One week. 1


    That was how long it had been since Evelyn officially became Axel Knight’swful wife.


    And if she had to sum up her new life in a single word, it would be this: chaos.


    Pure, maddening, mind–twisting chaos.


    From the very beginning, Axel had turned her expectations upside down.


    She thought marriage meant they’d at least live together, that he’d settle into the cozy fourth–floor apartment with her and Oliver. She


    braced herself for the awkwardness of adjusting to a man like Axel in her space; his presence, his habits, his domineering aura.


    But no. He didn’t even give her that chance.


    The very night their marriage began, Axel left. He flew back to the capital and never came back.


    Not once.


    He hadn’t called her, either. She would understand if he never called her, but he also hadn’t called Oliver. Not even a simple text to say,


    “Hello,” or “I’m alive, don’t worry.”


    Worst of all, he didn’t exin himself or through his men where he went or when he would return. Evelyn wasn’t even granted the


    courtesy of a goodbye.


    Instead, she found out through an online article that he was off on some international business trip. She had stared at the headline for a


    long time<i>, </i>jaw clenched, fingers twitching with the urge to smash her phone.


    So, she did the only thing she could do: she made excuses.


    Oliver had asked about his father’s absence, and she had smiled through gritted teeth, weaving story after story about how busy Daddy


    was, how essential Daddy’s work was, and how much Daddy loved him.


    Each lie tasted bitter on her tongue, but it was better than letting Oliver feel the sting of disappointment.


    Now, exactly one weekter, Evelyny awake in the early morning light, scrolling through her phone out of habit. Her thumb froze


    when a breaking news notification lit up the screen.


    Axel Knight.


    Her pulse shot up instantly, pounding against her chest. She read the article, swallowing every word.


    Instantly, her emotions tangled into a mess she couldn’t begin to sort out, knowing he was returning to the country.


    Relief? Irritation? Hope? Fury? She didn’t know whether she wanted to hug him, punch him, or both.


    “You finally return, Axel…‘


    The thought curved her lips into a nervous smile she couldn’t suppress. But suddenly, a reckless idea slid into her mind.


    17.36


    173


    52 Chaos


    Should I contact him?


    The question spun in her mind for three seconds before she violently shook her head to dismiss it.


    “Absolutely not,” she muttered to herself, tossing her phone onto the bed. There was no way she was going to be the one to reach out


    first. No way.


    She stormed into the bathroom, sshing her face with cold water to calm her racing heartbeat.


    Axel Knight had already turned her life inside out in just seven short days. He was the one who had insisted their marriage was real, that


    it wasn’t for show, that they had to do this properly for Oliver’s sake.


    But his actions screamed a different story.


    His absence was deafening. His silence is unbearable.


    Evelyn gripped the edge of the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were a little puffy from restless nights.


    “Axel Knight,” she whispered through clenched teeth, “you can’t just disappear, then waltz back into my life whenever you feel like it.”


    She let out a deep sigh, then cleaned herself up and got ready to start her day.


    A few minutester, Evelyn returned to the bedroom, ready to ignore Axel Knight for the rest of the day, when her phone buzzed on the


    bed.


    She froze.


    Her heart leaped to her throat as she stared at her cellphone. Slowly, she reached for the phone. One unread message lit up her screen.


    “The fifth floor <i>is </i><i>ready</i>. <i>See </i><i>you</i><i>, </i><i>Evelyn</i><i>!</i>” From: <i>Axel </i><i>Knight</i>.


    Evelyn’s grip tightened. She left her cell phone on the nightstand.


    She wasn’t going to think about Axel. Not now. Not when her brain was already too skilled at reying hisst text: “The fifth floor is


    ready. See you, <i>Evelyn</i><i>!</i><i>” </i>


    Because if she thought about him, her mood would twist in ways she couldn’t control. One minute furious, the next minute… Well, let’s just say the next minute her imagination wasn’t safe for early mornings.


    So, she did what she always did when life threatened her sanity. She cooked.


    The sizzle of the waffle iron was the perfect background noise to drown out Axel Knight and his frustrating ability to invade her thoughts uninvited. She poured batter, pressed the lid, and acted as if her stomach wasn’t full of butterflies,


    And then, right in the middle of whisking eggs, she shook her head hard, trying to scatter the images shing in her mind: Axel in her kitchen, Axel stealing a bite off her te, Axel walking out of her shower with nothing but a towel.


    Her face heated instantly. 1


    “Axel, you’re really ruining my day, she muttered under her breath, stabbing at a slice of bread like it had personally wronged her.


    Evelyn took another deep sigh before continuing her frustration, “Can’t you juste back like a normal husband without texting me


    17.26


    52 Chaos


    first? Just knock on the door, surprise me. Maybe give me a heart attack. That would be less stressful than this.”


    She dropped the toast into the pan, flipping it with unnecessary force.


    A waffle for Oliver, a sad little piece of toast for herself… That was her n for breakfast this morning. Simple. No room for chaos.


    “Mommy?”


    Oliver’s gentle voice floated into the kitchen, pulling her back from whatever dangerous corner of her mind Axel had led her into.


    “Yes, sweetheart?” Evelyn turned quickly, forcing her expression into something calm and motherly instead of the slightly deranged look


    she knew she’d been wearing.


    Her son walked in, looking handsome in hisfy clothes. His big eyes blinked up at her.


    “Are we going to Granny’s house this morning?” he asked, then took his seat at the dining table.


    Evelyn’s chest softened instantly. Oliver had that effect on her, one word and all her wild Axel–rted thoughts scattered like frightened


    pigeons.


    66


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    <b>PurpleLight </b>Creators‘ Thoughts


    Sara Lili


    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.