The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 193

The rest of the drive passed with Derek visibly more at ease, thanks to Evelyn's words. When they finally pulled into the driveway of his parent's home, the sight before them brought an instant smile to both their faces. Samantha, clad in overalls and wielding a tiny

watering can, was enthusiastically helping Derek's mother in the garden.

The moment Samantha spotted the car, she squealed in delight and abandoned her task, sprinting toward them. "Mommy! Daddy!" she yelled, her arms outstretched.

"Samantha, wait-" Evelyn began, but it was too late.

Samantha barreled into her, wrapping her small arms tightly around Evelyn's waist. The damp soil from Samantha's hands smeared across Evelyn's pristine white pants.

Evelyn groaned playfully, looking down at the brown stains. "Oh, Samantha..."

Derek chuckled as he stepped closer, lifting Samantha into his arms. "Guess what? I don't mind a little dirt," he said, touching a tiny smear of soil that adorned the tip of Samantha's nose with his finger.

She giggled, "I was helping Grandma! We planted flowers!" Samantha announced proudly, pointing

toward the garden.

"I see you've been busy," Derek said as he set

Samantha down. She hurried over to greet Maya, who laughed softly, brushing a stray curl out of Samantha's face as they chatted.

"She's been such a delightful companion"" Derek's mom said, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached them.

"She's always full of energy," Derek said with a grin,

"I'm not sure you've met Maya. This is Maya, Samantha's..." Derek trailed off since he could no longer refer to her as the nanny.

"Aunt. She is Samantha's aunt. She has been with me for years and has practically raised Samantha as her own daughter," Evelyn stepped in, and Derek's mom smiled at Maya.

"It's good to meet you, Maya. Let's head inside and cool off with my freshly prepared lemonade," Derek's mom suggested, gesturing toward the house.

Once inside, they settled in the cozy living room, sipping the chilled drinks the housekeeper brought in.

"Your father is inside. I'll quickly clean up Sam, and then we will join you after I freshen up," Derek's mom said and started to leave, but Derek held up a hand.

"Actually, Mom, could that wait for a moment? I need to talk to you and Dad. We don't have much time - we need to take Samantha to visit Evelyn's mom after this."

His mom looked curious but nodded. "Speaking about Evelyn's Mom. How is she? I was going to call you, but when you called earlier to say you were both coming, I decided to wait. Rumors of her dying and coming back to life have been all over social media," she said, and Evelyn nodded. "It's true. What happened was a miracle," Evelyn said, and they went ahead to give her the details.

"I'm glad she is alive. It would have been a great loss," Derek's mom said, and they all agreed.

"Let me get your father now," she said, and as she disappeared down the hall, Evelyn leaned toward Derek. "I will help Samantha clean up and keep her busy while you talk to them," she whispered. Derek glanced at her, gratitude evident in his eyes.

Leaning in, he gave her a quick kiss. "Thank you."

Evelyn smiled, holding out her hand for Samantha.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you cleaned up."

When Derek's parents returned together, Derek introduced Maya to him. Then, they left her in the living room and headed for the study so they could

speak privately.

him with curiosity.

throat. "Yesterday, I stopped by the police station and spoke briefly with Michael," he began. His

unexpected," Derek added.

he say to you?" His mother asked,

tried to find dirt on my biological family," Derek said, and

that boy even my nephew?" She asked, unable to believe the

revealed about him having a younger sister and how he

exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable as they

yet firm. "Are you sure this is not another one of

Derek, claiming her to be his sister. It is us who will search for the girl. We can always confirm with a DNA

have a sister, we should find her," his

blinked, taken aback. "You think

for his hand. "Why wouldn't we? If she's your family, she's ours too. Did you think I'd try

I'm not content with having

on his hand tightened. "You will always be my son,

take

have tried

father nodded in agreement.

no shortage of people trying to take advantage just

a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I understand. Thank you

have to thank us for that. Do you think you can handle it yourself, or do you want us to handle it?" His mother asked, and Derek shook

of it. I only wanted your permission to go ahead," he said, and she

for respecting our feelings," she said, touching

room to join Maya, and they met Evelyn and a cleaned-up Samantha there, too. Evelyn's questioning gaze met Derek's,

into the car, chatting excitedly about

Evelyn as they drove away. "That

resting her hand

just have to take the leap. People

one who refused to take the leap for six years," he said dryly, and she laughed as she hit his

why you should listen to me. I'm speaking now from my

chuckled, shaking his head. "You're

call the people you mentioned? Have them look into

didn't want me interfering?" She asked, and he

valid point. I'd rather no one knows

Evelyn replied,

hospital, Samantha's cheerful chatter filled the hallways until

her grandmother lying in the bed with a bandage

head?" Samantha asked, her voice small and tears gathering in her eyes as she rushed

accident, sweetheart, but I'm fine now. I

Claire laughed softly as Samantha pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Thank you, darling. That already feels

too," Claire admitted. "And I'm ready to go home,"

Not until I'm sure you're completely okay," Eric said firmly, crossing his

nothing," Claire argued lightly,

expression softened, "I'm not taking

gaze met Maya's. "It's good to see you again," she

warm.

stepping closer to the