The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 197

As the family gathered at the table to eat dinner that evening, Samantha launched into an enthusiastic retelling of her day at school before the others even had the chance to settle into their chairs. "And then, Mrs. Connelly said my drawing was the best in the whole class!" Samantha beamed, her fork clinking against her plate as she stabbed at a piece of broccoli.

Evelyn smiled, resting her chin in her hand. Her daughter's energy was infectious, and though a part of her wanted to remind Samantha to chew with her mouth closed, she refrained. Derek had said he preferred to have them talk about their days during dinner and he would rather have a noisy dinner at home than a civilized one.

"That's wonderful, Sam," Maya said, her voice warm as she leaned forward. "What did you draw?"

"A castle with unicorns! But the unicorns had wings, too. And Mrs. Connelly said I have a big imagination!" Samantha's eyes sparkled as she spoke, her words tumbling out in an excited rush. "Well, I'm glad your talent is finally being recognized, Derek said with mock seriousness, causing Samantha to puff up with pride.

Maya laughed softly, enjoying the warm atmosphere at the table. Moments like these made her feel truly at home. "You do have a big imagination. Did you give the unicorns names?"

"Of course!" Samantha paused dramatically, glancing at each adult at the table as if preparing for a grand reveal. "The blue one is Sparkle, the pink one is Starry, and the green one is... uh... Lucky!" "That's a perfect name," Maya said, her smile widening. "Lucky sounds very unique."

"Sparkle is a beautiful name," Evelyn said, smiling as she gently reached out to ruffle Samantha's hair.

As Samantha continued her tale, Derek became mostly quiet, his fork moving methodically as he ate. But his gaze kept flickering toward Maya-or rather, toward the necklace she was wearing.

The delicate silver chain glinted faintly under the light, the locket nestled just above the curve of her collarbone. Derek's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of recognition stirring deep within him. It was as though the locket held some unspoken significance he couldn't quite place.

Evelyn, sitting beside him, noticed his interest in Maya. Her brow furrowed, and her gaze darted between Derek and Maya. The longer he stared, the tighter a knot formed in Evelyn's chest.

She tried to dismiss the unease that prickled at the edges of her thoughts, but it persisted. Why was he staring at Maya like that? She mused as she followed his eyes to Maya's chest.

Trying hard not to read too much meaning into it, she forced a smile. "Derek?" Evelyn's voice was light but pointed, breaking the rhythm of the conversation.

She arched an eyebrow, "You seem very interested in Maya's necklace. Is there a story there I don't know about?" She asked, her tone teasing.

She hoped the necklace was what he was staring at and nothing else.

Derek blinked, startled out of his thoughts, as he turned away from Maya to look at her. "What?" He looked at Evelyn, then at Maya, whose hand instinctively rose to the necklace, her fingers brushing over the locket protectively.

Evelyn tilted her head, curiosity lacing her expression. "Do you have a thing for lockets, Derek?" she asked, her tone playful but laced with a faint edge.

As if sensing the tension, Maya took a sip of her water and then forced a smile. "I-I haven't worn it before," she said, her voice soft. It's... special to me."

Derek hesitated, his brows drawing together as he struggled to articulate what he'd been thinking. "It's not... that," he began, but before he could finish, Maya's phone vibrated on the table next to her plate.

she saw Liam's name flashing. She had been awaiting his call all day and had almost begun to think that he had forgotten his promise to reach out to the orphanage home. "Sorry, I need to take this. Excuse me

She lowered her voice so that

mid-bite, his eyes meeting hers. "What else would I be looking at?" he asked, his

then sighed.

crossing his face as understanding dawned on him. "You think I was-" He stopped, his voice ringing with

believe you thought that, talk more of asking me such a question." His voice was firm, but

he set his fork down carefully and leaned back in his chair, his jaw

a harmless question," Evelyn said quickly, though her voice lacked

that she

Or that I would disrespect you in that

the table grew thick, and Samantha, who had been chewing a carrot, looked up

turned to her, their expressions softening

said quickly, forcing a

"We're just talking."

voice gentle now. He picked

eyed them suspiciously but then shrugged, returning to her

Evelyn with a look that both told her that he loved her, and he

"Hello?"

through, warm but slightly hesitant. "Is this a good

playing with the locket around her neck.

call earlier," Liam began, his tone apologetic. "I got caught up after our last conversation

fine," Maya assured him. "Did

his voice tinged with disbelief. "I did. And you won't believe what I found out." Maya's heart began to race, her fingers gripping the phone tightly. "What

me that a couple of weeks ago, someone came around to ask questions about the boy in the picture you sent. And recently, someone else has also been asking around about the identity and details of the

froze, her pulse thundering in her ears. "Are you serious?" she whispered, her

am," Liam said excitedly. "It's incredible, Maya. While you're searching for your brother, it

Maya's throat as she struggled to process his words. "Did you find out who was asking? Is there a

reach out to the person," Liam said. "I told them

could

you can tell them I'm in Husla. That way,

Liam," Maya said, her voice thick

gently. "But I'll do everything I

the wall for a moment, her hand pressed over her pounding heart. Then, unable to contain herself, she flopped onto her bed and kicked her legs into

forget about me." The realization filled her with warmth, and for the first time since she lost her mother, she felt whole. Her heart was lighter