The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 219

As Derek drove them home after the interview, Evelyn looked out the window, her mind still swirling with thoughts of the incredible day they'd had.

The live proposal had been the last thing she'd expected, and her cheeks still hurt from smiling so much.

She reached for Derek's hand, squeezing it lightly. "I still can't believe you did that on live television," she

teased.

Derek chuckled as he parked the car in front of their house, "I wanted everyone to know how much I love you."

"Still, that was... surprising," she said with a grin, and Derek laughed.

"I'm glad I could surprise you," he said as he got out of the car and opened her door.

Before Evelyn could get out of the car, Derek leaned inside and kissed her, "You know I love you, right?" He asked, and she grinned

"Yeah. I know. And I love you, too"" she said as she got out of the car, and they both headed for the front

door.

"I'm going to have to give Rayna a call so we can officially start planning the wedding. I wonder if she saw the interview. She's going to be so upset you didn't carry her along," Evelyn said with a giggle, which died on her lips the moment Derek opened the door, and a chorus of voices shouted, "Surprise!"

Evelyn froze in the doorway, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her. The living room had been transformed into a warm party space. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the walls, soft music played in the background, and a table near the corner was laden with a beautifully decorated cake, trays of pastries, and an array of food and drinks.

Her parents stood near the center of the room, beaming with pride. Derek's parents were beside them, their hands clasped as they exchanged knowing smiles. Rayna and Ethan waved from their own corner, and Maya stood near the food table with Liam, both grinning widely. But it was Samantha, holding a bouquet of daisies and bouncing on her toes, who stole Evelyn's heart.

"What... what is this?" Evelyn asked, her voice a mix of laughter and disbelief.

Derek slipped an arm around her waist, guiding her inside. "This, my love, is our engagement party."

"Surprise!" Samantha yelled again, making everyone laugh. She hurried over to join her parents and kissed Evelyn's belly, saying hello to her younger sibling before handing the bouquet to her mother.

"Thank you, darling," Evelyn said as she took the bouquet from Samantha and kissed her forehead.

Evelyn turned to Derek again, her eyes sparkling with surprise. "When did you even have time to plan this?

How did I not know?"

Derek shrugged, his grin mischievous. "I didn't want you to know. That's the whole point of a surprise." Evelyn turned to Rayna, narrowing her eyes playfully.

"And you? You knew about this, didn't you?"

Rayna giggled, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "Of course I did. I baked the cake and pastries!"

Evelyn gasped, pointing an accusatory finger at her friend. "And yet you were the one asking me to propose to him just yesterday! You're terrible!"

fun watching Derek steal

and then Maya stepped forward, pulling Evelyn into a tight hug. "Congratulations, Evelyn! You deserve all the

you, Maya,, Evelyn

Derek, Evelyn glanced past Maya to Liam, who was standing with his hands in his

good to see

forward, shaking

me, but I walked into a party instead. They invited me to stay, and, well,

soft. "I'm glad you

Evelyn laughed as she followed them while Derek joined the men, leaving Maya

drank and talked about everything ranging from business to sports and politics, and each of them

darted around the room,

strains of music kept the atmosphere light and

converged again, and Rebecca announced, "So, we've chosen a date for

father asked, and they

three weeks," Claire

your birthday party?" Derek's father asked his wife, and she shook

won't be celebrating my

is all the celebration I need. I'll hand out the wedding invitation instead of my birthday invitation," she said

a wedding?" Ethan asked

plan a wedding if you have the money

all you need to do is relax and tell us what you want. Between your Mom, Maya, Rayna, and me,

grandmother with disapproval for not

could I leave you out? Of course, you're the best planner in the house," Rebecca corrected, and they all

arm is not healed by then?" Ethan

should be. If it's not, I'll stand in for you," Liam suggested with a

dashing before my girlfriend?

was

me properly," Derek said dryly with a shake of his

fine by then. The doctor said it needs a

the train,"

referring to Derek and

wedding planning. We bond over

should bond over planning, then we will do that," Derek said, and

with that attitude. Women like to be right even when they're wrong," Derek's father said, his wife

always right," he said, and

stories as Derek's and Evelyn's parents talked about how they met

the party wound down, Maya saw Liam off to his car when it was time for him to leave for his shift at the

Liam began, leaning against his car. I wanted to spend some time alone with

this was a pretty

strand of

"It was."