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?"

Evelyn practically sprinted through the corridors,

father stood outside Claire's room, his face pale,

him. "Where is

pulled her into a hug, but Evelyn pushed past him, desperate to get to Claire. She shoved open the

room with trembling hands.

Evelyn dreaded the sight of Claire lying cold and lifeless, but that didn't stop her from stepping closer and pulling down the cloth over

to give way beneath her as her gaze fell on Claire's pale face. She looked... serene, as though asleep,

hand to her mouth, her world spinning. Claire, gone? It didn't feel real. She took another shaky step forward, her hand reaching out

I refuse to lose to you. You can't leave me! I won't let you!" Evelyn cried as she lay on Claire's lifeless

am I supposed to do if you die this way? This

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

door opened, and Derek and Eric walked in, but neither of them made any move

will forgive Sandra. I will do whatever you want me to, but please don't leave me. What am I supposed to tell Samantha? I need you! You can't

you hear

looked up, startled. "What are

came again-a shallow, uneven breath. Claire's chest rose faintly under the sheet. Seeing this, Derek hurried out to

she's alive!" Evelyn cried, and her father rushed to the other side of the

"She's breathing! Dak

and a nurse rushed in, followed closely by a doctor. "Step back, please!" the doctor ordered as they

father moved aside, clinging to each other as the medical team

vitals. The nurse hooked her up to a monitor, and the room

announced after a tense moment. "Her pulse is

how is this possible?" Evelyn asked, her voice

was a rare medical situation. I believe she

stared at him, bewildered. "What

later, the heart can spontaneously start beating again. It's 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

replied, visibly uncomfortably. "Her vital signs were nonexistent for over ten minutes, and

"You thought

Éric said, his voice trembling with equal parts relief and