Evelyn feels her chest tighten.
"I promise this won't happen again," Axel continued, his tone sincere, "I promise you'll never see me like this again."
The words struck deep, shuttering the last of her anger. Slowly, cautiously, she relaxed against him.
He tightened his hold in response, one arm circling her waist, the other sliding up to cradle her shoulders as if afraid she'd slip away.
She closed her eyes, feeling the strength of his embrace. He was reckless, infuriating, and secretive. But at this moment, none of that mattered. Because beneath it all, Axel Knight was hers.
Her lips curved faintly, though she kept the words locked in her heart. 'I already love you, Axel Knight! That's why I'm so scared. That's why I'm worried. That's why I'm mad at you now.'
Instead, she turned to face him and quietly returned the embrace—no words, no arguments—just silence. For now, it was enough.
But with Axel, silence never lasted long.
