The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover-Chapter 417: Happy New Year!

For the first time, they all sat together.

The atmosphere at the table felt warm, natural, and deeply familial.

There was no awkwardness, no forced politeness, only a quiet sense of comfort that slowly wrapped around the room.

Evelyn’s presence brought gentle brightness to the space, while Oliver’s cheerful energy filled the air.

Martha’s happiness was impossible to miss, her eyes constantly drifting toward Ethan with a mixture of affection and quiet disbelief.

And Ethan—

Though he still had no memory of his mother, though the past remained painfully blank, something inside him felt unexpectedly at peace. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

It was a strange feeling.

But not unpleasant.

In fact, it felt... good.

The warmth of the room, the soft laughter, the simple domestic conversation—everything created a sense of belonging he could not quite explain.

He did not remember her.

But sitting there beside her felt right.

As if his heart recognized something his mind could not.

The lunch passed with gentle ease, filled with soft laughter and light conversation. No heavy topics, no painful memories, only the quiet joy of people sharing a simple meal.

There was no tension. Only warmth. Only peace. Only family.

...

The hours crept toward midnight, and the bedroom door finally opened.

Axel stepped inside, his movements slower than usual, the exhaustion evident in the slight slump of his shoulders.

Yet the moment his eyes landed on Evelyn, the weariness on his face softened into a warm, familiar smile, the kind that effortlessly brightened her entire evening.

Evelyn looked up from the television, amusement flickering in her eyes.

"Did he torture you by making you read five books again?" she asked playfully, glancing toward the clock. It was nearly eleven.

Axel let out a long breath, closed the door behind him, and walked toward the sofa where Evelyn sat.

Without hesitation, he lowered himself beside her and leaned his head against her shoulder like a man seeking refuge.

She chuckled softly and turned off the television, placing the remote neatly on the coffee table.

"Please don’t be upset with him. Our son truly misses his dad and just wants to spend some quality time with you."

Axel sighed deeply, as though he had just been released from a demanding negotiation rather than a bedtime routine.

"Where does he get so much energy?" he muttered, his tone halfway between complaint and disbelief.

Evelyn smiled.

His arm slid behind her naturally, pulling her closer, and she responded without thinking, resting her head comfortably against his shoulder.

Tilting her face slightly to look at him, she replied with gentle confidence. "Why are you even asking? It’s obviously from you."

Axel tilted his head a bit. Then, the faint grin forming on his lips betrayed him. "I highly doubt that," he answered.

"Oh, really?" Evelyn asked playfully.

"Yes," Axel continued smoothly. "I believe it comes from the alarming amount of sugar he consumed earlier."

Evelyn laughed softly.

"Well, you are not entirely wrong," she admitted. "Oliver did eat quite a lot of dessert."

Axel raised an eyebrow.

"Quite a lot?" He asked.

Evelyn hesitated before saying, "...An impressive amount."

Axel chuckled.

"That boy was practically glowing with excitement."

Evelyn sighed dramatically. "Well, I can’t blame him... Aunty Martha really spoiled him tonight. Those desserts were too delicious."

Axel nodded thoughtfully.

"Then we start his diet tomorrow."

She instantly lifted her head. "Oh, absolutely not."

Axel frowned. "...Not?"

"He will immediately file a complaint."

"To whom?"

"Of course, to your grandparents," Evelyn replied calmly, as if stating an obvious fact.

Axel stared at her for a second. Then laughed, agreeing with her. "That is painfully accurate."

Evelyn smiled.

"Your grandparents adore him. So much!"

"As they should," Axel said proudly.

"Yes, but they adore him enough to completely ruin any diet plan we attempt."

Axel groaned softly. "I am being outnumbered in my own family."

"You created this situation," Evelyn teased gently.

He narrowed his eyes. "My mistake was having an extremely charming son."

Evelyn laughed, the warmth of their shared amusement filling the quiet room.

For a while, they simply sat there, wrapped comfortably in each other’s presence, enjoying the peaceful intimacy of the night.

But slowly—

Axel’s playful expression began to fade.

Evelyn felt it immediately. She lifted her gaze. "Axel, what’s wrong?"

He hesitated briefly, his fingers absentmindedly tracing slow circles against her arm.

"Eve... I’m really sorry."

Her heart tightened at once. The sudden shift in his tone erased every trace of lightness from her thoughts.

"...Sorry? For what?"

"I forgot to tell you something."

Evelyn straightened slightly. "What is it?" she asked worriedly.

Axel exhaled quietly before answering, his voice calm but careful.

"Tomorrow night, we will visit my grandparents’ house."

Evelyn blinked.

Axel continued. "Grandpa insists we bring Oliver. He wants to introduce him to the rest of the family."

Silence followed.

Axel watched her closely, clearly expecting questions, concern, perhaps even anxiety or refusal.

Instead—

A warm smile slowly appeared on Evelyn’s lips.

"Oh, about that," she said gently. "I already know about it."

Axel frowned. Surprised. "...You know?"

Evelyn’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Hmm, Amanda called me today."

Axel stared in disbelief that his mother had already called Evelyn about it.

"Your mom said you might forget to tell me."

For a brief moment, Axel could only stare at her. Then laughter burst from his lips.

"My mother knows me far too well."

Evelyn chuckled.

"Indeed."

He shook his head, still smiling. "I feel slightly betrayed."

"Oh, please," Evelyn teased. "She was simply being realistic."

Axel leaned closer, resting his forehead lightly against hers.

"My wife and my mom are clearly forming alliances behind my back."

"What? No. We are merely being efficient."

Axel laughed softly, his earlier tension dissolving completely.

They continued talking. Their conversation drifted easily toward their plans for the visit, what Oliver would wear, how the family might react, and whether Axel’s relatives would be prepared for Oliver’s unstoppable energy.

The room soon filled again with warmth, laughter, and the quiet comfort of two people completely at ease with one another.

Outside, the night remains lively as the new year begins, and suddenly, the dark sky is illuminated by distant fireworks.

"Happy New Year, Mrs. Knight...may this year bring more happiness," Axel whispers in her ear.