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 a

door when they heard Maya's gasp, and they exchanged a

you want something, Maya?" Evelyn asked

about me this way until I met you. I guess that was why I stayed this

offered a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Evelyn. I really don't

the day off. We have things covered here. I'll bring breakfast to

tears as Evelyn gave her a final squeeze on

out 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

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

about something like that?" She asked, and he

you?" He asked, and

realized I never properly

the first

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

"If anyone should be grateful, it's me. After all, you helped me by crashing into my car

hurry up with breakfast. We need to get to the hospital in time

"Hello?" Evelyn answered.

to visit my brother-in-law. Just wanted to make sure it's alright," Sarah explained. "That's perfect, Sarah. I was just about to

Samantha home afterward," Evelyn replied, a

of toast and a small bowl of diced fruits with

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

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

"We're going to make sure justice is

his phone. "That reminds me,

his father answered, Derek placed the call on

the surprise and shock in his father's voice, and moments later, his mother joined in, reacting with the same disbelief and relief that

how that poor woman could

I'm

will no s will no longer cloud my birthday," his mother

you both at the

up to Maya, Derek prepared and

Evelyn finis

at the hospital, they first visited Claire's room. Her father looked up

one asking you how you're doing," he