Billionaire’s 96
Derek and Evelyn turned, and in both their surprise, Samantha came barreling at of a cali, her schoolbag bouncing on her back. she ran tow and Derek her face lighting up with joy.
“Rek!” Samantha shouted again, finging her arms around him in a free hug, Derek, taken aback, knelt down to embrace her, hu ryes wide in
Surprise
“Sam” he chuckled as he lifted her and rose, “This is my line friend I told you about, he said to Evelyn, looking between Samantha and Evelyni
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Sam What are you doing here?” He asked, turning to look at Maya:
Maya’s eyes widened as she took in the sight before her, and she glanced between Evelyn and Derek. Her surprise was evident, especially as her gare lingered on Derek, the man Evelyn seemed to know personally
Evelyn’s stomach sted. She could feel Maya’s curiosity and confusion raduating from across the distance, but there was no time to address it had to focus on Derck, who sull stood in front of her.
“This is my house. And this is my pretty Mommy, Samantha announced procally, her ile fare lighting up with excitement, all of her mother’s warning to stay away from Derek forgotten.
Evelyn froze, her heart thudding in her chest as the simile slid off his face. His entire demeanor slided at that single word
His confusion was instant as his eyes flickered between Evelyn and the little girl in his arms, has brow katting in surpre Evelyn’s breach hitched as she met Derek’s gaze, his eyes full of questions. The word “mommy” hung between them.
“Mommy?” His voice was low, almost disbelieving.
Evelyn swallowed hard, panic gripping her, but before she could speak. Samantha spoke again. “Did you e with hopeful eyes, oblivious to the tension between the two adults
come to and me. Rek? Samantha askerl
Dragging his gaze away from Evelyn. Derek smiled at Samantha, I guess I did once again, without meaning to, he said, his gaze flickering to Evelyn as he wondered what was going on © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Evelyn had a child Samantha was Evelyn’s child? How? Why did she keep it away from him this whole time? Was that the reason she had asked him not to show up at her place unannounced? How long did the plan to keep it a secret from him? Who was Samantha’s father? Was it Michael‘
Evelyn watched as Derek’s expression, which had been softened by concern and care, hardened with confusion and questions. His gaze locked onto Evelyn, his eyes narrowing as though searching for answers
Evelyn didn’t have time to react as Samantha wrapped her arms around Derek’s neck. “Mommy, can I show Rek what I drew in school today!” she asked, her voiced with innocent enthusiasm.
Evelyn cleared her throat, “I was going to tell you,” she said in an unfamiliar voier.
Maya, who remained where she stood, staring at the trio awkwardly, moved quickly, realizing that whatever this was, they needed “Sammy, let’s go in Maya said, reaching for Samantha, and Derek let her go.
space to talk
“You can come in.” Evelyn said to Derck after Maya and Samantha went in since she did not have any mor Derek stared at her for a few seconds without saying anything, and she could see the wheels turning in his mind before he finally gave her a nod and stepped inside.
more reason to keep him
“You can make yoursell comfortable. I’ll join you in a munure,” she said, needing a minute to pull herself together because her heart was beating text fast.
Evelyn wens into Samantha’s bedroom and turned to Maya. “Iners you to take Sath to the park for some time. I will let you know when I’m done,” she said, and Maya nodded, while Samantha poured
“Can I play with Rck now she asked with a pout, and Evelin forced a smile
“Soon, baby. Mommy needs so talk cek right now. Evelyn coaxed softly, and Samantha bobbed her head enthusiastically
Walking away from there. Evelyn went into her bedroom to change into something more appropriate since the bathrobe she was covered in making her feel just as physically exposed and vulnerable as she was emotionally
In the long ro
ruan, Derek dul not sa online he remained standing as his gare reamed over the photo frames at Evelyn and Samatha ila decorated the long pouch
Abdugh he was achieved stoner
no man was in the pumer, las uumid raced such thoughts of Evelyn’s secrecy.
It all made sense now. He met Samantha at the hotel while Evelyn was there, and then he met her at the park just around Evelyn’s block.
Was she the reason Evelyn had refused to date him this whole time? Was Evelyn feeling embarrassed because she was a single mother?
He looked up when Evelyn returned, dressed in a sweatshirt and faded jeans trousers, and his gaze shifted behind her when he saw Maya and
Samantha, too.
“Rek. I’m going to the park,” Samantha announced. She was happy to leave her mother and Rek alone since she was hoping that they would get married and Rek would become her daddy.
“I will see you later then.” Derek said, flashing her a smile.
He watched as Evelyn kissed her forehead before escorting her to the door. The moment the door closed behind Samantha, his smile slid off his face as Evelyn turned to face him, her mouth dry.
The silence between them was thick, charged with the weight of unspoken words. She knew what was coming and wasn’t sure how to navigate the storm she had long been avoiding
Derek’s gaze hadn’t left her. “Samantha is truly your daughter?” His voice was calm..
Evelyn opened her mouth to respond, but her throat felt constricted, and the words refused to come. How could she explain this? Where was she to
start from?”
“Talk to me, Eve,” he urged her, his voice still calm.
Evelyn bobbed her head. “Yes. Samantha is my daughter, she admitted