412 What Happened That Night? (<b>1</b><b>) </b>
The Valley.
On the final day of December, the valley carried a quiet, almost magical stillness.
Snow nketed thendscape in an endless expanse of white, softening the world’s sharp edges and wrapping the estate in a peaceful hush.
Theke beyond the towering ss windows shimmered under the pale winter sun, its surface reflecting light like polished silver.
Inside, however, warmth and life filled the Knight residence.
Ethan had finally arrived.
Evelyn stood near the living room window, her eyes following the scene unfolding before her with undisguised joy.
Martha, whoseposure had remained impressively steady throughout the morning, now looked entirely transformed. The moment she saw Ethan stepping through the doorway, years of quiet restraint shattered into raw emotion.
Even though Ethan possessed no memories of his mother, something unspoken had passed between them. Recognition without recollection. Connection without history.
Evelyn felt her chest tighten as she watched Martha gently take Ethan’s hand, her fingers trembling despite her radiant smile.
Ethan’s expression, though calm, betrayed a storm of mixed emotions. There was curiosity, confusion, and hesitation, but beneath it all, an unmistakable flicker of something deeper; sadness and happiness mixed together.
“I’m so happy for Aunt Martha,” Evelyn whispered softly, leaning closer to Axel as they stood side by side. Her gaze remained fixed on Martha, leading Ethan toward the guest bedroom. “For Ethan, too…”
Axel nodded slowly, his usually sharp features softened. “Hm. I feel that too. That big guy really has a hard life.”
He nced at Evelyn before gently turning her to face him.
“I know, right?” Evelyn <b>agreed</b>, <b>her </b>voice warm yet <b>tinged </b>with sympathy. “They both have a hard life<b>. </b>But now, everything has a happy ending for them.”
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412 What Happened That Night? (1)
Axel studied her face for a moment, his thumb brushing lightly against her hand.
“They need a private moment to talk,” he murmured. “Let’s have our private moment, <b>too-</b>”
His voice trailed off as his eyes swept across the living room. Then he frowned. “… Where’s our little boss?”
Evelyn blinked faintly before ncing toward the massive ss window facing the snowy backyard.
“He’s with Jimmy and Laura,” she replied. “Well, I assume they’re in the stables by now.”
Axel followed her gaze, attempting to spot Oliver’s tiny figure racing across the snow. Seeing nothing but an untouched whitendscape, he chuckled lightly.
“I can’t believe my son is this active in winter.”
Evelynughed softly.
“Well, don’t me him. There isn’t nearly as much snow in Willowcrest. This ce is basically his personal wondend.”
Axel shook his head with amusement. “He definitely inherited your energy.”
“That is absolutely untrue.”
Axel raised a brow.
“Hubby, you dragged me out into the snow a few days ago.”
He yfully said, “Well, dear, that was romantic.”
“That was freezing.” Evelyn protests.
“You survived.”
“Barely”
Their yful exchange dissolved intofortableughter, the lightness between them as natural as breathing. Yet the warmth shifted abruptly when Axel’s expression subtly changed.
The humor faded. Reced by something quieter. More serious. He tightened his grip
on her hand.
“Eve, let’s chat inside my office.”
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412 What Happened That Night? (1)
The sudden shift in tone instantly tightened something inside Evelyn’s chest.
See her say nothing. He continued. “There’s something we need to talk about. Her heart skipped. Then began pounding loudly.
Despite her outwardposure, Evelyn’s mind immediately returned to their conversation from the previous day: Harper Cooper and her absurd im.
Still, she nodded. Because running from tension had never been her style.
Axel guided her into his office, the door closing softly behind them.
Evelyn settled onto the couch.
However, Axel did not immediately sit beside her. Instead, he turned slightly. “Do you want something to drink?” he offered.
Evelyn blinked, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected offer.
She shook her head with a weak smile. “Hubby, are you worried I might faint from hearing what you want to say?”
Axel smiled faintly before his expression shifted once more. Seriousness returned as he settled beside her.
“Eve,” he began slowly, “I wanted to ask you something.”
Evelyn’s pulse quickened in anticipation of the matter he wanted to discuss.
“How much do you remember about the g dinner at Imperial Hotels years ago?*
The question struck her like a sudden gust of cold air.
Instantly, her teasing smile vanished.
That night. That unforgettable, life–altering night.
Fragments of memory stirred in her mind, wrapped in haze<b>, </b>confusion, and emotions she had kept in her heart,
“Why…” Evelyn asked softly, her brows drawing together. “Why are you asking about it again?”
Her eyes searched his <b>gaze </b>and found tension.
Axel leaned in closer, resting his hand gently against her cheek. “Why is my wife looking tense<b>?</b><b>” </b>
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412 What Happened That Night? (1)
His touch was warm. Yet the question itself unsettled her.
“We already talked about that night,” Evelyn replied quietly. “When I ended up in your hotel room, I didn’t remember much about it. Only fragments.”
Her voice carried honesty, tinged with lingering vulnerability. “To be honest to you, I only remember waking up the next morning.”
Axel listened silently.
Evelyn continued, recounting the memories she had held onto over the years. The confusion of waking in an unfamiliar room. The shock. The panic. Then she returned home and her father’s fury.
“I was supposed to go indoor golfing with my father that day,” she said, shaking her head faintly. “He wanted me to meet someone.”
Axel’s brow furrowed slightly, “I know that.”
Evelyn paused. Confusion flickered across her face. For several seconds, she simply
stared at him.
Then asked softly, “But why bring it up now?”
Axel’s fingers moved absently through her smooth hair, his touch calm, yet his gaze thoughtful.
“What I’m trying to ask is,” he said carefully, “what happened that night before we ended up in my hotel room.”
Evelyn blinked.
Silence filled the room.
Her mind instinctively reached backward, sifting through blurred recollections.
“I…” she murmured slowly.
Axel waited.
Evelyn closed her eyes briefly, concentrating.
“I attended the g because of thepany,” she began. “Joseph apanied me. He was representing the Walters Group.”
Axel’s jaw tightened just a bit when Joseph was mentioned.
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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.
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