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?"

hospital, Evelyn practically sprinted through the corridors, not

pale, his

to him. "Where is she? Let me see

his face streaked with tears. "Evelyn..." he choked out as he pulled her into a hug, but Evelyn pushed past him,

room with trembling hands.

and lifeless, but that didn't stop her from

gaze fell on Claire's pale face. She looked... serene, as though asleep, but her

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 leave me! I won't let you!" Evelyn cried as she lay on

do if you die this

you trying to punish me for something? Why do I have to lose you?" Evelyn cried, unable to hold

walked in, but neither of them made any move to stop Evelyn, even though they

don't leave me. What am I supposed to tell Samantha? I need you! You can't just go this way, please," Evelyn cried, sobbing uncontrollably as she prayed for a miracle.

you hear

looked up, startled. "What are

sheet. Seeing this, Derek hurried out to get the doctor. "Mom!" Evelyn gasped as she

alive!" Evelyn cried, and her father rushed to the other side of the bed,

"She's breathing! Dak

followed

and her father moved aside, clinging to each other as

pounded as she watched the doctor check Claire's vitals. The nurse hooked her up to a monitor, and the room filled with the faint beep of a

after a tense moment. "Her pulse

possible?" Evelyn asked,

to her with a measured expression. "It was a rare medical situation. I believe she experienced what's

at him, bewildered. "What does that

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

the doctor replied, visibly uncomfortably. "Her vital signs were nonexistent for over ten minutes, and all attempts to revive her failed. We followed protocol.

"You thought

gone. You told me she was gone!" Éric said, his voice trembling with