The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 190

Evelyn froze, her father's words sinking into her like a dagger.

"What?" Her voice cracked, trembling with disbelief. "No... that can't be true. Mom can't die!" She cried, refusing to believe what she was hearing.

On the other end of the line, her father's voice was thick with anguish. "Her heart stopped. The doctors... they did all they could."

Evelyn felt the room tilt around her. Her vision blurred as tears gathered in her eyes. "I-I'm coming to the hospital now. I don't believe you!" she choked out. Without waiting for him to say anything else, she hung up the call and threw her phone on the bed.

The woman who had stepped into her life after her mother's passing, who had tried in her own way to be a mother to her and had taken her side over Sandra's, was gone? It was impossible.

She refused to accept it.

Her heart beat very fast, and tears blurred her vision as she quickly began to pull on her just discarded clothes.

Without waiting to fully zip up her dress, she headed for the door.

Before she could open it, Derek walked in with a tray of food for her, and he frowned when he saw her fully dressed. "What's wrong? Where are..."

"I'm going to the hospital. I have to go to the hospital, she cried as she bolted out of the room.

Derek frowned as he quickly set down the glass, picked up his car key, and ran after her. "What is going on? Did someone call?" he asked as he walked quickly, trying to catch up with Evelyn, who was running down the stairs.

"My Mom""" she sobbed, stumbling as she descended the stairs.

"Dad said she's.... she's...... I have to go back to the hospital," she said, refusing to associate the word dead with her stepmother.

"Let's go. Come on," he said, trying to match her pace.

The drive to the hospital felt endless. Evelyn sat in the passenger seat, her knuckles white as she gripped the hem of Derek's jacket, which she had taken without realizing it. Tears streamed down her face, and she muttered incoherent prayers under her breath. "She can't be gone," she whispered, her voice breaking. "She can't be..."

Derek reached over, placing a steadying hand on her knee. "We'll get there. Just hold on, okay?"

arrived at the hospital, Evelyn practically sprinted through the corridors, not

pale, his

"Where is she? Let me

head jerked up, his face streaked with tears. "Evelyn..." he choked out as he pulled her into a hug, but Evelyn pushed past him, desperate to get to Claire. She shoved

room with trembling hands.

lifeless, but that didn't stop her from

threatened to give way beneath her as her gaze fell on Claire's pale

world spinning. Claire, gone? It didn't feel real. She took another shaky step forward, her hand reaching out toward the woman who had always been a quiet, steady presence

can't do this to me, Mom. I refuse to lose to you. You can't leave me! I won't let you!" Evelyn cried as she lay

do if you die this way? This is so

for something? Why do I have to lose you?"

but neither of them made any move

I need you! You can't just go this way, please," Evelyn cried, sobbing uncontrollably as she prayed for a miracle. Suddenly, a faint sound broke the tension in the room-a rasping breath. Evelyn froze, her heart skipping a beat

did you

father looked up, startled. "What are you talking

came again-a shallow, uneven breath. Claire's chest rose faintly under the sheet. Seeing this, Derek hurried out to get the doctor. "Mom!" Evelyn gasped as she jerked back, her grief-stricken face transforming into

cried, and her father rushed to the other side of the bed, his hands

"She's breathing! Dak

open, and a nurse rushed in, followed closely

clinging to each other as the medical team

watched the doctor check Claire's vitals. The nurse hooked her up to a monitor, and the room filled

announced after a tense moment. "Her pulse is weak, but it's

this possible?" Evelyn asked,

with a measured expression. "It was a rare medical situation. I believe

bewildered. "What

caused by a buildup of pressure in the chest during CPR that eventually releases, allowing the heart to restart. In her case, her vital signs were so faint they were undetectable, even to medical equipment..." "So you made a mistake?" Derek asked,

signs were nonexistent for over ten minutes, and all attempts to revive her

"You thought

me she was gone!" Éric