Before Evelyn could say anything else, Axel spoke first, his tone light, almost like he was flirting.
"So, honey," he asked, lifting a brow, "you asked me to sit here just to thank me?"
She shook her head slowly. "No. Not just that. There's something else I need to tell you…"
His thumb brushed over her knuckles, warm and grounding. "Then tell me more," he said gently. He tilted his head, trying to catch her eyes. "What matter is heavy enough to make my wife look so distressed?"
Evelyn released a quiet breath. Finding the right words felt harder than enduring physical pain. She could see his calm smile, but behind it flickered a trace of worry.
She tightened her grip on his hand as if afraid the courage might slip away. "Axel," she began softly, "I want you to be careful…"
In the months they had been together, she had never spoken to him with such raw concern. Never once had she looked at him as if he might disappear.
His smile faded slowly.
