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

asked, and Samantha shock

to the park?”

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

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

thought that an adult like Derek would have a nanny. “No, Rek was alone. But he promised to come play with me every Saturday,” she

ta

asking that sort of question about a

then,” Evelyn said, wondering how wealthy the kid’s parents must be if he was still living at the hotel, and could afford to drive around so

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 along that Rek was

decided to correct Evelyn and explain that Rek was actually Derek Stone, the owner of Stone Palace Hotel,

brow when she saw Rayna’s name flashing “Go wash up sweetie,” she said, getting to her feet. “I have to take this. We’ll talk more about Rek

nodried, and Evelyn kissed her forehead before walking towards the living room to

a knot of worry in her stomach. She had to find a way to explain

still shining brightly. “Sammy, did you tell your

head. “No. Do you

let her keep thinking that. Okay! We have to tell her the truth, and maybe she can see him if he comes around next Saturday,” She said, and Samantha bolibed

wanted Derek in meet her mother and see how beautiful she was,

Derek while

12:15 PM dd-

Chapter 80

big curious eyes. “Rek? Are