The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 167

Michael sat in his apartment, his head in his hands, his mind racing with thoughts of the morning's confrontation.

His whole life felt like it was hanging by a frayed thread, barely held together, slipping more with every second. He got up, pacing back and forth across the living room.

He could almost feel the cell walls closing in, imagining the metallic clang of prison doors locking him inside forever.

How did it come to this? He'd had it all planned- every detail- but somehow, Derek had found out. And Evelyn. Why did they all seem so concerned about her, like she was part of the family? The way Derek had looked at him earlier, there was something personal there. Why was Derek so invested in her? The sudden ring of his phone pulled him out of his thoughts.

Glancing at the screen, Michael scowled when he saw Sandra's name flashing. His stomach twisted, the rage bubbling up inside.

He could almost see her smirking, completely oblivious to the fact that he knew her plan to get rid of him.

How could she sound so normal, so calm, when she was plotting his death? He gripped the phone tightly, wishing he could scream at her, confront her, make her suffer. But he coulan't. He knew now that their call was being monitored, and two cops stood just outside his door, ready to step in if he so much as made a wrong move.

With a deep breath, he swiped to answer, keeping his tone as steady as he could manage. "Hello, Sandra."

voice chimed, light and pleasant, as though nothing had changed. "I hope I didn't catch you

forcing a casual tone despite

actually need a favor, if you

fist, silently cursing her nerve. "What is it?" He asked, knowing that she was probably calling to send him out as she had promised the hitman she would. "Oh, it's nothing too big, just a little help with a delivery," Sandra explained sweetly. "I ordered a few things online. The person handling it was quite insistent about meeting at a specific location rather than doing a home delivery. Would you mind picking it

through his

off without a hitch. I will stop by your

made Michael's skin crawl. He knew without a doubt that he would have so easily

always ended up doing whatever she wanted no matter what, especially if there was the promise of a sexual reward. "Fine, he replied. "Send me the details, and I'll pick

could count on you." Sandra's voice practically sang

end the call, but he stopped her, his voice softer, almost hesitant. "Sandy... do you still

have and always will, Mike. Don't be silly! Why would you ask such a thing? You know you mean the

response, the forced warmth, the fake affection. She sounded exactly like the woman he had once loved with every fiber of his being, and yet now he saw her for what she was - manipulative, callous, and deadly. "No reason. I was just wondering." "Well, I need to go," she said quickly. "Derek should

call before he could

his hand fall, the phone slipping from his grip and onto the couch beside him. He just stared at the wall

his eyes, and he didn't bother to stop them as they slid down his cheeks. He felt like a fool, used and discarded by the one person he had loved