The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek) novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179
As Evelyn watched them lead Sandra away, her own exhaustion caught up with her. All her fury, all her heartbreak, surged up and then drained out, leaving her feeling hollow.

She turned to her father, who had stood silently, watching her confront Sandra with a weary sadness in his eyes. He suddenly appeared much older than his age, standing there in his pajamas.

Without another word, Evelyn stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her cheek against his shoulder. Without meaning to, she began to sob, her shoulders shaking, finally letting out the grief she'd held back.

He embraced her tightly, his own tears slipping silently down his face. They stayed like that, father and daughter, each leaning on the other, trying to piece together what remained after so much hurt and betrayal.
Nearby, Derek and Rayna exchanged a glance, and with a silent agreement, they left to give the two some privacy.

They walked together down the hushed hospital hallway toward Ethan's room, their footsteps muffled on the floor.
As they approached Ethan's room, Derek turned to her. "How's he doing?" he asked after some time, his voice low.

Rayna sighed, glancing down at her hands before looking back at him. "He's still unconscious. The doctor said it was because of the anesthesia and the pain relief medication. His arm got hurt, and it will take a while to heal, she said quietly, and from the time of her voice, Derek could tell she was blaming herself for it.
"It's not your fault," he assured her quietly.

"You don't know that. I was standing there. I just stood there like a fool when I should have run. If only I had moved, he wouldn't have had to step in," Rayna said, and Derek's gaze softened.

"It's normal for some people to freeze during situations like that,"
Derek said, but Rayna shook her head.
"Not me. I'm a fight person, not a flight person. That's why I just don't get my reaction," she said, then took a deep breath.

"Ethan didn't deserve any of this. As a matter of fact, he shouldn't have been there in the first place. Did you... did you have any idea he'd be at the bakery tonight?" Rayna asked, her face etched with worry.

Derek shook his head, "No, I didn't. But... I think he changed his mind about leaving and just wanted to see you and talk things through. Maybe he'd had a change of heart."
She let out a long, quiet sigh. "I just hope he recovers quickly."

They reached Ethan's room, and the sight of Ethan so still, with his arm bound in a cast, left a heavy ache in Derek's chest.

Rayna went to sit beside Ethan's bed, taking his hand in hers. She held it gently, her thumb brushing across his knuckles as if to bring him some comfort, some reminder that she was there. "I swear, if l'd been given just a few minutes with her, I would have left her with a bruise or two myself," she murmured, a hint of anger creeping into her voice again.
Derek rested a hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Let it go, Ray. Sandra's fate is no longer in our hands."

Rayna took a deep breath, nodding. She lifted her gaze to meet his, some of the tension in her shoulders easing as she accepted his words.
"Are you going to stay here with him? Or is Melvin coming over?" Derek asked, and Rayna nodded.

"I am"" she replied firmly, her gaze returning to Ethan. "Melvin has to stay with Sara in her state since she's almost due. I'll stay with him until he wakes up and until he feels better. It only makes sense that I will be here since he wouldn't be in this condition if it weren't because of me."
Derek nodded. "Well, the minute he wakes up, let me know. And if you need anything, call me, okay? I will come right back," he said, and Rayna nodded.

He pulled her into a gentle hug, feeling her shoulders relax against him before he let her go. "Try not to blame yourself for this," he said, and she offered him a faint smile of gratitude. Her eyes remained shadowed with worry as she returned her attention to Ethan.
As Derek made his way back down the corridor, he found Evelyn waiting alone in the hall. She looked up when she saw him, her expression both weary and relieved. Without a word, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, letting her melt into his embrace.

"It's over, Eve. You're safe now," he murmured into her hair. "And don't worry. Everything's going to be okay. Your mother's strong, and she'll pull through this."
Evelyn pulled back just slightly, her wet eyes searching his face. "I hope so. How's Ethan?"

"He will be fine," Derek said, and then he looked around for her father. "Did your dad leave already?" he asked, changing the subject.
"He went to the restroom"" she said, and he nodded as he glanced at his watch, the late hour showing in the quiet of the hospital.
"It's already past midnight, love. You need to rest." Evelyn shook her head before he could finish.