The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 4

Evelyn woke up before the sun had fully risen, the faint light of dawn seeping through the hotel room's heavy curtains.

She blinked a few times, disoriented, before the events of the previous night came rushing back to her.

Derrick lay beside her, his arm draped across her waist, breathing deeply in his sleep. She gently lifted his arm, careful not to wake him, and slipped out of bed

Her clothes lay neatly folded on the dresser. She didn't remember picking them up from the floor but she was glad he did.

She quickly picked them up, dressing in silence. Her heart pounded in her chest as she moved towards the door. She paused, seeing her car key on the table by the door, and hesitated, glancing back at Derrick. He remained asleep, his face peaceful in the dim light.

She contemplated leaving him a thank you note but decided against it as she grabbed the key, took a deep breath, and quietly slipped out of the room.

She hurried down the deserted hallway to the elevator, and out of the building. The cool morning air hit her like a slap as she stepped out of the building. Relief washed over her as she spotted her car in the valet lot, looking slightly worse for wear but intact.

As she got into the car, she froze. Her phone lay on the passenger seat, its screen glowing with missed notifications.

She picked it up and saw countless missed calls from her parents, Michael, and Sandra. Evelyn's heart sank as she stared at the screen, but she didn't return any of the calls.

Each number represented a conversation she wasn't ready to have, a judgment she wasn't ready to face.

With a clenched jaw, she tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, started the car, and drove off, the events of the past day playing on a loop in her mind.

house, it was early enough that the neighborhood was still shrouded in a quiet morning calm, but

the decorations, the flowers, the frantic energy - felt like a punch to the

lies.

to steel herself before stepping out of the car. As she approached the front door, it swung open, and her father stood there, his face a mask of worry and fury.

father, his face contorted

Michael and Sandra appeared behind him, looking equally relieved and worried. Michael reached out to her, his face etched with concern. "Evelyn, thank goodness you're

stepped back, avoiding his touch, her expression cold and distant. She walked past them and into the house, her

all really worried. You should go shower," her stepmother said, her tone gentle but firm. "We need to

no wedding," Evelyn announced, her voice steady and loud enough for everyone

silence fell over the room. Michael's face paled, his mouth opening and closing

mean?" he finally managed to ask. "I mean exactly what I said,"

shade of red Evelyn had never seen before. "What do you mean you re not getting married? How can you spend the night before your wedding God-knows-where, come back reeking of male cologne, and then say you're not

of concern. "Evelyn, what's wrong? Are you having cold

turned to her stepsister, a stranger hidden behind a mask of feigned sympathy. The betrayal echoed in her memory, clear as day. How could she have been

what a calculating bitch you are?'

through her thoughts, loud and angry. "You will go upstairs, get ready, and marry

heart ached at her father's words. It hurt that he cared

"I am not getting married. It was my choice to get married,

this house and never come back. I don't want to