Evelyn's heart ached as she spoke, but she couldn't stop now. The words were flooding out from her lips.
"I raised him alone. I lied to everyone, every single day. And I know I should've told you, but I thought..."
She paused, her fist clenched tightly in her lap.
"God, I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was protecting him. But then, when he was hurt…"
Her voice faltered. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself and meet Axel's gaze.
"You saved him, Axel. You didn't even hesitate. And all I could think was... what kind of mother keeps a boy from his father when his father is the one who would run through fire for him?"
Her laugh came out watery and bitter, directed at herself. "So, yeah. Congratulations, Axel Knight... You're a dad!"
She braced herself for his judgment, his anger, the cold words she knew were coming.
But instead, Axel leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on her calmly.
"You should have told me," he said quietly.
