The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek) novel Chapter 211

Chapter 211

By the time Evelyn and Derek brought her parents home from the hospital, it was evening already.

Derek pushed the door open with his shoulder, balancing Claire's suitcase in one hand and holding the doorframe with the other.

Evelyn followed close behind, her arm linked with her mother's.

Eric shuffled in last with his duffel bag in hand.

Claire let out a soft sigh of relief as she stepped inside, her fingers lightly brushing over the back of the couch. "It's good to be out of the hospital finally," she murmured, her voice warm but tinged with exhaustion.

Maya appeared from the kitchen, her smile wide and welcoming.

"Welcome!" she greeted, stepping forward to help. Her eyes flickered to the suitcase in Derek's hand. "Let me take that upstairs for you."

Derek shook his head with a small smile. "Thanks, but l've got it."

Reluctantly, she stepped back, allowing Derek to carry the bag upstairs on his own. As he left, she disappeared into the kitchen, promising to bring refreshments.

"Is it just me? Why does Maya seem restless?" Claire asked as she eased herself onto the couch, leaning back against the cushions.

Her face was still pale, but there was a spark of liveliness in her eyes that hadn't been there days ago.

Evelyn smiled, "habit. I guess she doesn't know how to stay still."

"The house feels so quiet without Samantha," Eric remarked, glancing around as if expecting the little girl to come running into the room. His tone was light, but there was a hint of wistfulness beneath his words.

"She will be back tomorrow," Evelyn reassured him, sitting beside her mother and giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "She's been asking about Mom non-stop."

"I can't wait to see her. And I hope you will also bring her over to spend weekends with us when we return to the house," Claire asked hopefully.

"Sure, I will, Evelyn promised, and Claire smiled, the kind of soft, maternal smile that made Evelyn's chest tighten with warmth.

Maya returned moments later, carrying a tray with glasses of fresh watermelon juice and a plate of cookies. She set it down carefully on the coffee table before taking a seat across from them.

"How are you feeling now?" Maya asked, her voice kind and genuine.

"Apart from the occasional headache, much better." Claire picked up a glass of watermelon juice and took a small sip. "Thank you for helping Evelyn take care of things around the house."

Maya's cheeks flushed, and she looked down, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's nothing, really. I'm happy to help."

Eric, who had been quietly observing, reached for his own glass.

"We're grateful, Maya."

"If everyone had a nanny like you, life would be easier for working mothers," Claire said with an easy smile.

The comment hung in the air, seemingly harmless, but Evelyn felt her pulse quicken. She glanced at Derek, who had just returned to the room and was taking his seat across from her. He met her gaze, and with a slight nod, she urged him on.

Derek leaned forward in his seat. "Actually"" Derek began, his voice serious, "there's something we need to talk to you about."

Claire and Eric exchanged a curious look, their attention shifting to Derek. Claire set her glass down, her brows knitting together in concern. "What is it, Derek?"

Derek looked toward Maya, and she gave him a small smile. He took a deep breath and said, "We recently discovered that Maya is my sister. My biological sister."

For a moment, the room was silent. Claire's eyes widened in shock as she turned to look at Maya. Eric blinked, his face a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

"Your sister?" Claire repeated, leaning forward slightly. "How is that possible?"

"I never knew you had a sister," Eric said, looking from Derek to Maya and then to Evelyn for confirmation.

Evelyn and Derek took turns explaining everything-how Michael had first told Derek about his sister, how Derek had begun remembering fragments of his childhood, the nightmare that had 

revealed buried memories of the accident, and the findings that had led them to Maya. They explained the necklace and everything that pieced it all together.

Claire listened intently, her frown deepening with each detail.

When they finished, she turned to Maya, her gaze searching.

"Where were you raised?"

"Cavenspot," Maya replied softly, her hands folded in her lap.

'That's where I grew up."

Claire's lips parted as if she were about to speak, but then she stopped herself. She shook her head slowly, her expression troubled. "Cavenspot..." she murmured, almost to herself. "That can't be a coincidence."

"What do you mean?" Eric asked, his voice cautious.

Claire shook her head again as if trying to dispel a nagging thought. "It's just... it all sounds familiar, but it doesn't make sense. It's probably nothing."

"Or maybe it's something. What do you know?" Derek asked curiously.

"Can I see the picture you talked about?" She asked instead, and Maya nodded as she took off the necklace and passed it to her.

The moment Claire saw the pictures in the locket, she froze. Her breath hitched, and her hand trembled as she traced the edges of the locket. Her eyes were wide, the color draining from her face.

"How can this be?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. She 

held the locket tighter, staring at the tiny photographs as if they were ghosts from her past. "I know these people."