The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 168

While Derek freshened up and got ready to leave to pick up Sandra, the doorbell rang, and Evelyn hurried

downstairs to receive the package she had ordered before Derek returned.

After taking the package, she made her way into the guest room and opened the small brown package that had

arrived. Inside were several pregnancy test kits, each one an unsettling reminder of her forgotten caution.

As she stood there contemplating whether to try out one of them, she heard Derek calling for her. She quickly

tucked the package into a drawer, her heart pounding with the secret she now carried. Taking one last glance at

the hidden package, she straightened up and went to join Derek, who was now standing in the living room with a

slight frown on his face.

"Hey! Missingalready?" She asked, hoping her face didn't betray her nerves.

Derek flashed her a warm smile, "I heard the bell and got worried when you didn't cback to the room in

time. Who was at the door?" he asked, holding her gaze as he adjusted the collar of his shirt.

"Oh, a delivery guy. He cto deliver a kitchen item | ordered," Evelyn lied, trying to sound casual as she led

the way back upstairs.

She knew he wasn't likely to press, but her voice felt tighter than she'd intended. She didn't like lying to him

since they had both made a habit of being honest with each other. But she just wanted to be sure before saying

anything. She didn't want to raise any false alarms. Derek looked at her back, wondering why she felt tense. But

before he could ask any further questions, his phone buzzed in his pocket, and he took it out to see it was Ethan.

Evelyn turned, wondering if it was Sandra calling, but Derek showed her the screen before receiving the call.

"What's up, man?" he answered as they walked into the room.

Evelyn busied herself with straightening up a few items on the dresser, only half-listening to the conversation,

though bits and pieces drifted her way.

Ethan's voice was low but clear. "I just wanted to let you know I'm heading back to work. We'll catch up when |

return."

Derek's face fell slightly. "You're leaving already? | thought you still had a couple of weeks off."

Ethan

let tout a resigned sigh on the other end. "Yeah, | do. But | need to get back. | just need to... clear my head for a

while, you know?"

Derek shook his head, knowing that this was still about the situation with Rayna, "Did your other dates not go

well?" Derek asked, even though he knew that was the case. There was a pause, and then Ethan's voice

dropped, more muted.

"I'd rather not get into it." he replied, his tone guarded. "But

"I'm sure they'd love that""" Derek said softly, glancing give my regards to Evelyn and Samantha. | really do

hope to spend more twith them when I'm back."

over at Evelyn with a thoughtful smile before hanging up.

"He's going back to work," Derek informed her, slipping his phone back into his pocket.

Evelyn shook her head with a faint smirk. "Honestly, I'm glad Rayna's decided to move on. She deserves better,"

Evelyn said with conviction.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think it's a bit soon to reach that conclusion?"

She crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "If Ethan weren't acting like such a jerk, maybe things would be

different. But | think she's making the right choice."

Derek gave a reluctant nod. "He's not a bad guy, Eve."

"I never said he was" she replied gently. "I doubt anyone so close to you could be a bad guy. Apart from Michael,

of course, she added with a dismissive wave of her hand. Derek chuckled, "I guess there's always an exception."

"What I'm trying to say is that Ethan is handling things all wrong, and that doesn't make him bad; it just makes

him... not right for Rayna. Hopefully, he'll find what he's looking for someday."

Derek sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I hope so, too."

Once Derek was dressed, Evelyn walked him to the front door, her hand warm in his as they made their way to

his car. His suit was sharp, and the hint of red in his pocket square gave him a refined, elegant look.

She couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and nerves, wishing she could share what was on her mind but

knowing the timing wasn't right.

"Be careful, alright?" she said, gripping his hand a little tighter.

He leaned down, his lips soft against hers. "I will. And you should be, too. Try not to worry too much," he

whispered, giving her one last lingering kiss before getting into his car.

As she watched him pull away, Evelyn took a deep breath and turned back into the house, her mind racing.

The silence of the house settled around her, thick with the weight of her hidden worry. She made her way back to

the guest room, shutting the door behind her. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the envelope containing

the pregnancy test kits, barely daring to look at it.

After a few moments of hesitant breathing, she finally took one out and followed the instructions, her heart

hammering as she waited for the result.

She bit her lip, her eyes fixed on the tiny window of the test, each second feeling like an eternity. Then, the lines

appeared - clear and unmistakable.

Pregnant.

She tried two more kits to see if the first was an error, but the result was the same.

Her breath hitched as she sank onto the edge of the bed, the reality of it settling over her in a wave. She pressed

a hand to her stomach to calm herself, already picturing Derek's reaction.

She knew and trusted him enough to know he'd be thrilled. And she honestly didn't have any problem with

having his child since he had shown her what a wonderful father and partner he was. But she couldn't help the

embarrassment that rose within her. She hadn't been careful enough, and now this new chapter was suddenly

unfolding, unplanned yet unavoidable. She really didn't want to have another child outside wedlock.

Pushing it all to the back of her mind, Evelyn straightened up and decided to get ready for the reunion. It was

going to be a very tic evening, and she couldn't afford to be distracted by this.

With renewed determination, she went to her closet and picked out a deep-red strapless jumpsuit that matched

the red on Derek's outfit. After all, she'd told Derek she'd wear something red for him and intended to keep that

promise.

She wanted to look her best and annoy Sandra even more since Sandra had shown her the worst she could do

was murder her.

As she slipped it on, the rich color brightened her complexion and gave her the confidence and boldness she

desperately needed.

When she was done styling her hair and applying her makeup, she stood back to survey the final look.

Once satisfied, she headed out to the driveway, where her bodyguard was already waiting to take her to Raynas

bakery.

As she slid into the backseat, Evelyn took a deep breath and looked out the window, her mind drifting to the

future she hadn't anticipated but was somehow beginning to accept.

She would tell Derek about it after Sandra had been taken care of.

But tonight, she would focus on getting through the evening. The night was just beginning, and with so much

ahead, Evelyn felt both anxious and hopeful for what lay beyond.