Ch. 191..200

Chapter 191

Sandra sat on the cold, hard floor in the small holding cell. The room was dim, lit by a flickering lightbulb above her head. Shadows stretched along the walls, but none of it mattered.

Sandra's world had collapsed.

Her arms wrapped tightly around herself, but no amount of holding could stop the shivers running through her body.

She pressed her knees to her chest, resting her forehead against them, as tears spilled down her face. Her sobs echoed through the empty cell, raw and jagged, breaking the heavy silence around her.

Her mind was a storm, filled with the memory of her mother's voice- so soft, so patient, always trying to correct and guide her, but she never cared to listen.

"I'm sorry," Sandra whispered, her voice cracking. She pressed her fists against her eyes, as though trying to stop the tears, but they kept coming.

Her chest ached, and the weight of the news felt unbearable. Her mother was gone. Dead. Because of her. Because of her senseless jealousy and greed.

Now nothing else mattered. Not Derek's rejection. Not Evelyn's victory. Nothing mattered. All that was left was a gaping hole in her heart. She had lost the one person she loved the most.

"It's my fault," she choked out, shaking her head. "All my fault."

The images wouldn't leave her mind. She saw it all again. The argument. Her mother's voice pleading with her to stop. The fight or the phone. And then-the fall. The sound of her mother hitting the floor. It replayed in her head, over and over like a terrible song she couldn't escape.

Sandra grabbed the bars of the cell, leaning her forehead against the cold metal. "Why did I do it?" she cried, her voice breaking.

"Why couldn't I just listen to her?"

Her mother had warned her so many times to stop being selfish.

To stop chasing things that didn't matter. But she never cared. She wanted more- more money, more power, more control. And now it had cost her the one person who truly loved her.

"I didn't mean to hurt her, she sobbed, shaking her head. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Her hands trembled as she clutched at her chest. Her tears fell faster now, soaking her shirt. "Please, God," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please bring her back. I'll change. I'll do better. I'll never hurt anyone again. Just... don't let her be gone."

She squeezed her eyes shut and clasped her hands together, her words tumbling out in a desperate prayer. "I'll stop being greedy.

I'll stop being mean. I'll stop hurting people. Just let her live.

Please,

I'll be good. I'll be good. I promise."

Sandra stayed like that, crying until her throat was raw and her eyes burned. Every part of her ached- her head, her heart, her soul. She thought of all the things she'd done wrong. Every selfish act, every cruel word, every time she ignored her mother's advice. "If only I I could take it all back," she thought bitterly.

Just as she was sinking deeper into her sorrow, the sound of footsteps approached her cell. Sandra didn't look up at first, too consumed by her grief. Then, she heard a voice. "Sandra." Занога.

She raised her head slowly, her face streaked with tears. It was the officer who had brought her in. He stood on the other side of the bars, his expression unreadable.

The officer hesitated, then said, "Your mother... she's alive."

Sandra froze. For a moment, she thought shed misheard him.

"What?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

She's alive," 'the officer repeated. "We heard from the hospital. She woke up."

Sandra's breath caught, and she

and she stared at him in disbelief. "Alive?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

The officer nodded. "Yes. The doctor said she's going to be okay."

Sandra's hands flew to her mouth as a loud sob escaped her.

Relief flooded her body, washing over her like a wave, and tears streamed down her face.

"She's alive," she cried, over and over, clutching her chest. "She's alive."

The guilt still gnawed at her, but for the first time, there was hope.

She hadn't killed her mother. She hadn't entirely destroyed everything.

She wiped her face with trembling hands, though the tears kept coming. "Thank you, God," she whispered, looking up at the ceiling.

"Thank you. I'll make this right. I swear I will."

As she sat there, clutching her knees and rocking gently, Sandra made a vow- a real one this time. She would beg Evelyn for forgiveness. She would make things right with her mother. She would never let greed or anger rule her again.

"I'll be better," she whispered to herself, her voice steady for the first time in hours. "I'll be better. I promise."

Away from there, Claire's eyelids fluttered open, and the dim hospital room swam into focus. The soft beeping of monitors echoed around her, reminding her of where she was.

Her gaze settled on Evelyn, who sat at her bedside, clutching her hand so tightly as if she feared that if she let go Claire would die. Evelyn's eyes, red-rimmed from hours of crying, lit up when Claire stirred. Her face broke into a mixture of relief and exhaustion. "How long have I been out?" Claire asked weakly, her voice raspy from disuse.

Evelyn squeezed her hand. "A couple of hours," she said softly.

"The doctor said it's most likely a concussion."

Claire's eyes darted to the wall clock, then to the window. The faint glow of twilight hinted at how much time had passed. "Where is your father?" she asked. "You've been here for a while. You need to go home, Evie." Her voice was gentle but firm, her maternal instincts taking over despite her fragile state. Evelyn shook her head vehemently, tears welling up again. "You gave us all a terrible scare, Mom. I'm not leaving your side until you're out of here," she said, her voice trembling but resolute.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Claire's lips, even though the effort made her head ache. "You don't have to worry," she said softly. "I don't plan on dying anytime soon."

"But you wouldn't wake up!" Evelyn cried, her voice breaking. "Even after the doctors said you were alright, you just.. you wouldn't wake up."

Claire sighed, the sound heavy with regret and exhaustion. "That wasn't intentional, she said. Her expression shifted, her brow furrowing in concern. "What about Sandra?" she asked cautiously. She had not seen her since she woke up, and the silence surrounding her was telling.

Evelyn looked away, her lips tightening as she avoided her mother's gaze. She hesitated, unsure how to reveal the truth without upsetting Claire.

Claire sighed deeply, already suspecting the answer. "She didn't push me deliberately," she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "It was a mistake."

Evelyn snapped her head back to look at Claire, her jaw tightening.

"It doesn't matter, Mom. That's not the only thing she's done," Evelyn said, her voice low but firm. "She almost killed Rayna. She tried to run her down with her car, but Rayna's boyfriend was hit instead." Claire closed her eyes briefly, as if the weight of Evelyn's words was too much to bear. When she opened them again, they were filled with sorrow.

Evelyn noticed her mother's silence and reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. "I know you're sad, Mom, she whispered.

"I wish I could do something to help Sandra, but she's committed too many crimes. There's nothing I can do."

Claire's voice was calm but resolute as she replied, "I went to her room that night to give her one last chance. I didn't know she'd done something so terrible to Rayna, too." She paused, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. "I love Sandra, but she should pay for her actions. You don't have to feel guilty or try to placate me. It's tragic that it's come to this, but I'd rather see her behind bars than let her become a danger to herself and others."

Evelyn swallowed hard, her emotions warring inside her. "So... I don't have to forgive her?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought you woke up because I promised to forgive her."

Claire turned her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Don't be silly," she said gently. "Why would I want to die because of Sandra?

I have so much to live for-your father, you, Samantha." She paused and gave Evelyn's hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're my daughter too, Evie. Don't ever forget that."

Tears spilled down Evelyn's cheeks as she whispered, "Yes, you're my mother. And, just so you know... you have one more person to live for."

Claire tilted her head in confusion, then followed Evelyn's gaze to her stomach. Her eyes widened. "You're pregnant?"

Evelyn nodded, biting her lip as fresh tears spilled over.

"Oh, Evie!" Claire exclaimed, her face breaking into a smile despite her exhaustion. "I'm so happy to hear that!" She reached up weakly to embrace her daughter.

Evelyn leaned forward, holding her mother close as sobs shook her shoulders. "Thank you, Mom. Thank you for coming back to me. I don't know what I would have done if..." Her voice broke, unable to finish the sentence.

Claire stroked her hair gently. "Shh, it's alright. I'm here now," she murmured. She pulled back slightly and brushed the tears from Evelyn's cheeks. "But tell me, how do you feel?"

Evelyn sniffled and gave a watery laugh. "I feel relieved, Mom. But how do you feel? Are you alright?"

Claire shrugged slightly, wincing as the movement made her headache flare. "Apart from this terrible headache, I feel... sad.

Sad for Sandra. But I know the sadness won't last forever," she said softly. She paused and looked at Evelyn with a serious expression. "Evie, you should forgive her."

"But you said I don't have to," Evelyn reminded her, confused.

"Forgiveness doesn't mean she shouldn't face the consequences of her actions," Claire explained. "It's something you do for yourself. Don't let hate fill your heart, Evie. It'll only weigh you down and make you bitter. Learn to live light, my darling."

"Are you an angel? I'm starting to think so," Evelyn said, and Claire laughed softly.

Before she could respond, the door opened, and Eric walked in, carrying a pack of food. Derek followed closely behind him with

water and a dinner pack for Evelyn too.

"You're awake!" Eric exclaimed, hurrying to Claire's side. He looked at her with a mixture of relief and worry as he set the food aside.

"How are you feeling?"

Claire smiled faintly. "You look older," she teased softly.

Eric shook his head, brushing off her comment. "I don't care how I look as long as you re alright. Are you hungry? I wasn't sure what you would want. I made some porridge and soup," he said, setting the tray down on the bedside table. Claire glanced at Derek and then at Evelyn. "Take her home, Derek," she said firmly. "She needs to eat and rest."

Evelyn shook her head. "I'm not leaving-"

"I'll be fine, Evelyn," Claire interrupted. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

Derek stepped closer and placed a hand on Evelyn's shoulder.

"Come on, Evie. You need to take care of yourself, too," he said gently.

Evelyn hesitated but eventually nodded. As they walked out, her tears began to fall again, and she leaned into Derek.

"She's alright now," Derek whispered, holding her close. "She's going to be okay."

Evelyn nodded through her tears, her heart finally beginning to lighten.

 

Chapter 192

Evelyn stirred awake, a soft brush of lips trailing along her cheek. Her lashes fluttered as she groaned lightly, swatting at the persistent intruder. "Derek," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep, "why are you disturbing my peace?" Derek chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "If it were up to me, I'd let you sleep all day. Maya made breakfast, and she came to fetch us." He placed another kiss on her forehead, his warm breath tickling her skin. Without opening her eyes, Evelyn sighed. "What time is it?"

"It's past ten," Derek replied, his tone teasing. "You've been out like a light. As much as you need sleep, you need food, too."

Evelyn groaned and finally cracked her eyes open, squinting against the sunlight streaming through the curtains. "I didn't realize how exhausted I was," she admitted, her voice soft with lingering sleep.

Derek watched her, his gaze tender. "You deserved the rest. You've been running on fumes for days. Good morning, lover."

Evelyn stretched, her body protesting the movement

after so many hours of stillness. Her hand fumbled on the nightstand for her phone. "I need to check on my mom," she said, already unlocking the screen.

Derek reached out to still her hand. "I already called.

She's fine, and so is Ethan. They're resting."

Evelyn blinked, her lips parting in surprise. "You called my Dad?"

"Of course," Derek said with a small smile. "I knew you'd worry. Now, can we get up and eat before Maya starts complaining that we're ungrateful?"

Evelyn hesitated before nodding. "We need to pick up Samantha. She should visit my Mom."

Derek leaned back, propping himself up on one elbow. "Yeah. Your Mom also asked to see her. But first, you need breakfast. You're eating for two now, remember?"

Rolling her eyes playfully at his comment, Evelyn slid out of bed and padded to the bathroom. As she brushed her teeth, Derek's voice carried from the bedroom, humming some tune she vaguely recognized. It was oddly comforting. When she returned, Derek was waiting, his hand extended toward her. "Shall we?"

They descended the stairs to find Maya sipping from a

mug of coffee at the dining table. The table was laden with food - crispy bacon, golden fried eggs, and fresh toast.

Evelyn's stomach turned the moment the smell of eggs hit her, and she instinctively wrinkled her nose, turning away quickly.

Derek noticed immediately. "Ah, sorry about that," he said, rushing to move the offending dishes. "Maya, Evelyn can't stand eggs or anything fried right now."

Maya looked up, a frown creasing her brow. "Is something wrong? Are you ill?"

Evelyn smiled faintly. "I'm okay. Just pregnant."

Maya's face lit up, her frown vanishing. "Oh my goodness! Congratulations!" She clapped her hands together, her excitement evident. "Samantha's going to be thrilled-she's always wanted a sibling!" Evelyn laughed softly. "Yeah, she's been asking for one for ages."

Derek returned to the table, setting down a plate of fresh fruit and yogurt for Evelyn. "There you go," he said, squeezing her shoulder lightly.

"I'm sorry your effort for breakfast is going to waste," Evelyn said apologetically.

Maya waved it off, "It's fine. I will pack it up and eat it later."

As they all sat down, Evelyn glanced at Maya, curious.

"Yesterday, I noticed you weren't home when we got back earlier in the day. Did you go to the hospital again?" she asked since Maya wasn't the type to go out much. Maya hesitated, "No... I went to see a friend."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, surprised. "A friend? You?"

Maya gave a nervous laugh. "Yes, Evelyn. I do have friends, you know."

Evelyn chuckled but decided not to press further.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. And I'm glad you're making time for yourself. You deserve it."

Maya nodded, though guilt flickered in her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to tell Evelyn about Liam.

"Thanks. I noticed you didn't return early. I thought Sam was coming back yesterday," she said, and Evelyn sighed.

"Yeah. We got back late last night. I didn't want to wake you when we got in. My mom gave us a scare. She was declared dead for a moment but came back to life." Maya's eyes widened in shock; her mug paused mid-

air. "What happened? Was she ill?"

"She wasn't, not exactly," Evelyn explained. "She had an accident and hit her head. It was... a lot," she said, not wanting to get into the whole Sandra drama. Maya shook her head, her voice trembling slightly.

"That sounds terrifying. I'm so glad she's alright now.

Can I come with you to see her?"

"Of course," Evelyn said with a small smile. "But we have to stop at Derek's parents' home first to get Samantha."

Maya tilted her head. "I thought she was at Ella's place."

Evelyn shook her head. "She was, but her grandparents took her yesterday."

Maya sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I feel so out of the loop lately. I guess I've been too caught up in my own worries."

"It's okay to focus on yourself," Evelyn said gently, and then she turned to Derek, who was silent.

"What are you thinking?" She asked, and he shrugged.

"I think we should get you a nutritionist or a dietician," he said, and she rolled her eyes.

"I don't need that," she said, and he nodded.

"You do. As a matter of fact, we all do. What do you think, Maya?" He asked, and she grinned.

Maya looked from Derek to Evelyn and then back again as she tried to make up her mind, "I think it would be nice to have one," she said, flashing Evelyn an apologetic smile, and Derek grinned. "That settles it, babe. The ayes have it," he said, and Evelyn laughed.

"We can just ask the domestic staff company to make sure the chef being sent over is a nutritionist or dietician. I don't want the house overflowing with strangers," Evelyn said, and Derek nodded.

"You have a point. Let's finish up and leave then," he said, and after Evelyn and Derek were done eating, they left to freshen up.

As they walked into the bedroom,

Derek turned to Evelyn. "I'm going to

tell them about it when we get there," he said. At first, Evelyn wanted to ask what he was talking about, but then she realized he was referring to the information about his biological sister.

"Yeah, you should. The sooner you tell them, the earlier you can start searching for her."

After freshening up, all three of them got into the car and left for Derek's family house to pick up Samantha.

Derek drove the car while Evelyn sat in the passenger seat and Maya sat in the backseat.

Evelyn observed Derek silently for a while before reaching out and resting her hand on his arm. "You seem a little tense," she said softly, her voice slicing through the silence in the car. Derek glanced at her before exhaling deeply. "It's just...

I'm not sure how to talk to them about this. They ve always been so supportive, and I don't want them to feel like I'm ungrateful or that they weren't enough for me."

Evelyn gave his arm a reassuring

squeeze. "You don't need to worry about that. Just tell them the truth how Michael told you about your sister and that it's not something. you went looking for yourself. They'll understand, Derek. And they see that finding her doesn't take away from how much you love them."

Derek glanced at Evelyn again, this time his features softening into a grateful smile. "You always know what to say."

"Because I know you," Evelyn replied, smiling back.

Although Maya did not intend to listen in on their conversation, it drifted to her in the backseat, and she couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about.

Was Derek's sister missing? What did finding her have to do with loving his parents? She mused as she looked out of the window.

Once again, her thoughts drifted to the brother her late mother had mentioned, and she sighed inwardly, wondering if he had ever thought of her or was making any efforts to find her.

 

Chapter 193

The rest of the drive passed with Derek visibly more at ease, thanks to Evelyn's words. When they finally pulled into the driveway of his parent's home, the sight before them brought an instant smile to both their faces. Samantha, clad in overalls and wielding a tiny

watering can, was enthusiastically helping Derek's mother in the garden.

The moment Samantha spotted the car, she squealed in delight and abandoned her task, sprinting toward them. "Mommy! Daddy!" she yelled, her arms outstretched.

"Samantha, wait-" Evelyn began, but it was too late.

Samantha barreled into her, wrapping her small arms tightly around Evelyn's waist. The damp soil from Samantha's hands smeared across Evelyn's pristine white pants.

Evelyn groaned playfully, looking down at the brown stains. "Oh, Samantha..."

Derek chuckled as he stepped closer, lifting Samantha into his arms. "Guess what? I don't mind a little dirt," he said, touching a tiny smear of soil that adorned the tip of Samantha's nose with his finger.

She giggled, "I was helping Grandma! We planted flowers!" Samantha announced proudly, pointing

toward the garden.

"I see you've been busy," Derek said as he set

Samantha down. She hurried over to greet Maya, who laughed softly, brushing a stray curl out of Samantha's face as they chatted.

"She's been such a delightful companion"" Derek's mom said, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached them.

"She's always full of energy," Derek said with a grin,

"I'm not sure you've met Maya. This is Maya, Samantha's..." Derek trailed off since he could no longer refer to her as the nanny.

"Aunt. She is Samantha's aunt. She has been with me for years and has practically raised Samantha as her own daughter," Evelyn stepped in, and Derek's mom smiled at Maya.

"It's good to meet you, Maya. Let's head inside and cool off with my freshly prepared lemonade," Derek's mom suggested, gesturing toward the house.

Once inside, they settled in the cozy living room, sipping the chilled drinks the housekeeper brought in.

"Your father is inside. I'll quickly clean up Sam, and then we will join you after I freshen up," Derek's mom said and started to leave, but Derek held up a hand.

"Actually, Mom, could that wait for a moment? I need to talk to you and Dad. We don't have much time - we need to take Samantha to visit Evelyn's mom after this."

His mom looked curious but nodded. "Speaking about Evelyn's Mom. How is she? I was going to call you, but when you called earlier to say you were both coming, I decided to wait. Rumors of her dying and coming back to life have been all over social media," she said, and Evelyn nodded. "It's true. What happened was a miracle," Evelyn said, and they went ahead to give her the details.

"I'm glad she is alive. It would have been a great loss," Derek's mom said, and they all agreed.

"Let me get your father now," she said, and as she disappeared down the hall, Evelyn leaned toward Derek. "I will help Samantha clean up and keep her busy while you talk to them," she whispered. Derek glanced at her, gratitude evident in his eyes.

Leaning in, he gave her a quick kiss. "Thank you."

Evelyn smiled, holding out her hand for Samantha.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you cleaned up."

When Derek's parents returned together, Derek introduced Maya to him. Then, they left her in the living room and headed for the study so they could

speak privately.

Once they were comfortably seated, his father looked at him with curiosity. "What did you want to talk to us about?"

Derek hesitated for a moment and then cleared his throat. "Yesterday, I stopped by the police station and spoke briefly with Michael," he began. His father nodded, gesturing for him to continue. "Michael told me something. Something...

unexpected," Derek added.

"What did he say to you?" His mother asked, sensing it was something important.

"He looked into the details of my adoption and tried to find dirt on my biological family," Derek said, and his mother's eyes widened.

"Is that boy even my nephew?" She asked, unable to believe the extent to which Michael had gone in his craziness.

"That's not all," Derek said, and his voice wavered slightly as he explained what Michael had revealed about him having a younger sister and how he had confirmed it after seeing the details on the flash drive.

His parents exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable as they listened to him. Finally, his mom

spoke, her tone calm yet firm. "Are you sure this is not another one of his attempts to steal from us?"

"I understand that Michael can't be trusted. But it's not like he brought someone to Derek, claiming her to be his sister. It is us who will search for the girl. We can always confirm with a DNA test when we find her," Derek's father said reasonably, and Derek nodded in agreement.

"That makes sense. Well, if you have a sister, we should find her," his mother said firmly.

Derek blinked, taken aback. "You think so?"

"Of course," she said, reaching for his hand. "Why wouldn't we? If she's your family, she's ours too. Did you think I'd try to stop you from finding her?"

"I... I wasn't sure how you'd feel about it. I didn't want you to think I'm not content with having you or that finding her would change things between us, Derek admitted.

His mother's grip on his hand tightened. "You will always be my son, Derek. Nothing will change that.

Finding your sister doesn't take away from our family

it adds to it. And you should know that we would have tried to find her ourselves had we been told about it during your adoption."

His father nodded in agreement. "We'll need to be

careful about it, though. If word gets out, there'll be no shortage of people trying to take advantage just to get into our family."

Derek exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I understand. Thank you - for understanding."

"You don't have to thank us for that. Do you think you can handle it yourself, or do you want us to handle it?" His mother asked, and Derek shook his head.

"I can take care of it. I only wanted your permission to go ahead," he said, and she smiled.

"You're such a good son, Derek. Thank you for respecting our feelings," she said, touching his cheeks fondly.

A moment later, they returned to the living room to join Maya, and they met Evelyn and a cleaned-up Samantha there, too. Evelyn's questioning gaze met Derek's, and when he gave her a reassuring nod, she smiled softly, clearly relieved.

As they prepared to leave, Samantha hopped into the car, chatting excitedly about her adventures with her grandparents while Maya indulged her.

Derek glanced at Evelyn as they drove away. "That went better than I thought it would."

Evelyn smiled, resting her hand on his arm again.

"Sometimes, you just have to take the leap. People can surprise you."

"Says the one who refused to take the leap for six years," he said dryly, and she laughed as she hit his arm.

"That's exactly why you should listen to me. I'm speaking now from my wealth of experience," she retorted.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're right, as always.

Could you call the people you mentioned? Have them look into this discreetly?"

"I thought you didn't want me interfering?" She asked, and he nodded.

"My Dad raised a valid point. I'd rather no one knows I'm the one involved in this," he explained.

"Of course. I'm happy to help," Evelyn replied, her voice warm with reassurance.

When they arrived at the hospital, Samantha's cheerful chatter filled the hallways until they entered Claire's room.

Samantha froze, her wide eyes fixed on her grandmother lying in the bed with a bandage on her head.

"Grandma, what happened to your head?" Samantha asked, her voice small and tears gathering in her eyes as she rushed over to the bedside.

Claire smiled, her hand outstretched. "I had a little accident, sweetheart, but I'm fine now. I missed you so much."

Samantha climbed onto the bed, her small hand cupping Claire's cheek. "I'll kiss your boo-boo and make it all better." Claire laughed softly as Samantha pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Thank you, darling. That already feels much better." Evelyn stood by, her eyes bright with emotion. "You're looking much better than you did yesterday."

"I feel better, too," Claire admitted. "And I'm ready to go home," she said, giving her husband a pointed look.

"Not happening. Not until I'm sure you're completely okay," Eric said firmly, crossing his arms.

"You're fussing over nothing," Claire argued lightly, though her smile didn't waver.

Eric's expression softened, "I'm not taking any risks."

"Maya," Claire said with a soft smile as her gaze met Maya's. "It's good to see you again," she said, her voice

warm.

Maya returned the smile, stepping closer to the bed.

"I'm sorry I came empty-handed. I only found out about this today. And I'm glad to see you looking well." "Thank you, Maya,, Claire said, her tone sincere.

Samantha beamed proudly, still perched next to Claire on the bed helped Grandma Stone with the flowers today!" she chimed in her mood brightening again.

"You did, my little gardener," Claire said, brushing a hand gently overz Samantha's hair. "And I can't wait to see them bloom. Maybe you'll bring me some flowers when they do?"

"Yes!" Samantha nodded enthusiastically, her earlier worry forgotten.

As the lighthearted moment settled over the room, Evelyn approached the bed, her expression soft.

"Mom, there's something I wanted to ask you."

Claire tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her gaze.

"Of course, dear. What's on your mind?"

Evelyn hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"When you're well enough, I'd like to take you to our home for a while. I think it'd be good for you to have a change of scenery."

Claire's eyes widened slightly, and then she smiled.

"That's a lovely offer, Evie. But are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble?"

"No trouble at all," Evelyn assured her. "It'll be good for all of us. Besides, Samantha would love to have you close. I would love it, too."

At the mention of her name, Samantha lit up. "Yes, Grandma! Come stay with us!"

Eric, still standing with his arms crossed, raised a brow. "And what about me?"

"You're welcome to stay, too," Derek said, stepping forward.

Eric smiled. "If my darling is up for it, let's do that."

Claire chuckled softly, reaching for Eric's hand. "I think I'd like that very much."

Evelyn smiled warmly. "Then it's settled. Once the doctor gives the all-clear, we'll make the necessary arrangements."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and Samantha's bubbly energy kept the atmosphere warm.

After some time, Derek and Evelyn decided it was time to see Ethan, and they left Maya and Samantha with her parents.

As they both walked out of the room, Derek slid an arm around her shoulders. "She seems to be making a speedy recovery," Derek noted. "Yeah""" Evelyn said with a happy smile.

"I think she will be as good as new in a week or two," he said, and she nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad the head injury wasn't severe," she said, and then Derek grinned.

"Me too. It would be nice to have your parents in the house," he said, and then she paused to look at him

suspiciously when she heard him

excitement in his voice.

"Yeah?"

"Would make the wedding preparations faster. So, maybe we can get married in a month. What do you think?" he asked, and she laughed softly.

"I should have known that was what you were thinking, she said, her lips curving into a teasing smile.

"You haven't answered my question yet," he said, and she grinned.

"I will when you ask the right way," she said with a giggle and walked away very quickly, leaving Derek to laugh as he tried to catch up with her.

 

Chapter 194

Ethan stirred in his bed, the rustle of sheets catching Rayna's attention. She sat in a chair beside him, a novel in her hand, but the moment she saw him move, she was on her feet.

"You're awake," she said, her tone more pleasant than she intended. Do you need anything? Water? Your lunch? An extra pillow?" Her words came out in a rush, betraying her concern. Ethan blinked up at her, his lips curving into a sleepy smile. "I'm fine. You've been fussing over me all morning. I'm sure that was the reason I was so exhausted. Sit down and relax."

"I'm not fussing," she retorted as she picked up his hospital-issued tray and inspected it before setting it back down with a frown.

"They should've brought your lunch by now. What are they waiting for?" She asked as she glanced at the clock.

Ethan's smile widened as he watched her, and then he chuckled, making her raise a brow as she glanced at him, "Is something funny?"

"Yeah."

She narrowed her eyes. "What's funny?"

"I thought you didn't care and wanted to move on?" Ethan teased.

"Shut up" she muttered, her cheeks pink.

"At the club that night, you said I wasn't your type," he reminded her, and she rolled her eyes.

"And you said I wasn't your type either," she shot back.

"I guess you lied," he said, ignoring her retort.

"Same way you lied too. And you lied about not liking that cereal and claimed it was for Sarah," she said, and he chuckled.

"I guess we both lied. You're very much my type," he said, and Rayna turned her back on him, but he didn't miss the way her lips quirked upward.

"Are you always this dressed up for hospital visits, or did you dress up specially for me?" Ethan asked, his voice light and teasing as he looked her over and noticed she had changed her clothes.

She wore a soft, lavender blouse that hugged her figure and a pair of dark jeans that looked freshly pressed. Her hair, usually in a casual ponytail, was swept into loose waves that framed her face and she had lipstick on. Rayna ran a hand self-consciously through her hair as she turned to face him. "What do you think?" She asked with a raised brow.

Ethan chuckled softly. "I think you dressed up for me."

"Yes, I did. And I had to wait hours for you to wake up and notice," she said with mock disapproval, and he laughed.

"Sorry. It's the pain relief medication. It's messing with my system.

And maybe it's a result of exhaustion, too. I'm probably getting all the sleep I didn't get during the duration of our problem," he admitted. "So, you had sleepless nights, huh?" She asked, pleased to hear that.

"Yes, I did. I had sleepless nights and restless days""" he said as he reached for her hand with his good hand, his fingers brushing hers lightly.

"That's good then. Very good actually 'cause you almost drove me crazy with your attitude..."

"Let's not talk about that" Ethan cut in as he pulled her closer gently, "let's talk about us instead, he said, and Rayna's pulse picked up.

"What about us," Rayna asked, her voice a little breathless because of the proximity between them and how her chest was pressed against Ethan's side.

"I want to kiss you," he said confessed, "Can I?" He asked, and in response, Rayna covered the space between them and kissed him.

Ethan kissed her back, but before the kiss could progress, the door creaked open, and Rayna immediately pulled away, her cheeks flushing crimson as she stepped back. She smoothed her blouse hurriedly as if to compose herself and spun around to face the door.

Evelyn and Derek stood in the doorway, their expressions a mix of amusement and curiosity. Evelyn arched an eyebrow while Derek smirked and shot Ethan a knowing look.

"Interrupting something?" Evelyn asked her tone light but with an edge of teasing.

Rayna cleared her throat, quickly retreating to the corner of the room and grabbing the novel she'd abandoned earlier. "Not at all. I was just... checking on Ethan's comfort. He said he had something in his eyes, and I was trying to get it out." She gestured vaguely toward the bed, avoiding everyone's gaze. "Of course"" Evelyn said smoothly, but the knowing smile she shared with Derek didn't go unnoticed by Ethan.

Ethan still reclined and entirely unbothered by the interruption, grinned up at Evelyn and Derek. "I'm glad you're here. I was about to ask her if she could leave me alone so I could rest. She's been nagging and nitpicking all day." Rayna whipped her head around to glare at him. "Excuse me?"

Ethan shrugged, "I've been begging you all day and trying to get you to talk to me, but you won't even look at my face. I don't know what to do anymore. So, maybe you need a break," he said, and Evelyn's eyes danced between them, her lips twitching as if she were holding back a laugh.

"You two are quite the pair," Evelyn said as her eyes lingered on Rayna, taking in her neatly styled hair and carefully applied makeup that was ruined a little because of the lipstick that had been smeared a little from the kissing. Her lips twitched, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Ray, you look nice today. Have a date?"

"No. I'm still too busy being his personal nurse to have time to myself," She said, scowling at Ethan.

Evelyn giggled as she turned to Derek, "I really want to act like we didn't see anything, but Ray keeps making it hard."

"What do you mean?" Rayna asked, eyeing her, and Derek chuckled.

"What did you say you were doing when we walked in just now?" Evelyn asked, giving her a pointed look.

"I was taking something out of his eyes..."

"Are you sure about that? Because from the lipstick stain on his lips, it looks like you were taking something out of his mouth," Evelyn drawled, and both Ethan and Derek chuckled. Rayna blushed, and without another word, she left the room, shutting the door behind her with just enough force to make her exit known.

"I will go after her," Evelyn said as she hurried after Rayna.

The room fell silent for a moment before Ethan and Derek broke into a laugh. "She's something else," Derek remarked, sitting down in one of the chairs.

"Yeah, she is," Ethan said with a grin. "She's been great," he said softly.

Derek arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Sounds like someone's got a personal nurse."

"Having her as my nurse makes this broken arm worth it," Ethan said with a chuckle.

Derek folded his arms, his gaze on Ethan. "You love her."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You think?"

"Don't play dumb," Derek replied with a small smile. "It's obvious you're head over heels. I'm just so surprised that your crazy plan worked."

Ethan's expression softened, and he glanced toward the door as if expecting Rayna to return. "Yeah, I'm surprised too."

"You're lucky," Derek said, leaning back in his chair.

Ethan chuckled. "I know I am."

Outside the room, Evelyn caught up with Rayna, and before she could say anything, Rayna glared at her, "Shut up."

Evelyn giggled, "Why should I? You tried to fool me."

"No, I didn't, Rayna said, and Evelyn snorted.

"I don't blame you, though. I should have known better than to listen to anything you say when Ethan is involved. When it has to do with Ethan, you're always moving like a floundering fish," Evelyn said with a small laugh. "What's that supposed to mean?" Rayna asked with an embarrassed smile.

"It means you lose common sense when Ethan is involved. And it's actually cute. So, seeing as you both are not taking things out from each other's eyes and mouths..."

"Shut up," Rayna said with a giggle, and Evelyn laughed.

"I guess you're no longer playing hard to get? You're such a cheap girl, Rayna," Evelyn said, and Rayna laughed.

"I feel so embarrassed I can't even lie," she admitted.

"Well, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, my friend. It's good to see things working out for you," Evelyn said softly.

"Thanks, Evie," Rayna said as she leaned forward and embraced her, "By the way, what's up with your plan to find Derek's biological family?"

"About that. There has been a change of plans," Evelyn said, and then Rayna told Rayna about Michael's discovery and Derek's decision.

"Oh! That's good, then. I hope he finds her soon. And most importantly, I hope she's alive. It would be really sad if something had happened to her, Rayna said, and Evelyn shook her head.

"No negative thoughts, Ray. Positive thoughts only. I really want Derek to be happy," she said, and Rayna smiled.

"Me too. And most importantly, I can't wait for us to plan our weddings together, Rayna said in an excited singing voice, and Evelyn laughed.

"Are you certain you love Ethan, or do you just want to get married?" She asked with amusement.

"Both, darling. This is one of those cases where two truths exist. It goes without saying that I'm handling the cake and refreshments for your wedding, right?" Rayna said, and Evelyn laughed.

"Sure. But let's slow down. Both men are yet to propose," Evelyn said, and Rayna rolled her eyes.

"What proposal are you searching for when you're carrying baby number two in your belly? Besides, hasn't he made his intention of marrying you clear already? Ethan has done that, and it's okay..." "Nope. I'm not asking for anything big. All I want is a ring. A baby is not a ring," Evelyn said, and Rayna rolled her eyes.

"Like Michael didn't give you a ring," Rayna said dryly, and Evelyn gasped in shock.

"No, you didn't just say that," she exclaimed, and Rayna giggled.

"Yes, I did. I'm saying a ring and going down on one knee isn't that big of a deal, and it doesn't determine the success of a relationship or marriage. So, our focus should be the wedding, not the proposal," Rayna said, and Evelyn scowled at her.

"You could have made your point without bringing Michael up, she said, and Rayna smiled.

"I'm wondering how you're both going to face each other at family gatherings in the future," Rayna said with a giggle, and Evelyn laughed as they made their way back to join the guys.

As they walked into the room, Ethan and Derek looked up, and Ethan raised a questioning brow as he met Rayna's gaze, while Evelyn went to sit on Derek's thighs.

"You can drop the act. They figured it out already," Rayna said with a scowl and they all laughed.

"I guess things are not going your way," he said as he held out a hand to her.

"Maybe it's not meant to go my way. Just don't make me regret forgiving you so easily," she said as she took his hand and sat beside him.

"I won't I promise"" Ethan said as he kissed her hand, while Evelyn and Derek smiled happily as they watched their best friends.

"Why are you smiling, Evie? You know, I've been thinking, and you're the cause of our troubles," Rayna said, and Evelyn raised a brow.

"I am? How?" She asked with a curious smile.

"That night at the club, if you had not been playing hard to get and just let Derek take us to his table and let him introduce me to Ethan all that drama that ensued between Ethan and I would not have happened," Rayna said accusingly, and Evelyn's jaw dropped while both Derek and Ethan chuckled. "Really? You're going to blame your mistake on me? Like I asked you to accuse an innocent man," Evelyn retorted playfully.

"Whatever. You're lucky that Ethan and I are meant to be and we found our way to each other regardless of the fact that you refused to let the universe use you?" Rayna said, and they all laughed grateful for the gift of love and friendship.

 

Chapter 195

A couple of days later, Maya stood in her room, neatly organizing and arranging her closet after doing her laundry.

As she began to fold and organize, she hummed softly to herself, feeling productive for the first time in days.

Following the employment of the new domestic staff, she had less work to do daily and had too much time to do nothing.

It was the middle of the day, and Derek and Evelyn had left for work after dropping Samantha off at school, leaving her with nothing to do.

She had tried to befriend the domestic staff, but for some reason, they were uncomfortable around her.

She figured it was because they thought she was superior to them as a member of the family, and they kept referring to her as

'ma'am'. Thinking about it now, she laughed softly, shaking her head with amusement.

Hours passed as she worked, the closet gradually transforming from cluttered to orderly. She stacked folded sweaters into neat piles and hung her dresses in a perfect gradient of colors. Just as she reached the back of the closet, her hand brushed against something hard and unfamiliar. Frowning, Maya crouched down to see what it was. There, hidden behind a stack of old scarves, sat a worn plastic first aid box.

It was an old first aid box that she had transformed into a keepsake box.

She pulled it out and carried it over to her bed. Sitting cross-legged, she opened the box with a mix of curiosity and nostalgia.

She had totally forgotten about it and did not even remember that she had brought it with her to Ludus.

Inside was a collection of small items: concert tickets, childhood trinkets, photos, and little notes shed kept over the years. Each item brought back a memory, and she found herself smiling as she picked them up one by one. Then, her fingers brushed against delicate silver chain.

She lifted it carefully, her breath catching as the necklaces locket swung gently in the air. She recognized it immediately- it was the locket her mother had given her just before her death.

Maya's throat tightened as she turned the locket over in her hand.

Her mother had told her the locket had been in her hand when she was pulled out from the car wreck.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she pressed the tiny clasp to open the locket. Inside was a picture of her biological parents and a boy no older than seven. Her elder brother. The faces stared back at her, frozen in time.

She had no memory of them, yet they felt familiar, like a ghost of a feeling lingering at the edge of her mind. She traced the image of her brother with her thumb, her heart aching. Should I try to find him? What would she find if she took the leap?

The question sat heavy in her chest. She had pushed the thought aside for years, convincing herself it wasn't worth the effort. But now, with this newfound stability and the love of Evelyn and Derek surrounding her, she wondered if it was time to take the leap finally. She had enough information about it if she wanted to find him.

She had this picture; she knew the orphanage home where he had been kept, and she also knew-

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft buzz of her phone on the nightstand. She glanced over and saw Liam's name flashing on the screen.

Smiling

"Hello?"

"I'm M she answered. "He

"Hey,

'Liam's warm voice greeted her. "How are you doing today?"

sne replied, setting the locket down beside her. "What about you? Are you more settled now?"

Getting there, he

glad I could admitted. "The unpacking helped, so thanks for that."

she said, leaning back against her pillows.

I help," she said,

"How's Evelyn? And Samantha?"

"They're good. Everything's okay here."

"Good to hear. So, what were you up to before I called?" he asked casually.

Maya hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. "I was going through my keepsake box. Actually, I found something I'd like your opinion on."

"Okay. What is it?" He asked eagerly.

"Uhm, I haven't really told anyone this before now, but I'd like a second opinion," she said and went on to tell him about her mother's deathbed revelation and the possibility of having a brother somewhere. Liam listened quietly, not interrupting as she explained. "Do you think I should try to find him? Or perhaps I should leave things as they are?" Maya asked, her voice soft and uncertain.

Liam paused before responding. "Why haven't you tried before now?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "I guess I was afraid. Afraid of what I might find- or not find. But lately, I've been thinking about it more, and now that I have some time... maybe I should."

Liam's voice was soft and reassuring. "I think you should. And if you're serious about it, I'll help you. Just give me the details, you know."

Maya felt a wave of relief. "Thank you, Liam..."

"I haven't done anything to earn your gratitude yet," he said, and she smiled.

"Offering to help is more than enough," she countered.

"If you say so. So, not that I've received your gratitude, I have to earn it. Tell me what I need to know. Where did the accident happen? Husla?" He asked, and she sighed.

"Yes. I might have to travel. My mother told me she left him in an orphanage after the accident. St Theresa's Orphanage," she said, and Liam raised a brow.

"Oh, there? I know there. I used to do some volunteer work there," he said, and Maya's heart skipped a beat.

"You do?" She asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I don't think you will need to travel. I can just put a call across to them, and I'm sure they will give me answers. Do you know when the accident happened? It would help me in asking precise questions," he said, and Maya nodded even though he couldn't see her. "Yes. It's my birthday. My Mom said the birthdate I've been using this whole time is actually the date of the accident, not my real birthday. That's the date she took me in," Maya explained.

Liam frowned, "Why would she make the same day you lost your family your birthday?"

"I don't think she thought about it that way," Maya said softly.

"Well, then, send me the picture on the locket," Liam said thoughtfully. "I'll look into it for you. By the end of the day, or at the latest by tomorrow, we should know the details of his adoption." Maya smiled, her heart feeling lighter. "You're amazing, Liam.

Thank you. I'm so glad I confided in you."

"Anytime," he replied, then added. "So, about the reason I called."

"Oh! You had a reason for calling apart from checking on me?" She asked jokingly, and he chuckled.

"Can we hang out again this weekend?" He asked, and Maya raised a brow, though her smile didn't fade. "Are you bored again?"

"Not exactly bored - I just enjoyed your company so much and want to hang out with you," Liam teased. "Aww. I'm flattered. We can hang out, but on one condition," Maya said, and Lucas raised a brow. "What?"

"You have to talk to Evelyn. I don't want to keep lying to her about you."

Liam groaned. "You're not lying..."

"Yes, I am," Maya said firmly, and then sighed, "Listen, I get that you're embarrassed, but you don't even have to tell her the whole truth; just let her know you're in Ludus. That's all." Liam sighed heavily. "Okay, fine. I'll give her a call."

"Good. Make sure you don't change your mind," Maya said,

pleased.

"I will try not to. I'll get back to you after I hear from the orphanage. Talk to you later."

"Later, Liam."

As the call ended, Maya looked back at the locket. A new sense of purpose filled her. Maybe it was time to find the missing piece of her past- and herself, she thought as she wore the necklace with the locket around her neck.

 

Chapter 196

Following Sandra's arrest, Evelyn took over Sandra's position and office at the company. As a result, she had

become even more busy than ever since resuming at her new office.

In the last couple of days, Derek had made a habit of making sure she had breakfast in the morning before

he dropped her of at work, and he also ensured that Lunch was delivered to her office so that she wouldn't have any excuse to skip meals.

As lunch break approached now, Evelyn glanced at the clock on her desk. She had asked the chef not to bring her lunch because she had other plans.

Seeing that it was noon, Evelyn grabbed her purse, straightened her blouse, and headed out of the office with a silly smile on her face as she imagined the surprise on Derek's face when she showed up asking that they have lunch together.

The cab ride to Derek's office was quick, still it felt like a very long journey as she couldn't wait to see him.

She hadn't visited him at work in a while. The last time

she had been to his office had been the day she revealed everything to him, and since then, she had been too busy to visit him at work.

As she got out of the cab in front of the company, she couldn't help the tremor of nervousness that passed through her.

Evelyn wasn't sure why she was having butterflies. Maybe it was the idea of seeing Derek in his element, surrounded by people who respected him so much.

Or perhaps it was the lingering weight of everything they had been through and how their reunion journey had started right here at the company.

As she walked into the building, she smiled to herself as she remembered how hard Derek had tried to

seduce her. It felt like such a long time.

When she reached the lobby of his office, the secretary flashed her a cheerful smile and greeted her warmly.

"Evelyn! It's been ages since you last stopped by," she said, her tone filled with genuine excitement. "I was starting to think you'd given up on that interview idea because of all the trouble."

Evelyn laughed, shaking her head. "No, not at al. That's actually why I'm here. I wanted to confirm we

could schedule the interview for next Friday."

The secretary's smile grew wider. "Oh, don't worry about that. Mr. Stone gave me strict instructions - he said to cancel anything he has on any day you choose. So fi you say next Friday, then next Friday it is."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Did he really?"

"Absolutely, the Secretary said, nodding firmly.

"Well, thank you. Is he in his office?" Evelyn asked with a soft smile.

The Secretary glanced at her monitor before responding. "He's in a meeting at the conference hall right now, but you're welcome to wait for him."

Evelyn nodded. "I will wait. Thank you."

The receptionist gave her a small wave as Evelyn walked over to one of the plush chairs in the lobby. Evelyn watched with mild interest as employees passed by, holding folders or chatting in hushed tones.

About thirty minutes later, she looked up to see Derek walking toward her. His tall frame filled the room with

an air of authority, but the surprise on his face softened his expression.

"Babe? How long have you been here?" he asked, stopping in front of her. His tone held a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Not too long," she replied, smiling. "I didn't mind waiting."

Derek frowned slightly, "You should have called to let me know you were here. And why are you out here anyway?" he asked, and then turned to his secretary, who was now standing behind her desk.

"From now on, if Evelyn comes to see me, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, you let me know immediately. And she doesn't wait out here- she waits in my office. Understood?"

The Secretary fought to suppress a smile, but it was clear she found the exchange amusing. "Of course, sir. Congratulations, by the way."

"Congratulations?" Evelyn asked, her smile fading into confusion as she exchanged a look with Derek.

The secretary grinned. "Oh, come on. It's about time you two made ti official. The tension between you was killing me!"

Evelyn giggled while Derek raised a brow, surprised by her boldness. Seeing that Evelyn didn't mind, he decided not to make a big deal out of it.

"Come with me, babe," He said as he gestured for Evelyn to follow him, and they walked into his office.

Once inside, Evelyn laughed softly. "You didn't have to be so dramatic out there."

"Dramatic? You're my wife..." "Girlfriend," she corrected.

"You're not just my girlfriend. You're the mother of my kids, and you're going to be my wife. You shouldn't be waiting in the lobby like a stranger," Derek said, his voice firm but warm.

"Then what was I supposed to say? It's not like our relationship is known to everyone. I could hardly say,

I'm Mr Stone's Babymama, so let me into his office," she said, and Derek nodded.

"I get that. Still, you could have called me. You know I would have ended that meeting right away, and you wouldn't have to spend a moment waiting," he said, and Evelyn tilted her head, studying him.

"You're something else, you know that?"

He smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment. So, what brings you here today?"

"Apart from the fact that I came to discuss the interview with your secretary as you asked me to," she said, and he chuckled.

"You didn't have to come over to do it. You could have just called her," he pointed.

"Well, apart from that, I was hoping we could grab lunch together," she said, sitting on the edge of his desk.

Derek leaned against the door, crossing his arms as he narrowed his eyes. "You mean the chef didn't deliver your lunch as I asked him to?"

"Nope. lasked him not to because Iwanted to eat with you."

"Then let's go," he said without hesitation.

"What about your meeting? How did it go?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He waved a hand dismissively. "I don't want to talk about work. I want to talk about you. How are you doing?"

She smiled softly. "I'm fine. Oh, and I decided the interview will be next Friday.

"Your wish si my command, ma'am," he said with a slight bow as fi taking orders.

As they left his office, Derek slipped his arm around her waist, and Evelyn raised a brow when she noticed several eyes on them. "What are you doing?"

"Subtly announcing to everyone that you're mine," he said with a casual shrug.

"There is nothing subtle about this," she said, laughing despite herself.

"This is as subtle as I can be without making you feel embarrassed. If you complain, I'll tap your ass or kiss you right here and carry you out in my arms," he threatened, his tone teasing. en

She laughed harder. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me."

Her laughter softened as he looked at her, his gaze warm and tender "Have I told you that I love the sound of your laughter," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.O

"Derek..."

"And your eyes," eh continued. "That green shade si beautiful. I hope our boy has your beautiful eyes."

Evelyn's cheeks turned pink. "Stop it," she said, giggling.

"What am Isupposed to stop?"

"You're making me feel self-conscious."

"Why? You should know how amazing you are," he said, and she rolled her eyes.

"We don't even know fi it's a boy or a girl. Besides, you said you didn't care," she reminded him.

"Yes, I don't. But I had a dream that we had a boy. So, I think it's a boy," he said, and she laughed as they stepped outside.

"When do you think we should tell Sam about the baby?" Evelyn asked as they approached the car.

Derek grinned, "After our appointment with the obstetricia this weekend, Iguess," he said as he opened the car door for her.

"She's going to be so excited," Evelyn said with a giggle, and Derek chuckled.

I"can only imagine," he said, smiling at the thought.

As they drove to the restaurant, Derek's phone rang. His expression darkened when he saw the caller ID.

He put the call on speaker. "Mr. Stone, this si Detective Greene. Sandra wants to meet with Evelyn."

"No," Derek said sharply.

Evelyn placed a hand on his arm. "I want to see her."

Derek glanced at her, his jaw tightening. I" don't want it. Idon'tlikeit."

"We can go together," she said gently. "I just want to close that chapter."

After a long pause, he sighed. "Fine. But you're not going within ten feet of her."

"That's fine by me," Evelyn said, and after agreeing on a date, Derek ended the call.

Moments later, Evelyn's phone buzzed. She answered quickly when she saw the caller ID, her expression changing as she listened.

"We have been able to trace the

woman who dropped of the boy at

the orphanage," the voice said. "But

she's dead. However, we found out that she has a daughter, and we are working on finding her."

Evelyn exhaled in relief. "Thank you. Please keep me updated."

When she hung up, she turned to Derek. "They're close to finding her," she said before giving him the details.

He sighed softly. "Although I don't know what I'm going to say or do when I see her, I hope they find her soon."

"Me too," Evelyn said as she reached over and squeezed his hand. Al the chaos faded for a moment, leaving only the warmth between them.

 

Chapter 197

As the family gathered at the table to eat dinner that evening, Samantha launched into an enthusiastic retelling of her day at school before the others even had the chance to settle into their chairs. "And then, Mrs. Connelly said my drawing was the best in the whole class!" Samantha beamed, her fork clinking against her plate as she stabbed at a piece of broccoli.

Evelyn smiled, resting her chin in her hand. Her daughter's energy was infectious, and though a part of her wanted to remind Samantha to chew with her mouth closed, she refrained. Derek had said he preferred to have them talk about their days during dinner and he would rather have a noisy dinner at home than a civilized one.

"That's wonderful, Sam," Maya said, her voice warm as she leaned forward. "What did you draw?"

"A castle with unicorns! But the unicorns had wings, too. And Mrs. Connelly said I have a big imagination!" Samantha's eyes sparkled as she spoke, her words tumbling out in an excited rush. "Well, I'm glad your talent is finally being recognized, Derek said with mock seriousness, causing Samantha to puff up with pride.

Maya laughed softly, enjoying the warm atmosphere at the table. Moments like these made her feel truly at home. "You do have a big imagination. Did you give the unicorns names?"

"Of course!" Samantha paused dramatically, glancing at each adult at the table as if preparing for a grand reveal. "The blue one is Sparkle, the pink one is Starry, and the green one is... uh... Lucky!" "That's a perfect name," Maya said, her smile widening. "Lucky sounds very unique."

"Sparkle is a beautiful name," Evelyn said, smiling as she gently reached out to ruffle Samantha's hair.

As Samantha continued her tale, Derek became mostly quiet, his fork moving methodically as he ate. But his gaze kept flickering toward Maya-or rather, toward the necklace she was wearing.

The delicate silver chain glinted faintly under the light, the locket nestled just above the curve of her collarbone. Derek's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of recognition stirring deep within him. It was as though the locket held some unspoken significance he couldn't quite place.

Evelyn, sitting beside him, noticed his interest in Maya. Her brow furrowed, and her gaze darted between Derek and Maya. The longer he stared, the tighter a knot formed in Evelyn's chest.

She tried to dismiss the unease that prickled at the edges of her thoughts, but it persisted. Why was he staring at Maya like that? She mused as she followed his eyes to Maya's chest.

Trying hard not to read too much meaning into it, she forced a smile. "Derek?" Evelyn's voice was light but pointed, breaking the rhythm of the conversation.

She arched an eyebrow, "You seem very interested in Maya's necklace. Is there a story there I don't know about?" She asked, her tone teasing.

She hoped the necklace was what he was staring at and nothing else.

Derek blinked, startled out of his thoughts, as he turned away from Maya to look at her. "What?" He looked at Evelyn, then at Maya, whose hand instinctively rose to the necklace, her fingers brushing over the locket protectively.

Evelyn tilted her head, curiosity lacing her expression. "Do you have a thing for lockets, Derek?" she asked, her tone playful but laced with a faint edge.

As if sensing the tension, Maya took a sip of her water and then forced a smile. "I-I haven't worn it before," she said, her voice soft. It's... special to me."

Derek hesitated, his brows drawing together as he struggled to articulate what he'd been thinking. "It's not... that," he began, but before he could finish, Maya's phone vibrated on the table next to her plate.

She glanced at the screen, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Liam's name flashing. She had been awaiting his call all day and had almost begun to think that he had forgotten his promise to reach out to the orphanage home. "Sorry, I need to take this. Excuse me for a moment," she said as she pushed her chair back and rose from the table before walking away.

Once Maya disappeared up the stairs, Evelyn turned back to Derek, her smile fading. She lowered her voice so that Samantha wouldn't catch on. "Was it really the necklace you were staring at?"

Derek paused mid-bite, his eyes meeting hers. "What else would I be looking at?" he asked, his tone laced with confusion.

Evelyn hesitated, then sighed. "Forget it. It's nothing."

But Derek didn't look away. His expression shifted, a flicker of hurt crossing his face as understanding dawned on him. "You think I was-" He stopped, his voice ringing with disbelief.

"I can't believe you thought that, talk more of asking me such a question." His voice was firm, but he didn't raise it.

Instead, he set his fork down carefully and leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening.

"It was just a harmless question," Evelyn said quickly, though her voice lacked conviction.

Derek looked her in the eyes, letting her know he knew very well that she asked because the thought had crossed her mind that he was ogling at Maya.

"You really think I'm that sort of person? Or that I would disrespect you in that manner?" He asked with a shake of his head.

The tension at the table grew thick, and Samantha, who had been chewing a carrot, looked up with wide eyes. "Are you fighting?"

Evelyn and Derek both turned to her, their expressions softening instantly.

"No, sweetheart," Evelyn said quickly, forcing a smile.

"We're just talking."

"Grown-up talk," Derek added, his voice gentle now. He picked up his fork again, stabbing at a piece of chicken.

Samantha eyed them suspiciously but then shrugged, returning to her plate. "Okay. But you sounded like you were fighting."

"We weren't, Princess. I love your mummy too much to fight with her," Derek said, fixing Evelyn with a look that both told her that he loved her, and he was disappointed at the same time at her lack of faith in him. Upstairs in her room, Maya tapped to answer the call and brought the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Maya," Liam's voice came through, warm but slightly hesitant. "Is this a good time?"

Maya leaned against the wall, her hand idly playing with the locket around her neck. "Yeah. I was having dinner with the family, but it's okay. What's up?"

"I'm sorry I didn't call earlier," Liam began, his tone apologetic. "I got caught up after our last conversation and only just got home now."

"It's fine," Maya assured him. "Did you find out anything helpful?"

There was a pause on the line before Liam spoke again, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I did. And you won't believe what I found out." Maya's heart began to race, her fingers gripping the phone tightly. "What is it?"

"I spoke with someone at the orphanage," Liam explained. "They told me that a couple of weeks ago, someone came around to ask questions about the boy in the picture you sent. And recently, someone else has also been asking around about the identity and details of the woman who left the boy there twentynine years ago... and took his baby sister with her."

Maya froze, her pulse thundering in her ears. "Are you serious?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I am," Liam said excitedly. "It's incredible, Maya. While you're searching for your brother, it seems he's been searching for you too."

A lump formed in Maya's throat as she struggled to process his words. "Did you find out who was asking? Is there a way I can meet them?"

"I asked the orphanage to reach out to the person," Liam said. "I told them to ask for more details about your brother, and I gave them my contact information

so they could follow up."

Maya's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. "I don't mind flying to Husla if it means meeting him," she said quickly. "If they ask where I am, you can tell them I'm in Husla. That way, he won't have to worry about coming all the way to Ludus." "Got it," Liam promised. "I'll let you know as soon as I hear back. Hopefully, tomorrow."

"Thank you so much, Liam," Maya said, her voice thick with emotion.

"Don't thank me yet," Liam teased gently. "But I'll do everything I can to help."

When the call ended, Maya leaned against the wall for a moment, her hand pressed over her pounding heart. Then, unable to contain herself, she flopped onto her bed and kicked her legs into the air with pure joy.

"He's looking for me," she whispered to herself, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. "He didn't forget about me." The realization filled her with warmth, and for the first time since she lost her mother, she felt whole. Her heart was lighter than it had been in years.

After a few moments, Maya sat up, wiped her eyes, and took a deep breath. She touched the locket around her neck, her fingers tracing its curves as she whispered a silent prayer of gratitude.

She couldn't help but feel that this was the beginning of something truly life-changing.

When she returned to the dining room, she noticed that everyone was quiet, and she silently hoped that Evelyn and Derek weren't fighting over anything.

The rest of the meal passed in near silence, save for Samantha's intermittent chatter. Evelyn tried to rejoin the conversation, but Derek remained silent.

Evelyn watched Derek from the corner of her eye, guilt twisting in her chest. She shouldn't have asked that. It was just an innocent observation, wasn't it? Then why had she let her insecurity creep in?

After a while, Derek rose and excused himself.

Immediately, Evelyn rose too, "Maya, could you please finish up with Sam? We will tuck her in before she goes to bed," Evelyn said, and Maya nodded.

"Sure," she said and watched as Evelyn hurried after Derek.

She caught up with Derek just as he stepped into their bedroom and hugged him from behind. "I'm sorry."

Derek stood still as she held him, and she turned around to face him, "I'm sorry. I really do not know

where that came from. I saw you

gazing at her so intently, and I just... I don't know. I felt really

uncomfortable. Maybe it's a result of my past relationship, and I just don't want to be taken for a fool while things happen under my nose again," she explained softly, and Derek sighed.

"I love you, Eve. I wish there were a way to tear my heart out for you to see it. I love you. You've got me completely. Body. Heart. Mind. Soul. I'm yours, I don't want anyone else I've not even wanted anyone else in all the time since I met you six years ago, feel really hurt that you'd think so low of me after all we've been through together. I deserve better than that, Eve. I understand where your feelings of insecurity are coming from, but can you trust me? I've never given you a reason to

doubt my love or loyalty, have I?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"Then please, do not insult my love for you by thinking that way. I was staring at the locket. I was sort of fascinated by it. And that's just it. Nothing else. I swear to you," he said, and she nodded.

"I know. I believe you. I'm sorry I insinuated otherwise," she said, and Derek nodded.

"It's fine," he said, and Evelyn batted her lashes at him.

"I could make it up to you," she said suggestively, and he chuckled.

"We will see how you plan to do that," Derek said with a grin. Evelyn embraced him, relieved that they could talk it over so quickly.

 

Chapter 198

The darkness was thick, pressing in from all sides, as Derek tossed and turned restlessly in his sleep, trapped in a nightmare he longed to escape. Something about the dream was familiar- perhaps it was the fuzzy and disorienting feeling that made him feel like he was looking through a broken lens.

He was small again, no more than seven years old. His legs dangled from the back seat of a car that felt both familiar and distant. His hands moved across the screen of a small device, busy with a building block game.

A man, presumably his biological father, was in the driver's seat, humming softly. His deep voice calmed the tense air and lulled Derek into a sense of security.

A woman, most likely his biological mother, sat in the passenger seat, holding a quiet conversation with the man. At the same time, a baby no older than ten months slept in an infant safety seat next to him, a silver neck chain clutched tightly in her hand. Despite the peaceful setting, little Derek could tell that something was wrong.

He shifted untold him he had been here before, had lived through this, but couldn't quite remember why.

in his seat, his fingers hesitating over the game console in his hand. A strange sense of foreboding crept in

-the kind that

His eyes darted up from the screen, peeking at the man's reflection in the rearview mirror. There was a slight frown on his face now, his eyes flicking nervously to the sides of the road.

"Honey, are you okay back there? Is your sister still sleeping?" the woman asked. Before Derek could respond, a blinding light pierced through the dream, and a deafening roar filled the air as a truck suddenly appeared from the left side of the road. It came barreling out of nowhere, its headlights glaring like the eyes of a predator. Derek opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came.

"Oh, my God, Tyler! Tanya"" he heard the woman cry as she turned in her seat.

The world slowed down, every second dragging out painfully as the truck collided with the side of their car. The impact was brutal.

Metal crunched, glass shattered, and the car spun wildly out of control. Derek's small body was jerked around in his seatbelt as the car somersaulted off the road. His mother's scream was cut off by the horrifying screech of metal scraping against the pavement. The sleeping baby was awake now, crying out loudly as though it could tell what was happening. The game console slipped from Derek's hands, bouncing off the car seat and disappearing into the chaos as he tried to reach for his baby sister. The car flipped again. And again.

Derek's heart pounded in his chest, the sound deafening in his ears. Blood trickled down his face, warm and sticky. Everything hurt. He was crying now, though he couldn't hear himself. The world was a blur of blood, broken glass, and twisted metal. And then, there was silence. Even the baby was no longer crying.

The car had stopped moving. It rested on its side, crumpled like a discarded toy. Derek's tiny body was trapped in the wreckage, his chest heaving with panicked breaths. The pain was overwhelming, but it was the silence that terrified him the most. Mommy?" "He cried when neither of them moved nor responded.

He thed to get out of his seat, wanting to check on his sister and parents, until he heard the sound of a door opening.

Through his bloodied vision, he saw him. A figure, shadowed by the darkness, stepped out from the wreckage of the truck. As he approached the broken car, he moved with eerie calm, unhurried.

The footsteps were wrong- too slow, too deliberate.

They were distant at first, barely audible over the ringing in his ears. But they grew louder, closer, with each agonizing second.

Derek's breath hitched, fear coursing through his veins.

Derek's eyes widened in terror as the figure knelt beside the car, peering into the shattered window.

He was checking, checking to see if they were still alive.

Derek's heart raced as his gaze flickered to his father, slumped in the driver's seat, blood pooling beneath him.

His mother was unmoving, her face pale in the moonlight. Derek's tiny body trembled, helpless, as the figure leaned in closer. His hand reached into his jacket, and he pulled out a gun.

Derek's breath

Bang. He shot at Derek's father, at as the figure straightened up. In the stillness of the night, he raised the weapon.

Derek's blood

tat father, and Derek watched as his father's body jolted with the force of the shot. Derek

ood ran cold, and he shut his eyes tightly as he heard the second gunshot. He knew it was his mother.

Each shot reverberated through the dream like a thunderclap, shaking him to his very core. Derek's sobs were silent, his voice trapped somewhere deep within his chest. He tried to move, tried to scream, but his body refused to

The figure stepped back, surveying the scene as though it was just another job.

to obey.

him. tighter and I tighter, suffocating him.

He was drowning in the blood, the glass, the endless silence.

The nightmare closed in on his chest heaving as though he had been running for miles. Sweat drenched his face, mingling with tears that streamed down uncontrollably. Derek j jolted awake with a gasp, his chest

His eyes darted around the dimly lit room, struggling to make

Babe, hey... hey, it's okay," Evelyn's voice broke through the bense of where he was. His breath came in ragged, uneven gulps, and his trembling hands clutched the blanket as though it were the only thing tethering him to reality.

haze, soft and urgent.

She was sitting up beside him, her hands gripping his shoulders firmly, grounding him. "It's me. You're safe. It was just a dream."

Derek's head snapped toward helttural, as the memories came rushing back in vivid, unbearable detail. He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking violently under the force of his grief. "My mom... my dad... my sister... they-" He couldn't finish.

his wide, haunted eyes locking onto hers. "They... they re gone, he choked out, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. "It wasn't an accident. They killed them... I saw it. I saw everything." His words broke into sobs, raw and The words lodged in his throat like shards of glass, too painful to speak. heart shattered at the sight of him. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him tightly against her. her voice steady despite the lump forming in her throat. "'ve got you, Derek. Let it out. I'm here."

E.

Evelyn's she

d him spiraling back into the nightmare. His face pressed into her shoulder, his tears

whitting go

He clung to her as if go would I send

soaking through her flimsy nightgown.

Each sob that wracked his body felt like a wave crashing over him, threatening to pull him under. His fists clenched the fabric of her nightgown as though it were the only thing keeping him from falling apart entirely. "I remember," he croaked between sobs. "I remember everything. crash,

The Evelyn's

, the truck, the man... he... he shot them. He killed them, Evelyn. He killed my parents right in front of me."

arms tightened around him, her hand moving to the back of his head, gently stroking his hair. "I'm so sorry, Derek," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. "I can't imagine how much that hurts, but you're not alone. I'm here now. You don't have to face this alone." Derek's breathing hitched as her words sank in. He leaned into her embrace, his tears wet against her skin. "I couldn't save them" he whispered, his voice breaking. "I couldn't do anything. I only watched, and I... I couldn't stop him." Evelyn pulled back slightly, just enough to cup his face in her hands. Her thumbs brushed away his tears as she met his anguished gaze with tear-filled eyes. "You were just a child, Derek. None of this was your fault. None of it. Do you hear

me?"

He nodded faintly, though the guilt still weighed heavily in his eyes.

She pressed her forehead gently to his, her voice soft but firm.

"You're not that scared little boy anymore. You survived something unimaginable, and you're here now. And I'm here with you. We are going to find your sister. I promise you, we will."

His sobs began to quiet, his breathing still shaky but slowing as

her words calmed the storm raging inside him. He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, his tears finally beginning to subside.

"Thank you," 'he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Evelyn p

pulled him back into her arms, holding him tightly as though she could shield him from the pain of his memories.

"Always" she said softly. "I'll always be here for you."

They stayed like that for a long time, the silence filled only by the sound of his breathing gradually evening out. Derek didn't let go, and neither did Evelyn pull back as Derek clung to her, finding solace in her warmth. Evelyn wasn't sure what had triggered the memory, but now she could understand how traumatic the incident must have been for him to have forgotten about it all this while.

 

Chapter 199

The next morning, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the bedroom. Derek sat at the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees and his head bowed. His hands trembled slightly as they raked through his messy hair, the events of the nightmare lingering like a heavy fog.

Since waking up from the nightmare, he had been unable to go back to sleep or bring himself to get out of bed. Going to the office was the last thing on his mind, and he had texted his secretary to cancel all his appointments for the day because he was not feeling well. Evelyn held him close until morning, and then she left to prepare Samantha for school and take her to school since she knew Derek was not in the right frame of mind for that. Now, Evelyn watched him from the doorway, her heart aching at the sight of his slumped shoulders and distant stare.

She walked over and sat beside him, resting a gentle hand on his back. "Did you manage to sleep at all?" she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Derek shook his head. "Not really. Every time I closed my eyes, it was like I was back there... in the car... hearing the gunshots." He exhaled shakily, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It felt so real, Eve. And the worst part is, I don't think this is the first time I've had this dream. I think I've had this nightmare before... a lot of times, actually. Probably when I was a kid." Her brow furrowed. "You think so?" his gaze fixed on the f

He nodded, on the floor. "I can't explain it, but it's familiar. Like it's always been there, just buried deep inside." He paused, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "I need to be sure it's more than just a nightmare." Evelyn hesitated, then asked, "What are you thinking of doing?" Derek rubbed his palms together, his mind racing. "First, I need to call my parents," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and determination. "I need to ask them if I ever had nightmares like this before."

Evelyn nodded, her hand sliding down to squeeze his. "Okay. Let's call them."

Derek picked up his phone and dialed his mother's number before pressing the phone to his ear.

Evelyn busied herself with organizing the bedroom, but stayed close enough to listen.

The call connected, and his

d his mother's warm voice came through.

"Derek! Good morning, sweetheart," she greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning, Mom," Derek said, his voice quieter than usual. "I...

I need

to ask you something. It's import

important."

His mother's tone shifted, her cheer replaced by concern. "Of course, honey. Are you okay? Is something wrong? What is it?" Derek hesitated, his fingers tightening around the phone. "Did I

ever have nightmares as a kid? About... about something terrible happening?"

There was a pause on the other e other end. "Nightmares?" his mother repeated slowly. "All kids sometimes have nightmares."

"No. Not the general type. More serious nightmares," he asked, and she sighed softly as though she had been hoping he wouldn't ask. you did.

did. When you

Yes, felt his cho you first came to us, you had

had them almost

tighten.

"What were they about? Did I ever tell yought for weeks. It took a long time before they finally stopped."

"You were so young," his mother said gently. "You couldn't explain much. But you'd wake up crying, sometimes screaming, and you'd cling to us, saying you didn't want to lose us too." Her voice softened further. "It broke our hearts, Derek. You were so scared." He swallowed hard, his throat dry. "They came back, Mom. Last night, I had one. And... I think I understand now what happened to my biological parents."

A: sharp intake of breath crackled through the line. "Oh, Derek," 'his mot mother murmured. "What do you mean?"

"I think they were murdered," he said, his voice trembling. "It wasn't just an accident. I remember... the crash, the man... he shot them, Mom. He killed them." He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to steady his voice. "I want to look into it. I need to know the truth." There was a long pause. When his mother finally spoke, her voice was cautious. "Derek, are you sure about this? Digging into the past... it could bring up a lot of pain. I don't want you to get hurt," she said, her tone pleading.

"I can't stop now," he said firmly. "I've already started looking for my sister, but I can't stop there. I need to know what really happened to my parents. I need to know if they were killed and why."

His mother's voice trembled with worry. "I knew you were going to be this way. This was the reason I didn't say anything all this while.."

"You knew? You knew my parents were murdered?" He asked, hoping he had heard wrong.

Evelyn,

mom

who was listening from the other side of the room, paused to look at Derek. "Yes, I did. But that's not important now..."

"It

is."

is," He said, his tone weary.

A part of of him had been hoping that the murder part of the dream had only been a dream and nothing more. He had not wanted to believe that someone had been cruel enough to shoot his parents, who had already died from the hit by the truck. "How much more do you know?" Derek asked, hurt that she had kept such an important detail from him. Evelyn left the

Seeing that the e conversation might be longer than she thought,

ו"

left the room to get him something to drink.

only know it was murder. When you were younger, whenever you saw a gun scene on the television, you would hide. And even toy guns terrified you. Coupled with the nightmares, which I thought were night terrors at first. I had to take you to a child psychologist, and she confirmed that med that you had post-traumatic stress disorder. I was very worried and scared for you. I had no idea what happened to your family, and to protect you, we decided you totally adopted our son's identity. That way, no one could find you," she said softly. "But you gave me his identity from the moment I got home from the orphanage," Derek said with a frown.

"No. That's how you remember it. But that's not what happened, darling. Yes, I chose you because you reminded me of him, and I was drawn to you naturally. But you were never meant to be a replacement for him. We wanted you to have all his stuff because it would be a waste to throw them out, but we didn't adopt you to be him. No one can replace a dead offspring. Being a parent now yourself, I'm sure you'd understand better. We gave you Derek's identity to protect you," his mother said, and Derek sighed deeply, not understanding anything about his life life anymore. "Do you

Do really think it was easy for us to watch you grow and call you by his name? It was painful, Derek. I'd have to be insane to be able to look at you and call you by his name without remembering my loss. It would have been easier to call you by a different name," she said, and for a moment, Derek thought about it.

He had been wrong about everything. It seemed like he no longer knew who he was or anything about himself as he had thought he did. "Promise me

I be careful. Please, Derek," she pleaded when he remained silent. be

"I will," he assured her. "I just... I have to do this, Mom."

They exchanged a few more words before ending the call. Derek set his phone down, buried his face in his hands, and exhaled deeply. Evelyn returned to the room and walked over to where he sat, handing him a steaming mug before sitting close to him.

"That seemed intense," she said gently.

he said, and then told her all his mother had said.

"It was,, he said

"How do you feel now?" Evelyn asked, her voice soft and concerned.

"Lost," he admitted, his hands wrapped around the mug. "But I can't ignore this. I need answers."

Evelyn reached for his hand, her fingers brushing his. "Maybe when we find your sister, we might have the clue that could help piece this all together." Derek nodded slowly, his eyes meeting hers. "You're right. She's the key. If I can find her... maybe everything will start to make sense." "Aren't you going to work?" "And leave

you all

"I am my own Tam

Derek asked when he glanced at the clock and saw that she was running late.

all by yourself in this state? I don't think so. If you're home, then I will stay home too," she said, and he smiled softly. boss he pointed out.

"And I am my boss' daughter. And even if I wasn't, my man is a boss and can take care of me if I lose my job," she said, and Derek chuckled.

"That's

s correct," he said with a sigh.

Before either of them could say anything else, Evelyn's phone buzzed, and she received the call when she saw it was from the person helping her track Derek's sister.

"I just received a call f from t the

"What did you just say?" Shephanage home. It seems like the girl is trying to find her brother, too," he said, and Evelyn's heart skipped a beat, and tears gathered in her eyes as she turned to Derek.

asked, her voice thick with emotion as she placed the call on speaker for Derek to hear.

"The girl you're looking for is also trying to find her brother. She's in Husla," he said, and tears of joy dropped from Evelyn's eyes when she saw the tears that gathered in Derek's eyes.

The words settled something in him, a tiny flicker of hope pushing back against the weight of his grief. For the first time that morning, he allowed himself to believe that answers might still be within reach. "I want to see her. I will fly down at once," Derek said, and Evelyn nodded.

 

Chapter 200

Maya was beside herself with excitement as she packed her bag, getting ready for the trip to Husla in case Liam called with good news for her.

One of her mottos in life was to always be prepared.

She had barely been able to sleep all night because she had been thinking about meeting her elder brother.

She wondered how he had been faring all these years and if life had been good to him. She wondered how much he remembered and if he would recognize her easily when they met.

Was he married? Did he have kids? She felt giddy at the thought of having not only a brother but a sister-in-law as well as nieces and nephews.

Thinking about it, she paused when she remembered that she had yet to tell Evelyn about this recent development.

She had never mentioned having a brother to Evelyn before or anything about what her mother had told her before she passed away.

The only reason she had told Liam about it was that it had become a burden on her mind lately and had become even more so after seeing the locket again.

She jolted when her phone began to ring, and she quickly received the call when she saw it was Liam.

"Good morning, Liam. I've been waiting for your call," she said excitedly.

Liam smiled, "You sound pretty excited," he noted.

"I am. Did you hear back from the orphanage? Have you found out about my brother's identity?" Maya asked hopefully.

Liam sighed, "About that, it seems the guy asking questions at the orphanage was contracted by your brother. For some reason, he's not interested in revealing his identity. He would rather meet with you in person," Liam said, and Maya frowned. "Perhaps he is someone important?" She asked, wondering why else he would send someone and not want to reveal his identity.

"I considered that, too. But just to be on the safe side, I decided to schedule a meeting on your behalf. You don't have to reveal your identity to him either until you meet him," Liam said, and Maya laughed.

"I'm not someone important. It doesn't matter whether or not you reveal my identity," Maya said, and Liam raised a brow.

"You're someone important. You're important to Evelyn and Samantha. And you're my friend, so you're important to me too," Liam said, and Maya rolled her eyes but she smiled.

"I'm sure you know what I meant," she said and then sighed.

"How soon can I meet him? I'm guessing he won't share his contact details either. Perhaps he wants to see me first and decide whether or not I'm someone he wants in his life," Maya said thoughtfully.

"Let's not overthink it. I was told he wants to meet you as soon as possible. And since he was told you're in Husla, I'm expecting he would want to see you today if he too is in Husla," Liam said, and Maya glanced at her watch.

"If I leave for Husla today, I can see him in two days. Let's set up the meeting for Saturday," she said, and Liam nodded

"Have you told Evelyn yet?" He asked, and she sighed.

"No. I'm not sure I want to tell her about it until I've met with him, and I'm sure he wants me in his life," she said, and Liam paused.

"Are you always this cautious?" He asked, and she shrugged.

"I told you before. I'd rather prepare my mind for the worst and be surprised pleasantly."

"He wouldn't be trying to find you if he didn't want you in his life,"

Liam pointed out.

"Maybe. But I'll tell Evelyn about it after I reunite with him," Maya said, and Liam nodded.

"Alright. I'm sure you know best. I will set up a meeting for Saturday at a restaurant, and I'll send the details to you and them.

Let me know before you leave for Husla," Liam said, and Maya smiled

"Thank you so much, Liam. I'd never have imagined that you'd be someone I'd have to depend on in this way. Thank you," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Just don't forget you owe me a hangout," he said before hanging up, making her laugh.

As Maya threw her phone on the bed, she took a deep breath as she prepared herself to go inform Evelyn that she was embarking on an impromptu trip.

Away from there, in Derek's bedroom, Evelyn looked at Derek after hanging up the call. We will go together. You don't have to do this alone," she said firmly. Derek looked at her, his throat tight with emotion. "Are you sure?

You have so much going on at work. And your Mom..."

She cut him off with a small smile. "My Mom is fine and feeling much better. My Dad can take care of her. Work can wait, too.

Nothing else matters right now. What matters is you finding her," Evelyn said softly.

"What about Samantha..."

"I'm sure Maya won't mind watching after her, and.." a knock sounded on the door before Evelyn could finish.

"Excuse me," she said as she went to get the door. "Maya? Is everything alright?" She asked, and Maya nodded.

"Yes. I wanted to let you know that something urgent came up, and I need to travel to Husla. I was going to tell you that last night, but I didn't get the chance. And this morning, too, Maya blabbed, and Evelyn's brows pulled together.

"Husla? Is everything alright?" She asked, and Maya smiled as she nodded.

"Yes. Everything is fine. Something came up, but I can't give you the details right now. I promise to tell you all about it when I get back," Maya said with a smile that assured Evelyn that everything was fine. "Have you booked your flight yet?" Evelyn asked, and Maya shook her head.

"No. Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first," she said, and Evelyn nodded.

"Alright. Can you hold on? Maybe give me a couple of minutes to talk to Derek? Don't book your flight just yet," she said, and although Maya couldn't understand why, she nodded

"I'll be in my room," she said before walking away.

"Who was at the door?" Derek asked, and Evelyn sighed softly.

"Maya. She needs to make an impromptu trip to Husla," Evelyn explained, and Derek frowned.

"All of a sudden?" He asked, his thoughts flashing to the locket she had been wearing the night before.

"Yeah. Why don't we all leave

together? I will call the school and

let them know Samantha will be

staying with your parents for a couple of days. You can give your Mom a call to explain the situation to her," Evelyn said, knowing that his parents wouldn't mind.

Derek hesitated, "Don't you think she is going to be worried if we all travel suddenly and leave her with my parents."

"She will be alright, trust me. Besides, she will be too excited about spending time with all those dolls, your parents got her to worry about anything else. We will be back before she misses us," Evelyn said confidently. Derek considered it for a moment, and then he nodded, "Thank you, Eve. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Evelyn brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. "You've been doing pretty well on your own before I showed up," she said with a small smile, already mentally listing the things they'd need.

"Alright then. Let's go together. I'll arrange for a flight immediately," Derek said, and she nodded.

"Good. I'll call her school and all our bags. You focus on booking the flights..."

Derek shook his head softly, his lips curving into a faint smile despite the weight on his chest. "We don't need to book flights or pack much. I'll have the jet ready within the hour.

Just grab whatever you need, and

we'll leave. We can get anything else there."

Evelyn blinked, momentarily startled. In the whirlwind of emotions, she had forgotten that Derek had the resources to bypass all the usual delays. "Right. Of course." She smiled back at him.

"I'll let Maya know she can fly with us"" Evelyn said, and as she headed for the door, Derek reached for his phone again, dialing the number of his pilot.

The moment Evelyn knocked on Maya's bedroom door, Maya opened it, wondering what Evelyn wanted to say.

"You don't have to book a flight. Something came up, and Derek and I had to fly down to Husla. You can travel with us in his jet," she said, and Maya beamed a happy smile.

"Really? What a coincidence," Maya said, and Evelyn nodded.

"Yeah. You can get your stuff ready. I'll let you know when we can leave," she said, and Maya nodded, glad that she had been saved the flight expense and she would travel comfortably.

It seemed like the universe was on her side, Maya thought happily as Evelyn walked away.

As Evelyn walked back into the bedroom to meet Derek, he turned to her, his eyes bright with purpose. "They'll have the jet ready soon."

Together, they placed the call to Derek's mom and Samantha's school, and within moments, arrangements were set.

An hour later, Evelyn, Derek, and Maya left the house together to go to the airport.