The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

By the time Kayna rang the doorbell at noon, Evelyn and Samantha had finished baking the cookies and were snuggling together, watching an episode of Dora the Explorer.

Evelyn answered the door with a bright smile. "You're right on time," she said, holding out the door for Rayna

"If I could come at the crack of Dawn, I would have, I could barely sleep a wink last night cause I was too busy wondering about your big reveal," Rayna said as she walked past Evelyn, and Evelyn laughed. "Ray, I'd like to introduce you to someone," Evelyn said just as Rayna walked into the house.

Rayna stopped abruptly when her eyes landed on Samantha, who was standing some feet away. Immediately, her expression softened. "Oh my goodness, who is this line angel?" she asked, glancing at Evelyn suspiciously before returning her attention to Samantha.

"Hello! What's your name? Rayna asked as she crouched down to Samantha's level.

"Samantha," Samantha said shyly as she looked from Rayna to her mother and then hack again.

Evelyn smiled proudly. The little angel is my daughter. Rayna, meet my daughter, Samantha. Haby, this is mummy's close friend, Rayna." Evelyn introduced, and Rayna looked at her with questioning eyes but decided to leave the questions for later

"And this is Maya, Samantha's nanny."

1. ny. Evelyn said, gesturing to Maya, whom Rayna acknowledged with a curt nod.

Rayna beamed at Samantha. "Aren't you just

st the most adorable little girl? You look beautiful, just like your mom, Hayna said, genuinely in love with Samantha

Samantha giggled, "Thank you.

You look p

.

pretty, too, and you smile like cake, Samantha said with a smile, and Rayna laughed as she embraced her.

"I do, don't Do you like cakes!" Rayna asked, and Samantha babbed her head.

"Then I'm going to bring you some when next I come around." Rayna promised as she straightened.

After they were done with the introductions. Evelyn nodded to Maya, and she led Samantha out of the living room to her bedroom.

Rayna watched them leave, her gaze softening. "She really is an adorable child, she said, turning to Evelyn

Evelyn's smile grew. "Yes, the is. She's my greatest blessing, she said s smiled.

sofily."

. “I can't imagine my life without her." Evelyn said fondly, and Rayna

"I guess she is the reason you've changed so much, and she is the reason you didn't let me visit before or tell me anything. Rayna said. understandably, and Evelyn nodded.

"Yes, she is. Come, let's sit down. I have so much I want to share with you," Evelyn said, and together, they walked into the living room and sat on the couch.

"Is she Michael's?" Rayna asked the moment she was seated.

Evelyn quickly shook her head, her expression growing serious. "No. Samantha is not Michael's daughter. What can I get you! Tea? Coffee! Soda!" She asked, and Rayna shrugged.

"Water is fine. I smell cookies. Can I have some! I want to eat something I didn't bake for a change," she said, and Evelyn Laughed as she rose to go get her a glass of water and some cookies. Once Evelyn returned and settled down. Hayma turned in her seat to look at her. "Go on. Evie. I want to hear everything. But first, tell me it's not a coincidence that she has blue eyes like Derek, Rayna asked thoughtfully.

Evelyn winced. Rayna had always been a smart one. She wasn't exactly book smart, but she was good at deducing things apart from when it came to who tapped her ass at the club

"I's not a commcndence

"It's not! Does that mean you cheated?" Rayna asked, dropping her voice

Evelyn shook her head, "No, I didn't. It's a long story, Ray, I don't know where to stan, Evelyn said, and Rayna laughed.

"Rayna said with a grit, and Evelyn

"Well, I guess it's a good thing I can easily fit into your clothes. You can take your time. We can talk all night, Ray Laughed voly

Evelyn took a deep breath and took a nunate to gather her thoughts before she began to speak. "Well, guess I should start with the reason I called off the wedding." Evelyn said and went on to tell Kayna bow she had walked into Michael's apartment and seen him with Samdra and what she had

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"You're kidding me, right" Rayan asked in disbelief, but Evelyn shook her head.

"I wish I were," she said, and Rayna's brows pulled together.

"Oh, my god, Evie! That must have been terrible!" Rayna said, reaching out to grab Evelyn's hand as she thought about it.

Evelyn nodded, "It was. You can't imagine how devastated I was. I was shocked, heartbroken, confused, embarrassed, mad, all at once," Evelyn said, and Rayna nodded her eyes filled with understanding. "Absolutely. Anyone would be," Rayna said, and Evelyn went on to tell her how she had run into Derek and everything that followed up until she left Ludus six years ago.

Rayna listened intently, her expression shifting from surprise to understanding as Evelyn continued. When Evelyn finally finished, Rayna didn't know what to say.

She was silent for a minute as she disgested all she had heard, and then she shook her head, "I don't know how you're so calm Evie, but if I were in your shoes, that bitch would be six feet under by now, and I'd be chilling in jail," Rayna said, and Evelyn laughed involuntarily.

"I'm not joking. Evie! It's not even funny! That filthy bitch! To think she had the guts to show up in my bakery and play the victim card! I should shave off all the hair on her head so she can look like the ugly vulture she is!" Rayna cussed angrily.

"Calm down. Ray. Don't worry. They will both get what they deserve soon," Evelyn said and then went on to tell Rayna about how she had reunited with Derek and all that Sandra and Michael had done. "Why won't they just let you be? And why is she going after Derek? Thank God he isn't falling for their lies," Rayna said, and Evelyn sighed. "Now I see why you said things were complicated, Rayna murmured. "It really is," she said and then looked at Evelyn thoughtfully.

"So, what do you intend to do about Derck being Samantha's father? Do you think you'll ever tell him?" Rayna asked, and Evelyn sighed. "You won't believe what I just found out," Evelyn said and went on to tell Rayna about Samantha's friendship with Derek. "Blood is indeed thicker than water. You know you can't hide the truth forever, right? And I think it's best you let them both continue their friendship. Let him get to know his daughter. He doesn't need to know she is yours yet They can keep being friends, Rayna suggested

"I'm not sure, Ray. How long do you think it will be before he insists on meeting her Mom? I just want to keep this secret until after we expose Sandra and Michael I don't want them to twist the narrative. I know what those two are capable of," she said, and Rayna sighed.

"I understand where you're coming from. This is all so complicated," Rayna said with a frown.

person she truly is Rayna said,

"Im going to cut Sandra off at once. I don't want that cunning bitch anywhere near me now that I know the kind of p stinking her nose with disgust.

Evelyn shook her head. "You shouldn't do that, she said, and when Rayna looked at her in confusion, she explained. I believe Sandra is trying to get close to you so she can use you against me, she continued, and Rayna's face hardened even more.

"Isn't that another reason I should stay away from her? Rayna asked, and Evelyn shook her head.

"No. If you cut her off, she would just find other means to get to me. So, it's best we keep her close. Could you play along with Sandra? Let her believe you're on her side. That way, we can be a step ahead of her and know what she is really planning. Evelyn said and Rayna nodded. understanding what Evelyn was saying.

"Don't worry, Evie, I will do whatever I can to help you. I can't have her do all these things to you and think she will win. No way, Rayna said, and Evelyn smiled.

Thank you, Ray. I'm glad I can count on you," Evelyn said, and Rayna squeezed her hand.

"I wish you had confided in me back then, you were, Rayna said, and Evelyn smiled.

Evie. I hate to think about how you suffered alone. I can't even begin to imagine how hurt and broken

"It wasn't easy, but I'm okay now," Evelyn assured her.

"You know what? Since we're doing this, I think we should come up with a code or something-something only we can easily use to communicate," Rayna said, and Evelyn nodded thoughtfully.