372 The Will


    Anger, fear, and resentment, everything Evelyn had felt toward William, slowly faded, leaving only a dull ache in her chest.


    Beside the bed stood her grandmother, holding Samuel’s hand tightly. Her uncle and aunt were there too, quiet and solemn, their usual pride stripped away by


    helplessness.


    And then Alicia, her stepmother, was there as well.


    “Oh, Eve, you finally came…” Alicia’s voice cracked with relief as she hurried forward and took Evelyn’s hand. “Your grandpa is already waiting for you.”


    Evelyn let Alicia lead her closer. Each step felt heavier than thest, but she forced herself forward. Yet seeing the man who once seemed unbreakable lying in a hospital bed, fragile and fading, broke her heart.


    “Eve,e closer… Your grandpa is awake,” Lucy Walters said gently. She was smiling, but there was no warmth in her eyes. Only exhaustion. Only sorrow.


    Evelyn swallowed hard and moved closer to the bedside.


    The moment Samuel Walters lifted his trembling hand, she grabbed it instantly, without hesitation, and then gently squeezed it.


    “E–Evelyn…” His old, frail voice was hoarse, thin, almost lost beneath the quiet hum of machines. But his eyes, though tired, focused on her with unwavering love.


    “Yes, Grandpa… It’s me.” Evelyn tightened her grip around his cold hand. “I’m here. I’m sorry I couldn’te sooner.”


    “Oh, Eve…” A smile slowly curved across his wrinkled lips. The sight of it made her chest ache. “It’s fine. You came. That’s all that matters. This old man will die happy… because I’ve seen all my family again-”


    Samuel’s words paused as his gaze drifted past her shoulder, toward the door.


    “Huh? Where’s my little man? Where’s Oliver?” he asked, his voice faint but curious.


    Evelyn’s lips trembled. “I’m sorry, Grandpa. He’s already asleep. It’ste…”


    Samuel chuckled weakly. “Always sleeping at the wrong time just like me…”


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    372 The Will


    Axel, who stood silently behind Evelyn, lifted a brow at that. Even in this painful moment, a faint smile tugged at his lips.


    Samuel’s eyes shifted to Axel, studying him with quiet gratitude. “At least you brought my grandson–inw,” he said softly. “Thank you foring, Axel…”


    Axel stepped forward slightly and gave a respectful nod. “It’s an honor to be here, Grandpa Samuel.”


    Samuel hummed in approval, then exhaled shakily.


    While Samuel was chatting softly with Axel and Evelyn, the opposite corner of the VIP room held a very different kind of tension.


    Alicia stood there with her inws, James and Norah Walters.


    Unlike the calm grief surrounding the hospital bed, their corner buzzed with curiosity, disbelief, and barely contained excitement.


    They had read the news. Of course, they had. Everyone had. Axel Knight’s marriage to Evelyn Walters had made headlines for weeks.


    But news articles were one thing. Seeing the man in person–standing beside Evelyn, holding her hand, speaking gently to Samuel–was something else entirely.


    Norah leaned closer to Alicia, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Sis… you seem very familiar with Axel Knight.”


    Alicia blinked at her. “Of course I am. He is my son–inw. I visit their house almost every weekend to see my grandson.”


    James stiffened. “S–Son?” he repeated slowly. “They already have a son?”


    Norah’s eyes widened dramatically. “Wait… really? Do they have a child together?” She grabbed Alicia’s hand with startling enthusiasm. “Why didn’t anyone tell us?!”


    Alicia stared at them, speechless for a moment. She had assumed everyone in their family knew. How could they not? Evelyn’s life had never exactly been private. But then again, their parents know about Oliver.


    “Wait,” Alicia asked carefully, “you both genuinely didn’t know about him?”


    They shook their heads in unison.


    “No,” Norah admitted with an awkward smile. “Father and Mother never mentioned it. Not once. It’s like they guarded Evelyn’s secrets as if she were a national treasure.”


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    372 The Will


    James nodded with a faint chuckle. “To be honest, we only found out about the marriage from the inte. And even then, we thought it was gossip.”


    Alicia sighed, then motioned them closer, as if sharing ssified information. “Listen… They have a son. He is four years old. His name is Oliver Taylor Knight.”


    Norah gasped softly, pressing a hand to her chest. James blinked as though processing


    a miracle.


    “A four–year–old?” Norah whispered. “And no one told us? Do you know how much I


    love children?”


    Alicia smiled wryly. “Trust me, I figured that out the moment you grabbed my hand.”


    James leaned forward slightly. “Does he look like Evelyn? Or Axel?”


    Alicia thought about the bright–eyed boy who yed piano and offered donuts to strangers. “Both,” she said. “He has Evelyn’s stubbornness and Axel’s brain. He has many titles: a little CEO, a little chef, and now he has a new title, a little Doctor.“”


    Norah let out a helplessugh. “Oh dear. Thatbination sounds dangerous.”


    Alicia chuckled softly. “It is. But adorable.”


    Before any of them could continue, Samuel’s voice rose from the bed… frail, but


    “Now… could you help me adjust my bed?”


    Lucy immediately moved to his side, gently raising the headrest. Evelyn never released Samuel’s hand, even when his fingers trembled from the movement. Axel stepped closer, silent and steady beside her.


    Once Samuel was settled, he took a breath as deep as his old lung could, and then slowly looked around the room. At Lucy. At Alicia. At all his children. Then, at Evelyn


    and Axel.


    His gaze lingered on each of them as though imprinting their faces into memory.


    The room fell quiet.


    Heavy.


    Waiting.


    “I want to tell you all about my will. The will that I have prepared when I’m gone, which


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    372 The Will


    may not be long from now,” Samuel said softly, smiling.


    The words dropped into the room shocked them all.


    William straightened immediately. “Father,” he said, his voice tight, “please don’t say


    that. And does it have to be now?”


    Samuel turned his tired eyes toward him. “Yes. I must do it now,” he answered. “I don’t want you all fighting after I’m gone because the will was conveyed to you by mywyer. I will tell it to you myself, and I will tell everything about it now, before my time ends.”


    No one dared argue.


    Norah and James exchanged nces, their earlier excitement dissolving into solemn understanding. Whatever curiosity they had carried moments ago now bowed to the gravity of the moment.


    Samuel inhaled slowly.


    Then-


    A soft knock could be heard from the door.


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    <strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.