The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover-Chapter 358: The Question Between Them

"Well, Axel asked me to come. Something important we need to discuss," he replied calmly. Then his eyes lifted toward her again. "I’m more surprised to see you. Are you sleeping over?"

"Yes," she answered, walking toward the opposite sofa and sitting down, pretending her heartbeat wasn’t suddenly sprinting. "I came with my mom to visit my sister..."

"I see." His gaze lingered on her face a second longer than necessary. "Then I apologize for disturbing your horror-movie plans."

Stella stiffened. "How did you—"

"I hear a voice someone was muttering about horror movies in the hallway," Dylan said smoothly.

Her ears burned. "I was not muttering," she lied immediately.

"You were," he confirmed, eyes glinting with quiet amusement. "It was... cute."

Silence.

Stella blinked, suddenly unsure whether to defend herself or bury her face in a cushion.

"Anyway," she said quickly, "since you’re here for a secret midnight business, and I’m here to avoid emotional damage, I suppose we’re both trapped in this living room."

Dylan leaned back slightly, gaze never leaving hers. "Seems that way."

Neither of them looked away.

And somehow, the horror movie no longer seemed necessary.

After a few more minutes in awkward silence, Dylan was the first to break the growing awkwardness between them. He cleared his throat softly, setting his tablet aside before looking at Stella.

"How’s your day lately?" he asked, voice calm, neutral, as if they were simply two acquaintances sharing a quiet evening.

Stella was slightly surprised when she heard his tone. It was softer than his previous words. Now, there was no tension in his voice, no teasing, no flirting. Just... genuine interest in listening about her day.

A small smile curved her lips. "Busy as usual, but I’ve survived. How about you?"

"Well, since the boss can’t go to the office lately, my workload has doubled." He said it casually, as if managing an empire on behalf of Axel Knight was the same as filing a few documents.

Stella nods, impressed. "I’m sorry you’re having a hard time." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Dylan chuckled.

"It’s fine. The boss pays me well. I’m not complaining."

He never complained about working for Axel Knight. Everyone who knew them understood their bond. Axel had once pulled him out of a situation he never spoke about, and since then, loyalty wasn’t just a job requirement. It was personal.

"My brother-in-law is indeed generous. Loyal to his friends. To the people he cherishes."

"Yeah," Dylan said quietly. "People around him say that."

Silence fell again.

Not uncomfortable this time. Just... heavy.

Like something waited between them, unspoken and pressing.

Stella’s fingers curled lightly over her knees. Her heart drummed faster, urging her forward before her courage disappeared.

"But Dylan... I’m curious," she said.

He turned to her, brow slightly furrowed, serious now. "What is it, Stella?"

She swallowed.

"How do you manage your private time? I mean... do you have someone you love? Or... cherish?"

The words left her mouth before she could stop them.

Instant regret hit her like a wave.

’Dang it, Stella. What are you doing? What if he says yes? What if it’s not you? Congratulations, you just stabbed yourself emotionally.’

At this moment, she wanted the floor to open and swallow her whole.

For a moment, Dylan didn’t answer. He simply watched her, and in his gaze was something sharp, observant. As if he saw right through her forced calm.

"Time for myself..." he said at last, voice low, steady. "To be honest, I didn’t have that privilege when Axel had not yet met your sister."

A tiny breath of relief slipped from Stella’s chest. ’Thank God, no one. Maybe I hadn’t just ruined my night...’

But Dylan wasn’t finished.

"As for the woman I love," he continued, eyes locking onto hers, "or cherish. Whatever word you prefer...I do have." A faint smile touched his lips.

Stella’s world seems to pause.

Her heartbeat turned chaotic, pounding so hard she was sure Dylan could hear it. Warmth rushed to her cheeks, but underneath it was a sharp sting. Disappointment. Sadness. A feeling she had tried very hard not to let grow over the past few days.

She forced a smile. "I... see. Congratulations, Dylan."

The words tasted bitter, but she kept her tone light, playful. She wouldn’t let him see how much it hurt.

What she didn’t know was that Dylan already saw everything.

The nervous blink. The way her fingers tightened. The way her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

And in that moment, something inside him shifted.

Without Stella knowing, the woman he spoke of—the one he lived with in his thoughts far too often, the one who unknowingly occupied the quiet corners of his mind—was sitting right in front of him.

They locked gazes.

No words. No jokes. No teasing.

Just two hearts dangerously close to a truth neither had dared to say aloud.

Dylan inhaled slowly. This was it. He would tell her. He would finally—

"Wow," a voice echoed from the doorway, light and amused, "did I come at the wrong time?"

Both Stella and Dylan froze.

Their heads snapped toward the entrance where Axel Knight leaned on the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, eyes gleaming with unmistakable teasing. The kind of teasing only a man who knew everything enjoyed.

Stella’s face turned red instantly.

Dylan cleared his throat, suddenly aware of his posture, his tone, the intensity that had been hanging between them seconds ago.

Axel stepped inside leisurely. "You two look like teenagers caught sneaking out after curfew."

"Brother-in-law," Stella said quickly, trying to sound casual, but of course she failed. "Shouldn’t you be sleeping? It’s almost midnight."

"And shouldn’t you be in the bedroom?" Axel countered smoothly.

Stella froze.

Dylan coughed to hide his laugh.

Axel’s grin widened. "Relax. I’m just here to tell you both can continue speaking... And Dylan, come to my office if you’re done," he said, turning away toward his home office.

"Boss, it’s fine. We’re done talking..." Dylan replied, regaining his composure with professional speed.

Axel turned toward Stella, eyes softening. "Are you sure?"

Stella nodded, cheeks still warm. "Yes... brother-in-law."

Then she rushed out of the room and headed to the guest room, her face as red as ripe tomatoes.