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.

a beat, and

was hard not to feel warm ini had been wondering if he wasn't

type a reply.

pressed her lips together and closed her eyes as she

mood despite the nervousness she felt for Samantha. Maybe she'd stop by his office

at the scene outside. Parents were dropping off their kids, some children clinging to their

the same school she had attended all those years ago, and coming here to drop her own baby overwhelmed her with an inexplicable feeling.

knelt beside Samantha, smoothing her hair back from her face. The little girl's eyes were wide, taking in the

going to be fine, sweetheart," Evelyn said softly, her voice steady 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

"Do you r

a tiny

smiling warmly. "And Maya will be here when school is over, okay! Maya will pick

as Evelyn was about to 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 little girl, with

woman stepped out,

goodbye to Samantha,

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Chapter 86

like they've hit it off, the pregnant woman said, coming to stand 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, watching the

turned to face her. "Definitely. I was worried for a second, but it looks like they'll be

I'm Sarah the woman introduced

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