Billionaire’s

Evelyn’s breath hitched as she turned from the door to see Samantha’s little face pale and frightened. She wrapped her arms tightly around Evelyn’s leg, her small body trembling.

“I’m sorry about that, baby. Were you very startled?” Evelyn asked as she patted Samantha’s hair.

“Mommy, who was that man?” Samantha asked, her voice barely a whisper. Evelyn knelt down, cupping her daughter’s face gently.

“Sweetheart, that was just someone Mommy used to know. He’s gone now,” Evelyn said softly, brushing Samantha’s hair away from her face. “You don’t have to worry about him.”

“But he scared me,” Samantha whimpered, clinging to her mother.

Evelyn pulled her into a warm embrace. “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe. No one will hurt you. I promise.”

As Evelyn held her close, Maya appeared at the doorway, her eyes flicking between the two. “Sammy, come introduce me to your new baby, will you? Mommy needs to finish up in the kitchen,” Maya called softly.

Evelyn hesitated for a moment, then nodded, knowing Maya had always been a comfort to Samantha. “Go show Maya your new doll while I finish up,” she said, kissing Samantha’s temple.

Maya scooped Samantha up gently, whispering soothing words as she carried her toward the bedroom. Evelyn sighed, feeling the weight of the morning settling into her bones.

She turned back toward the kitchen and found Liam standing there, his face filled with concern.

“Evie,” Liam said, stepping closer. “Who is Michael? Is he Samantha’s father?”

Evelyn shook her head quickly. “No, Michael’s not her father. He’s… he’s my ex–fiancé.”

Liam’s brow furrowed, and he exhaled slowly, looking a little relieved. “I see. I just… I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

Evelyn shook her head, feeling a mix of emotions. “No, Liam, you didn’t overstep. I’m sorry for the embarrassment. I didn’t want you to get involved.”

Liam gave her a soft smile. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m glad I was here. If he had done anything more, I wouldn’t have let him.”

Evelyn smiled back, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you. Really. I should get back to the kitchen,” she said, and Liam followed her back in.

As they returned to the kitchen, Evelyn hesitated for a moment, thinking that this might be a good time to tell Liam about Derek.

Evelyn took a breath, ready to say something, but before she could, Liam spoke first.

“I wanted to tell you something,” he said, his voice hesitant yet steady.

“I have something to tell you, too. But you can go first,” Evelyn said with a small smile.

Liam looked down at his hands for a moment before meeting her eyes again. “Evie, I know that what I’m about to say might come as a surprise to you. The thing is, I like you. I’ve always liked you, but I thought it was just platonic love, you know? Like family. That’s why I never acted on it.” He chuckled nervously. “But after you left Husla, I realized… it wasn’t just that. I was in love with you.”

Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat as she processed his words, her mind spinning. Liam? In love with her? Did that mean Margaret had been right about it all this time? Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“I know it’s sudden, and maybe I should’ve said something sooner, but I want to be part of your life, Evie. If you’ll have me.” Liam’s eyes were sincere, his voice filled with emotion.

Evelyn’s heart thumped in her chest, and thankfully, before Liam could go further, the doorbell rang again, cutting through the tension like a knife.

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11:00 AM

“I’ll… I’ll get that,” she said quickly, turning away before Liam could say more. Her heart pounded as she hurried to the door, her thoughts jumbled.

When she opened the door, she was met with Derek’s familiar face, his expression one of concern. “Is everything alright? What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised to see him.

Derek glanced behind her, his gaze quickly assessing the situation. “I was told Michael came by, and I came as soon as I could,” Derek said, reminding her that he had someone on Michael’s tail.

Evelyn sighed, her shoulders sagging. “Yeah, he was here. He didn’t do anything, though.”

Before she could say more, Samantha’s excited voice broke through the tension. “Daddy!” she cried, rushing toward Derek with open arms.

Derek crouched down and scooped her up, hugging her tightly. “Hey, princess,” he murmured, holding her close as he stepped

into the house.

Liam appeared in the kitchen doorway, his eyes widening slightly as he watched Samantha in another man’s arms, calling him “Daddy.”

Evelyn’s stomach twisted with discomfort as she cleared her throat. “Liam, this is Derek, Samantha’s father. Derek, this is Liam, my friend. He was here when Michael showed up and helped me get rid of him.”

Liam gave a tight nod, his face still a little pale. “Nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.

Derek shifted Samantha to one arm and shook Liam’s hand firmly. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Liam. Thanks for looking out for Evelyn and Samantha all these years.”

Liam managed a small smile. “I was happy to do it.”

Derek glanced at Evelyn, his eyes flicking between her and Liam, sensing the tension in the air but choosing to ignore it. “How long are you in town?” Derek asked, changing the subject smoothly. “I’d like to buy you a drink before you leave.”

Liam shifted awkwardly. “I’m leaving tomorrow. Actually, I should probably get going so I can rest up for my flight.”

“That’s a shame,” Derek said, and Evelyn stepped forward, concern etched on her face.

“You don’t have to rush off. Stay for lunch, please,” she said, not wanting him to leave just like that.

But Liam shook his head, laughing lightly. “I think I’ll pass this time. It’s… a little awkward now, don’t you think? I’ll call you when I get settled, I promise.”

Samantha motioned for Derek to put her down, and when he did, she hugged Liam’s leg, her eyes wide. “I’ll miss you, Liam.”

Liam crouched down to her level, giving her a soft smile. “I’ll miss you too, Sammy. Be good for your mom, okay?” He said, patting her hair fondly.

“Always,” Samantha promised.

Liam straightened and looked at Derek. “I’m glad Evelyn and Samantha have you to take care of them,” he said, and Derek smiled and nodded.

“I am grateful they had you with them,” he said, stepping aside with Samantha as Evelyn escorted Liam to the door.

Evelyn felt a pang of guilt, knowing his confession hung between them. Her heart was heavy, and she felt a mix of emotions as she opened the door.

Liam smiled at her, “Talk about wrong timing, huh?” He asked, and Evelyn forced a smile.

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be, Evie. I wish I could stay for lunch, but I’m feeling too embarrassed to face you right now. You should be happy. As long as you are happy, it’s worth the heartbreak,” he assured her.

“But we are cool, right?” She asked hopefully, and he nodded.

“Of course. I’ll let you know when I arrive,” he promised.

11:00 AM

After Liam left, Evelyn returned to the living room and found Derek sitting in the dining with Samantha happily chattering away as she sat on his lap.

Ignoring them, she went into the kitchen to continue what she was doing.

Michael’s visit, Liam’s confession, Derek’s unwavering support- it all swirled together in her mind, making her heart beat a little faster.

She smiled when Derek’s arms wrapped around her from behind, “Liam seems like a nice guy. Why did he run off that way?” He asked.

“Because you showed up at such a perfect time,” Evelyn said, a hint of amusement in her voice as she turned to face him.

Derek grinned. “What did I do?” leaning on the counter as he held her close.

Evelyn laughed lightly, “he was just telling me how he felt about me when you rang the bell.”

Derek raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “Ah. I figured something like that was going on.”

Evelyn shook her head, still feeling the weight of it all. “Well, you interrupted it.”

“Glad I did. So, was that the reason you introduced me as just Samantha’s father?” Derek asked, and Evelyn laughed.

“You noticed.”

“Of course I did. Would you have accepted him had I not been in the picture?” He asked curiously.

“I don’t know. Maybe. But not because I’m in love with him. He’s a great guy,” Evelyn said with a shrug, “And calling you my boyfriend sounded sort of awkward in my ears. Plus, I thought introducing you as that would be sort of harsh, considering he just confessed to me,” Evelyn explained.

“Well, for the record, I’m not your baby daddy. That’s not the title I’m here for. And since boyfriend sounds too awkward, let’s work on making it fiancé; how about that?” Derek asked, and Evelyn giggled.

“Fiancé, huh? I don’t see a ring,” she said, and he shrugged.

“That’s the easiest part,” he said, and she grinned.

“So, what do you like? An elaborate proposal?” He asked, and she shook her head.

“No. Nah. I’ve been down that road. I don’t want anything fancy,” she said, and he raised a brow.

“You’ve not been down this road, baby. But if you don’t want anything fancy, that’s fine with me,” he said, then his expression grew serious.

“So, what did Michael want?”

Evelyn explained everything that had happened with Michael. Derek listened intently, then chuckled. “Dinner with my parents is going to be… interesting.”

“Why do you say that?” Evelyn asked curiously.

“I can see Michael bringing it up during dinner. The unfaithful fiancée who called off her wedding and got pregnant for another man. It’s going to be very interesting. I’m looking forward to it already. Too bad you won’t be there,” Derek said with a chuckle.

Before Evelyn could respond, Samantha joined them, “Daddy, will you stay for lunch?”

Derek glanced at Evelyn, who shrugged, a smile tugging at her lips. “Of course, baby. Since I’m here and lunch smells amazing, I’ll invite myself,” Derek said, grinning.

“What’s on the menu, mama?” He drawled, and both Evelyn and Samantha laughed.

As they sat down for lunch, Evelyn leaned back in her chair, a wave of warmth and contentment washing over her.

Derek’s presence, his humor, and Samantha’s innocent joy seemed to fill the room with a lightness that had been missing for so long.

As she glanced at Derek, who was playfully chatting with Samantha, Evelyn realized how much things had changed. How much she had changed.