The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

The silence that followed Evelyn's confession was deafening. Eric's eyes widened in shock, and for a long moment, he didn't speak. Claire, however, visibly stiffened, her hand rising to cover her mouth. "What?" Claire whispered, her voice filled with disbelief

Evelyn nodded, her voice breaking as she continued. She told them how Sandra had left her with the designer, claiming she wanted to check on florist, and how she had left for Michael's place for a surprise visit only to find them in bed together and hear them talking about her.

I was so broken and didn't know what to do, I didn't want to come back home to see either of them" Evelyn blinked back tears, "That was how I met Derek that day. My car hit his," she said, and her parents turned to Derek.

-you were involved in an accident?" Claire asked with a worried frown.

Evelyn's lips wobbled, and tears dropped from her eyes as

is the nodded, remembering

ring the pain afresh.

"I can't believe this," Eric said with a shake of his head as he rose, trying to process all that Evelyn had just said,

"Eric."

"This doesn't make any sense. If something like this happened, why would you keep it to yourself? Why not confront them? Why run away? How do you expect me to believe this?" He asked before his wife could say anything.

"I didn't know how to face them. I was ashamed that I was a fool for so long. I was hurt. Maybe if Sandra had been a stranger, it would have been different. If she were my friend, it would have played out differently. But Sandra is my sister! She is your daughter, too. I didn't have any proof How could I just expose something like that?" Evelyn asked, crying now.

Samantha, who had been hearing their voices but could not come out because of Maya, ran out when Maya went into the restroom to ease herself. Sensing the tension in the room but not fully understanding it, she went to her mother. "Mommy? Why are you crying"" she asked, then went to

Enc

She tugged at his hand "Grandfather, why are you making my Mommy cry! Are you mad at her?"

Eric's expression softened immediately as he looked down at Samantha, her wide eyes full of innocence. He knelt once more, hand in his "No, sweetheart. I'm not mad at your mommy. We are just... talking."

assured her.

"Go back to your room, darling. I'm fine." Evelyn assa

taking her small

Samantha looked at Derek, and when he winked at her and gave her a nod, she smiled. Satisfied with the answers, the scampered off toward her

FOGLIL

Once she was out of earshot, Eric faced Evelyn again, his face flushed with anger. However, before he could speak, Derek spoke up.

"I was with Evelyn that day. I can prove it to you if you want me to. She wasn't okay. She was crying so much that she got into an accident. I couldn't let her drive away in that state, and I had to take her back to my hotel. She spent the night with me but left before I woke up. I spent the last six years searching for her until she showed up in my office recently. I have evidence of it all Derek said as he took out his phone and scrolled through

his drive

Evelyn looked at Derek, wondering what Evidence he could possibly have since he had not mentioned anything to her.

Derek clicked on the footage clip of Evelyn crying as she walked into the hotel with him six years ago. "This was her with me. I had to get this for the private investigator I got to help me find her." When he started his search for Evelyn six years ago, he had gotten the footage from the hotel's security room.

Claire rose to join Erie in watching the footage, and although it wasn't so clear, they could tell the person in the video was Evelyn.

When they were done with the video, Derek showed them pictures of the accident scene that his driver had captured and sent to him.

"Sandra really did something like that! To you?" Claire asked, her voice trembling, and Evelyn nodded again, her heart aching as she saw the hurt in her stepmother's eyes.

"Yes, Mom. That's why I couldn't go through with the wedding. I couldn't marry a man who hail, who had been with my own sister. Evelyn said. her lips trembling.

Eric's hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as he looked away, his anger clearly boiling beneath the surface.

On the other hand, Claire seemed to be struggling to keep her composure. She had known that Evelyn had something against Sandra, but she never would have imagined that it was something of this magnitude.

11:23 AM

She couldn't say she had not worried about Sandra's close relationship with Michael or noticed how Sandra subtly kept trying to make Eric mad at Evelyn, but this! This was something totally different and unacceptable.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

For a moment, she looked as though she might crumble under the weight of the revelation. Then, to Evelyn's surprise, she straightened her back, her expression hardening.

"If this is true," Claire said quietly, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her eyes, "then Sandra has a lot to answer for."

Still reeling from the news, Eric looked at Evelyn, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry, Evelyn. I had no idea. If I had known-

Evelyn cut him off, shaking her head. "Dad, it's okay. I didn't expect you to know. I kept it from you also because I didn't want to hurt you or Mom."

"No. It's not okay. I was too harsh and didn't even give you a chance. You were hurt, and I didn't pay attention as your father. I failed you when you needed me," Eric said, unable to forgive himself for taking Michael's side all these years.

"It was stupid of you to keep something like this away from us, Evelyn. All this while you stayed away from your father because of this? We are your parents. If Sandra did something like this, you were supposed to tell us. How could you have gone through all of this alone simply because you were trying to protect us!" Claire scolded, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know better, Evelyn cried.

Ent reached out, pulling Evelyn into a tight embrace. "You've been through so much, and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm sorry I didn't listen or give you a chance to confide in me Evelyn buried her face in his chest, breaking into a sob. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was scared."

Eric's voice was firm as he held her close. "There's nothing to forgive, Evelyn. You did what you thought was right. I'm the one who is sorry."

Still visibly shaken but composed, Claire stepped forward and placed a hand on Evelyn's shoulder. "We'll deal with Sandra," she said softly. "But for now, let's focus on being here for you." Evelyn pulled back from her father, wiping her tears as she looked at both of them. "Thank you. I wasn't sure how this would go, but... thank you" Eric sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as the tension seemed to drain from his body. He looked at his daughter with a mixture of love and disappointment. "I just.. I always thought we had a better relationship than this, I wish you had trusted me with this, Evelyn. I would've stood by you," Eric said, brushing off her tears while Derek watched them, relieved that her parents were reacting as he had hoped they would.

Claire, sensing the delicate nature of the moment, took a step back, giving father and daughter the space they needed.

Evelyn's heart squeezed painfully at her father's words. She had always valued his opinion, and the thought of letting him down had haunted her for years, warring with her disappointment at his reaction. "Everything was so complicated in my head. I didn't know how to handle it all myself." Im going to handle it. I will make sure I deal with Michael.."

"You can't do that, Dad. You can't do anything yet or let h tell you."

him or Sandra know you are aware," she cut in, her voice steadying, "there's more I need to

Eric's brow furrowed again, but he nodded, gesturing for her to continue. Tim listening

Evelyn took a deep breath, glancing briefly at Claire, who offered her an encouraging nod. "Before that, about what happened at the anniversary party. I never pushed Sandra. She put up the act herself. I had to pour the wine on her because she was trying to make me look bad, so I thought I should play along." Evelyn explained.

"Is that girl even my daughter? Claire asked, unable to understand Sandra and her schemes.

Eric sighed deeply. "Let's sit down," he suggested, and they all sat down again.