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.."

Or because the whole family is mad at

shook his head, his hands fidgeting

everything ended now. Things were beginning to get out of hand with Sandra. I didn't want to harm anyone," Michael rushed

bitter, sharp. "What was your plan, Mike? That 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 me guess, you'd marry her yourself after I was conveniently out of the picture and claim everything along with your kids?" Michael looked down, his lips pressed tightly together. He didn't deny

what I was thinking..." Michael began, but Derek cut

insult me by pretending otherwise.

woman

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 the air but didn't respond. Finally, Michael looked

"Please, Derek. Forgive me."

edge was unmistakable. "Forgiveness isn't going to keep you from going to prison. You

else," Michael said, and there was a pause

look on Michael's face made him pause, and

for a moment as though what he was about to say was something he'd

Michael said,

his anger

He asked, angry

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 hit Michael if he remained there for a

breaking point. "Something I think you

his instinct to leave and his curiosity. On 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 wanted to know what Michael found and why it was important enough

a deep breath.

a punch to the gut.