The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

The next morning, Claire set out for The Stone's Palace Hotel to visit Evelyn, determined to fix things.

The moment she arrived at the reception, she informed them she was there to see her daughter, and the receptionist put a call across to Evelyn to get her permissions As Claire took the elevator up to Evelyn's suite, she thought about Evelyn and how much she had missed her.

Once she reached Evelyn's door, she knocked, and after a moment, the door opened to reveal Evelyn standing there, looking a bit surprised but quite happy to see her. "Evelyn? It's really you," Claire said in surprise, pulling Evelyn into an embrace.

"I couldn't believe it when the receptionist said my Mom was here to see me," Evelyn said, feeling relaxed in Claire's embrace.

Although Sandra had betrayed her and she harbored resentment towards Sandra, Claire had always been a good stepmother, and Evelyn loved her.

After they pulled apart, Claire looked Evelyn over.

"You've changed a lot, Evie," she said, stepping inside when Evelyn held out the door for her to go in.

Evelyn grinned. "It's been six years, after all," Evelyn replied as they settled into the living area of the suite.

"How did you know I was back and staying here?" Evelyn asked curiously, even though a part of her could already tell it was Michael.

"Good news, fly fast," Claire said, and then looked at Evelyn with interest, "Don't tell me you didn't want us to know you were in the country and you weren't planning on coming home," Claire asked, but Evelyn quickly shook her head.

"It's not that. It's just..." her words trailed off when Samantha and Maya walked out of Maya's room.

Samantha, who had wanted to plead with her mother to let her go play at the playground since Evelyn had given strict orders to Maya not to let her step out of their suite, paused when she saw that they had a visitor.

Claire smiled warmly when her eyes and Samantha's connected. And although she wanted to ask who the child was, but since she had stepped out with Maya, Claire naturally assumed the child was Maya's. "Hello, cutie pie! Has anyone told you you look really beautiful?" Claire asked, smiling warmly at Samantha, who returned the smile with a blush.

"Yes, thank you, ma'am. My mommy tells me that every day. You look pretty too, doesn't she, mommy?" Samantha asked, looking up at Evelyn, and then it became clear to Claire who the child belonged to. Evelyn smiled fondly. Although she would have preferred to keep Samantha hidden from her family a bit longer, it was no longer possible. "Yes, she does, pumpkin, and guess what? This beautiful lady here is your grandmother," Evelyn said, confirming Claire's suspicions.

Claire's eyes widened in surprise as she turned to Evelyn. "Evie? Is she your daughter?" she asked, and Evelyn nodded.

"Yes, she is. Her name is Samantha. Sam, say hello to your grandmother," Evelyn said and Claire tried to conceal her surprise and curiosity as she held out her hand to Samantha.

"Hello, Sam. It's so wonderful to meet you," she said, and Samantha beamed happily as she went to her.

"Hi, Grandma!" she said as she began to endlessly ask Claire questions about herself, such as if she had a grandfather too and when she would see him.

As Claire answered Samantha's questions, she, in turn, asked questions of her own. She wanted to know Samantha's age, favorite colors, and favorite food.

Evelyn felt nervous as she watched the interaction.

Now that Claire had seen Samantha, she knew the next conversation would be difficult, but she was grateful for the warm start.

Knowing Claire had probably come to talk to her, Evelyn then dismissed Maya and Samantha.

Immediately after Maya left with Samantha, Claire turned to Evelyn.

"She is five? Evelyn, why didn't you tell us?" Claire asked, her disappointment evident.

"What exactly happened six years ago? Why didn't you tell us about Sam? Did you call off the wedding because of the pregnancy? Or did you find out about it after you left? Is she Michael's?" Claire asked gently, wanting to understand what was going on, but Evelyn shook her head.

"No, she is not Michael's. And I only found out about the pregnancy after I left the country," she said, and Claire nodded.

"Then why did you call off the wedding? And who is her father?" Claire pressed, and Evelyn's expression grew somber.

"Mom, some things are better left in the past. I don't want to dredge up old memories. Let's just say I had my reasons," Evelyn said, and Claire sighed deeply.

"Can't you share your reasons with me?" Claire pleaded, but Evelyn shook her head.

There was no way she was going to tell Claire what Sandra or Michael had done. It would break Claire to know what Sandra had done.

"I'm sorry. I can't," she said simply.

"Then, can you at least tell me who Sam's father is? Are you both married now?" Claire asked, glancing at Evelyn's fingers.

"No. We are not. And I'm sorry I can't tell you who he is either. Is Dad aware that you're here?" Evelyn asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, he is. I'm so sorry your father reacted that way, and I couldn't stop him. He was too disappointed to think straight at the time. We miss you, Eve, we all do, especially Sandra. She felt really bad knowing you were back but didn't reach out to her. Why don't you come back home?" Claire asked, but Evelyn shook her head.

"Thanks, Mom, but I don't think that's a good idea-"

"Why not? We are your family, Evie. We also need to spend time with Sam and get to know her. I know she would want that too, so come home, please?"

Although she knew she wouldn't go home since she wouldn't be able to stand Sandra, Evelyn sighed. "I will think about it," she said, and Claire nodded. "And what is this I hear about you working at Empowered? Are you doing it to spite your father?" Claire asked, and Evelyn smiled.

"I guess Michael found out about that and told you.

No, I'm not doing it to spite him. This is me trying to make a living for myself and my daughter after my father cut me off, Evelyn said, and Claire sighed. "I really hope you both settle your differences, Evie," Claire said, and Evelyn smiled.

"I'm sure we will when the time is right. So, try not to worry too much about us," Evelyn said, and after catching up for some time, Claire decided to leave.

As Evelyn escorted Claire to her car, Claire remembered something. "Lest I forget, we are having a party for our twenty-third wedding anniversary in two weeks. It would mean a lot to me if you could attend whether or not you have decided to move into the house," Claire said, and Evelyn nodded.

"I will keep it in mind," she said, embracing Claire.

As she watched Claire drive off, her mind raced with thoughts.

She had managed to keep Samantha a secret for so long, but with Claire's visit and the potential family gathering, everything seemed on the verge of coming out.

She thought about her work and the fact that Derek, her daughter's father, was also Michael's cousin, and she couldn't help feeling like everything was falling apart for her.

She had thought almost marrying Michael was a mistake, but having sex with a random stranger had been an even bigger mistake, and the thought of it made her feel guilty that she was regretting having Samantha.

Maybe she shouldn't have returned in the first place.

Coming back here was a huge mistake.