Ch. 171..180

Chapter 171

As they reached the Quinns residence, Derek pulled the car to a stop without looking at her. He barely waited for her to unbuckle her seatbelt before unlocking the doors. His gaze remained fixed forward, expression unreadable.

"Thank you, Derek," Sandra said, her voice low, hoping he would soften.

But Derek didn't respond. Instead, he turned his face away from her and waited. She opened the door, pausing as though she expected him to say something, anything but he only stared straight ahead. With a frustrated sigh, Sandra climbed out of the car and closed the door. The moment it shut, Derek drove away, leaving Sandra staring after him in the dim light of the front porch.

As he pulled away from the house, Derek felt a wave of relief wash over him. She was finally out of the car, and he could breathe again.

He reached for his phone, dialing Evelyn's number as he turned onto the empty street leading back toward Rayna's bakery.

The phone rang twice before Evelyn picked up, her voice a little calm and warm. "D? Has she left?" Evelyn asked as she excused herself from the group of ladies she had been chatting with.

"Yeah, I dropped her off,' he said, feeling a smile tug at the corner of his lips as he thought about the exchange between Evelyn and Sandra at the bakery. "You handled her really well earlier, by the way. That was impressive."

Evelyn chuckled softly. "I was just hoping I didn't go too far and embarrass you."

Derek's smile softened. "Oh, trust me, I had fun. Honestly, I was probably just as entertained as everyone else in there. You were fire."

Evelyn's laughter drifted through the line, light and genuine. "Glad I could amuse you. I had fun, too... but I don't know, I feel a bit anxious about everything now that I've provoked her even more."

Derek didn't respond right away, remembering what he'd overheard Sandra say to the hitman. For a split second, he considered telling Evelyn the details but held back, deciding against it; she was already tense, and he didn't want to add to her anxiety. "Hey, don't worry. I'm not going to leave you alone in this, okay? Im actually planning to hang around until the reunion is over so I can take you back myself. I don't think I can rest easy letting anyone else pick you up as we planned."

Evelyn let out a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, D. That makes me feel a lot better." She paused before adding, "By the way, do you know why Michael called me earlier? He kept calling, and it just felt strange."

Derek's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone calm. "It wasn't exactly Michael. The call was part of Sandra's plan. She told the hitman to call from Michael's phone to make it look like he was the last person you heard from before you... disappeared." Evelyn shuddered involuntarily and took a slow breath, processing his words. "I have to admit, Sandra is disturbingly thorough with her plans." "Just relax," he told her gently. "Enjoy the night, okay? I'll be nearby when you're ready to leave."

"Alright, I'll let you know when I'm done. And actually, I have something to tell you," Evelyn said, her voice laced with a hint of mystery.

"Oh? What is it?" Derek asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You will find out when I see you," she said with a small smile.

Derek groaned. "You shouldn't have brought it up if you weren't going to tell me now. Now I'm dying to know. Can you give me a hint?" Is it something good or bad?" He asked, wondering if it had anything to do with her behavior at home earlier. She chuckled softly. "It's not exactly something bad... but I suppose it will be up to you to decide how you feel about it." "What does that even mean?" He asked with an amused smile.

Evelyn only smiled through the phone. "It means I can't tell you now. It's not really a conversation for over the phone. You'll understand when we talk."

"Now you've really got me wondering." He laughed, shaking his head. "What if I just pop in there and pretend I'm mad at you for embarrassing Sandra, just to drag you out and make you tell me?"

Evelyn laughed at his idea, her voice light and free. "That wouldn't make any sense at all. You can wait a little while. I'll be out soon, I promise."

"How soon is soon?" Derek asked, a hint of impatience in his tone.

"An hour" she replied, sounding a bit hesitant as though she were estimating.

"An hour?" he echoed, pretending to sound outraged.

"Yeah. I think I've been on the phone long enough. I need to join the others."

"Tell me the truth-is any of the guys flirting with you in there?" Derek asked suspiciously.

Evelyn chuckled. "You must think everyone is like you. Why do you ask?"

"Because you're in a hurry to leave me and go talk to someone else. I saw some guys checking you outearlier- especially that one who asked if you had a kid," Derek said, and she laughed outright. "Oh, really? Don't tell me you're jealous," Evelyn said with a grin.

Derek raised a brow. "How can I not be jealous when I have the most beautiful woman in my life? I don't want anyone else looking at her."

Evelyn laughed again, a warm sound that melted his heart. "Don't worry. No one but you could hold my attention. Besides, you saw how Rayna was full of praises for you tonight," she said, and Derek shook his head, chuckling. "That friend of yours is really something, you know? I owe her big time. She's wonderful," Derek said, and Evelyn grinned as she looked across the room at Rayna, who was busy interacting with the others.

"Yes, she is an Angel. I'm so lucky to have her in my corner, Evelyn said, and grinned when Rayna caught her gaze across the room and winked at her.

"Well, you're the only Angel I know, and I can't wait for everything to end so I can make us public. That way, everyone can stay away from you," Derek said, his voice a low murmur.

Evelyn giggled. "And everyone can stay away from you too. It goes both ways. Now, can I go back to join the party? You have me to yourself every day, but I don't know when else I'm going to see everyone here this way."

Derek felt his chest swell at her words about having her to himself.

"Alright. Go have fun. I'll be waiting. I love you," he said softly, his voice carrying the depth of his feelings.

Evelyn's voice softened. "I love you too. I'll see you soon."

 

Chapter 172

Sandra paced back and forth in her room and glanced at her phone every few seconds. The silence was thick, and it was heavy on her nerves.

She had been waiting for over an hour now since Derek dropped her off. All she wanted was to hear that Evelyn had been captured. Her heart burned with hatred like never before for Evelyn, and she wanted the worst possible humiliation and death for her.

She clenched her fists, impatient, as she finally gave in to her frustration and dialed the number.

The line rang twice before the hitman answered, "Yes?"

Sandra's voice was tense, barely concealing her irritation. "Do you have any news?"

There was a pause on the other end before the man responded, his voice calm but cautious. "If I had, I would have called already.

As I told you the last time, she is still at the reunion. We're still waiting for her to leave. We will get her at the right moment."

Sandra's jaw tightened, and she fought the urge to snap. "I hope you do. I want to see Michael," she demanded. "Send me a video, or better yet, let's do a video call," she said, needing to focus on at least the part of her plan that was going well.

The hitman grunted, acknowledging her order. "Give me a minute." The line went quiet for a moment, and Sandra could hear faint shuffling sounds as he moved. She paced to her window, drumming her fingers against the sill, her eyes narrowing as she watched the night sky.

Finally, the call switched to video, and the image flickered to life on her screen. The video showed a dimly lit, musty-looking storage room in a warehouse. The camera tilted down, revealing Michael slumped in a chair. His wrists were tied to the armrests with thick rope, and his head hung low, chin to his chest. A piece of duct tape was plastered across his mouth, and for a moment, he looked unconscious, his body limp.

Sandra leaned closer to her phone, her eyes gleaming with a cold, cruel satisfaction. "Did you knock him out?" she asked, her voice low and almost amused.

The hitman nodded, shifting the camera slightly to give her a better view. "I did. Just enough to keep him quiet."

Sandra's lips twisted into a small, evil smile. "Good. But don't lose focus. Make sure you get Evelyn tonight. I will be staying up, waiting for your call." She tilted her head, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "And make sure she is in worse shape than the fool is. Do whatever you want with her... just don't kill her until I arrive. I want her last sight to be my face. I want to be there for the final moment."

The hitman gave a curt nod. "Understood."

Satisfied, Sandra disconnected the call, the wicked sparkle in her eyes slowly fading as she let out a cold, triumphant sigh. She tossed her phone onto the bed, feeling a twisted sense of anticipation, imagining the fear that would fill Evelyn's eyes when they finally met face-to-face before her death.

Unable to stay still, she changed her clothes into something less conspicuous and picked up her car key. She was going to go back there and wait to see them abduct Evelyn with her own eyes.

Away from there, Evelyn stepped out of the bakery, the cool night air brushing against her face as the lively chatter from inside gradually faded behind her. She wrapped her arms around herself, glancing back at the warmly lit bakery. It had been a night of laughter and nostalgia, but there was a quietness settling over her now.

"Hey, wait up!" Rayna called, hurrying over to her with a bag of leftover desserts. She slipped her arm through Evelyn's as they walked toward the parking lot together. "I packed you some sweet treats."

Evelyn smiled, "Thanks. If I'm not careful around you, I'm going to become obese soon," she said as she took the bag from her, and Rayna laughed softly.

"I'm sure that won't happen. So, you're going to tell Derek tonight, right?"

Evelyn offered a soft smile. "Yes, Ray. I'll tell him," she said, her voice reassuring, though her stomach fluttered at the thought.

Rayna squeezed her arm, pulling her into a warm embrace. "It's going to be fine, Evie. You know that, right? Derek loves you more than anything; he will be thrilled."

Evelyn hugged her back, drawing strength from her friend's confidence. "Yeah. I know that. Thank you, Ray."

"There's nothing to thank me for," Rayna said as she stepped back,

her eyes scanning the nearby cars as she escorted Evelyn to her

car.

Her brows pulled together when she spotted a car that looked sort of familiar at the other side of the parking lot.

"By the way, Ethan called earlier to tell Derek that he was going back to the sea," Evelyn said, and Rayna looked away from the car to focus on the conversation.

"Good for him. I wish him good luck,, Rayna said as they got Evelyn's car, and then she leaned over, rapping her knuckles on the driver's window.

The window slid down, revealing the familiar face of Evelyn's bodyguard. "Just wanted to be sure you are the one in there," Rayna said with a small smile before turning to Evelyn.

"You've got a safe ride"" Rayna said, relieved. She looked at Evelyn, giving her one last smile. "Call me as soon as you are settled, okay?"

"I will," Evelyn promised, offering a gentle wave as Rayna stepped back onto the sidewalk, watching her until she was safely in the

car.

As the car pulled away, Rayna stood

there and waited until it disappeared before turning to return inside the bakery so she could lock up the place and go home. But as she turned, she didn't see the car she'd

noticed earlier slowly roll forward, its

headlights dim as it began to pick up

speed.

By the time she caught sight of it, the car had already accelerated, bearing down in her direction with alarming speed, and she froze on the spot, petrified.

A figure suddenly darted from the shadows, moving with swift, determined purpose as he pushed his body to its limit and sprinted toward Rayna with everything he had na split second, he lunged forward, his arms reaching out and making contact just in time to shove Rayna out of the way.

The force of the push sent her

sprawling to the ground, her gasp of surprise mingling with the crunch of gravel as she landed on her side, narrowly avoiding the vehicle. But he had no time to dodge; the car swerved but still clipped him with a brutal, sickening thud.

саб

The impact threw him backward, his body crumpling onto the pavement.

The vehicle sped off before he even hit the ground, and Rayna, having recovered from her shock, scrambled to her feet, rushing to his side to see the person who had just saved her.

She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears, her hands shaking as she reached for him, horror twisting her insides at the sight of his unmoving form.

"Ethan!" Rayna's voice broke the silence, raw and panicked, when she saw his face.

 

Chapter 173

Inside her car, Evelyn let out a shaky breath as she texted Derek to let him know she was on her way and he could meet them at the intersection ahead since they didn't want anyone to spot them together.

After sending the text, she gazed out the window and occupied her mind by counting the streetlights as they drove past each one so she wouldn't have to worry about what was coming next.

After a few quiet minutes, the driver glanced back. "Ma'am, please fasten your seatbelt," he said, his tone polite but urgent. Startled by the sudden request, Evelyn blinked but complied, clicking her seatbelt into place. Just as she settled, the driver's foot pressed heavily on the gas.

The car surged forward, and Evelyn's heart jumped as they sped down the quiet street. The car weaved sharply as though trying to evade a pursuer.

Her knuckles whitened as she clutched the door handle with one hand and placed the other protectively on her abdomen, nausea rising with each sudden swerve.

"W-What's going on?" she stammered, feeling her stomach turn.

The driver's eyes met hers briefly in the rearview mirror.

"Apologies, ma'am," he said hurriedly. I thought someone was chasing us, but the car just zoomed past us," he said as he slowed to a stop at the side of the road, glancing back with a look of sincere apology. I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable."

Without a word, Evelyn stumbled out of the car, leaning against the curb as her stomach rebelled. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her body trembling from the sudden rush of adrenaline. The driver approached, his face etched with concern. "Ma'am, I really didn't mean-"

But before he could finish, another car's headlights swept over them from the opposite side, and Derek quickly parked his car and hurried toward her. "Babe!" he called, his voice filled with worry as he reached her side.

Evelyn forced a weak smile, trying to regain her composure, but she felt pale and shaken. Derek's arm slid around her shoulders, guiding her gently toward his own car parked nearby. He opened the door, helped her inside, and handed her a bottle of water. She took a sip, savoring the cool liquid as it eased her nausea.

"Just breathe," he murmured, rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles. His touch calmed the tremors in her hands. "Are you alright? Do you feel better now?"

Evelyn nodded, managing a faint smile as she leaned back against the seat. "Thank you. I'm okay now."

Derek studied her carefully, his gaze filled with a quiet intensity.

When he was satisfied that she'd regained her strength, he reached over, fastening her seatbelt for her, his hand lingering for just a moment in a reassuring touch.

He turned to her bodyguard and after being told what had happened, he nodded. "I will take it from here. You can give the police a call now. They will meet you here and take over," Derek said before climbing into the driver's seat.

Derek glanced at Evelyn. "You're sure you are ready to go now?" He asked, and when she gave him a nod, he started the engine.

As they drove in silence, Evelyn's fingers twisted in her lap, her mind racing with the words she knew she had to say before they got to the warehouse where Michael was being held.

After a few more minutes, Derek glanced at her, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked softly.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Yeah. About what I wanted to tell you earlier..."

Derek's gaze sharpened, and he gave a small nod for her to go on while his gaze remained on the road, "I'm listening."

Evelyn's heart pounded as she searched for the right words, but they all felt tangled and uncertain. "I wasn't sure how to bring it up, and I was hoping to tell you in a more relaxed moment... but I think you might want to know now." Derek turned to spare her a glance, and she could see the hint of tension that edged his features. "You can tell me anything, babe," he assured her softly.

Swallowing hard, Evelyn forced the words out, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I think I might be expecting."

Silence filled the car for a heartbeat as he tried to process what she had just said. Then, Derek's foot hit the brake abruptly, and the car jerked to a stop in the middle of the empty road. He turned to her, shock written across his face. "Do you mean what I think?"

"Yes. Derek" she said gently, glancing around the road. "It's late, and.. you're kind of parked in the middle here," she said, feeling anxious.

With a start, he refocused, quickly

steering them to the side of the road. Once safely pulled over, he looked ather, his expression softening as he took in the meaning

of her words. "When you say you think... are you just guessing, or-?"

CMS

"I took a test, Evelyn admitted, her cheeks warming under his intense gaze. "A few, actually. And they were all positive."

He blinked, a slight furrow appearing between his brows. "When did you do that?"

"Earlier today, after you left," she said, knowing he was probably trying to figure out how long she had been hiding it from him. "I had a suspicion before, but I wasn't sure."

"Eve..." He seemed at a loss for words, his eyes widening as he processed what she had just said. He shook his head, a mixture of disbelief and wonder lighting his face. "You mean you've been feeling this way for a while?" "Sort of," she whispered, glancing down.

"You mean a baby... MY baby is growing in there? Why didn't you say anything when you began to suspect it?" He asked, placing a hand on her abdomen in wonder.

A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "I wanted to be completely sure of it first."

Derek's expression shifted, determination replacing his initial

shock. "I'm taking you home."

He was happy. He was over the moon with joy even though the shock was yet ri wear off. But right now, he needed to get her home to safety.

She blinked, surprised by the sudden firmness in his tone. "But we had a plan... we were supposed to-"

"To hell with the plan. I'm not putting

you, or our baby, at risk just to play

Sandra's gay

or put up a show for

her. It was hard enough to go ahead with this crazy plan before, but now that a baby is in the picture, I'm not going to let you go through this stress. I'm not risking it. Sandra can go to hell. Nothing else matters right now," he said, his voice soft but resolute.

Evelyn's heart warmed at his words, a wave of emotion surging within her as he squeezed her hand. She could see the fear and worry etched into his face, but beneath it all was a fierce love that grounded her giving her the strength she needed.

Before Evelyn could respond, Derek's phone buzzed, the name of the detective flashing on the screen. Derek answered, his voice tense as he placed the call on speaker.

"I know we're supposed to be there, but the plans have changed.

So, that won't be happening anymore. I'm taking her home with me. You have enough evidence as it is to get Sandra."

"We can finish it up tonight if you bring her over. This won't take long. Sandra plans to show up there to see Evelyn. Let's catch her in the act," the detective said.

"No. I don't want to take that risk. I don't Sandra in the same room

with her.."

"Just long enough to take a picture or for us to make a video for Sandra's benefit. You can take her away after the video, the detective said.

There was a long pause, and Evelyn could tell that Derek was torn between keeping her safe and getting rid of Sandra.

Evelyn smiled as she reached for his hand and squeezed it softly,

"Let's go ahead with the plan. I will be fine. I really want to be done with this."

Derek considered it for a moment, "You re only going to be there long enough for her to see a picture or video. After that, I'm taking you home. I'm not letting that psychopath anywhere near you," Derek said, holding her hand tightly. Evelyn nodded. "Okay"" she whispered, smiling through the tears that pricked at the corners of her eyes. His love and concern for her touched her deeply.

 

Chapter 174

Rayna sank to her knees beside Ethan, her whole body trembling as she took in the sight of him. Blood seeped from a gash on his forehead, pooling under him, and his arm lay twisted at an unnatural angle. His breathing was shallow, barely there, and her heart clenched in terror.

"Ethan, please... stay with me. Don't leave me"" she whispered, her voice thick with desperation. Her hands fluttered helplessly over him, afraid to touch, afraid to cause more pain, but unable to pull away.

She fumbled for her phone, her fingers shaking so badly it took three tries to unlock it. She dialed emergency services, her voice coming out in gasps as she gave their location, pleading with them to hurry.

Within minutes, the distant sound of sirens filled the air, but each second stretched endlessly, and she felt as though time was slipping away. "Come on, come on.." she murmured, squeezing his hand as if her grip alone could anchor him to life.

Finally, the ambulance pulled up, its lights flashing red and blue across the dark parking lot. Paramedics rushed out, their faces set in focus as they approached, assessing Ethan quickly. Rayna stepped back just enough to give them room, but she couldn't take her eyes off him.

"We'll take him to Ludus General," one of the paramedics informed her, his tone brisk yet kind. "Are you coming with us?"

Rayna nodded, her voice too choked with fear to respond aloud.

As they attended to Ethan, she hurriedly went in to lock her bakery and picked up her purse before joining them in the ambulance. She clutched her purse in one hand and held onto Ethan's hand with the other. As the doors closed, she glanced at his pale face, and her heart twisted painfully.

Once they were on their way, she pulled out her phone again, scrolling down to find Melvin's number. Her fingers hovered over Evelyn's name, but she hesitated, knowing Evelyn was going through her own troubles. With a deep breath, she pressed Melvin's contact instead.

The line rang, and her heart thumped with every ring. Finally, Melvin picked up. "Rayna?" His voice was filled with curiosity as he wondered why she was calling so late at night.

"Melvin... it's Ethan. He-he's been in an accident," she stammered, swallowing the lump in her throat. "We're on our way to the hospital now. Please... meet us there."

The other end of the line went quiet for a second before Melvin's voice came back, steady but laced with concern. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

She hung up, placed her phone back in her bag, and turned her attention back to Ethan. His face was still, his breathing so faint it was almost undetectable. A tear slipped down her cheek as she gripped his hand even tighter. "Please, Ethan... you have to be strong. Don't... don't leave me. Not like this."

The ambulance pulled up to the hospital, and the paramedics wasted no time getting Ethan out on a stretcher. Rayna followed close behind, her heart racing and her legs wobbling with each step.

Inside, a nurse approached her, gently guiding her to a waiting area as they wheeled Ethan through a set of swinging doors and into the emergency room.

It wasn't long before a police officer approached her, a small notepad in hand, his expression gentle but businesslike. "Miss, we'll need a statement from you about the accident."

Rayna nodded, wiping at her cheeks and steadying herself as best as she could. "It was... a car. I didn't see who was driving," she began, her voice shaky. "The car... it looked familiar. I noticed it earlier. It was intentional. The car was aiming for me, but Ethan saved me. I saw it before it happened, but I... I didn't see the driver." The officer nodded, jotting down her words. "Can you describe the car?"

"It was a dark sedan" she murmured, closing her eyes briefly, trying to recall every detail. "And I think... I think the security cameras around might have caught it on video."

The officer gave a reassuring nod. "Thank you. We'll ask around for the footage and come back if we need more information.

Someone will be by to talk to the victim once he's awake."

Rayna nodded, barely registering his words as he walked away.

Left alone, she resumed her pacing, her hands twisting nervously as she glanced toward the ER doors every few seconds, praying they would open with news.

As she paced, her thoughts swirled. Why had Ethan been there?

Wasn't he supposed to have left already for work? Had he come around to make up with her? Why had he risked himself to save her? The questions echoed in her mind, unanswered, leaving her heart heavy with guilt and confusion.

She should have seen the car faster; she should have moved out of the way instead of standing there frozen like a stupid deer. If only she had acted fast, Ethan would not have had to throw himself into harm's path for her. "Ethan, please be fine.." she whispered to herself, a new wave of tears stinging her eyes.

Just then, she heard hurried footsteps, and she turned to see Melvin entering the waiting room. "Rayna!" He hurried over when his eyes landed on her.

"Melvin.." Rayna's voice broke as she tried to explain, fresh tears streaming down her face. "Ethan... he got hurt... because of me.

He... he pushed me out of the way and got hit by the car. He saved me."

Melvin's expression softened, and he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Rayna. Ethan will be fine. He's a tough one.

It'll take more than a car to keep him down," he assured her, his voice steady but filled with warmth.

She sniffled, glancing up at him with hopeful eyes. "But... the paramedics said he might have broken his arm. And he... he was bleeding so much..."

Melvin pulled her into a gentle hug, letting her cry into his shoulder as he rubbed her back soothingly. "He's strong. Don't worry, Rayna.

Ethan's tougher than he looks, and he will pull through. I know he will."

Rayna closed her eyes, letting his words sink in, clinging to the hope he offered.

Away from there, Sandra gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white against the leather, her breaths shallow and fast as she parked her car far away from the accident scene but not so far away from her home. She switched off the engine, her fingers trembling as she withdrew the key. Silence engulfed her in the car, but her heart continued to thunder in her chest, each beat a reminder of her foolishness and recklessness. "Stupid," she muttered under her breath, cursing herself for losing control. She clenched her fists, slamming one against the steering wheel in frustration.

Seeing Evelyn and Rayna together, laughing and so carefree in the parking lot, had been the final straw, pushing her beyond reason.

Her hatred for Evelyn had also rubbed off on Rayna, who was beginning to steadily get on her nerves, and this hatred had clouded her mind, made her act without thinking, and now, with the adrenaline wearing off, the gravity of her mistake settled heavily over her. Who was that idiot who stepped in? Sandra mused angrily, thinking of the stranger who'd thrown himself into harm's way for Rayna's safety. She hadn't accounted for a third person and hadn't anticipated anyone being close enough to ruin her plan.

Her stomach twisted as she realized her impulsive act had put her

in serious jeopardy. They would trace the car; it was only a matter of time.

A fresh wave of fury surged through her veins, directed at herself but also at Evelyn. Evelyn was the root of all her problems, the reason her life felt like it was unraveling piece by piece. If Evelyn hadn't shown up after all these years if she had just stayed away and not returned... Sandra seethed, her teeth clenched tightly.

She took a steadying breath, trying to clear her mind. "I have to get home," she whispered to herself. Derek had dropped her off earlier

- her alibi was solid if she played it carefully.

All she needed was to be home, to let the night pass quietly so that by morning, her alibi would hold since she knew her parents heard her when she came in after Derek dropped her off.

She turned her head and checked her surroundings, making sure no one was watching. Then, in one swift movement, she pushed the car door open and stepped out.

She was going to make it look like her car had been stolen, used, and then abandoned. She left the key on the seat, bot wanting to bring any evidence into the house. The cold night air sent a chill down her spine as she hurried toward her home, her footsteps careful and quiet.

Once inside, she exhaled slowly, a flicker of relief crossing her face as she slipped into the familiar safety of her house. She tiptoed through the darkened hallway, her shoes barely making a sound against the floor. She moved cautiously, hoping to make it to her room unnoticed, the cover of darkness aiding her.

But just as she placed a hand on her doorknob, a voice shattered her hopes. "Sandra?" Eric's deep, groggy voice cut through the silence, sending a jolt of panic through her as he turned on the light in the hallway. Sandra froze, her heart hammering wildly. She turned slowly, schooling her face into a neutral expression. He was standing in his bedroom doorway, one eyebrow raised, his eyes scrutinizing her from head to toe. "Where are you coming from?" he asked his tone a mixture of suspicion and weariness.

Sandra swallowed hard, forcing a tight smile. "Oh, I... I just went to get a glass of water." Her voice sounded unconvincing even to her own ears, and she cursed herself inwardly for sounding so nervous.

Her father's gaze narrowed as he took in her appearance, noting the clothes she still had on. "You went to get water dressed like that?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt. He gestured to her outfit, his eyes sharp as he looked her over. Sandra forced a laugh, feigning nonchalance. "1, um... I was thinking of going out. You know, clubbing, but I changed my mind.

I decided to just have a drink of water instead and head back to bed." She managed a smile, hoping to pass off her lie with some semblance of credibility.

For a moment, he studied her, his expression unreadable. Sandra's heart pounded as she waited, hoping he wouldn't probe further.

Finally, he gave a slow nod. "Alright," he said, stepping back. "Have a good night, Sandra." Relief washed over her as she returned his nod, murmuring, "Goodnight." She slipped away, fighting to keep her steps steady as she moved toward her room.

 

Chapter 175

Derek held on to Evelyn's hand as he drove, his heart racing with different thoughts on how to put an end to Sandra's shenanigans so that he could focus on his relationship with Evelyn.

The joy of her pregnancy announcement was still warm in his heart, but the urgency of keeping her safe pushed any celebration to the back of his mind.

As they drove in a tense, determined silence, Derek's phone buzzed once again. This time, the caller ID showed Eric. Derek glanced at Evelyn, silently asking if she was comfortable with him answering. She gave him a reassuring nod. Placing the call on speaker, Derek greeted, "Hello, Eric."

"Derek," her father's voice came through, a mix of concern and weariness. "Just checking in. Is everything alright? How's Evelyn?" Derek let out a sigh as he fought to keep his tone calm. "She's with me," he said, glancing over at Evelyn, who managed a small smile.

"Hello, Dad. I'm alright, Evelyn greeted.

There was a pause on the line before Eric spoke again. "Did something happen? I thought you were supposed to be with the detectives?" He asked, wondering if he was mistaken about the details of the plan and had it mixed up. Evelyn glanced at Derek, who hesitated, unwilling to reveal Evelyn's pregnancy just yet. Not when he had yet to digest it himself fully.

"There has been a change in plans. But we're on our way to join the others now. I don't want to wait anymore. Sandra's been too unpredictable, and I want her arrested tonight. I don't think I have the patience for weeks of this," he said, thinking of Sandra's earlier request to make Evelyn suffer.

There was a heavy sigh from Eric. "I understand, and honestly, that's why I called. I'm not certain, but it looked like Sandra might have gone somewhere tonight. She left the house after you dropped her off earlier, and her car was missing when she returned a while ago."

Derek's brows knit in confusion. "She left the house after I dropped her off? What is she up to?"

Evelyn looked at Derek, worry creeping into her expression. "Where could she have gone after you left her?"

Eric continued, his voice lowering. "She seemed... jittery when I talked to her, and she even denied leaving. She was wearing black outfits, looking like she'd been somewhere she didn't want anyone to know about. I just wanted to make sure Evelyn was safe."

Derek's heart hammered, his thoughts racing. "Thank you, Eric.

We'll keep a close watch."

"Try to rest now," Evelyn said, and with that, they ended the call.

Turning to Evelyn, Derek's gaze was intense. "Did you notice the car that sped past earlier? The car Brad thought was chasing after you?"

Evelyn shook her head. "No. I didn't see anything."

Derek nodded, "Could you give Brad a call? I have a feeling I might have been Sandra," Derek said, and then Evelyn picked up her phone and dialed her bodyguard's number.

He quickly answered. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Quick question, Brad. Did you get a good look at the car that zoomed past you guys earlier?" Derek asked, his tone edged with urgency.

The bodyguard confirmed the make and model, and Evelyn's eyes widened as the description rang through the car. "That's Sandra's car.

Derek's expression hardened, his jaw clenched. "Thanks, Brad," Derek said, and Evelyn hung up the call.

"It seems like she went back to Rayna's bakery. Why would she go back there? Do you think that maybe she was suspecting us?" Evelyn asked with a confused frown.

"I don't think that is the case. It's possible she wanted to keep an eye on things and see you being kidnapped herself," Derek said thoughtfully.

"If that's the case, don't you think she must have seen us?" Evelyn asked, but Derek shook his head.

"She zoomed past you, remember? The question is, why did she do that?"

The question hung in the air as they both tried to figure out what Sandra was up to. Derek couldn't shake the feeling that Sandra was up to something dangerous. Before he could voice his thoughts, Evelyn turned to him. "I should probably call Rayna. Let's find out if she heard from Sandra or saw her," she suggested, and when Derek nodded, she quickly dialed Raynas number.

It rang a few times before Rayna answered, her voice faint and choked with emotion. "Evie?"

"Ray, it's me. Are you alright?" Evelyn asked, her concern deepening at the sound of Rayna's voice and sniffling.

There was a pause, and Rayna's voice broke. "Evelyn... Ethan - he was in an accident."

Evelyn's face went pale, her hand flying to her mouth as she processed the news. "What? What happened? How?" She asked as she quickly placed the phone on speaker and turned to look at Derek with wide eyes.

From the driver's seat, Derek's gaze flicked between Evelyn and the road, worry knitting his brows.

Rayna took a shaky breath, her voice trembling. "Someone tried to run me down. Ethan... he jumped in and saved me, but he was hit instead."

"Oh, my God! How is he doing? I hope he's not so badly hurt. How are you doing?" Evelyn asked, deeply worried now.

"He's still in the theater being operated on. I really hope he is fine, Evie. I'm so scared, Rayna cried, and Evelyn, being a sympathetic crier, joined in the tears.

Derek's grip on the wheel tightened, his mind racing. "Hello, Rayna!

Don't worry. I believe Ethan will be fine. We'll be there as soon as we finish over here. Did you see the car that hit him?" Derek asked since that was more important at the moment than asking her what Ethan had been doing there instead of on the ship he was meant to board as he had told him. Rayna sniffled, struggling to speak through her tears. "I saw it in the parking lot when I was seeing Evelyn off. Right after she left, it came out of nowhere and tried to hit me."

"Can you describe it?" Derek asked, and Evelyn looked at Derek, wondering if he was thinking Sandra was behind it.

She knew that Sandra was bad, but she also didn't believe that Sandra was capable of such cold-blooded murder. It was one thing for Sandra to want her and Michael dead, but why would Sandra want to run down Rayna? "Sure," Rayna said and then went on to describe the car.

Evelyn's hand covered her mouth as she exchanged a glance with Derek, horror dawning in her eyes. "Sandra's car," she whispered, the weight of realization sinking in. "Are you sure?" Rayna asked, her voice rising, a mix of shock and anger brewing in her tone.

"Yes, I'm sure," Evelyn replied, feeling a shiver run down her spine at the thought that Sandra had intended to harm Rayna.

"I guess that explains why she didn't take her car home," Derek said thoughtfully.

Before Evelyn or Derek could say anything else, Rayna's voice sharpened with a hint of cold fury. "Thank you for letting me know." And with that, the call abruptly ended. Derek frowned, sensing the storm brewing. "We should have warned her to stay calm... She's likely going to do something rash now."

Evelyn nodded, still shaken. "I just can't believe Sandra would go this far. What do we do now?"

Derek's gaze softened as he spared her a glance, "First, we stick to the plan. But after tonight, I'm keeping you away from all of this.

I'm going to put an end to this once and for all," He said as he reached for her hand again, squeezing it for comfort, his expression fierce with a mixture of love and protectiveness.

 

Chapter 176

After Eric's phone call with Derek and Evelyn in the garage, he stood there, staring into space with a cold knot in his chest as he wondered how Claire was going to feel about Sandra being arrested. Ever since the last meeting at Evelyn's place, Claire had been a shadow of herself, and she hardly said a word or smiled anymore.

She was always staring into the distance, and he knew all of this was affecting her more than she was letting on.

As much as he knew that this was the right course of action to take, he was worried about the effect all of this would have on Claire and their marriage.

Eric sighed deeply as he returned to the bedroom to join Claire, who was already in bed. As he climbed back into bed, Claire shifted beside him and turned to face him, her eyes wide and worried in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. "Is Evelyn okay?" she asked softly, her voice laced with a tremor of anxiety.

Eric forced a reassuring smile, though his eyes betrayed his own unease. "Yes, everything is fine. They are handling it. You don't need to worry..."

"How can you ask me not to worry? If the situation was reversed, and it was Evelyn doing all that Sandra's been doing, wouldn't you be worried? Wouldn't you be anxious every moment?" Claire asked, her brow creased with frustration as she sat up to face him.

Eric sighed, reaching over to touch her hand, but she pulled away, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "I understand, Claire. I really do."

"No, you don't. Don't say you do when you don't." Her voice was firm and edged with anger that stung.

"Claire..."

"No one understands how I feel, Eric. You can't possibly understand how I feel about this as a mother," Her gaze dropped to the comforter as she took a shaky breath. "Maybe it's best we just... go to sleep. There's nothing left to say," she said, and without waiting for him to say anything, she lay back on her side and turned her back to him.

Eric hesitated, watching her for a moment before relenting. He knew her well enough to know she was done talking. He wished there was something he could do, but he didn't know what or how.

He flicked off the light at his side of the bed, plunging the room into darkness. He felt the bed shift as Claire rolled further away from him. He lay still, listening to the rise and fall of her breathing until he felt it even out, signaling she was asleep- or so he thought. After several minutes, he fell asleep, and immediately, Claire slipped out from under the covers quietly.

She walked stealthily across the room and slipped out the door, closing it softly behind her as she made her way to Sandra's bedroom.

No matter what the situation was, Sandra was her daughter, and

she owed it to herself and to Sandra to try to rescue her from herself.

Down the hall, Sandra paced around her room, unable to go to sleep because she was still too anxious about what had happened earlier. She was also anxious to hear from the hitman about Evelyn. She needed to put an end to everything once and for all.

When she heard the soft sound of footsteps outside her door, followed by a soft knock, she quickly jumped onto the bed and closed her eyes, pulling the covers up around her shoulders.

When there was no response, the door creaked open, and Claire stepped inside, her silhouette framed in the faint light from the hallway which she had turned on.

She made her way over to the bed, her movements careful, as if she didn't want to wake her daughter. Sitting on the edge, she gently brushed a few strands of hair away from Sandra's face, tucking them behind her ear.

She gazed down, a single tear slipping down her cheek, landing softly on Sandra's arm.

Sandra's eyes fluttered open, feigning drowsiness. But when she saw her mother's face streaked with silent tears, she sat up, alarmed. "Mom? What's wrong?"

Claire's lips parted, but for a moment, no words came. She swallowed, her voice a fragile whisper. "Sandra... you're breaking my heart. Again and again. My heart... it's shattered."

"Me? What are you talking about? What did I do?" She asked in confusion, wondering if perhaps her mother knew about what she had done.

"Evelyn told me about your conversation. You told her the reason you hated her..."

Sandra's face contorted with a scowl. "Is that why you're here?

Because of Evelyn?" She scoffed, her tone sharp. "You're crying over her? In the middle of the night?"

Claire's shoulders slumped as she looked away, the pain in her gaze deepening. "It's not just about Evelyn, Sandra. It's about you. The things you've said, the way you've behaved... it's tearing me apart."

Sandra's expression twisted with bitterness. "So you're here to take her side, then, as usual. You are always siding with Evelyn.

What kind of a mother are you? Why can't you be like other stepmoms?"

Claire shook her head slowly, struggling to maintain her composure. "Sandra, you're wrong. I'm here because I care about you more than you can understand. But this... this hatred you have

- its consuming you. It's not Evelyn's fault."

Sandra glared at her, crossing her arms defiantly. "Then it is your fault. Why don't you ever take my side? Can't you see that I'm doing all of this for us? I want us to have a better life. I want to be the one Dad is proud of. I want to inherit the family magazine. But you-" Her voice cracked, and she forced herself to stay composed. "You don't seem to care. You re content with whatever scraps you're given. Why aren't you ambitious? Why don't you want more?"

Claire looked at her daughter, her eyes filling with sadness. "Do you even remember your father? I mean, your biological father?"

Sandra blinked, taken aback. "Why are you bringing that up?" She asked with a scowl.

"Because""" Claire replied, her voice barely a whisper, "I see so much of him in you. The ambition, the need to win at all costs... the greed." She paused, her hand trembling as she placed it on Sandra's shoulder. "I don't want you to end up like him. You seem to be headed there already."

Before Sandra could respond, her phone rang, the glow from the screen casting shadows on her face. Claire's eyes darted to the phone, and before Sandra could grab it, Claire snatched it up.

"Mom! Give it back!" Sandra lunged at her, desperation flaring in her eyes. She couldn't let her mother take the call or find out what she was up to.

But Claire held the phone firmly, her knuckles white as Sandra's fingers clutched her wrist, trying to wrench it free. The moment she grabbed the phone, Sandra shoved her mother harder than she intended.

Claire stumbled backward, her eyes widening in surprise as she lost her balance. With a sickening thud, her head hit the floor.

Time seemed to stop.

Sandra froze, her gaze locked on her mother's still form. Blood trickled from a small gash on Claire's temple, pooling on the carpet; shock and horror twisted Sandra's features. Then, as reality set in, she let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Eric, startled awake by the piercing cry, threw off the covers and got off the bed. He raced down the hallway when he didn't see Claire on the bed.

As he reached Sandra's bedroom, the sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks: Claire lay on the floor, her face pale and motionless, a dark red stain spreading beneath her head.

"Sandra""" he choked out, his voice barely audible. "What... what did you do?"

Sandra stumbled back, her hands shaking, eyes wide with terror as she babbled incoherently. Eric pushed past her, dropping to his knees beside Claire, and pressed his fingers urgently against her neck. Relief flooded him as he found a faint, steady pulse. "Honey, hold on," he murmured, his voice cracking. He fumbled for his phone, dialing emergency services, his hands shaking as he relayed their address.

His gaze drifted to Sandra, who stood frozen, watching him with wide, tear-filled eyes as paramedics arrived and carefully lifted Claire onto a stretcher.

As they wheeled her away, Sandra's legs gave out beneath her, and she sank to the floor, Evelyn forgotten as silent tears streamed down her face.

Eric turned to her, his own face a mixture of anguish and anger, struggling to understand what had just happened.

But all Sandra could do was stare, numb with shock and disbelief, as the weight of her actions bore down on her, suffocating her under its relentless grip.

 

Chapter 177

Rayna's hands tightened around the steering wheel as she drove to the Quinns' house, her mind racing with an unstoppable rage.

The thought of confronting Sandra made her pulse quicken, and she pictured the countless ways she'd transfer her frustration and anger onto her. She couldn't let Sandra get away with what she had almost done to her and what she did to Ethan.

As far as she was concerned, this had nothing to do with Evelyn.

This had been a personal attack on her, and she was going to handle it personally and not wait for Evelyn and Derek to punish Sandra.

She didn't have the patience to wait like they did to handle Sandra.

She wasn't going to wait until morning, either. She didn't care that it was late in the night. She was going to barge in there and give Sandra the beating of her life instead of waiting with a stomach coiled with dread while Ethan was being operated on.

After she was done with Sandra, Derek and Evelyn could have her arrested and taken to prison, looking like an accident victim for all she cared.

But as she neared the Quinn house, she spotted something unexpected: an ambulance parked at the curb, its lights flashing against the night, illuminating the manicured lawn in bursts of red and blue.

Paramedics were loading a stretcher into the vehicle, and Eric was following closely with a worried expression on his face.

Rayna strained to see who it was. Her stomach dropped as the paramedics closed the doors behind Eric, and the ambulance pulled away from the house, sirens blaring.

Raynas grip slackened on the wheel, her anger momentarily muted by confusion. What was going on? Who was in that ambulance? And why was Sandra's car not in the driveway? Did she not return to the house?

Not sure what to do anymore now that she couldn't confront Sandra, Rayna sat there, unmoving, watching the ambulance grow smaller down the road, her mind churning with unanswered questions.

She contemplated going after the ambulance or calling Evelyn to let her know that something seemed to be wrong at home, but just then, her phone rang.

Her heart dropped when she saw that it was Melvin, and she quickly picked it up, fearing whatever he was going to say.

"Ethan is out now," Melvin said, and Rayna let out the breath she had been holding.

"Is he okay? What did the doctor say? Is he going to be fine?" She asked quickly.

"Yeah. Although he has not woken up yet, but they said he will be okay," Melvin said, and Rayna nodded, feeling relieved.

"I will be on my way back now," she said as she quickly reversed the car. She wanted to be with Ethan when he woke up.

She was going to deal with Sandra later, but for Sandra's sake, she

hoped that Evelyn and Derek would get her first. Otherwise, she was going to pull out all the hair on Sandra's empty head.

Just as Rayna drove off, the front door of the Quinns house swung open, and Sandra stumbled out of the house.

Her eyes were red, her face pale, and her hair was disheveled as if she'd just woken from a nightmare. Without shoes or a coat, Sandra dashed barefoot down the driveway with only her phone in hand, and her thoughts locked solely on pursuing the ambulance and making sure that her mother was alright.

She had not meant to hurt her mother. She could never imagine hurting her mother physically for whatever reason. Her mother was all the family she had, and no matter how ambitious she was, she wanted her mother with her all the way by her side.

As Sandra hurried down the road barefooted, hoping to catch a cab to go to the hospital, the phone in her hand rang once again, and in a sudden burst of frustration, Sandra threw the phone down, shattering it on the pavement.

It was that damned phone that had made her mother fall and hurt herself. And for all she knew, her mother could die from bleeding so much.

She didn't care about Evelyn, Michael, or anyone else right now. All she wanted was for her mother to be okay.

Sandra sprinted down the road, her breaths visible in the cold night air as she waved frantically at an approaching cab so she could catch up with the ambulance.

Once she got into the cab and gave him directions to catch up

with the ambulance, Sandra clasped both hands together as tears ran down her face, and she begged God to save her mother's life.

In exchange, she would let go of every grudge she had against Evelyn, and she wouldn't hurt Michael or Evelyn; instead, she would be the good daughter that her mother wanted her to be.

Away from there, Derek's impatience grew with every passing second as he glanced at his watch and then back at the hitman, who was becoming equally agitated.

The room was tense, each silence longer than the last as they all waited for the moment Sandra's phone would finally connect.

Evelyn, who had been kept in a separate room from Michael because she didn't want to see him, and Derek didn't want Michael anywhere near her either, sat ready, her hair and makeup meticulously done for the ruse they'd planned.

Her clothes had been roughened up with red stains like blood on them, and she looked like she had been slapped and beaten up.

She, too, watched the hitman with a frown, wondering why it was taking too long for Sandra to receive her call.

The hitman tried calling Sandra again, the phone on speaker for everyone to hear. His irritation was evident as he muttered a frustrated curse under his breath. "Still not connecting," he announced, his voice filled with irritation.

Evelyn's expression hardened as she heard the news. "This isn't right," she said, standing up and pacing. "If Sandra isn't answering, something's wrong. Maybe she suspects something... or maybe something's happened. I don't think she slept off. There's no way she could have slept off after what she did to Ethan. And

especially not when she's waiting to hear about my abduction."

Derek looked at her, his own suspicion growing. "Do you think we should try contacting your father? He might know where she is or what she's up to."

Without waiting for another suggestion, Evelyn gave him a nod.

Derek pulled out his phone and dialed Eric's number. The line rang several times, each ring amplifying the tension in the room. Before Eric finally answered, his voice sounded strained and distracted.

"Eric?" Derek's voice was cautious. He could hear muffled sounds in the background, a rustling and beeping that made his stomach twist. "What's going on? Are you alright? Is everything okay?"

Eric's response was grim and tired. "I'm in an ambulance, Derek.

Taking Claire to the hospital... she got hurt by Sandra."

Derek froze, a chill running through him. "Sandra hurt Claire? Her own mother?" he repeated, his tone low with shock.

Evelyn, standing close by, felt her heart leap to her throat. She snatched the phone from Derek, her face a mix of anger and fear.

"Dad? What happened? What did Sandra do to Mom?"

Eric's voice softened, but it was strained as if he was barely holding himself together. "Evelyn... Claire's in bad shape. She hurt her head."

Evelyn's hand tightened around the phone as a surge of fury swept through her. Just how many more people was Sandra going to hurt?

She couldn't let Sandra ruin any more lives, Evelyn decided, her

heartbeat pounding in her ears. "Where are you taking her? I'm coming to the hospital," she said firmly, her voice laced with urgency.

Once her father told her where they were going, she turned to Derek, her gaze fierce. "I don't care about the plan anymore.

Sandra's gone too far. She needs to be stopped. Now."

Derek gave a curt nod. "Agreed. Let's go." He glanced toward the detectives waiting by the door. "This show is over. Some of your men can take Michael and the rest of them away. The rest of you, come with us to the hospital and get Sandra."

 

Chapter 178

They hurried out, tension prickling every nerve as they drove through the quiet streets. Evelyn sat stiffly beside Derek, her thoughts racing with a mixture of fury and dread. She had known Sandra was dangerous, but this... this was monstrous.

How could she hurt even her own mother? What manner of greed could push her to such an extent?

The moment they reached the hospital, Evelyn turned to Derek. "I want you to stop me at the entrance before you go find a place to park," she said, her voice ringing with impatience. Derek gave her a nod.

From the look on her face, he could tell that she wouldn't mind jumping out of the car if she had to. "Try not to do anything rash"" he said as he reached for her hand and squeezed it.

The moment he stopped in front of the hospital, Evelyn threw open the door and went inside.

When the nurses saw her, they approached her, thinking she was there for treatment because of her makeup and the stains on her clothes, but she quickly shook her head and impatiently explained why she was there.

Once they pointed her in the direction of the emergency ward, she bolted there.

As she approached, she spotted her father pacing near the waiting room entrance, looking worn and defeated in his pajamas, and there, crumpled on the floor, was Sandra, sobbing, her face

streaked with tears and her hair looking disheveled.

Without a second thought, Evelyn marched over to Sandra, her anger boiling over as she slapped her hard across the face, the sharp crack echoing down the hall.

"You evil bitch!" she hissed, her eyes blazing. "How could you?

How could you be so heartless as to hurt her?" Evelyn roared angrily, unable to stop herself, as she grabbed Sandra's hair and pulled her up.

Eric immediately approached them, trying to calm Evelyn, but Evelyn refused to be held down. Sandra sobbed harder, her hands trembling as she held them up defensively. "I didn't mean to! ! swear, I never wanted to hurt her. It was an accident," Sandra cried, still too distraught to register the fact that Evelyn was the one standing in front of her.

Evelyn's eyes flashed with disgust as she let go of her. "Why should anyone believe a word you say? You lie and scheme without a second thought. It was one thing to come after me or to manipulate others, but hurting Mom? You crossed a line, Sandra, and I swear, I'm not going to let you get away with it."

Sandra's face, which was twisted in anguish, suddenly turned resentful when Evelyn referred to Claire as her mom. "Who do you think you are to say that? Why are you acting like she's your mother, Evelyn? You-" Her words faltered as she stared more closely at Evelyn's face, noticing the makeup on her face for the first time and remembering that Evelyn wasn't supposed to be there.

"Why... why do you look like that?" she asked, suspicion dawning in her eyes.

Evelyn glared at her, but before she could answer, Derek stepped into the corridor with two of the detectives behind him.

Sandra's expression brightened momentarily at the sight of him as if grasping for a lifeline in the sea of hostility around her. She took a shaky step toward him.

"Derek, thank God you're here! You have to help me," she pleaded, reaching out, but he sidestepped her touch, his expression cold and unyielding.

"I'm not here for you, Sandra," he said firmly, his gaze steely.

Sandra's face fell, confusion and desperation flashing in her eyes.

"W-what do you mean?"

Evelyn let out a hollow, humorless laugh. "Oh, poor Sandra, still clinging to her lies. Derek knows everything. He knows all about your little scheme with Michael."

Sandra's eyes widened in shock, her face going pale. She turned to Derek, shaking her head. "Derek, don't listen to Evelyn. She is trying to twist things. I haven't done anything wrong! No, please, don't believe her. I love you. You know me... I would never-"

"No, Sandra, Evelyn didn't twist anything. I know everything," he said, and she shook her head desperately as tears dropped from her eyes.

"No. It's not true. Whatever you're thinking is not true. You love me..."

"No, I don't. The person I love and have always loved is Evelyn," Derek said, but Sandra shook her head, refusing to believe that.

"At the reunion you said..."

"I was referring to Evelyn. She is the only reason I've endured your company for so long. And just so you know, I'm the father of her child. The one you tried using to shame her," he said, and Sandra staggered back in disbelief.

"YOU DEMON!" Rayna, who had spotted Derek walk into the hospital while at the coffee vending machine in front of it and had followed him to see what was happening, rushed at Sandra, but before she could get to her, the detectives held her back while she fought and yelled to be let go so she could deal with Sandra.

Sandra, who was still shaken and reeling from what Derek had said, felt the last blood drain from her face when she saw Rayna and she wondered if Rayna had wanted to attack her because she knew she was behind the accident earlier.

"I understand how you feel, Ray. But please calm down. We will handle this once and for all," Evelyn promised.

Eric looked at Sandra, his voice weary yet resolute. "Sandra, I can't begin to express how disappointed I am. I was holding out hope that you'd change, but seeing what you did to your mom..." He broke off, the words too painful to finish.

Sandra's face crumpled, and she took a step back, her breath coming in panicked gasps. "Dad, I swear, I didn't mean to hurt her.

We were fighting over my phone, and then she fell, Sandra cried, looking at her father and hoping that he would believe her.

She needed at least one person on her side in the face of so many accusers. She knew her mother would have saved her. Thinking about what her mother had said before the struggle over her

phone, Sandra collapsed on the floor as it dawned on her that her mother had known about everything and had been trying to warn her.

Evelyn's eyes narrowed as she watched Sandra break into a sob that wracked her whole body. "Cut the act, Sandra. It's over. I was willing to tolerate you for a few more weeks, but after tonight, that's done. You're going to pay for what you did - not just for trying to kill me, but for attempting to hurt Rayna with your car and for hurting Mom."

Hearing Evelyn, her head snapped up and she shook her head slowly, her face pale and eyes wide with alarm. "You're... mistaken.

I... I didn't do anything. I didn't do anything. I was robbed, and my car was stolen..."

Evelyn scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "Tell it to the police," Evelyn said, jerking her head to the detectives, who Sandra had not realized were policemen because they were dressed in casual clothes.

At that moment, the detectives stepped forward, their expressions hard and determined. Realizing the severity of the situation, Sandra stumbled backward, pressing herself behind Eric in a final, desperate attempt for protection. "Dad, please, you have to help me! I didn't do anything wrong! I didn't do anything!" She cried desperately.

Rayna stepped forward, her gaze piercing. "You didn't do anything wrong?" She shook her head, the contempt clear in her voice. "You ordered a hit on Evelyn and Michael and you attempted to run me over. Don't pretend to be innocent now."

Sandra's face contorted with terror as the detectives moved

closer. "Rayna... how do you know about Michael?" she whispered, her voice barely audible as her heart beat faster than it had ever beaten her whole life.

Evelyn's eyes narrowed. "That should be the least of your worries right now. You have done enough harm already, and the best place for someone like you is behind bars," Evelyn said, and before Sandra could protest further, the detectives moved to take her by the arms.

"I just want to see Mom before they take me away! Please, not now. Dad, please help me. Evie, please!" Her cries echoed through the corridor, desperate and wild, as she screamed to be allowed to see her mother one last time.

But no one listened. Her pleas fell on deaf ears as they led her away, her struggles fading as she disappeared down the hall.

 

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 I'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.

"I just... I can't possibly just leave..."

"Yes, you can. There's nothing more you can do here tonight apart from being sad and worried. You should get some rest. You can check on her tomorrow."

"But-" Her protest was faint but held so much weight. "I can't just... I can't leave her. This happened because of me."

"No, it didn't. What is it with you all taking the blame for what Sandra did? This happened because Sandra is-" he stopped himself, softening his tone as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. "This happened because Sandra made her choices, not because of you. You've done everything you could. Please, come with me, or I'll carry you out of here on my shoulders if I have to." The determination in his voice left her with little room to argue, and she raised a brow, "Are you bragging about your fitness right now?" She tried to joke.

"Yes, I am, he smiled, knowing she was trying to lighten the mood.

She smiled, though she cast one last look down the corridor where her father had disappeared. "But I don't want to leave my dad alone here. He's so devastated, Derek. I've never seen him look so sad or old," she said as he nodded.

"I understand. But I'm sure he will understand, and he'd want you to rest in your state." Derek's voice softened, and Evelyn's father returned as if on cue; his expression softened when he saw them.

Derek met the older man's gaze. "I need to get Evelyn home. She needs to freshen up and rest. Today has been a long day," Derek said, and Eric nodded as he looked at Evelyn, who was still covered in her makeup.

Derek gently added, "We just found out she's pregnant."

The news drew a stunned silence from her father before he embraced her tightly, his joy and relief briefly easing the weight of the night. "This is good news, and happy for you two," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "Listen to him, Evelyn. You need to take care of yourself. I'll be fine, and if there's anything, 'Il call. But go home, okay?"

"Are you sure you will be fine on your own?" She asked, and when he smiled and gave her a nod, she nodded, her gaze softening as she held him close for one last moment before allowing Derek to lead her away gently.

 

Chapter 180

"Try to rest your head," Derek said to Evelyn as he drove them home.

The drive home was quiet, Evelyn resting her head against the window as the city lights blurred by, her body finally giving in to the exhaustion that weighed on her.

She shut her eyes to sleep, but all she could think about was Sandra. She couldn't help but wonder if there could have been a better way to handle the situation without letting things escalate to the point that people got hurt.

She didn't know when they reached the house until Derek opened her door. Then she opened her eyes and climbed out of the car-only for Derek to sweep her up in his arms.

She gasped, laughing softly in surprise. "What are you doing? I can walk, you know."

Derek grinned, carrying her toward the door. "I know you can. But I don't want you to tonight," he said as he carried her inside.

He carried her up the stairs to their bedroom, setting her gently on the edge of the bed before kneeling in front of her.

He looked up, eyes warm and steady, as he reached for her hands.

"Eve... I don't think I've told you enough, but I am incredibly grateful to have you and Samantha in my life. I'm glad Sandra's finally out of the picture, and I'm over the moon that we're going to be parents again and I get the chance to be with you every step of the way. I promise that you won't ever have to be alone or feel alone. I will try all within my power to be by you through every pleasure and discomfort that this phase will bring. I will keep you company on nights that you can't sleep and do all I can to make you happy."

Evelyn felt her heart swell, a soft smile spreading across her face as she listened to him. He continued, "I wanted to propose to you in a couple of weeks after we take care of Sandra; I'm glad weve been able to do that now. Since I don't want to wait for that long anymore. I want us to get married soon- before the baby bump is too obvious so you can wear whatever wedding dress you want."

She laughed, shaking her head. "I don't mind if the bump shows in the dress. What I care about is having my Mom there and Ethan too. We can wait just until they're both okay."

Derek smiled, a look of pure affection in his eyes. "I'm good with whatever you want. Now, let's get you ready for bed, he said as he kissed her flat abdomen before straightening up.

He moved to the bathroom, ran a warm bath for her, and returned to help her undress. The weight of the night melted away under his careful hands as he carried her into the bathroom and gently set her in the tub.

As she sank into the warm water, Evelyn closed her eyes, feeling, perhaps for the first time in a long time, that things might just be all right.

While she soaked in the tub, Derek undressed and joined her inside, and they sat in a way that Evelyn had her back to him so that he could massage her neck and shoulders.

After their bath, Derek toweled her dry and took her back into the bedroom. He made her lie on the bed and gave her a full-body massage.

Derek smiled when she slept off halfway into the message, and then he lay down beside her for a moment to just look at her and admire her serene beauty.

He took his phone and took a couple of pictures of her face as she slept, and then, after adjusting the blanket around her, he stepped

out of the room to give the detectives a call.

Away from there, the officers led Sandra out of the police van and into the station. She was calm and lost in thought as she processed all that had happened at the hospital, and she shook her head, unable to make sense of what Derek had said or believe it.

Evelyn's child couldn't be Derek's. It didn't make sense. It wasn't possible. How could she have a child for Derek when he returned to the country a day before her wedding?

No. It didn't make sense that she had been to the reunion with Derek, and he had deliberately worn a color that matched Evelyn's and sat down beside her. They had all made a fool of her.

Derek loved her. That she was sure of; she still remembered how he had looked at her during their first date. He couldn't possibly have done that just because of Evelyn.

No, Sandra thought as tears streamed down her face. It didn't make sense that after all she had done all these years, this was the end for her.

"That is so unfair," she muttered to herself.

"Did you say something?" The officer beside her asked, and she looked at him with empty eyes but didn't respond.

All her plotting, all her scheming, and there was nothing to show for it. Just like her mother said, she had ended up like her criminal father, while Evelyn would not only take over the family magazine but would also end up with Derek as his wife. "Arhhhhh!" She screamed, pulling at her hair tearfully and startling everyone.

Michael, who was seated a few feet away, still being booked,

glanced in her direction and watched as she sobbed and pulled her hair.

He felt a surge of satisfaction watching Sandra unravel, but curiosity held his anger at bay. Something had clearly happened tonight, something serious enough to shake Sandra, and he wondered what it was.

Michael's frown deepened. The sight of Sandra's tears unsettled him- Sandra, who was always so smug, was now a frantic mess.

He had planned to launch himself at her the moment she walked into the station and make her pay for betraying him, but now his body felt rooted to his seat as he watched her from across the room as she was booked.

As they were rounded up together to be photographed and for their medical screening, Sandra met his gaze, and something about her slumped figure and empty eyes gave him pause.

He wanted revenge, yes. Every fiber in his body wanted to charge in and unleash all the anger he'd held onto since he listened to the recording of her giving the hitman instructions to take him out, but a battle raged inside him- something about Sandra's fragile state made him hesitate.

He leaned against the wall, watching Sandra, caught between the drive for revenge and an unfamiliar wave of restraint.

Michael decided then that maybe she was already being punished, and he didn't have to do anything to her. She wasn't worth it. She was a mistake he had made, and there was no need to make any more mistakes for her sake.

He would do his time however long it took since, thankfully, it would only be for embezzlement, and hopefully, his family would forgive and accept him upon his return.