The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15
Evelyn leaned back against the cool leather seat of the cab, her mind buzzing with the events of the morning.
First, was the visit with her stepmom, followed by Susan's call, and then her visit to Derek's office. She couldn't shake the feeling that everything was moving too fast.
The cityscape blurred past her window as she lost herself in thought, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edges of her phone.
Now that she had agreed to work with Derek and she knew she had secured the interview with him, she needed to find an apartment, a safe place where she and Samantha could stay, away from Derek's reach.
The thought of Derek, Michael's cousin finding out he was Samantha's father, and everyone else getting to know about it too sent a shiver down her spine.
She couldn't let him know about Samantha. She couldn't let anyone know that she had been with Michael's cousin and had a child for him. Not even her family could know about it.
It was then that a sudden realization struck her. She needed to call Claire and make sure Samantha remained a secret for a bit longer.

If Claire mentioned Samantha to her dad and Sandra and the news of it got to Michael and from Michael to Derek, he would know Samantha was his judging by her age since she wasn't Michael's.
This made her pause for a moment as she wondered if Derek knew who she was. They had spoken over the phone a couple of times in the past during her relationship with Michael.
Was he aware that she was that Evelyn- Michael's fiancee? Had Michael told him about her? If so, why was he still doing this? She mused.
Shaking off the thought, she took a deep breath and dialed Claire's number, which she had gotten from her earlier during her visit, hoping that she wasn't too late and Claire had not told them about Sam yet.
She counted the rings, each one increasing her anxiety until, on the fourth ring, Claire's familiar voice answered, sounding pleasantly surprised.
"Evelyn! I didn't expect to hear from you so soon.
Please tell me you're calling because you have decided to move back into the house?" Claire's voice held a note of hope.
Evelyn laughed softly, though her thoughts were far from lighthearted. "No, Mom. That's not why I called, but I do have a favor to ask."

"Anything, sweetheart," Claire replied without hesitation.
Evelyn hesitated for a moment, then plunged ahead.
"You haven't told either Dad or Sandra about Sam yet, have you?" She asked hopefully.
"No. I was hoping to tell them during dinner. Why?" Claire said and Evelyn let out a sigh of relief, glad that she had called now.
"It's just that I need you to keep Samantha a secret for now. I don't want Dad or Sandra to know about her just yet."
There was a brief pause on the other end before Claire spoke again, her voice gentle but firm. "If that's what you want, Evelyn. But you know you will have to tell your father about his grandchild eventually, especially if you're going to bring Sam to the anniversary party."
Evelyn sighed as she glanced out the window at the passing buildings, trying to collect her thoughts. "I can't bring Sam to the party, Mom. But I promise I'll tell Dad about her after a month, but right now, I need to keep her out of this."
"Why a month?" Claire asked curiously.
"I just need to settle down first. When I'm settled I will tell him. But until then I want this to remain between us. Please."

Claire sighed, but there was understanding in her voice. "Alright, if that's what you need. But remember, secrets have a way of coming out, Evie. Be careful."
"I will, Mom. Thank you." Evelyn hung up, feeling a mix of relief and worry. She had bought herself some time, but she knew it wasn't much. She needed to act quickly.
The cab pulled up to The Stone's Palace Hotel, and Evelyn stepped out, her determination renewed. She made her way through the grand lobby, nodding absently at the doorman who greeted her. Her thoughts were too tangled to focus on pleasantries.
As she rode the elevator up to her suite, Evelyn pulled out her phone again and began searching for real estate listings. She needed to find a place quickly, somewhere safe and discreet. The elevator doors opened, and she stepped out, still scrolling through listings.
Inside the suite, Samantha was playing quietly with her toys, and Maya was tidying up. The sight of her daughter brought a wave of love and a pang of guilt.
Samantha deserved to know her father. She knew that, but she couldn't give her that.
Perhaps if Derek were someone else. If he wasn't Michael's cousin it would have been different. But right now it was complicated and she couldn't bring Samantha into the mess.

"Mommy, you're back!" Samantha exclaimed, running over to hug Evelyn.
Evelyn scooped her up, holding her tightly. "Yes, sweetheart. Did you have fun with Aunt Maya?"
Samantha nodded enthusiastically. "We played with my new dolls. Aunt Maya says they're very pretty."
Evelyn smiled, setting Samantha down. "That's wonderful. Can you play a bit longer? Mommy needs to make some phone calls."
Samantha nodded and returned to her toys, and Evelyn went to the bedroom, closing the door softly behind her. She needed to focus, to find a place where they could be safe. The urgency of the situation pressed down on her as she dialed the number of a real estate agent she had found online.
"Hello, this is Evelyn Quinn. I'm looking for an apartment, something available immediately."
The conversation moved quickly, and Evelyn arranged to see several apartments over the weekend.
As she hung up and returned to the room, she felt a glimmer of hope. They could move out of the hotel soon, and start fresh somewhere new.
But beneath that hope, there was still a gnawing fear.
She was keeping too many secrets, and she knew it was only a matter of time before they caught up with her.
Evelyn sat down on the edge of the bed, her thoughts heavy. She had to be strong, for Samantha's sake. She had to protect her daughter and give her stability, no matter what.