A week later.
Evelyn was visibly nervous, even though she tried her best to hide it.
No matter how many times she told herself to relax, her heart refused to listen. It fluttered nervously in her chest, her thoughts running wild as the car sped steadily down the freeway, carrying them farther and farther away from the city.
Too many scenarios crowded her mind.
What would Aunt Martha’s son look like?
Would he be distant? Warm? Awkward?
What should she ask him?
Even though she had never met him and only knew him through Aunt Martha’s stories and Axel’s careful words, Evelyn already felt an inexplicable emotional bond with Noah.
As if he were someone she had been waiting to meet for a long time without realizing it.
She let out a quiet sigh and pressed her palm lightly against her chest.
’Calm down, Eve. Calm down...’
The city skyline gradually disappeared behind them.
After a few minutes, the car exited the toll road, and the world seemed to slow down.
Buildings became scarce, replaced by vast expanses of pristine white snow.
The air looked cleaner somehow. Rows of trees stood in the distance, their branches dusted with snow, swaying gently under a pale winter sky.
It felt like they had crossed into a different world.
Evelyn shifted in her seat and finally turned to look at Axel.
He was seated beside her, his posture relaxed yet focused, eyes fixed on the screen of his iPad. His expression was serious, sharp lines forming between his brows as he read.
She watched him for a moment, then decided not to interrupt. Whatever he was reading looked important, and the last thing she wanted was to distract him. She turned her gaze back to the road.
"My wife," Axel’s voice suddenly rang out. "Is there something you want to ask me?"
Evelyn blinked and turned back toward him. So much for hiding her nerves.
"...He lives in a remote area?" she asked carefully.
Axel set his iPad aside, his full attention now on her. "No," he replied. "He lives in another city. But he’s currently receiving medical treatment here."
Her brows furrowed slightly. "Here?" she echoed, glancing out at the endless snow-covered land. "In the middle of nowhere?"
Axel chuckled softly. "You know this area has one of the cleanest environments in the region. It’s quiet, isolated, and ideal for recovery."
Evelyn nodded slowly, but the unease in her heart refused to settle.
"Still," she said, unable to help herself, "what kind of illness requires treatment on a farm instead of a city hospital?"
Instead of answering, Axel reached for her hand. His fingers laced with hers, warm and steady, grounding her instantly. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before smiling at her.
"Wife," he reminded her softly, "don’t forget what I told you."
Evelyn froze for a second before realization dawned on her.
’Right... Don’t ask about his illness.’
She let out a sheepish breath and nodded. "I almost forgot," she admitted quietly.
Axel smiled, satisfied, and released her hand only when he was sure she had calmed down.
Somewhere inside that stone house was the man Aunt Martha had waited for all these years. And in just a few moments, she would finally meet him.
"Are you ready?" Axel asked calmly, extending his hand toward her.
Evelyn inhaled deeply before placing her hand in his. "I’m ready," she admitted honestly, then added with a nervous laugh, "but also very nervous."
Axel chuckled softly, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand in a reassuring gesture.
"That’s normal," he said as he guided her out of the car and toward the entrance.
Before they could reach the door, it suddenly swung open.
Evelyn froze mid-step.
Standing there were two faces she never expected to see in this place.
"Lisa? Ryan?" Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Lisa stood straight as ever, hands clasped behind her back, while Ryan gave her a polite nod, his posture alert despite the farm’s calm atmosphere.
The sight of her personal bodyguards in such a remote, peaceful place felt oddly out of place.
Evelyn turned her head slowly toward Axel. "Why are Lisa and Ryan here? Did you ask them to wait for us?" she asked, genuinely confused.
Axel’s expression remained calm and neutral. "No."
Her brows knitted together as she turned back to the two of them, then glanced at Axel again, a realization slowly forming in her mind.
"Oh," she said hesitantly, her voice lowering, "Axel... this farmhouse, don’t tell me this is yours?"
Instead of answering, Axel simply guided her forward with a gentle hand at her waist. "Let’s get inside," he said smoothly. "Ethan is already waiting for us."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover (Evelyn and Axel)