The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 121

As the clock ticked closer to 7 PM, Evelyn felt the weight of the impending evening settling heavily in her chest.

Her mind raced, unable to settle on any single thought for more than a few seconds. She kept wondering what kind of trap she was about to walk into.

It didn't help that her stomach churned with anxiety, the kind that crept up on her as soon as she allowed herself a quiet moment. She glanced at her reflection in her bedroom mirror. The fitted black jumpsuit she had chosen clung to her curves, making her feel confident on the outside, even as her insides were a whirlwind of nerves. Rayna was supposed to pick her up, and they would head to the club together. But the uncertainty of what lay ahead still gnawed at her. Despite Derek's assurance that she'd be safe, she had been overthinking everything. He'd even promised wait outside the club in in case things went south. The thought of him parked nearby, ready to intervene, did bring a small measure of comfort.

But it didn't erase e the knot of fear tightening in her gut.

But

What was Sandra and Michael up to? And why now?

At exactly 6:30 PM, the doorbell rang. The sharp sound startled her, and she instinctively reached for her purse, quickly gathering herself as she moved toward the door. Evelyn braced herself, expecting to see Rayna's cheerful face, but when she opened the door, she blinked in surprise.

There,

"You

with his hands tucked i

I in his

pockets, was Derek. His familiar grin stretched across his face. "Hey, gorgeous," he greeted.

Standing casually with " she said, her tone Shit from anxious to pleasantly surprised as she opened the door wider to let him in.

dn't say you were coming," she

"I didn't want to spoil the surprise," he replied with a teasing wink, stepping inside with an easy confidence. over!

He closed the door behind I

him, his eyes sweeping

lingering appreciatively. "You look absolutely

murmured, the comfort of his presence already helping to ease some of her jitters. Derek stepped closer,

exhaled a shaky breath. "Very anxious,

word, he

with an emotion that seemed to melt away the anxiety clawing

for?" she asked,

hers, "was to make your stomach flutter for something other than

She chuckled,

and almost relieved.

kled, the

teased back, feeling a little more at

you that I'm jealous. I can't believe you're dressed this way for Sandra when you've never dressed this way for me," he said, and Evelyn laughed softly. "It's not my fault. It's the circumstance behind our relationship," she pointed

those circumstances. I

go on a date some e time soon," he said, and

Let's do that, Evelyn said

Derek

I

with a nou nod.

warmly before asking, "Where's

jerked her her head in in the direction of her daughter's bedroom. "She's working on her assignments. She should be

her hand, guiding her toward the living room, where they both sat down on the couch. The soft cushions seemed to embrace her,

Club Edge," Derek began, his tone becoming more serious. "It's part of the Diamond Edge Hotel and

"Yeah, I know. We used to hang out there a lot in the past," she

his knees as he continued. "Michael booked one of the suites there a little

that. "A

He

had to guess, they're probably trying to set you up with Michael somehow, but

make sense of it. "Do you think maybe this is all

admitted, leaning back slightly. "But why do

reserve a