<h4>hapter 439: Your Uncle Almost Beat Me!</h4>


    The next day arrived quietly.


    The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting the bedroom in soft gold.


    Evelyn stirred slowly, hershes fluttering open as warmth surrounded her.


    For a brief second, she did not move. She simplyy there, aware of the steady rise and fall of the body pressed against her back.


    She smiled as Axel’s arm was wrapped firmly but warmly around her waist, holding her close even in his deep sleep. The warmth radiating from him feltforting, solid, familiar.


    Then, she turned her head slightly to look at him.


    He was still soundly asleep.


    Or so she thought.


    She had no idea what time he returnedst night. When she fell asleep, the bed had been empty. Now he was here, breathing evenly, his face rxed in a way that only appeared when he was truly exhausted.


    He must havee home veryte.


    Carefully, Evelyn tried to slip out of his embrace. She moved slowly, lifting his arm just enough to create space between them.


    Before she could escape—


    “Why are you awake?” His hoarse morning voice brushed against her ear. “It’s still early.”


    Evelyn froze.


    She turned her head quickly, only to see his eyes still closed.


    “Did I wake you?” she asked softly, shifting to face him fully.


    Their bodies were close. She could feel the warmth of his bare skin beneath the soft nket, steady and reassuring.


    “No,” he murmured. “I already woke up. And I woke up on my own.”


    His eyes opened slowly, revealing that sleepy gaze that somehow always made her heart skip.


    He studied her face for a long second. Then smiled faintly. “You look beautiful.”


    Evelyn blinked.


    “The room is dim,” she pointed out. “How can you even see me?”


    Axel did not hesitate. “I can see in the dark.”


    She stared at him. “Are you a human or a bat?”


    He smirkedzily. “Your husband has many talents. By nature and nurture.”


    Sheughed softly, the sound light and genuine. “That’s not a talent. That’s a superpower.”


    Axel leaned closer, brushing his nose lightly against her temple. “You doubt me?”


    “Yes.”


    “Thene closer. I’ll prove it.”


    She pushed his shoulder lightly. “Mr. Knight, stop joking…”


    “And you’re still beautiful.”


    Herughter softened, but it did notst long. Because memory returned. The name that shocked her and their entire familyst night, return—Harper Cooper. The gossip news and her ims: she has a son with Axel.


    Instantly, Evelyn’s smile faded slowly.


    Axel noticed. His expression shifted, bing more alert.


    Before she could ask anything, he spoke first. “Do you want to know why I returnedtest night?”


    She hesitated for a few seconds. Then nodded.


    Axel turned onto his back, staring at the ceiling. He inhaled deeply, as if preparing for something dramatic.


    “Your uncle almost beat me.”


    Evelyn shot upright instantly.


    “Uncle Finley?”


    Axel hummed in confirmation.


    “Because I was busy handling the gossip news, I didn’t check my phone—he called me many times, but I didn’t answer. And, after finishing my dinner meeting, when I walked to my car, he suddenly appeared. With his bodyguard.”


    Evelyn’s eyes widened. “And then?”


    “He dragged me into his car.”


    Her mind worked quickly to imagine the scene. Finley Morgan, serious and terrifying, grabs Axel without warning. Axel, confused but too proud to show it. It should have been frightening.


    Yet somehow, for Evelyn, the image felt almost ridiculous. Still, she asked worriedly, “What? Why is he so violent?”


    “He was angry,” Axel replied calmly. “Very angry.” He turned his head slightly to look at her. “Your uncle is scary when he’s quiet.”


    Evelyn tried not to smile and interrupted him.


    “He didn’t say anything,” Axel continued. “He just took me to his family’s house. Your Grandpa Theodor was waiting.”


    Evelyn’s jaw dropped. “Grandpa was there, too?”


    Axel nodded. “They interrogated me…”


    She pressed her hand over her mouth. That was not funny. It was intense. “You were interrogated?” she repeated.


    “Yes. Like a criminal.”


    “And?”


    “They only let me leave after I exined everything in detail.”


    “What time did you get home?”


    “Two.”


    Evelyn’s expression softened instantly. “Oh my poor hubby…”


    She reached out and brushed her fingers gently against his cheek. His skin was warm beneath her touch. For a brief second, he closed his eyes again, leaning into her hand.


    Then suddenly, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down. Shended against his chest with a small gasp.


    “Axel!” sheughed.


    He wrapped his arms around her tightly.


    “Comfort me properly.”


    “You are not injured.”


    “My pride is.”


    She giggled at him. But then reality returned: the gossip. Harper. The alleged son.


    Evelyn straightened slightly and pushed against his chest.


    “Alright, stop trying to distract me.”


    His brows lifted slightly as she looked at him seriously.


    “Exin to me about the gossip,” she said clearly. “Is it true? Do you have a son with Harper Cooper?”


    The room fell quiet.


    Axel did not answer immediately. Instead, he studied her face carefully. There was no panic in her eyes. No tears. Just steady curiosity. And maybe a hint of warning.


    He sighed softly. “No,” he said. The single word sounded firm.


    “No?” she repeated.


    “No.” He reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “I do not have a son with her.”


    Evelyn narrowed her eyes slightly before saying, “But that woman said the child is yours.”


    “She can say anything,” Axel answered calmly.


    “Hubby, please, that’s not an exnation.” Her gaze sharpened, and a quiet unease crept into her chest. Something did not feel right. The way he avoided details made her heart tighten. Was he hiding something?


    Axel exhaled slowly. He had prepared so many sentences in his mind, nning how to exin everything about Harper Cooper’s son. The child was not his, but Joseph Carter’s. Yet now, facing Evelyn like this, every carefully arranged word seemed stuck in his throat.


    He was worried. If Evelyn learned about Joseph’s betrayal, it would shock her. It might even break her heart. He knew how much she trusted Joseph. The thought alone made his chest feel heavy.


    Seeing the determination in her eyes, Axel drew a deep breath. He could not avoid this any longer.


    “Eve,” he began quietly, “that night, at the New Year’s banquet at the Imperial Hotel, I was supposed to sleep with Harper Cooper—”


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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.