Broken Dreams Stories

Chapter 80

Evelyn was in the kitchen, her hands busy with dinner prep, but her mind elsewhere, thoughts of her conversation with Rayna carlier occupied her mind as she tried to figure out what Sandra was up to.

She was jolted back to reality when she heard the front door burst open. Samantha’s voice rang through the house, a high–pitched excitement that brought a smile to Evelyn’s face as she quickly wiped her hands on a dish towel and hurried out to meet Samantha.

“Mommy! Mommy! Guess what?” Samantha’s small feet pounded against the floor as she raced into the dining, her face flushed with enthusiasm.

“What is it, sweetheart?” she asked, her eyes sparkling as she knelt to her daughter’s level.

*1 met Rek!” Samantha exclaimed, bouncing on her toes

Evelyn’s brows shot up in surprise. “You did! At the park?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Samantha nodded vigorously. “Yes! Can you believe it?” Samantha asked, and Evelyn laughed, delighted for her daughter who had reconnected with a lost friend

“That’s wonderful, baby. Was he there to play too?” Evelyn asked, genuinely curious.

“He was driving by and saw the park, so he stopped to see if I was there. And I was!” she said, her voice bubbling over with excitement.

Maya was tempted to cut in and say that wasn’t exactly what Derek had said, but she didn’t want to dampen Samantha’s excitement, so she quietly watched with a smile on her Face.

“He said he missed me and kept looking for me at the playground,” Samantha said, her eyes gleaming with joy.

Evelyn’s heart warmed at the thought of the little boy who had made such a strong impression on her daughter Now she was dying to meet the kid.

guess he lives

and Samantha

to the park?”

at the hotel.” Samantha replied, her lane matter–of–fact. “That he said he’ll come to the park to play with me every Saturday! And he took

relief. It was nice to know that Samantha had made a friend, someone who cared enough to keep in touch. “That’s great, honey. Did you meet his parents? Or his nanny?” she asked, wondering if she’d have a chance to meet them too, perhaps arrange

an adult like Derek would have a nanny. “No, Rek was alone. But he promised

ta

wondering why Evelyn was asking that sort of question about a grown

parents must be if he was

for this thoughtful friend who was making her daughter so happy. She reached out to smooth back a strand

from the doorway, felt a sudden realization dawn on her. Evelyn had been assuming all

and explain that Rek was actually Derek Stone, the owner of Stone Palace Hotel, but before either her or Samantha could say anything, Evelyn’s phone rang, cutting through the

saw Rayna’s name flashing “Go wash up sweetie,” she said, getting to her feet. “I have to

her forehead before walking towards

had to

were still shining brightly. “Sammy, did you tell your

you think Mommy thinks Rek is

her the truth, and maybe she can see

in meet her mother and see how beautiful she was, so that they could

conversation with Derek while Maya

12:15 PM dd-

Chapter 80

curious eyes. “Rek? Are you