The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 191

Sandra sat on the cold, hard floor in the small holding cell. The room was dim, lit by a flickering lightbulb above her head. Shadows stretched along the walls, but none of it mattered.

Sandra's world had collapsed.

Her arms wrapped tightly around herself, but no amount of holding could stop the shivers running through her body.

She pressed her knees to her chest, resting her forehead against them, as tears spilled down her face. Her sobs echoed through the empty cell, raw and jagged, breaking the heavy silence around her.

Her mind was a storm, filled with the memory of her mother's voice- so soft, so patient, always trying to correct and guide her, but she never cared to listen.

"I'm sorry," Sandra whispered, her voice cracking. She pressed her fists against her eyes, as though trying to stop the tears, but they kept coming.

Her chest ached, and the weight of the news felt unbearable. Her mother was gone. Dead. Because of her. Because of her senseless jealousy and greed.

Now nothing else mattered. Not Derek's rejection. Not Evelyn's victory. Nothing mattered. All that was left was a gaping hole in her heart. She had lost the one person she loved the most.

"It's my fault," she choked out, shaking her head. "All my fault."

The images wouldn't leave her mind. She saw it all again. The argument. Her mother's voice pleading with her to stop. The fight or the phone. And then-the fall. The sound of her mother hitting the floor. It replayed in her head, over and over like a terrible song she couldn't escape.

Sandra grabbed the bars of the cell, leaning her forehead against the cold metal. "Why did I do it?" she cried, her voice breaking.

"Why couldn't I just listen to her?"

Her mother had warned her so many times to stop being selfish.

To stop chasing things that didn't matter. But she never cared. She wanted more- more money, more power, more control. And now it had cost her the one person who truly loved her.

"I didn't mean to hurt her, she sobbed, shaking her head. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Her hands trembled as she clutched at her chest. Her tears fell faster now, soaking her shirt. "Please, God," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please bring her back. I'll change. I'll do better. I'll never hurt anyone again. Just... don't let her be gone."

She squeezed her eyes shut and clasped her hands together, her words tumbling out in a desperate prayer. "I'll stop being greedy.

I'll stop being mean. I'll stop hurting people. Just let her live.

Please,

I'll be good. I'll be good. I promise."

Sandra stayed like that, crying until her throat was raw and her eyes burned. Every part of her ached- her head, her heart, her soul. She thought of all the things she'd done wrong. Every selfish act, every cruel word, every time she ignored her mother's advice. "If only I I could take it all back," she thought bitterly.

her sorrow, the sound of footsteps approached her cell. Sandra didn't look up

raised her head slowly, her face streaked with tears. It was the officer who had brought her in. He stood on the other side of the bars, his expression

hesitated, then said, "Your mother... she's

moment,

she whispered, her voice

heard

caught,

disbelief. "Alive?"

officer nodded. "Yes. The doctor said

to her mouth as a

flooded her body, washing over her like a wave,

and over, clutching her chest. "She's

at her, but for the first time, there

killed her mother. She hadn't entirely

her face with trembling hands, though the tears kept coming. "Thank

make this right. I swear I

there, clutching her knees and rocking gently, Sandra made a vow- a real one this time. She would beg Evelyn for forgiveness. She would make things right with her mother. She would never let

whispered to herself, her voice steady for the

and the dim hospital room swam into focus. The soft beeping of monitors

if she feared that if she let go Claire would die. Evelyn's eyes, red-rimmed from hours of crying, lit up when Claire stirred. Her face broke into a mixture of relief and exhaustion. "How long have I been out?" Claire asked weakly,

her hand. "A couple of

said it's most

go home, Evie." Her voice was gentle but firm, her maternal instincts taking over despite her fragile state. Evelyn shook her head vehemently, tears welling up again. "You gave us all a terrible scare, Mom. I'm not leaving your side until you're out of here," she said, her voice trembling

at the corners of Claire's lips, even though the effort made her head ache. "You don't have to worry,"

cried, her voice breaking. "Even after the doctors said you were

Her expression shifted, her brow furrowing in concern. "What about Sandra?" she asked cautiously.

mother's gaze.

"She didn't push me deliberately," she said softly, her

to

the only thing she's done," Evelyn said, her voice low but firm. "She almost killed Rayna. She tried to run her down with her car, but Rayna's boyfriend was hit instead." Claire closed her eyes briefly, as if

for her hand, intertwining their fingers.

do something to help Sandra, but she's committed too many crimes. There's nothing I

calm but resolute as she replied, "I went to her room that night to give her one last chance. I didn't know she'd done something so terrible to Rayna, too." She paused, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. "I love Sandra, but she should pay for her actions. You don't have to feel guilty or try to placate me. It's tragic that it's come to this, but I'd rather see her behind bars than let

to forgive her?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought you woke

turned her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Don't be silly,"

and gave

spilled down Evelyn's cheeks as she whispered, "Yes, you're my mother. And, just so you

then followed Evelyn's gaze to