The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Chapter 206

0

+5

As Derek drove toward his parents' house, Evelyn sat quietly beside him, occasionally glancing at the backseat where Maya fidgeted with her hands, her anxiety tangible.

Maya had been silent for most of the ride, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. She was a bundle of nerves as she stared out the

window, her eyes darting over the passing landscape but not really seeing it.

She was anxious about being introduced to Derek's parents as his sister. Her breath hitched slightly when Derek turned onto a quiet street lined with stately homes, the houses growing larger as they approached their destination. "Hey," Derek said softly, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. "You okay back there?"

Maya nodded quickly, though her trembling hands betrayed her nerves. "I'm fine. I guess," she replied, her voice too high-pitched to be convincing.

"Anxious?" Evelyn asked knowingly.

"Very," she admitted.

Evelyn twisted in her seat to face her, her expression warm and reassuring. "It's normal to feel that way, Maya. But Derek's parents are wonderful people. They're going to love you." Maya bit her lip and shook her head. "What if they don't? What if

they think I'm lying or trying to take something from them?"

Derek chuckled softly, his voice calm. "Trust me, that won't happen. My parents aren't like that. They've been waiting for this moment just as much as I have- even if they didn't know it yet." "But-" Maya started, only for Evelyn to interrupt.

"No buts" Evelyn said firmly, her tone gentle but decisive. "They're going to be thrilled to meet you. You've been part of their lives longer than you realize. You were Samantha's nanny, remember? They already know how amazing you are."

Maya's lips twitched into a faint smile at the mention of Samantha, but the tension in her shoulders didn't ease. Derek caught her reflection in the mirror and spoke again.

"Maya," he said softly. "You're my sister. That's all that matters.

You belong here, and they'll see that. Just give them a chance."

Maya exhaled shakily, "I wish I could take your word for it. It's not like I deliberately want to worry. My stomach just won't stop jumping," she said, and both Derek and Evelyn chuckled. "Try to relax," Derek said as they pulled into the driveway of his parent's home.

"I will try," Maya said, swallowing hard as Derek parked the car and turned off the engine. Evelyn reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly before they all stepped out.

As the three of them climbed the steps to the front door, her nerves surged again as Derek unlocked the door.

Derek led them into the warm, inviting foyer. "Wait here while I get them," he said, motioning toward the living room.

Maya sank onto the edge of a plush armchair, her fingers gripping the armrest. Evelyn settled beside her on the couch, offering another reassuring smile. Maya tried to return it but failed as her stomach twisted in knots. Derek walked down the familiar hallway to his parents' bedroom, his steps slowing as he reached the door. He hesitated for a moment before knocking softly.

"Who is there?" his mother's voice called.

"It's me"" Derek said.

There was a pause before his mother spoke again, her tone laced with surprise and curiosity. "Derek? What are you doing here?

Weren't you traveling?"

"Can I come in?" he asked instead of answering.

"Of course"" she replied, and Derek pushed the door open.

His parents were sitting together on the bed, his father reading a newspaper while his mother folded laundry. Both of them looked at him, their expressions shifting from surprise to concern when they saw the somber look on Derek's face. "What's wrong?" his mother asked, rising to her feet. "Why are you here? Is everything okay?"

Without a word, Derek dropped to his knees in front of them. His

mother gasped, and his father lowered the newspaper, his brow furrowing as he exchanged a look with his wife.

"Derek?" his mother whispered, her voice trembling. "What's going on? Did something happen?"

Derek looked up at her, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, Mom," he said hoarsely.

"Sorry for what?" she asked, crouching down to his level, her hands trembling as she gripped his shoulders.

"For misunderstanding you all these years"" he said, his voice cracking. "For resenting the fact that you gave me his name. I thought you did it for the wrong reasons. I didn't realize you were trying to protect me."

His mother's face crumpled, tears

spilling down her cheeks as she shook her head vehemently. "No, Derek. You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing. I should have explained everything to you when you were old enough to understand. I thought you had moved past it. I only realized you were still bothered by it when the scandal came up, but I was too upset to tell you the truth. I'm the

one who's sorry."

Derek reached for her hands, his grip firm but gentle. "No, Mom. I was ungrateful. I've been an unfilial son, and I-"

"Stop," she said, cutting him off as tears streamed down her face.

"You've been the best son I could ever ask for. I'm so proud of you, Derek. Always."

They embraced tightly, their tears mingling as they clung to each other. Derek's father cleared his throat, breaking the emotional

moment. "Are we done with the drama? Because I'd like to know why you're really here when you should be on your way to Husla."

Derek and his mother laughed through their tears as they pulled back from each other. "Did you really have to ruin the mood?" Derek's mother asked, dabbing her tears with the hem of her sleeve.

"What was I supposed to do? Join you both?" He asked dryly before returning his attention to Derek.

"No apology is necessary. You're our

son. We did what we had to do to protect you. We didn't mind being misunderstood as long as you were safe. It's our job to protect you, I'm glad that you understand now," he said, and his wife nodded in agreement as she straightened.

"Yes, Derek. All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy. I know it might not have seemed so when I tried forcing you to marry Sandra, but that was because I honestly thought Evelyn was all they painted her to be, and didn't want you to make a mistake. All I do is because you're my son, and I love you," his mother said softly.

"I know that now. I understand. And I'm grateful," he said, and his father sighed.

"So, are you going to keep kneeling? Why are you not on your way to Husla? I hope you're not planning on taking my granddaughter away. We made plans for the weekend and next week already," He said, and Derek chuckled as he rose.

"I came to introduce someone to you."

"Introduce someone? Who?" his mother asked.

"My sister. I found my her," Derek said simply.

Both parents paused, and his mother's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What?" his father asked.

"So soon? How?" His mother asked.

"You'll find out how soon. She's waiting in the living room," he said, and his mother gasped, a hand flying to her mouth.

She didn't wait for any further explanation as she hurried past Derek and out of the room. His father followed, shaking his head in amazement.

In the living room, Maya stiffened as Derek's parents appeared.

His mother's eyes landed on Evelyn first, and she frowned. "I hope you're not about to tell me Evelyn is your sister."

Everyone laughed, but Maya's nerves only heightened as their attention shifted to her. She shrank under their gazes, her hands twisting in her lap. Derek stepped forward, his voice steady. "Mom, Dad, you've met Maya. She's my biological sister."

His mother's jaw dropped, and his father looked stunned. "Maya?" his mother repeated. "Didn't you say she was Samantha's nanny?" "Yes," Derek said. "She's my sister."

"How?" His mother asked, exchanging a look with her husband

"Why don't you sit down, and I will tell you everything?" Derek suggested, and his parents sat down.

Derek went on to tell them all that had happened on the plane and showed them the picture in Maya's locket.

When he finished, his mother turned her attention to Maya, her eyes softening. She felt sorry for Maya after hearing about how she had lived until now. Before she could speak, Maya leaned forward in her seat, "I know this is unexpected and quite unbelievable. I don't mind a DNA test," she offered quietly. Derek's mother smiled, "Just to be sure, a DNA test will be done.

But regardless of that, I've heard so much about you from Samantha, and even if you weren't Derek's biological sister, I think you're family."

"I agree. I have always known I was meant to have a daughter.

Who knew it would take this long to have one?" Derek's father asked with a smile.

"Two you mean? We have Evelyn too, and a granddaughter," his wife corrected, and they all laughed.

Maya's eyes filled with tears as Derek's mother rose from her seat and extended a hand to her. "DNA or not, you're family now," Derek's mother said, her voice warm. "Welcome home." When Maya rose to take her hand, Derek's mother embraced her

instead, and Maya broke into a sob, overwhelmed by their easy acceptance.

Derek exchanged a look with Evelyn, and they both smiled, relieved that his parents had not disappointed them.