The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

The room fell into a heavy silence as Evelyn's words hung in the air between them. Eric stared at her, his expression hard to read somewhere between shock, hurt, and anger.

Claire looked between her husband and stepdaughter, her face pale, eyes wide with concern. "Eric now's the time to listen. Evelyn is right. We owe her that much"

er shoulder, silently supporting her as she confronted her father.

Derek stood still beside Evelyn, his arm still gently resting on her

For a moment, no one spoke. The tension in the room was tangible. It was so thick that a knife could cut through it. Evelyn's heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts as she waited for her father's response

She had never spoken to him like that before, and part of her was terrified of what he might say or do. But another part of her felt a sense of liberation—a relief that she'd finally voiced her feelings after years of pent-up frustration

Eric finally took a deep breath, the sound harsh in the quiet room. His face had lost some of its earlier fury, replaced with something more complicated, almost unreadable. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again as if struggling to find the right words.

He loved his daughter, and he couldn't help it that he felt disappointed by her choices so far. "Evelyn" he began, his voice low and strained as his

wal authoritative exterior crumbled.

"I have never intended to hurt you. I just.." He paused, running a hand over his face in frustration. "I feel sad. I feel your mother would be disappointed in nie and think I did a poor job raising you. I promised her I would take care of you and make sure you get only the best of everything, and seeing you live this way, it's like I've done the opposite so far....."

"How can you say that? What do you know about me to be disappointed! What do you think you know about my life to judge me and think my life is messed up?" Evelyn asked, annoyed by his choice of words.

Claire gently placed her hand on Evelyn's arm, her eyes filled with understanding and sadness. "Evie, we've all made mistakes," she said softly. "Your father wants to listen to you, so please calm down." Evelyn's anger began to ebb, replaced by a deep sadness and fatigue. She took a deep breath, her shoulders slumping slightly as the adrenaline drained from her body. "I know you didn't mean to hurt me, Dad. But your expectations, your disappointment. it's been suffocating All I ever wanted was to get married to Michael. You both knew how much I loved him. Do you think I would call the wedding off without having a good reason I expected better, Dad. I expected your understanding without question I was in pain, Dad! I didn't expect that other people's opinions and expectations of a wedding would make you throw me out that way over a canceled wedding?Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Eric looked up at her, his expression pained. "I didn't expect you to leave, Evelyn. I tried to find you after I calmed down. I just.. I wanted the best for you, and maybe I was too harsh in trying to ensure that." Evelyn shook her head slowly. "And you think I don't want the best for myself? I need you to understand that and respect my decisions. I'm not a child anymore. I have my own life, my own child. My own family."

Eric's eyes flicked toward Derek, then back to Evelyn. "And he he's part of that family?" There was a hint of disbelief in his tone as if he still couldn't fully grasp the situation. "Yes, he is." Evelyn said firmly.

"He is Sandra's boyfriend, Evelyn Are you aware of that? Is Sandra aware that you have a child for her boyfriend?" Claire asked with a concerned frown, worried that Derek might be the reason her daughters were not getting along

"If you're willing to listen, we can all sit down and talk. I'll explain everything to you, and we can start to figure this out together, Evelyn said, gesturing toward the couch.

Eric hesitated for a moment before finally nodding as he exchanged a glance with his wife. "Alright," he agreed, his voice softer and more resigned. "Let's talk," he said as they sat down.

Evelyn smiled, feeling a small sense of relief. The hardest part was over, and though there was still a long way to go, she was hopeful.

She glanced at Derek, who gave her a reassuring nod, and then back at her father as she sat down, and Derek stood behind her. "What happened! Why

sy did you call off the wedding? Why are you with Michael's cousin! When did you have Samantha? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you come back home all this while?" Eric asked, the questions tumbling out

Evelyn's throat tightened, and she clasped her hands together as her heart began to beat fast. She had rehearsed this conversation a hundred times in her head, but now, seated here, with her father looking at her with both hurt and confusion, all her practiced words vanished.

I... I was scared, Dad," she finally managed, her voice trembling. "I was scared of how you'd react. I know you do not approve of having kids outside wedlock, and I didn't want to disappoint you more. I wasn't sure if you'd welcome us."

"You weren't sure if I'd welcome you?" Eric echoed, his tone incredulous. "Evelyn, you're my daughter. I raised you to be strong and to face life's

challenges head-on, not to hide them from me"

Claire placed her hand gently on Eric's arm. "Eric, let her explain. This isn't easy for her."

Evelyn swallowed. "Before I say anything. I know that what I'm about to say will come as a shock to you both. I will understand if you do not believe me, but I will appreciate it if you give me the benefit of the doubt and give me time to prove it to you," Evelyn said, and her parents exchanged a look before giving her a nod

Evelyn took

a deep breath, "I called off the wedding because I saw Michael and Sandra in bed together the day before our wedding?"