The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 186

Derek sat in the station's visitor area and waited to see Michael.

The detectives had told him that Michael had pleaded that he stop over to see him when he came around.

He didn't owe Michael a visit, and he didn't owe him forgiveness.

But here he was, waiting in this cold, impersonal room.

As he sat there waiting for Michael to be brought to him, Derek thought about Ethan. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly as he recalled how they had caught Ethan eating after he had been pretending to be unconscious.

Ethan had looked like a guilty child caught red-handed, and the memory briefly lifted Derek's mood. He couldn't believe how silly Ethan was. A quiet chuckle escaped him, but the lightness faded as quickly as it came.

The sound of shuffling feet snapped Derek out of his thoughts. He looked up, and his amusement vanished entirely. Michael was being led in, dressed in the dull, gray uniform of an inmate. His movements were slow and hesitant, and he carried the weight of his actions like a visible burden. Derek's jaw tightened as their eyes locked. He held Michael's gaze until he sat across from him.

"I was told you wanted to see me" Derek began, his voice cold and flat. "Why?"

There was no greeting, no attempt at civility. Derek didn't see the point. The betrayal ran too deep. His fists clenched under the table, hidden from view, as he remembered everything Michael had done- not just to Evelyn, but to him. The lies. The schemes. The sheer audacity of trying to destroy his life. He no longer cared about Michael and he was never going to forgive him.

Despite his claim that he had done it all on Sandra's instruction, Derek believed that a huge part of the idea to dupe him was Michaels, and for that, he couldn't forgive Michael.

Michael swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.

"Derek, I'm sorry for everything.."

his voice dripping with disdain. "Sorry because you were caught? Or because the whole family is mad at you?" Derek cut in, not wanting to hear him

his

sort of relieved that everything ended now. Things were beginning

you'd impregnate Sandra, have me marry her and raise your kids as my own, then let them grow to inherit everything? Or were you planning to get rid of me altogether? Let

thinking..." Michael began, but Derek cut

pretending otherwise. I know very well that you do, so please don't give

"The woman

the competition. I was jealous. Greedy. I became someone I'm ashamed of. I was wrong, Derek. I'm not going to make any excuses. I was a fool. But right now, I'm also heartbroken. My heart is shattered, and I can't bear being cut off by everyone." Derek sat back, his face expressionless. He let Michael's words hang in

"Please, Derek. Forgive me."

"Forgiveness isn't going to keep you from going to prison. You committed a crime, Mike. You're going to do

know that. And I will. I don't expect anything else," Michael said, and there was

him pause, and his brow furrowed.

shifted uncomfortably in his seat for a moment as though what he was about to say was something he'd rather

about your adoption," Michael

anger flaring

asked, angry that Michael

it" Michael admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was trying to find something incriminating about your biological family. Something I could use to..." He trailed off, unable to meet Derek's glare Derek's eyes widened slightly, shocked by the length Michael had been going to bring him down, and his fists tightened until his knuckles turned white. "You bastard," he hissed, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. Derek rose, ready to leave because he feared he might

found something," Michael said quickly, sensing Derek's breaking point. "Something

the one hand, he didn't want to care about his biological family-and he didn't want to know anything about them since it would only bring pain and unnecessary hurt to everyone. On the other hand, he

a deep breath. "You have

like a punch to the gut. He