The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 176

After Eric's phone call with Derek and Evelyn in the garage, he stood there, staring into space with a cold knot in his chest as he wondered how Claire was going to feel about Sandra being arrested. Ever since the last meeting at Evelyn's place, Claire had been a shadow of herself, and she hardly said a word or smiled anymore.

She was always staring into the distance, and he knew all of this was affecting her more than she was letting on.

As much as he knew that this was the right course of action to take, he was worried about the effect all of this would have on Claire and their marriage.

Eric sighed deeply as he returned to the bedroom to join Claire, who was already in bed. As he climbed back into bed, Claire shifted beside him and turned to face him, her eyes wide and worried in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. "Is Evelyn okay?" she asked softly, her voice laced with a tremor of anxiety.

Eric forced a reassuring smile, though his eyes betrayed his own unease. "Yes, everything is fine. They are handling it. You don't need to worry..."

"How can you ask me not to worry? If the situation was reversed, and it was Evelyn doing all that Sandra's been doing, wouldn't you be worried? Wouldn't you be anxious every moment?" Claire asked, her brow creased with frustration as she sat up to face him.

Eric sighed, reaching over to touch her hand, but she pulled away, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "I understand, Claire. I really do."

"No, you don't. Don't say you do when you don't." Her voice was firm and edged with anger that stung.

"Claire..."

"No one understands how I feel, Eric. You can't possibly understand how I feel about this as a mother," Her gaze dropped to the comforter as she took a shaky breath. "Maybe it's best we just... go to sleep. There's nothing left to say," she said, and without waiting for him to say anything, she lay back on her side and turned her back to him.

Eric hesitated, watching her for a moment before relenting. He knew her well enough to know she was done talking. He wished there was something he could do, but he didn't know what or how.

He flicked off the light at his side of the bed, plunging the room into darkness. He felt the bed shift as Claire rolled further away from him. He lay still, listening to the rise and fall of her breathing until he felt it even out, signaling she was asleep- or so he thought. After several minutes, he fell asleep, and immediately, Claire slipped out from under the covers quietly.

She walked stealthily across the room and slipped out the door, closing it softly behind her as she made her way to Sandra's bedroom.

was, Sandra was her daughter,

to herself and to Sandra

earlier.

soft knock, she quickly jumped onto

was no response, the door creaked open, and Claire stepped inside, her silhouette

she didn't want to wake her daughter. Sitting on the edge, she gently brushed a few strands of hair away from Sandra's face, tucking them

tear slipping down her cheek, landing

fluttered open, feigning drowsiness. But when she saw her mother's

moment, no words came. She swallowed, her voice a fragile whisper. "Sandra... you're breaking my heart. Again and again.

What are you talking about? What did I do?" She asked in confusion,

conversation. You told her the reason you

contorted with a scowl. "Is that why

scoffed, her tone sharp. "You're crying over her? In the middle

she looked away, the pain in her gaze deepening. "It's not just about Evelyn, Sandra. It's about you. The things you've said, the way you've behaved... it's tearing me

you're here to take her side, then, as usual. You are

a mother are you?

struggling to maintain her composure. "Sandra, you're wrong. I'm here because I care about you more than you can

consuming you. It's

us? I want us to have a better life. I want to be the one Dad is proud of. I want to inherit the family magazine. But you-" Her voice cracked,

her daughter, her eyes filling with sadness. "Do you even

are you bringing that

win at all costs... the greed." She paused, her hand trembling as she placed it on Sandra's shoulder.

casting shadows on her face. Claire's eyes darted to the phone, and before