The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

101

As Evelyn walked back into the house after Derek left, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She barely had time to close the door before Samantha came barreling out of her room with the pure, unfiltered joy that only children can express.

"Mommy!" Samantha squealed, her arms outstretched as she ran straight for Evelyn, practically launching herself into her mother's embrace.

Evelyn caught her mid-stride, lifting her effortlessly and holding her close. She inhaled the familiar scent of her daughter as the warmth of the hug seeped into her bones, easing the tension she hadn't realized she still carried.

Evelyn smiled, her heart swelling as she looked into Samantha's bright, eager blue eyes. "Are you that happy?" she asked, laughing softly.

Samantha nodded enthusiastically, her curls bouncing with every motion. "I'm very happy, Mommy! I love Rek... no, I love my daddy." She corrected herself proudly, her voice filled with certainty as if the mere acknowledgment solidified her newfound bond with Derek.

Evelyn's laughter bubbled up, but there was a softness to it- an echo of the joy that only this moment could bring. She pressed a kiss to Samantha's forehead. "TTM

glad you're happy, sweetheart."

Her voice was thick with emotion, and when she glanced up, she saw Maya standing a few feet away, watching them with an expression that matched Evelyn's own-tender, joyful, and a little bit in awe. "I bet that was a surprise," Evelyn said with a knowing look, her voice gently teasing.

Maya chuckled, her gaze warm as she watched Samantha's happiness radiate through the room. "It was more than a surprise. Pleasantly so," she admitted, her eyes lingering on Samantha. "I always wondered why Sammy was so taken with him. It all makes sense now."

Evelyn smiled softly, but a thread of concern tugged at her heart, winding tight as she thought about the future. The moment was perfect, but the road ahead still seemed uncertain. "We might have to move again soon," she said, her voice quieter as she looked between Maya and Samantha, her daughter still nestled in her arms.

Samantha's bright eyes widened in curiosity. "Are we going to live with my daddy?" Her innocent question, laced with hope, sent a pang through Evelyn's chest.

She hesitated, considering her words carefully. "We might... eventually," Evelyn said slowly, brushing a stray curl from Samantha's face. "But not just yet. For now, we're going to move to a safe place, and when the time is right, your daddy will come live with us. Would you like that?"

Samantha's face lit up, her happiness practically radiating through the room. She bobbed her head eagerly. "Yes! Will he take me to school? Teach me how to ride my bike? And buy me dolls?" she asked in one breath, her excitement bubbling over.

Evelyn and Maya both burst into laughter, the sound light and unburdened. "I'm sure he'd love to do all those things," Evelyn said, her heart swelling at the image of Derek doting on their daughter. "Now," she continued, setting Samantha gently back down on the floor, "why don't you be a good girl and go take your nap? I know you didn't have one today."

Samantha pouted for a moment, then nodded with a grin, skipping off toward her bedroom. Evelyn watched her go, her smile lingering long after Samantha disappeared down the hallway. "I've never seen you look this happy," Maya said; her smile was wide, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Turning to Maya, Evelyn's voice softened. "Thank you, Maya. For everything." The words were simple, but the gratitude behind them was immense.

Maya smiled, her gaze warm. "I'm not sure I've done anything, but you're welcome," Maya said before walking away to go check on Samantha.

Evelyn stood there for a moment longer, absorbing the stillness that followed. Her heart felt light, almost unrecognizable compared to the weight it had carried just hours ago.

She needed to share this feeling, to voice the excitement that buzzed in her chest. Without hesitation, she walked into her bedroom, picked up her phone, and dialed Rayna's number.

The moment Rayna answered, her voice was full of playful suspicion. "Isn't this like the third time we are talking today? Tell me you're calling to tell me you've told Derek everything. If that's not it, hang up right now."

Evelyn couldn't hold back her laugh. It started as a giggle but quickly spiraled into something joyful and uncontrollable. "RAYNA!" she screeched, tears of happiness pooling in her eyes. Hearing Evelyn's carefree laugh, Rayna grinned, "You told him, didn't you?"

"I love you, Rayna. I love you so much," Evelyn said, her words rushing out in an emotional downpour.

"Thank you. Thank you for making me do this. I don't know why I didn't tell him sooner. I wish I confided in you earlier. You gave me the best advice ever."

Rayna laughed happily on the other end. "Did I? Last I checked, you were asking yourself why you ever listened to me," Rayna said dryly.

"I take that back. I must have been out of my mind to say something like that to my sweetest Ray. My genius.

My drop of golden sun," Evelyn said, her voice still brimming with emotion.

Rayna chuckled. "Alright, alright. I'll let you bask in my brilliance later. Now I want to hear what happened.

Tell me all of it. Do not spare any detail. Wait. Let's switch to a video call. I need to see your face," Rayna said, and before Evelyn could agree or protest, she switched to a video call.

Evelyn brushed away the happy tears in her eyes as she received the video call and a moment later. The moment the video connected, Evelyn found herself smiling even wider, the excitement barely contained as Rayna's face filled Evelyn's screen.

"Now tell me everything," Rayna said, and Evelyn went on to tell her all that had transpired.

She recounted everything, from her initial nerves at finding Derek at her door to the conversation with Derek, the anger, the relief, the understanding. As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and true to form, Rayna, ever the sympathetic crier, teared up as well.

"I can't believe he was so understanding and didn't get so mad like guys do in movies and novels. Derek is a ten. No. He's a hundred over ten. I love him for you already," Rayna said as she wiped away her tears after Evelyn finished.

Evelyn let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "A hundred over ten is a ten, Ray. But yeah. He's a ten."

"Whatever. You almost let him go, you dummy. I can't believe you were stupidly going to give him up. I feel like slapping you through the phone." Rayna's voice was teasing, but there was an edge of seriousness in her tone.

"I know," Evelyn admitted with a sigh. "But we all can't react to things in the same manner. And you should know that sometimes... when it's your life, it's hard to see clearly, you know?" Rayna nodded, her expression softening. "Yeah. I get that. You're right about that," Rayna conceded.

They shared a quiet moment before Evelyn cleared her throat. "By the way, guess who was at my office today?"

Rayna raised a brow. "Who?"

"Sandra."

Rayna's face twisted into a scowl. "What did that snake want?"

Evelyn laughed, her mood lifting even higher. "You'll never believe it. I guess I also haven't told you that I have been fired," Evelyn said and laughed as Rayna's eyes widened in disbelief. "When? Why? Did that snake have anything to do with it? Are you sure you don't want me to come over?" Rayna asked, and Evelyn smiled.

"Nah. You don't have to. I'm okay," Evelyn assured her.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"Alright. Tell me about the visit. What did she have to say?" Rayna asked, and Evelyn laughed.

"You know what? I recorded the whole conversation.

Why don't I send that to you so you hear it all yourself?" Evelyn suggested.

Rayna's eyes lit up. "Oh, please do. I'm going to need popcorn for this. I'm going to hang up now. Send it over right away. I'll call you when I'm done listening to it," Rayna said and hung up the call. Evelyn giggled as she forwarded the video to Rayna, and a short while later, Rayna called her back.

"That girl must be high on something cheap. I can't believe her nerve! Did she really come to ask you to stay away from Derek when she knows that you know about her and Michael? Why didn't you pull her hair or something? Gosh! Your composure needs to be studied," Rayna said, and Evelyn laughed.

"I can't be bothered by Sandra right now. I'm just really happy that both Derek and Samantha are happy.

I want to focus on a pleasant feeling now. I'll think about Sandra another time," Evelyn said, and Rayna smiled.

"Yeah. You should be happy. You deserve to be happy.

So, you're unemployed now. Want me to give you a job at my bakery?" Rayna offered, and Evelyn laughed out loud.

"Nah. I believe it's time to go back to my Dad's company. Sandra is going to wish she didn't mess with me."

"Amen to that, bitch!" Rayna said happily, and Evelyn laughed.

"I owe you a drink, Ray..."

"A drink? You owe me more than a drink, but we can start with that," Rayna said, and Evelyn laughed.

"Now that I'm jobless, I have time to spare. So, let me know when you are ready to grab a drink," Evelyn said, and Rayna giggled happily.

"I can feel it, Evie. The Evelyn I know is finally coming back," Rayna said happily, and after chatting for a bit, they hung up.

Feeling lighter than she had in years, Evelyn let out a deep sigh as she flopped onto her bed.

For the first time in forever, the crushing weight on her shoulders was gone. She realized now that she had been shouldering burdens that she never really had to shoulder alone, and all she had needed to do was open up.