"My love... It's better if you don't know. Because those people don't deserve to live in your mind."
Axel's words echoed in Evelyn's head long after the lights were turned off.
She lay on her side, eyes open, staring at the faint outline of the ceiling.
Sleep refused to come, no matter how many times she inhaled deeply and tried to steady her breathing.
Her heart felt restless, heavy with questions that refused to quiet down.
The room was unusually empty tonight.
Axel was not beside her. He had insisted on sleeping in Oliver's bedroom after their son fell ill, claiming it was just in case Oliver woke up uncomfortable again.
Evelyn knew better. If Axel were here, he would have noticed her tense breathing, the way her thoughts kept circling, and he would have scolded her gently for not resting.
She rolled onto her back and closed her eyes, finally giving up on sleep.
Just then, her cell phone vibrated softly on the bedside table.
