402 Return


    ‘Did Axel punish him?‘ Evelyn wondered anxiously. ‘Did he send Ryan here and forbid him from returning to his post because of the ident?‘


    Her heart clenched at the idea.


    She rose from her seat, her movements slow.


    “Ryan,” she asked gently, “did Axel punish you? Is that why you’re here instead of the Valley?”


    Ryan stiffened instantly, his spine straightening as though he had just been addressed by a superior officer. His eyes widened for a brief second before he shook his head.


    “Ma’am, Master Axel did not punish me,” he replied quickly. Too quickly to cause Evelyn to be suspicious about it.


    Evelyn studied his face, her gaze soft but searching.


    “Then why do you look like you’re asking for forgiveness?” she asked quietly.


    Ryan hesitated. His jaw tightened, and after a moment, he lowered his head. “Because I failed to protect you once.”


    Her heart clenched. She was surprised to hear his words.


    “No,” Evelyn exhaled softly, stepping closer to him. Her voice grew firm, unwavering. “You protected me with your life. And I won’t ever forget that.”


    Ryan lifted his head. His eyes were faintly red, the emotions he had been suppressing finally slipping through the cracks.


    In that moment, Evelyn understood. This was not about orders or discipline. It was about loyalty. About guilt. About a man who med himself for something that was never his fault.


    Her expression softenedpletely.


    “Alright,” she said gently, “I understand what you’re trying to say. But, Ryan… you need to worry anymore. I will talk to your boss about this-


    don’t


    “What does my wife want to talk to me about?” Axel’s voice cut in smoothly from behind them.


    14:07


    <


    402 Return


    Evelyn turned around at once and saw him walking toward her, a warm, familiar smile on his face. Ethan was nowhere in sight.


    Her lips curved into a relieved smile. “Are you done?”


    “Yes,” Axel replied easily. He reached out and took her hand, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles.


    Then he continued. “We can go home now. Ethan needs to rest. He wouldn’t let us leave until the doctor gave him painkillers.”


    Evelyn nodded, concern flickering across her face. “I noticed earlier. He tried to hide it, but he was clearly in pain.”


    “Well, that guy is stubborn,” Axel said with a faint chuckle. “Now he is finally asleep.”


    They walked out of the living room together, heading toward the main door.


    But just before they reached it, Evelyn slowed her steps and tugged gently on Axel’s hand.


    “Axel, there’s something I need to tell you.” She said softly.


    Axel stopped. He nced around instinctively, but the hallway was empty. Lisa and Ryan were nowhere in sight now. It was just the two of them.


    A knowing smile tugged at his lips. “Yes,” he said lightly. “This is my property. I’m sorry if I didn’t tell you sooner. Not because I didn’t want to… but because I never found the right time.”


    His apologetic expression was enough to make Evelyn blink, momentarily speechless.


    That… wasn’t what she meant to ask.


    Still, she didn’t interrupt him. She allowed him to continue while stifling a smile. “The Farm is where we grow our own food,” Axel continued calmly. “Everything we consume in the Valleyes from here. They even distribute to a few of my restaurants and hotels in this city.”


    Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “I see… no wonder the fruit, veggies, and meat in the house are always so fresh.”


    Axel nodded, a trace of pride in his expression. “A professional team manages thend.” “But hubby,” Evelyn said, cing her palm against his chest, feeling the steady beat of


    <


    402 Return


    his heart, “that’s not what I wanted to ask you—”


    “Oh-” Axel paused mid–sentence, eyebrows lifting. “Then what is it?”


    She took a breath. “I want Ryan to return to the Valley. I want him to guard me again.”


    For a split second, Axel’s yful expression disappeared. His gaze sharpened. But just as quickly, hisposure returned. He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, his fingers absentmindedly ying with her hair.


    “My pretty wife,” he said softly, clearly trying to distract her from her own question, “you don’t need a bodyguard inside the house. The Valley is already surrounded by security.”


    Evelyn remained silent, her eyes fixed on his eyes.


    Axel smiled faintly, knowing her expression clearly showed she liked to hear his


    answer.


    “Alright, alright, we will think about itter. You won’t be going anywhere for now… so he doesn’t have to rush to return to his job.”


    She tilted her head. “Actually, I will…”


    That caught his attention. “Oh, you have an appointment outside? To the hospital?” he asked, clearly curious, since he didn’t remember she had an appointment.


    “You seem to forget. My grandfather’s funeral is the day after tomorrow,” she reminded him. “We’ll be at the Walters‘ ancestral home. I need Ryan and Lisa with me.”


    Axel froze. Then he cursed under his breath. ‘Ipletely forgot.‘


    Evelyn couldn’t help smiling.


    After a moment, Axel nodded. “Alright. Ryan will return to his position. But <i>I </i>will assign another guard as well for safety.”


    She nodded readily. “That’s fine. As long as Ryan is back.”


    Satisfied, Axel leaned down and pressed a brief kiss to her forehead.


    “Let’s go home. Our little boss might worry if we don’t return before lunch tomorrow.” He said yfully.


    “You’re right,” Evelyn nods hurriedly. “I already promised him we would have lunch


    with him.”


    402 Return


    They left the Farm shortly after, the car gliding smoothly onto the quiet road.


    Snow nketed thend around them, the night calm and still.


    Inside the car, Axel looked at her with a teasing glint in his eyes. “Are you happy now, Madam Knight, with your guard back in ce?”


    Evelyn smiled. “Very.”


    “That’s it?” he asked, clearly unsatisfied.


    Sheughed. “What do you mean…!?”


    Axel leaned closer, cupping her face, and kissed her without warning–slow, deep, and utterly unapologetic.


    From the front seat, Liam cleared his throat loudly.


    Axel didn’t even flinch.


    Evelynughed against his lips. “Ignore him,” she whispered.


    “Oh, I am,” Axel murmured before kissing her again, already nning how to make up for all the interruptionster.


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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.