Chapter

16

As evening approached, Evelyn busied herself with preparations to move them out of the Stone Palace Hotel to some other Hotel away from Derek.

She doubted that by going to check out apartments over the weekend she would be able to move immediately into one, so it was better they moved to a different hotel for the time being. Samantha watched her curiously as she packed their bags, sensing the change but not understanding it.

Evelyn tried to keep things light, but the tension was palpable.

"Mommy, are we traveling again?" Samantha asked after watching for some time.

"No, darling. We are not traveling. Tomorrow Mommy is going to move you to a more comfortable place," Evelyn said, flashing her a smile.

"But I like it here. Aunt Maya likes it too," Samantha protested, and Evelyn paused to look at her.

"I'm sure you do, pumpkin, but doesn't mommy's feelings count too?" Evelyn asked with a playful pout and Samantha sighed.

"Will the new place have a playground?" She asked hopefully.

"I'm sorry, darling, I don't think so, Evelyn admitted since she had a policy of not lying to her daughter.

Samantha's face fell, breaking Evelyn's heart. Evelyn reached out a hand to her and when Samantha took it, she drew her to sit on her lap, "We won't be there for long, I promise. And once we move to our own place, I will make sure you can visit the nearest parks often and we can even go to the amusement park together," Evelyn promised.

Samantha looked up into her face, "Before then, can I go play at the playground?"

"No..."

Samantha pleaded, looking at

Evelyn sighed. What harm could come from

and know who she was. And she doubted a busy man like Derek

he

me that you

Samantha asked since she was hoping

so he is not a stranger"" Evelyn said, still assuming

got down from Evelyn's lap and ran over to Maya's

she watched her go, "Make sure you are well covered before you leave," she called out to

the playground, Samantha sighted Derek and

She called out

girl's voice and he smiled when

coming to

excitedly.

nice. I trust you're going to have lots of fun at

leaving tomorrow so I might not see you again, she said with a

going to miss seeing you around," Derek said, since this was the third time he had seen her already even if it was only the second time he was talking to her.

with you?" Derek asked, amused, "What

head, "Mommy says I'm special and I don't have a

funny way to make a child

my little business, and then I will

He asked and she held out her

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