The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 182

As Evelyn entered the kitchen, the scent of warm toast filled the air, and she spotted Derek breaking eggs into a bowl, focused as he whisked them. He looked up and smiled as she approached. "Come, sit," he said, holding out the kitchen island stool for her. "I can do it myself," she replied with a slight chuckle, but Derek shook his head.

"You don't have to when I'm here," he said with a gentle smile, guiding her onto the stool.

Once she settled, she wrinkled her nose as she gazed at the egg, "I don't want eggs. I don't think I can send the smell," she said, and Derek nodded. "Noted. I guess we won't be eating eggs for a while then. I will just make this for your dad and Rayna," he said, and she raised a brow.

"You can eat them.."

"Nope. I won't eat anything you can't it. It's called solidarity. If carrying our baby makes you unable to eat it, then I shouldn't too," he said, and she grinned. "Aww. That's so sweet. I can't wait to see how long this solidarity will last," she said, and he chuckled.

"I guess you don't know yet how much you or this pregnancy means to me. You'll find out soon enough," he promised as he set aside the bowl of egg and tried to find something else for them to eat with the toasts.

"So, how's Maya doing?" He asked, and Evelyn sighed, glancing at the counter as she thought back on their conversation. "She's... dealing with a lot. We talked, and she opened up a bit.

She's got some health concerns and... she wants to quit."

"Quit?" Derek asked with a slight frown.

"Yeah. You didn't expect her to work as Samantha's nanny forever, did you?" Evelyn asked, and Derek shook his head.

"Not exactly. I guess not. It's just... you know, I just sort of got used to her. I always saw her with Sam and at some point I thought she was Samantha's mom even though I also thought she looked too young to be the Mom..." "Too young?" Evelyn cut in with a laugh, "Don't be fooled by her petite frame. Maya is twenty nine. She's older than me."

"She is?" Derek asked, surprised, "Well, I just can't imagine not having her around. That's what I'm trying to say. She is always so calm and keeps to herself. And she smiles a lot," he said, and Evelyn smiled.

"She has grown on you, hasn't she?" Evelyn asked, and Derek shrugged.

"I can't deny that. So, what's her plan? Does she want to go back to her family?" Derek asked, and Evelyn paused, collecting her thoughts.

"No, she doesn't. Her mother passed when she was young, and

she grew up with an abusive stepfather. She became Samantha's nanny to save up for school and to get away from him. I asked her to stay here if she wants to. She is family to me."

Derek's expression softened with compassion. "That's sad.

Sounds like she's been through so much. No one should have to face that alone." After a thoughtful pause, he added, "Well, if it helps, I'd be more than happy to support her with her school. She doesn't need to worry about saving up anymore." Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise, and a warm smile broke across her face. "You'd do that?"

Derek nodded firmly. "You said it yourself. She's family now.

deserves

turned to the door when they heard Maya's

something, Maya?" Evelyn asked gently as she rose

to fix breakfast. I don't understand how you both can be so kind to me," She paused, struggling to find the right words. "I never really had anyone who truly cared about me this way until

a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Evelyn. I really don't know what I'd do without you.

you're part of this family now," Evelyn said warmly. "Now, how about you take it easy today? You can take the day off. We have things covered here. I'll

wiping away the last traces of her tears as Evelyn gave her a final squeeze on the shoulder

to give Derek's hand a grateful squeeze. "You really are a kind man, Derek. I'm so lucky to have you," she said, and

lucky to have you. I am almost tempted to reward Michael and Sandra for breaking your

about something like that?" She

aren't you?" He

never properly thanked you

first day we

sex?" Derek teased with a chuckle, and she glared at him, but

laughed, brushing off her thanks. "If anyone should be grateful, it's me. After all, you helped me

her head, amused. "Alright, you win. Let's hurry up with breakfast. We need to get to the hospital in time to serve them breakfast." Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at

"Hello?" Evelyn answered.

my brother-in-law. Just wanted to make sure it's alright,"

Samantha home afterward,"

a small bowl of diced fruits with a glass of orange juice in front of her. "All set. Breakfast

from what she did to my mother and Ethan, can she still be punished for attempting to murder me? We don't have any hard

the recordings of their conversations, claiming them as his own records. In exchange, I'll ensure

going to make

up his phone. "That reminds me,

number. When his father answered, Derek placed the call on speaker as he shared the news, explaining the events from the previous

his mother

woman could have a

I'm

longer cloud my birthday,"

We will just meet you both at the hospital," his father added before they hung up

to Maya, Derek prepared and packed the breakfast for her dad and

Evelyn finis

visited Claire's room. Her father looked up as they entered, his face lighting up at the sight of Evelyn. "How are you,

the one asking you how