417 Happy New Year!
For the first time, they all sat together.
The atmosphere at the table felt warm, natural, and deeply familial.
There was no awkwardness, no forced politeness, only a quiet sense offort that slowly wrapped around the room.
Evelyn’s presence brought gentle brightness to the space, while Oliver’s cheerful energy filled the air.
Martha’s happiness was impossible to miss, her eyes constantly drifting toward Ethan with a mixture of affection and quiet disbelief.
And Ethan-
Though he still had no memory of his mother, though the past remained painfully nk, something inside him felt unexpectedly at peace.
It was a strange feeling.
But not unpleasant.
In fact, it felt… good.
The warmth of the room, the softughter, the simple domestic conversation -everything created a sense of belonging he could not quite exin.
He did not remember her.
But sitting there beside her felt right.
As if his heart recognized something his mind could not.
The lunch passed with gentle case, filled with softughter and light conversation. No heavy topics, no painful memories, only the quiet joy of people sharing a simple meal.
There was no tension. Only warmth. Only peace. Only family.
15:55
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417 Happy New Year!
The hours crept toward midnight, and the bedroom door finally opened.
Axel stepped inside, his movements slower than usual, the exhaustion evident in the slight slump of his shoulders.
Yet the moment his eyesnded on Evelyn, the weariness on his face softened into a warm, familiar smile, the kind that effortlessly brightened her entire evening.
Evelyn looked up from the television, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“Did he torture you by making you read five books again?” she asked yfully, ncing toward the clock. It was nearly eleven.
Axel let out a long breath, closed the door behind him, and walked toward the sofa where Evelyn sat.
Without hesitation, he lowered himself beside her and leaned his head against her shoulder like a man seeking refuge.
She chuckled softly and turned off the television, cing the remote neatly on the coffee table.
“Please don’t be upset with him. Our son truly misses his dad and just wants to spend some quality time with you.”
Axel sighed deeply, as though he had just been released from a demanding negotiation rather than a bedtime routine.
“Where does he get so much energy?” he muttered, his tone halfway betweenint and disbelief.
Evelyn smiled.
His arm slid behind her naturally, pulling her closer, and she responded without thinking, resting her headfortably against his shoulder.
Tilting her face slightly to look at him, she replied with gentle confidence. “Why are you even asking? It’s obviously from you.”
15:55
417 Happy New Year!
Axel tilted his head a bit. Then, the faint grin forming on his lips betrayed him. “I highly doubt that,” he answered.
“Oh, really?” Evelyn asked yfully.
“Yes,” Axel continued smoothly. “I believe ites from the rming amount of sugar he consumed earlier.”
Evelynughed softly.
“Well, you are not entirely wrong,” she admitted. “Oliver did eat quite a lot of
dessert.”
Axel raised an eyebrow.
“Quite a lot?” He asked.
Evelyn hesitated before saying, “…An impressive amount.”
Axel chuckled.
“That boy was practically glowing with excitement.”
Evelyn sighed dramatically. “Well, I can’t me him… Aunty Martha really spoiled him tonight. Those desserts were too delicious.”
Axel nodded thoughtfully.
“Then we start his diet tomorrow.”
She instantly lifted her head. “Oh, absolutely not.”
Axel frowned. “…Not?”
“He will immediately file aint.”
“To whom?”
“Of course, to your grandparents,” Evelyn replied calmly, as if stating an
obvious fact.
Axel stared at her for a second. Thenughed, agreeing with her. “That is painfully urate.”
15:55
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417 Happy New Year!
Evelyn smiled.
“Your grandparents adore him. So much!”
“As they should,” Axel said proudly.
“Yes, but they adore him enough topletely ruin any diet n we attempt.”
Axel groaned softly. “I am being outnumbered in my own family.”
“You created this situation,” Evelyn teased gently.
He narrowed his eyes. “My mistake was having an extremely charming son.”
Evelynughed, the warmth of their shared amusement filling the quiet
room.
For a while, they simply sat there, wrappedfortably in each other’s presence, enjoying the peaceful intimacy of the night.
But slowly-
Axel’s yful expression began to fade.
Evelyn felt it immediately. She lifted her gaze. “Axel, what’s wrong?”
He hesitated briefly, his fingers absentmindedly tracing slow circles against her arm.
“Eve… I’m really sorry.”
Her heart tightened at once. The sudden shift in his tone erased every trace of lightness from her thoughts.
“…Sorry? For what?”
“I forgot to tell you something”
Evelyn straightened slightly. “What is it?” she asked worriedly,
Axel exhaled quietly before answering, his voice calm but careful.
“Tomorrow night, we will visit my grandparents‘ house.”
15:55
<b>< </b>
417 Happy New Year!
Evelyn blinked.
Axel continued. “Grandpa insists we bring Oliver. He wants to introduce <b>him </b>to the rest of the family.”
Silence followed.
Axel watched her closely, clearly expecting questions, concern, perhaps even anxiety or refusal.
Instead-
A warm smile slowly appeared on Evelyn’s lips.
“Oh, about that,” she said gently. “I already know about it.”
Axel frowned. Surprised. “…You know?”
Evelyn’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Hmm, Amanda called me today.”
Axel stared in disbelief that his mother had already called Evelyn about it.
“Your mom said you might forget to tell me.”
For a brief moment, Axel could only stare at her. Thenughter burst from his lips.
“My mother knows me far too well.”
Evelyn chuckled.
“Indeed.”
He shook his head, still smiling. “I feel slightly betrayed.”
“Oh, please, Evelyn teased. “She was simply being realistic.”
Axel leaned closer, resting his forehead lightly against hers.
“My wife and my mom are clearly forming alliances behind my back.”
“What? No. We are merely being efficient.”
Axelughed softly, his earlier tension dissolvingpletely.
15:55
417 Happy New Year!
They continued talking. Their conversation drifted easily toward their ns for the visit, what Oliver would wear, how the family might react, and whether Axel’s rtives would be prepared for Oliver’s unstoppable energy.
The room soon filled again with warmth,ughter, and the quietfort of two peoplepletely at ease with one another.
Outside, the night remains lively as the new year begins, and suddenly, the dark sky is illuminated by distant fireworks.
“Happy New Year, Mrs. Knight…may this year bring more happiness,” Axel whispers in her ear.
66
<i>Thank </i>you <i>for </i>the <i>Golden </i><i>Ticket </i>& Power <i>Stones</i>. Please continue <i>so </i>we can raise the rank and <i>give </i>this book more opportunities.
<i>Xoxo </i>
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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.