The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Evelyn and Claire sat comfortably in the living room, watching Samantha as she played with her toys on the floor, and Claire couldn't help but remind Evelyn about some of her childhood antics Evelyn found herself laughing at those memories, allowing herself to derive joy from her childhood without thinking of Sandra since Claire made sure to talk about the memories involving just Evelyn, Maya and Samantha also joined in the laughter as Samantha asked more questions about Evelyn's childhood.

As their laughter died down, Evelyn's phone rang on the dining table and she excused herself to go receive the call.

A wide smile spread across her face when she picked up her phone and saw the caller ID. It was Liam.

"I need to take this, Mom, Evelyn said, still smiling as she walked into her bedroom to receive the call

"Hello. Doel" she greeted cheerfully.

"Hello, Editor-In-Chief, Lism greeted, and Evelyn gizzled.

"Not yet. It's still unofficial, Evelyn said, happy to hear from him

"Well, I trust you, I'm sure you're going to get it. How are you doing?" he asked cheerfully.

"I'm fine. How are you? How have you been!" Evelyn asked, feeling a tug of guilt because she had not called him since she moved to LudusExclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

"I'm alright. How is my little plum doing?" He asked, and Evelyn grinned.

"She's fine. She misses you.."

"What about your Do you miss me too!" Liam cut in

"Of course, I do," Evelyn said with a small laugh.

"Does that mean you won't mind letting me see your face?" he asked and Evelyn grinned

you mean a video call or a picture Evelyn asked thoughtfully

"A video call. And please get my little plum on the phone too, Liam said, and Evelyn glanced towards the living room where she could hear Samantha asking Claire a plethora of questions "Alright. Give me a moment." Evelyn said, and once she got back to the living room, she switched the call to video call and the moment it connected her screen lit up with Liam's face, and she waved at him and she smiled before turning the phone to Samantha.

"Sammy, guess who wants to say hello" Evelyn said, and when Samantha saw Liam's face on the screen she screeched excitedly.

"Liam She cried with a wide smile as she rushed to her mother's side.

"Sammy, girl! How is my favorite linle girl in the world doing? Liam asked with a wide smile while Claire watched them with interest as they exchanged pleasantries with Liam, wondering who Liam was. She would have thought he was Samantha's Dad, but that didn't seem to be the case considering how she was addressing him by his name.

"When are you coming to see us, Liam?" Samantha asked curioudy.

"Soon," Liam promised. "And when I do, I'm bringing that doll I promised you, remember?" he asked and Samantha's eyes lit up.

The one with the princess dress?" she asked and he nodded.

"That's the one" Liam confirmed, smiling at her.

"Yay! I can't wait!" Samantha exclaimed happily.

"It won't be long, pumpkin. But you have to be extra good until then, okay?" he said and Samantha grinned.

"I will Samantha promised, nodding vigorously.

Evelyn watched the exchange with a soft smile, her heart warming at how easily Liam connected with her daughter. He had always been like that with Samantha and had abrays been a part of her life. "Cool girl. Now give the phour back to Mommy, Liam said and Samantha handed the phone back to Evelyn.

to ask me e

When Evelyn took the phone back, she playfully chided him, "You shouldn't spoil her so much, Liam. Now she's going to you're coming and I don't know what excuse I'll give her," Evelyn said and Liam smiled.

"That's exactly what I want, Liam said with a wink. "Keeps me on your mind, doesn't it?" he asked and Evelyn laughed.

"As if I could ever forget about you or what you've done for me," Evelyn said with a smile.

me every day when.

They chatted a bit longer, catching up on each other's lives, before finally saying their goodbyes. As Evelyn turned to face her Stepmom, she caught her watching her with a wide smile.

*He makes you smile a lot, doesn't he? Seems like a good guy to me whoever he is, Claire said, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Yeah." Evelyn said, still smiling, oblivious to whatever Claire meant. "He was my obstetrician when I was pregnant with Sammy and since then, we've been friends. He's been such a good friend to me," Evelyn explained.

"He seems to care

to care about Sam a lot, Claire noted, her tone thoughtful. "You could hear it in the way he talked to her," Claire said and Evelyn nodded.

"He does. People used to think he is her Dad, but that's just the way Liam is," Evelyn said, brushing it off

"If that's what you think," Claire said, her tone suggesting she thought otherwise.

"Sammy, I want to speak with Mommy alone, can you please excuse us?" Claire asked and Samantha rose, as did Maya

"Mummy can I go to the park?" Samantha asked, looking at Evelyn with a hopeful smile.

"Sure," Evelyn said without hesitation since the park was just around the block and she wanted Samantha to meet other kids her age and establish solid friendship before she resumed school the next week. Claire waited until Samantha and Maya had left the house before turning to Evelyn with a serious expression. Seeing this, Evelyn braced herself, knowing that Claire was about to say something that would make her uncomfortable. She only hoped it wasn't about her relationship with Sandra..

"From what you said just now, I guess Sammy's father has never been in the picture since her birth," Claire said, and Evelyn nodded, her earlier smile fading.

"He doesn't know of her existence. Evelyn said and although Claire wanted to ask her why and what happened, she didn't.

"And you don't plan on bringing him into the picture?" She asked again, and Evelyn hesitated.

"It's complicated," she said, and then remembered what Rayna had said about that being an excuse.

"Well, I think it's time to introduce a father figure to Sam. Don't you think so?"

"I know that. But I'm not ready for that right now," Evelyn said and Claire looked at her.

"It's not about what you are ready for Parenthood is all about sacrifice, especially motherhood. Sam is getting older, Evic. Every child needs a father figure in their life for balance. If you're not ready to meet someone new, then maybe you should consider letting her father be a part of her life. He's alive isn't he?" Claire asked and Evelyn nodded.

"So!"

"It's not time yes, Evelyn said quietly.

"Not time? When is the right time, Evie? And what exactly are you waiting for?" Claire asked, concern evident in her voice,

Evelyn didn't answer immediately. She wasn't sure she had an answer that would satisfy either of them. Instead, she just sighed. "I don't know, Mom. I just know I need more time," she said and Claire nodded slowly, her expression softening,

"Alright, Evie, Just remember, Sam looks up to you. She's going to follow your lead, whatever that might be. So, you have to put her best interests first before yours, Claire said and Evelyn nodded, grateful that Claire didn't push further.

Deep down she knew Claire was right, but she also knew the time wasn't right. She would tell Derek about Samantha after everything had been resolved, but not a moment before then.