The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 86

Derek chuckled as he stared at his phone in disbelief. Did Evelyn just say she missed him! Derek asked himself, laughing happily.

What had changed, though? Why was she suddenly being this way? He mused as he lay down.

Well, today was a good day. He could go to bed now with a smile on his face

Derek lay in bed, a smile tugging at his lips. Evelyn had said it- she missed him. The words echoed in his mind like a soft melody, filling him with warmth and satisfaction. He had hoped for so long to hear something like that from her, and now that he had, sleep came easily.

When he woke up the following day, the remnants of that smile were still there, his mood as light as the sunlight streaming through the curtains. Stretching lazily, he reached for his phone, ready to start the day in the best way possible. His fingers moved quickly over the screen, composing at good morning message.

[Thanks to you, I slept with a grin and woke up with a smile on my face. You're always on my mind. Good morning, my jewel]

Satisfied, he sent the text, feeling a slight flutter of excitement in his chest at the thought of her reading it. He imagined her smile as she did, and it made the early start to the day all the more pleasant. With a quick shower and a light breakfast, he was out the door, heading for the office with a spring in his step.

While Derek was getting ready to leave for work, Evelyn was seated in the back of the cab, her arm draped protectively around Samantha as they

meared the school.

It was her daughter's first day, and both of thern were jattery. Evelyn could see it in the way Samantha's tiny fingers twisted the hem of her dress and the quiet glances the little girl cast out the window. Maya sat in the front seat, occasionally looking back to check on them.

The hum of traffic filled the air, and Evelyn absentmindedly opened her phone, wanting to find something funny to entertain Samantha. Then she kaw it: Derek's good morning text.

heart skipped a beat, and a smile spread

feel warm ini had been wondering if he wasn't going to send her

as she quickly type a reply.

together and closed her eyes as she

for Samantha. Maybe she'd

out the window, and she smiled at the scene

had attended all those years ago, and coming here to drop her own baby overwhelmed her with

smoothing her hair back from her face.

despite her own nerves. "You're going to make lots of friends today, and you'll have so much fun I promise." Samantha nodded, though her small hand squeezed Evelyn's a little

"Do you r

a tiny voice, her eyes flicking

smiling warmly. "And Maya will be here when school is over, okay! Maya will pick you up, and I'll see you later after I get back

usher Samantha forward, a sleek black car pulled up behind them, and a tall heavily pr hand gently guiding a young girl who looked about Samantha's age. The

stepped out,

that magical way only children could, they gravitated Toward one another as they made their way inside, Evelyn fra lighter as she waved goodbye to Samantha, who was now happily walking into the school with Ella. The pang of separation still tigges at her, but knowing Samantha wasn't alone made it easier. Evelyn watched her heart swelling with relief.

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Chapter 86

beside Evelyn. She had a kind smile, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "It's always a relief when that happens, isn't it?" Sarah said,

she turned to face her. "Definitely. I was worried for

Sarah the woman introduced herself,

"It's my daughter's first day here. I think I'm more