The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

"What are you talking about Evelyn asked, folding her arms as she regarded Maya with a raised brow

Maya cleared her that, suddenly feeling a bit nervous under Evelyn's scrutinizing gaze. "Evelyn," she began, choosing her words carefully, "I mean. Samantha wasn't talking about a child. Rek is an adult." Evelyn blinked, her smile faltering "What do you mean an adul?“.

Maya hestated, casting a quick glance at Samantha, who was nodding vigorously. "He is a grown man."

For a mom

a moment, Evelyn didn't respond. her brain struggling to process the information. She felt a cold shiver race down her spine. "What?" she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Maya rushed on, sensing the tension building "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, Evelyn. I thought you knew. I mean, I assumed when Samantha talked about Rek, you knew he was an adult. I didn't think he would come across as a child-

Evelyn's face paled visibly, her heart skipping several beats. "You let a stranger spend time with my daughter?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch, her gaze sharp as it focused on Maya. "A man we know nothing about?" She asked as she rose from her seat.

Samantha piped up. "But Mommy, Rek is not a stranger! He's my friend!" She looked from her mother to Maya, confusion clouding her young

Evelyn turned to Samantha, her expression harsh "Hush, Samantha. This is an adult conversation. Go to your room," she ordered as she picked up the remote controller and turned off the television. Samantha's face fell, and she rose from her seat, her steps slow and reluctant as she walked away. Maya waited until Samantha was out of earshot before she spoke again, her voice a touch defensive. "Evelyn, I didn't think

"Exactly, Maya! You didn't think!" Evelyn cut in sharply. "What if he's a kidnapper, a child trafficker or a pedophile targeting Samantha? Did you

Even consider that?"

Maya's o eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. "No, I didn't think that at all. He seemed like a decent man, Evelyn. He was polite, and he genuinely seemed to care about Samantha's wellbeing" Evelyn let out a shon, disbelieving laugh. "And how do you know that, Maya? Because he seemed decent? You can't judge a person by a few polite words and a smile?

Maya's face flushed, and she looked down. "I'm sorry, Evelyn. 1 really am. I should have told you sooner. I just... I didn't see any harm in it. Mir Stone has been nothing but kind to Samu "Wait What?" She asked, her heart skipping a bear

"I said he's been nothi...."

"Mr what?" Evelyn cut in

"Mr Stone. Rek is actually Mr. Stone. The owner of Stone Palace Hotel," Maya explained, hoping this would make Evelyn calm doin

But instead of calming her, Maya noticed her words had the opposite effect.

Evelyn's breath was coming faster, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the implications of what she'd just heard. "Mr. Stone... Rek?" she repeated, as if trying to make the name fit into the chaotic puzzle of her thoughts, "The Derek L."

It hit her then, like a physical blow, knocking the wind from her lungs. Her knees felt weak, and she had to grip the back of the chair to steady herself. Rek was Derek. Derek Stone. Her Derek, Samantha's father.

Maya, noticing Evelyn's pallor, stepped forward, concern etched on her face. "Evelyn, are you alright!"

Evelyn shook her head, unable to find her voice. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. How was it possible that despite all her efforts to keep Sarmantha away from Derek, he had found her! Not only found her but had effortlessly become a part of her daughter's life from the moment they ser foot back in Ludus.

"I need to be alone," Evelyn managed to say, her voice strained and shaky. Without waiting for a response, the nimed and hurried to her room, the door closing behind her with a soft click.

As soon as she was inside, Evelyn's legs gave way, and she sank to the floor, her back against the door. Her breathing was erratic, her chest tight with panic. How had this happened?

How had she not figured it out this whole time? All those times Samantha had mentioned Rek, and she had simply assumed it was a child.

She remembered all the times Samantha had told her about Rek from the very first day they had arrived and checked into Stone Palace Hotel

She thought of Rayna's words about fate and destiny. Was this what she had meant! That no matter how hard Evelyn tried to escape, Derek would always find his way one way or the other into her life? Into Samantha's life?

Her heart ached at the thought of Samantha's innocent smile, her eyes lighting up when she talked about her friend Rek. How was Evelyn supposed to put an end to that friendship and separate them now, especially when Samantha clearly adored him?

"What am I going to do now?" she whispered to herself, her voice choked with emotion. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm the wild beating of her heart.

Was she to let them keep being friends? At least that way Samantha would get to spend time with her father even though she didn't know he was the

one!

What if Derek knew she was Samantha's Mom already? What if he had seen them together or Samantha had told him about her and that was the reason he had approached Samantha?

The sound of the doorbell cut through the silent apartment and Evelyn took a deep breath before walking out of her bedroom to go answer the pizza delivery guy.

"I took it already." Maya said, holding out the box.

"Thanks. You can go ahead," Evelyn said as she glanced at Samantha's bedroom door.

"Evelyn, I'm very sorry. I really don't know what I was thinking.."

"It's fine. I need to talk to Samantha, Evelyn said, and headed for Samantha's bedroom

Samantha who was lying on the bed and sobbing quietly looked up when her mother walked in

*Mommy, Rek is good to me. I like him. I want him to be my friend, she cried as though she could read Evelyn's mind and tell that she wanted to put an end to the friendship.

Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed and brushed Samantha's tears away, "Tell me everything about Rek. How did you meet him? Did he talk to you first? What did he say to you? What have you said to him' Did.." Evelyn caught herself when she realized she was asking too many questions at a time.

She decided to focus on the two most important questions and the find out the rest slowly. "Did Rek talk to you first?"

Samantha shook her head and told Evelyn how she had met him at the lobby and advised him not to hold his phone too closely to his eyes.

"I asked you not to talk to strangers." Evelyn said with displeasure.

"You also said to help strangers," Samantha pointed out and Evelyn sighed.

"Have you told him anything about me? Does he knew your Mommy's name?" She asked, and Samantha looked away guiltly, making her heart skip a beat.

"He knows my name?" Evelyn asked and Samantha shook her head quickly.

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"What did you tell him about me?" Evelyn asked with a worried frown.

"Don't think of lying to me. Sammy." Evelyn warned and Samantha's lips quivered.

"Don't be mad, Mommy. I told him you are pretty and i want him to marry my Mommy, Samantha said, and Evelyn's heart skipped a beat No No No. She couldn't let this continue. She had to keep Samantha away from Derek for the ume being.

had found cas

But how could she do that when Samantha had already let Derek into her heart? How could she keep them apart now that they h

Evelyn lourd her eyes to stop her tears from falling as s

she gathered Samantha into her armis,