the Walters Group of the past. A company built on nepotism and empty titles, collapsing at the first real storm.

Axel’s empire was different. Efficient. Loyal. Structured. Dangerous, even. And yet, safe in his hands.

"Thank you, my wife." Axel squeezed her hand, patient and steady, as if each step she took mattered more than any business deal.

"Oh," he added casually, "the doctor told me your progress today is good."

Evelyn laughed softly. "My progress?" She tilted her head. "You mean my exhausting routine of meeting guests, eating, sleeping, and pretending I’m not bored to death?"

"You forgot your morning walk with your trainer," Axel corrected, pretending to be serious. "Very intensive rehabilitation."

She rolled her eyes. "Truly terrifying."

Still, she admitted, "I can walk now. Not as fast as before, but it’s better. My ribs hurt less, my hand moves better, and my knee only complains occasionally. Well... very occasionally." She smiled sweetly.

"That’s good to hear," Axel said, clearly pleased. "Which is why the doctor agreed. You no longer need to stay in the clinic."

Evelyn’s steps stopped.

She turned to him slowly, eyes wide. "Seriously?"

He nodded. "Yes."

For a moment, she forgot the ache in her body, the lingering grief in her heart, and the months of recovery still ahead. All she felt was pure, childlike excitement.

"This is what I’ve been waiting for," she breathed.

She moved to hug him instinctively, but her sudden motion made her injured shoulder stiffen with a sharp ache. She froze, quickly masking it with a smile, afraid he might change his mind if he saw her discomfort.

But Axel was Axel. He noticed everything.

Still, he chose not to expose her minor deception. Instead, he smirked. "Alright, let’s keep walking then. At this pace, we’ll reach the dining room after dinner."

Evelyn gasped in mock offense. "Are you insulting my speed, Mr. Knight?"

"Never," he replied solemnly. "I am admiring it. A queen must always make a grand entrance."

She laughed, leaning slightly into him as they continued their slow walk toward the house, the sound of family voices and Oliver’s laughter drifting from ahead.

...

As soon as Axel and Evelyn stepped into the living room, a cheerful voice burst through the air before they could fully enter.

"Mommy, look, look!" Oliver bounced on the sofa, his small hands waving excitedly. "Aunty Stella brought me my favorite cakes, pie... and donuts too!"

Evelyn froze for a second, then smiled as she took in the scene. Boxes of pastries and desserts were spread across the coffee table like a sugar kingdom.

Oliver’s eyes sparkled so brightly that it was almost as if a tiny halo hovered behind his head.

"Wow," Evelyn said as she carefully sat beside him. "That much?"

Oliver nodded proudly, as though he had personally negotiated the feast.

Evelyn ruffled his hair before lifting her gaze to Stella. "Aunty Stella, you really shouldn’t bring this much sweet food for Oliver..."

"Mommy," Oliver’s cute but firm voice cut her off. He reached for a box, opened it with great enthusiasm, and pulled out a slice of blueberry cheesecake. "Don’t scold Aunty. She didn’t bring it for you...So, I will share mine with you."

He held the box toward her with the generosity of a tiny gentleman offering a priceless treasure.

Evelyn stared at him, her heart melting faster than ice in summer. She had fully intended to lecture Stella about excessive sugar. But now, with her son offering peace through cheesecake diplomacy, her resolve crumbled.

She accepted the box gently. "Thank you," she said, her tone softening. "Then Mommy will eat just a little."

Stella covered her mouth, giggling. Alicia joined in, shaking her head fondly at her grandson’s negotiation skills.

Axel stood nearby, watching the exchange with quiet amazement. Something about Oliver’s confident little bargaining, the way he protected his beloved aunt from trouble, stirred a familiar memory. He could almost see himself at that age, defusing tense rooms with charm rather than tantrums.

"Do you want some, Daddy?" Oliver asked suddenly, his innocent eyes lifting toward Axel.

The question snapped Axel out of his thoughts. He smiled. "No, buddy. But I suggest you and Mommy stop eating dessert for now."

Oliver blinked. "Why?"

"Because," Axel said calmly, "we haven’t started dinner yet. And if you eat too many sweets, there won’t be enough space in your tummy to finish your dinner." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Oliver glanced at the table, then at his cheesecake, then at his mother. He seemed to be weighing the gravity of the situation like a seasoned strategist.

Evelyn leaned closer and whispered, "Daddy is right. If you skip dinner, Mommy will worry. And if Mommy worries, Daddy will glare at everyone."

Oliver’s eyes widened. He turned to Axel. Axel raised one eyebrow in confirmation.

The boy placed the cheesecake box back onto the table. "Okay," he said, sounding like a king sacrificing his crown. "I will eat it after dinner."

Stella burst into laughter. "You two are terrifying parents."

Alicia chuckled. "At least he listens."

Axel smiled at his son, "Good choice, Buddy..."

Oliver grinned, instantly recovering from his noble sacrifice. "Then we eat dinner now!"