Chapter 13

The next morning, Claire set out for The Stone's Palace Hotel to visit Evelyn, determined to fix things.

The moment she arrived at the reception, she informed them she was there to see her daughter, and the receptionist put a call across to Evelyn to get her permissions As Claire took the elevator up to Evelyn's suite, she thought about Evelyn and how much she had missed her.

Once she reached Evelyn's door, she knocked, and after a moment, the door opened to reveal Evelyn standing there, looking a bit surprised but quite happy to see her. "Evelyn? It's really you," Claire said in surprise, pulling Evelyn into an embrace.

"I couldn't believe it when the receptionist said my Mom was here to see me," Evelyn said, feeling relaxed in Claire's embrace.

Although Sandra had betrayed her and she harbored resentment towards Sandra, Claire had always been a good stepmother, and Evelyn loved her.

After they pulled apart, Claire looked Evelyn over.

"You've changed a lot, Evie," she said, stepping inside when Evelyn held out the door for her to go in.

Evelyn grinned. "It's been six years, after all," Evelyn replied as they settled into the living area of the suite.

"How did you know I was back and staying here?" Evelyn asked curiously, even though a part of her could already tell it was Michael.

"Good news, fly fast," Claire said, and then looked at Evelyn with interest, "Don't tell me you didn't want us to know you were in the country and you weren't planning on coming home," Claire asked, but Evelyn quickly shook her head.

"It's not that. It's just..." her words trailed off when Samantha and Maya walked out of Maya's room.

Samantha, who had wanted to plead with her mother to let her go play at the playground since Evelyn had given strict orders to Maya not to let her step out of their suite, paused when she saw that they had a visitor.

Claire smiled warmly when her eyes and Samantha's connected. And although she wanted to ask who the child was, but since she had stepped out with Maya, Claire naturally assumed the child was Maya's. "Hello, cutie pie! Has anyone told you you look really beautiful?" Claire asked, smiling warmly at Samantha, who returned the smile with a blush.

My mommy tells me that every day. You look pretty too, doesn't she, mommy?" Samantha asked, looking up at Evelyn, and then it became clear to Claire who the child belonged to. Evelyn smiled fondly. Although she would have preferred to keep Samantha hidden from her family a bit

in surprise as she turned to Evelyn. "Evie? Is she your

Evelyn said and Claire tried to conceal her surprise and curiosity

she said, and Samantha beamed happily as she went to

she said as she began to endlessly ask Claire questions about herself, such as if she had a grandfather too and when

Samantha's questions, she, in turn, asked questions of her own. She wanted to know Samantha's

nervous as she watched

Claire had seen Samantha, she knew the next conversation would be difficult, but she was grateful for the warm

probably come to talk to her, Evelyn then dismissed Maya

left with

five? Evelyn, why didn't you tell us?" Claire

Did you call off the wedding because of the pregnancy? Or did you find out about it after

found out about the pregnancy

did you call off the wedding? And who is

things are better left in the past. I don't want to dredge up old memories. Let's just

you share your reasons with me?" Claire pleaded, but

was no way she was going to tell Claire what Sandra or Michael had done. It would break Claire to know what Sandra

sorry. I can't," she said

least tell me who Sam's father is? Are you both married

are not. And I'm sorry I can't tell you who he is either. Is Dad aware that you're here?"

to think straight at the time. We miss you, Eve, we all do, especially Sandra. She felt really bad knowing you were back but didn't reach out to her. Why don't you come back home?" Claire asked, but

don't think that's a good

We also need to spend time with Sam and get to know

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