234 A Lesson He Will Never
Forget!
Axel stood quietly on the backyard porch, the cool night wind brushing against his face as he read the message glowing on his screen.”
“Sessfully got the package. Heading to Basecamp. Arrival in less than one hour.”
A low hum left his throat. Ethan’s efficiency never failed to impress him.
“You never fail my expectations, Ethan,” he murmured, the corner of his lips lifting with
satisfaction.
Without hesitation, he pressed the dial button. Ethan picked up instantly, just as expected.
“Any other instructions?” Ethan’s calm voice flowed through the speaker.
15:38
1/12
<b>< </b>
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
“No, you can do what is necessary,” Axel replied. His tone was rxed, almost gentle, despite the dark intention behind the words. “I will visit
tomorrow, early in the morning.”
“Understood. I will prepare everything.”
“Thanks…” Axel ended the call and let out a slow
breath.
For a moment, he simply stared into the night. The silence outside gave him space to collect the storm brewing in his chest.
Before he could slip his phone back into his pocket, the door opened behind him with a soft
click.
“Axel?” Evelyn’s voice carried a mix of worry and curiosity. “Why are you here? Without your
coat?”
He quickly softened his expression. No trace of anger. No trace of what he nned for Maxime.
15:38
2/12
:
<
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
Just Axel, her calm, steady husband.
He turned around, smiling gently. “I just came to get some fresh air.” He stepped closer to her, brushing his knuckles lightly against her arm. “Do you need me?”
“Sorry to bother you,” she replied, though her
eyes were still scanning his face carefully. “I just wanted to tell you the elders are about to leave. And you… Are you really fine?”
“Ah.” Axel smiled again, reassuringly. “Yes, I’m fine. Come, let’s go inside.”
Evelyn wanted to believe him. She really did. But something about the tension in his shoulders told her he was keeping something from her.
Still, she knew better than to push him while the house was still full of guests.
She let it go, at least for now.
Together, they walked back into the warm glow
15:38
3/12
:
<
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
of the house as they met their family in the living
room.
It was already past nine, and the families were preparing to leave. The air near the front door buzzed with chatter as Axel and Evelyn Knight escorted everyone out.
The Knight family: Alexander, Eleanor, and Amanda, were the first to step toward their car, but, of course, not without drama.
Eleanor clung to Oliver’s little hand, pouting. “Why does the night end so quickly? I haven’t even finished ying with my smart, handsome great–grandson.”
Amanda folded her arms with equal reluctance. “Yes, I was about to challenge him to another card game. He is very good at ying it, you
know.”
15:39
4/12
:
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
Oliver rubbed his sleepy eyes, yawning hard. “Great–Grandma Eleanor, Grandma Amanda… you can visit me tomorrow. I will introduce you to Cloud and Browny.”
Amanda lit up. “Cloud and Browny?”
“My horses!” Oliver said proudly.
Amanda gasped. “Ah, I’m sorry, little one, Grandma forgot. Yes, I love it too… I want to ride Cloud.” She smiled teasingly.
“If Cloud sees you, he will run away,” Eleanor teased.
Amanda gasped louder. “Eleanor!”
Everyoneughed.
Alexander Knight raised his hand dramatically. “How about me? Can Ie too?”
“Of course, Great–Grandpa,” Oliver answered, nodding happily.
15:39
5/12
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
435
Alexander sped a hand over his chest. “Good. I thought I was being left behind.”
“No. No. I won’t…” Olive said thoughtfully, earning augh from the three of them.
The three elders finally got into the car, still chatting and bickering among themselves.
Axel and Evelyn can’t help butugh as they watch their son bring joy to his elders. They waved until the car disappeared down the road.
Then,
Next came the Walters family.
Samuel and Lucy warmly said their goodbyes, hugging Oliver and fussing over him like proud grandparents.
They both look at Evelyn and Axel with happy
smiles.
“Thank you for giving us such a smart and
15:39
6/12
<
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
+35
adorable great–grandson,” Samuel said warmly, his gaze fixed on Evelyn, then Axel. “Please don’t discourage us from visiting again, as we look forward to spending more time ying with him.”
Lucy, listening to her husband’s words, gently nods as she softly holds Oliver’s hand and ruffles
his hair with her other hand.
“Sure, Grandpa… Grandma… You cane anytime.” Evelyn smiles.
Alicia and Ste followed, both kissing Oliver’s cheeks before turning to Evelyn.
“Rest well, dear,” Alicia said. “It was a wonderful
dinner.”
Ste added with an exhausted smile, “Bye, sis… Till we meet again…”
Evelyn smiled and waved to them.
She stretched her arms as she murmured, “Finally… It’s over. Wah, I need a warm bath
15:39
7/12
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
before I sleep.”
“Mommy… Can we sleep now?” Oliver’s faint voice interrupted her. She smiled, looking at her son already in Axel’s arms, with his head resting on
his shoulder.
“Are you sleepy?”
“Very! I didn’t take my nap… I’m so sleepy now.”
“Alright, let’s go.” She softly ruffled his hair and asked Axel to step inside the house.
“Eve, you seem tired too,” Axel softly said as they headed toward the stairs. “There’s no need to go upstairs, I’ll help him…”
Evelyn feels grateful that Axel seems to
understand her. She doesn’t know what
happened to her today, but she feels her entire body aching and has no energy left for questions.
“Thank you…” she answers him without a sound
and smiles at him.
15:39
8/12
:
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
After Evelyn kissed Oliver, and let them go to the second floor. She also dragged her heavy feet
toward the bedroom.
Dinner was over. The warmth lingered, but exhaustion pulled at her shoulders.
Evelyn took a quick warm bath, and it wasn’t long before her head hit the pillow; she had already fallen into a deep sleep.
However,
Axel’s night felt like it would never end.
After making sure his son was asleep, Axel left the bedroom and walked down the hall to his
home office.
The room was dim, lit only by a deskmp. He opened hisptop and sat.
There was information he needed to review
before he faced Maxime in the morning.
15:39
9/12
<
234 A Lesson He Will Never Forget!
Files. Reports. A few grainy photos of Maxime from the club. Collin’s brief surveince notes.
Axel studied everything thoroughly, with cold precision.
Maxime had crossed the line too many times. The
lines have be dots to him.
Family or not, the time hase for him to learn
a lesson.
And he intended to make sure it would be a lesson Maxime would never forget.
10/12
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.