The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover (Evelyn) novel Chapter 104

104 How Did They Find Out?

The Valley.

Growing up in a wealthy family, Evelyn had been accustomed to luxury; maids bustling around, a butler always within call, meals.

prepared on time, and every little detail of her life handled before she even thought to ask.

That was the rhythm of her childhood: polished silver, marble floors, and rules she never wanted.

But the past four years had been nothing like that.

After her fall from grace, she lived simply, just her and Oliver, learning to boil noodles at midnight and folding tiny socks herself.

She had almost grown used to the quiet, the simplicity, even the loneliness.

And now here she was again, standing inside Axel’s world. His real world. The Valley.

The estate was overwhelming in every sense. The house loomed ahead like something out of a painting. It was vast stretches of land

surrounding it, and staff moving with polished precision as though they were rehearsing a dance.

Evelyn almost tripped on the marble steps when she realized she’d just counted twenty people in one sweep of her eyes.

And that was only the outside staff.

She remembered Axel’s words: “Not everyone stays in the main house. Only Jimmy, my butler, will remain with us daily. While the other

staff will only appear to clean the house, you won’t see them often.”

That didn’t exactly ease her nerves.

Evelyn wasn’t sure how she felt about living with a butler. Having Oliver climb into her bed every night was one thing; having Jimmy

possibly appear with a silver tray of tea was quite another.

The house tour had nearly stolen her breath. It was vast, yes, but also carefully designed, modern luxury meeting timeless elegance.

She tried to imagine Axel walking these halls alone.

Two floors. That was all she had registered before she gave up keeping track of the rooms.

The plan, Axel had said, was simple: they would stay on the first floor.

While Oliver’s room, however, was on the second floor.

At first, Evelyn had worried, “He’s only three. He can’t sleep upstairs all alone.”

But Axel had reasoned with that calm assurance of his, promising her that Oliver needed his own space. He also arranged her office upstairs so she’d be close, and somehow, she no longer objected.

And now, here she was, folding Oliver’s shirts into neatly arranged drawers in his new bedroom.

“Sweetheart,” she said softly, glancing at Oliver, who had been standing by the massive French window. “Do you like this house?”

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Oliver’s whole face lit up, his smile wide, eyes sparkling.

Yes… Mommy, this place is HUGE! Look, look…” He pressed his tiny palms to the glass and bounced a little. “There’s a pool in the

backyard. And…oh, wow… I see a lake. Mommy, is that… a horse?”

Evelyn chuckled.

Axel had told her that this place was practically a child’s dreamland. And Axel had plans for Oliver to do homeschooling when he turned

four, a little bit of training as the heir when he was ready.

At first, Evelyn had hated the thought. She had lost her own childhood to her father’s ambition, sculpted into a “perfect heiress” before

she even knew how to dream for herself.

She never wanted that for her son.

But Axel had promised it wouldn’t be the same. He’d learned from his own father’s harsh methods, and he wanted something better for

Oliver; structure, yes, but happiness first. A childhood worth remembering.

And Evelyn believed him.

“Hm…” Evelyn set down the clothes and walked over to him, gently touching her son’s hair. “I hear Daddy bought a horse just for you. Do

you want to learn to ride it?”

Oliver gasped dramatically.

“Yes, Mommy! But… but not now. Maybe when I’m a bit taller than now.”

Evelyn laughed softly.

“That’s wise, sweetheart. You’ll learn when you’re ready.”

As she returned to organizing her clothes, Oliver kept up a running commentary about the scenery, the stables, and the “orange trees”

on the side of the road that resembled the ones in Willowcrest.

She let him chatter, the sound warming her heart.

“Mommy, can I go outside and play?”

“Yes, but not just yet,” she replied, folding the last pair of socks. “Help me finish tidying up your room first. Then we’ll go together.”

Oliver agreed without complaint, his little hands carefully stacking toys on the shelf.

When they finally left the second floor, Axel was waiting at the staircase.

He smiled at them, his expression gentler than usual.

“Lunch is ready.”

The lunch was warm and almost seemed ordinary. The three sat together, quietly eating and sharing laughter.

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104 How Did They Find Out?

The only difference now is that she no longer needs to cook, as a chef will prepare her food from now on.

Afterward, they moved to the backyard, sunlight spilling over the house.

Oliver darted toward the stables, his excitement too much to contain.

He was soon talking animatedly with one of the caretakers, his small hands flailing as if already negotiating how to ride a horse that

stood twice his height.

Evelyn and Axel lingered by the patio, watching.

“You didn’t go to the office today?” she asked.

He shook his head, leaning back slightly in his chair.

“I took two days off. If something urgent comes up, I’ll handle it from here. For now, I want you and Oliver to feel comfortable. To settle

in.”

Her chest feels warm. How was she supposed to resist this man when he said things like that?

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