The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter

149

The next morning, Evelyn sat at her desk, her fingers tapping restlessly against the cool surface as she stared blankly at her computer screen.

Her mind wasn't on work. It was far from it. She was thinking about Rayna. The image of her friend's tear-streaked face from last night haunted her, making it impossible to focus.

Rayna had always been the one with a level head, the one to offer advice and support. Now, seeing her like that, broken and vulnerable, made Evelyn feel utterly helpless.

She sighed and picked up her phone, dialing Raynas number again, hoping that this time she'd pick up. But once more, the call went straight to voicemail.

'Her phone must be off, Evelyn thought, biting her lip anxiously.

What was she supposed to do now? Rayna needed her, and she didn't know how to help.

As the minutes dragged on, Evelyn found herself spiraling deeper into worry. She couldn't shake the guilt that weighed heavy on her chest. Rayna had always been there for her- Rayna had been her rock. But now, when it was Rayna who needed support, Evelyn felt lost.

I have to do something, she thought. Maybe instead of giving Rayna space, she could swing by her place during her lunch break.

Even if Rayna didn't want to talk, Evelyn could at least check in on her and make sure she wasn't crying alone.

break. As she grabbed her handbag and headed

Liam.

to call her after he got back to Husla, but he hadn't. She had brushed it off initially, thinking he was probably

thought stung more than she cared to admit, and so without thinking, once Evelyn got into a cab, she pulled out her phone and scrolled to Liam's name in her

moment, her thumb hovering over the call symbol as she thought of what to

for her, and it made her wonder if she should bring up the awkward

do so when he knew about Derek. She didn't owe

into it. She just needed to check in to confirm that he arrived safely and see how he was doing. That was what

a deep breath, she dialed his line and brought the phone to her ear, listening to the ringing tone. After a few moments, Liam picked

through the line, though it sounded distant,

didn't hear the usual cheerfulness in his voice. "I just wanted to see how you're doing. You said you'd call once you got back, but

other end, long enough for Evelyn to wonder if the connection had dropped. Then, Liam sighed. "Yeah, I've been really busy. Sorry about that. Look, I'm in the middle of something right now, but I'll call you back later, okay?" Before Evelyn could respond,

more. He had never hung up first, no matter how busy he was. The dismissal stung, even if

that and let him be, hoping that he would come around lately. He was a nice

staring at

to have a proper conversation with Evelyn right now. Not after he had made

the boxes still stacked against the walls. He hadn't even unpacked properly yet because he was still

job in Ludus and had moved down to be closer to her and Samantha. He had planned to surprise her, to