The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter

199

The next morning, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the bedroom. Derek sat at the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees and his head bowed. His hands trembled slightly as they raked through his messy hair, the events of the nightmare lingering like a heavy fog.

Since waking up from the nightmare, he had been unable to go back to sleep or bring himself to get out of bed. Going to the office was the last thing on his mind, and he had texted his secretary to cancel all his appointments for the day because he was not feeling well. Evelyn held him close until morning, and then she left to prepare Samantha for school and take her to school since she knew Derek was not in the right frame of mind for that. Now, Evelyn watched him from the doorway, her heart aching at the sight of his slumped shoulders and distant stare.

She walked over and sat beside him, resting a gentle hand on his back. "Did you manage to sleep at all?" she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Derek shook his head. "Not really. Every time I closed my eyes, it was like I was back there... in the car... hearing the gunshots." He exhaled shakily, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It felt so real, Eve. And the worst part is, I don't think this is the first time I've had this dream. I think I've had this nightmare before... a lot of times, actually. Probably when I was a kid." Her brow furrowed. "You think so?" his gaze fixed on the f

He nodded, on the floor. "I can't explain it, but it's familiar. Like it's always been there, just buried deep inside." He paused, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "I need to be sure it's more than just a nightmare." Evelyn hesitated, then asked, "What are you thinking of doing?" Derek rubbed his palms together, his mind racing. "First, I need to call my parents," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and determination. "I need to ask them if I ever had nightmares like this before."

Evelyn nodded, her hand sliding down to squeeze his. "Okay. Let's call them."

Derek picked up his phone and dialed his mother's number before pressing the phone to his ear.

Evelyn busied herself with organizing the bedroom, but stayed close enough to listen.

The call connected, and his

d his mother's warm voice came through.

"Derek! Good morning, sweetheart," she greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning, Mom," Derek said, his voice quieter than usual. "I...

I need

to ask you something. It's import

important."

His mother's tone shifted, her cheer replaced by concern. "Of course, honey. Are you okay? Is something wrong? What is it?" Derek hesitated, his fingers tightening around the phone. "Did I

as a kid? About... about something

a pause on the other e other end. "Nightmares?" his mother repeated slowly.

sighed softly as though she had been hoping he wouldn't ask. you

did. When you

you first

had them almost

tighten.

were they about? Did I ever tell yought for weeks. It took a long time before they

young," his mother said gently. "You couldn't explain much. But you'd wake up crying, sometimes screaming, and you'd cling to us, saying you didn't want to lose us too." Her voice softened further. "It broke our hearts, Derek. You were so scared." He swallowed hard, his throat dry. "They came back, Mom. Last night, I had

crackled through the line. "Oh, Derek," 'his mot

"It wasn't just an accident. I remember... the crash, the man... he shot them, Mom. He killed them." He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to steady his voice. "I want to look into it. I need to know the

stop now," he said firmly. "I've already started looking for my sister, but I can't stop there. I need to know what really happened to

voice trembled with worry. "I knew you were going to be this way. This was the reason

knew? You knew my parents were murdered?" He

Evelyn,

mom

the room, paused to look at Derek. "Yes,

"It

is."

said, his

dream had only been a dream and nothing more. He had not wanted to believe that someone had been cruel enough to shoot his parents, who had already died from the hit by the truck. "How much more do you know?" Derek asked, hurt that she had kept such an important detail

the e conversation might be longer than she

ו"

the room to get

and she confirmed that med that you had post-traumatic stress disorder. I was very worried and scared for

meant to be a replacement for him. We wanted you to have all his stuff because it would be a waste to throw them out, but we didn't adopt you to be him. No one can replace a dead offspring. Being a parent now yourself, I'm sure you'd understand better. We gave you Derek's identity to protect you," his

name? It was painful, Derek. I'd have to be insane to be able to look at you and call you by his name without remembering my loss. It would have been easier to call you by a different name," she said, and

who he was or anything

Derek," she pleaded when

will," he assured her. "I just... I have to

the call. Derek set his phone down, buried his face in his hands, and exhaled deeply. Evelyn