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.

he

asked, and Samantha shock

to the park?”

matter–of–fact. “That he said he’ll come to the park to play with me every Saturday! And he took Maya’s number so he can call if he can’t come. Right, Maya?” she

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

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

ta

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

how wealthy the kid’s parents must be if he was still living

a strand of Samantha’s hair, her smile softening. “You know, Sam, maybe you could go to the same school as Rek. Would you like

realization dawn on her. Evelyn had been assuming all along that Rek was a

actually Derek Stone, the owner of Stone Palace Hotel,

name flashing “Go wash up sweetie,” she said,

kissed her forehead before walking towards the living room to

watched Evelyn leave, feeling a knot of worry in her stomach. She had to find a way to explain

were still shining brightly. “Sammy, did

her head. “No. Do you think Mommy thinks

We can’t let her keep thinking that. Okay! We have to tell her the truth, and maybe she can see him if he

mother and see how beautiful she was, so that

with Derek while Maya was not close enough

12:15 PM dd-

Chapter 80

curious