The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20
After the close of work, Evelyn returned to the hotel that evening, her mind swirling with the thoughts of the day's events.
Despite her initial fear, the day hadn't been so bad.
Derek had been surprisingly professional and had barely paid her any attention, being too engrossed in his work.
She was grateful for that small mercy and hoped it would continue that way since she'd been able to observe him quietly, taking notes for her article without feeling the intense scrutiny she had expected.
She was also glad that she had not run into Michael and she hoped that she wouldn't have to run into him until the arrangement was over especially since he worked on a different floor.
As she entered their suite, Samantha who had been playing quietly with her toys, went to welcome her happily.
"Welcome, Mommy," she greeted excitedly, throwing herself into her mother's embrace, however, Evelyn didn't give her the whole smile she usually did since she knew she was about to break her daughter's heart.
"How are you, baby?" Evelyn asked and she grinned.

"I'm fine," she said and went in to chatter about all she had done and all that had happened since Evelyn stepped out of the room in the morning.
Evelyn nodded as she listened to her and she waited until she had run out of her stories before taking a deep breath, readying herself for the conversation she was about to bring up.
"Sweetheart, remember what we talked about yesterday? We have to move to another place now," she said gently, watching her daughter's face for a reaction.
Although she had told Samantha about the move, she knew Samantha well enough to know she would throw a bit of a tantrum when the time came to actually make the move.
Samantha's face fell. "Why? Can't we stay here a little longer? I really like it here, and I like the playground and Rek too," Samantha complained with a pout, her little shoulders slumping.
"I know you like it here, baby, but we have to move.
We need to go somewhere closer to the place where Mommy works. Don't you want to be able to see where mommy works from your room?" she asked and Samantha nodded, her eyes gleaming with tears.
"Okay, Mommy," she said and Evelyn smiled at her.
Although she had wanted them to stay there until after she had secured an apartment, she couldn't any longer, not after Derek's unannounced visit and conditions.
She couldn't trust him not to show up unannounced claiming he needed her for work and end up seeing Samantha. She didn't want that. She thought as she waited for Maya to pack her stuff and join them.
An hour later, they checked into another Hotel. It wasn't as luxurious as The Stone's Palace, but Evelyn felt a bit more at ease. At least here, she knew they wouldn't be bothered.
After they had settled in, Evelyn glanced over at Samantha, who was sitting on the edge of the bed with her arms crossed, a pout on her face, clearly sulking.
"Darling, I know you liked the other hotel, but we had to move," Evelyn said gently and Samantha looked up at her with tears in her eyes.
"I didn't get to tell Rek goodbye," she said and Evelyn nodded.
"I'm sorry about that, pumpkin. Who knows? You might meet him again someday," she said with forced cheer and Samanatha looked down at her hands.
"How about we go to an amusement park this weekend? Will that cheer you?" Evelyn asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from Samantha's forehead.

"Really? Can we really do that?" Samantha asked and Evelyn smiled.
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"Of course, we can"" she said, hoping that Derek wouldn't mess with her plans, "and if I'm too busy to make it, I will make sure Maya takes you," she added just to be on the safe side.
"Okay, Mommy," Samantha said, brightening up a little.
"So, does mummy get a hug?" Evelyn asked holding out her arms and Samantha embraced her.
"Thank you, darling," Evelyn said, kissing Samantha's forehead.
Just as they settled down for the night, getting ready to go to bed, Evelyn's phone rang. She glanced at the screen, worried that it might be Derek, and heaved a relieved sigh when she saw that it was her stepmother.
Evelyn received the call immediately "Hello, Mom."
"Hello, Evie. How are you and Sam?" her stepmother's voice came through warmly.
"We're okay. Just settling into a new hotel, Evelyn replied, glancing over at Samantha, who was lying on the bed, playing with her stuffed animal.
Claire raised a brow when she heard that. "You moved?

Why? Shouldn't you be thinking of coming home?" Claire asked with a worried frown and Evelyn smiled.
"While I'm still considering it, I thought it best I move Sam to somewhere else since Michael knows where I am. I don't want him or anyone else springing a surprise visit on me and finding out about Sam until I'm ready to tell Dad myself,' Evelyn explained since that was the truth.
"Yeah. That makes sense. I'm glad I called. I was thinking of bringing some homemade food to you and Sam. Do you mind telling me where you are so I bring it over tomorrow?" Claire asked and Evelyn hesitated since she didn't want Sandra to find out about her new lodge.
"You don't have to bother yourself..."
"It's been so long since you ate something prepared by me, Evie. If you don't want it, at least allow my granddaughter to have a taste of my cooking," Claire said and Evelyn sighed.
"Fine. You can come. But can you please promise not to tell Dad or Sandra about where I'm staying?" Evelyn asked and although Claire wanted to ask why she wouldn't let even Sandra know, she didn't bother.
"If that's what you want, I won't. I will be waiting for the address," Claire said and Evelyn smiled, glad that she didn't ask any questions.

"Thanks, mom. And I'm sorry I'm putting you in a difficult position with my requests," Evelyn said before Claire hung up the call.
Claire, who had just dropped the call, turned abruptly when she heard Sandra's voice behind her.
"Who was that on the phone, Mom?" Sandra asked curiously since she had just walked in to hear her mom say she was waiting for an address.
"A friend. Are you going somewhere?" Claire asked when she noticed that Sandra was dressed as though she was stepping out.
"I was hoping we could go see Evelyn today," Sandra said since she wasn't aware that her mother had visited
Evelyn already.
"I'm sorry I can't come with you. I need to go see a friend. You can go alone. I will visit her some other time," Claire said, and Sandra nodded.
"Alright. See you later," Sandra said before leaving for the Stone's Palace Hotel.
Thirty minutes later, Sandra stood in front of the hotel with a frown etched on her face after she had been told that Evelyn had checked out of the Hotel.
As Sandra walked back to her car, she wondered why Evelyn had moved so quickly and where she could have gone. She also wondered if she knew Michael had followed her that day. Something didn't add up, and she was determined to find out what it was.