Billionaire’s

As Evelyn sane Rayna off to her car a couple of hours later, Kayna turned to her with a serious expression. “If you ask me, Esse, I think instead of just sitting back and waiting for Derek to handle Sandra and Michael, you should be more proactive. Are yoni really past going to relax when you know they are highting you! You should stand up and fight back. Give them blow for fucking blow,” she und, and Evelyn sigheid.

“Do you think I haven’t thought about it, or I don’t want for I would like to. But Have in think about Samanthu.

“You’re hiding behind Samantha, Evelyn,” Rayna said, and Evelyn frowned.

“Yes. Where is the Evelyn that poured the wine on Sandra at the party! You know, of all you told me today, that was the meat impressive part. I like det you dicha’t stand there helplessly crying and trying to defend yourself. I like that you acted like the latch the tried to paint yescas Can you imagine how shock, she must have been when you did that Rayna asked, and Evelyn smiled, remembering the shock she had seen on Sandra’s

fice then

“She did look really shocked” Evelyn said, and Hayna giggled.

“Exactly! That’s what I think you should do, Ever Stop being the calm and mature girl. It’s annoying and irritating. Fight backt || Derek, take her from him. Let her know that you have Derek in your palen, and he is yours. Let her know how it feels to see what you taken away,” Rayna said passionately as they stood by her car.

*Samantha is your hidden card. Evic. She is not a disadvantage. She is an advantage. Apart from Derek’s interest in you. Samantha is the eilge you have over Sandra. Your daughter is a Stone. Do you think anyone could use that against you? The story that you weer with a lover wind become useless when everyone knows it was herek

“Hut I don’t want my business out there that way.” Evelyn said, and Rayna groaned in exasperation.

“You’re frustrating me, Evelyn! In life, you have to fight for what you want. Life isn’t going to past throw handouts at you

what you want and go for it. You want Derek? Then don’t let Sandra have him. Show Derrk that you want him: Stup pushing him away. If he is fighting for the both of you, the least you can do is to be more receptive to his feelings, especially since you feel the same way,” Rayna said, and Evelyn sighed as she contemplated Rayna’s words,

“Do you really think it’s right I mean, my being with Michael’s cousin!” She asked, and Rayna rolled her eyes.

“Do you think it is right that Michael is with your step–sister? You haven’t done anything wrong You haven’t done anything to be ashamed. I think you should throw out that good and mature Evelyn and be as peny as Sandra is now Don’t just avond her trouble by being on the defensive anymore. You should be on the offensive now. Be the bad bitch!” Rayna said, and Evelyn piggled.

“You’re al

a bad influence, Ray,” Evelyn said, and Rayna nodded.

“Yep. The exact kind of influence you need to deal with Sandra. She has gotten away with her nonsense for long enough. It’s time for you to give her a taste of her own medicine. I get that you haven’t told your parents about it yet because you do not have any evidence, but you won’t have any evidence if you keep minding your business this way. Join forces with Derek Rayna advised

Ray, why are you talking about this now! I mean, we were indoors for over four hours talking and watching TV, but you dad ay any of this.” Evelyn said, and Rayna nodded.

“I was thinking about it the whole time, and 1 was also scared that I might rate my voer and Samantha would hear is,” she explained, “Listen. Evor. for Samartha’s sake, you need to fight Sandra head on. Do you have any idea how much damage Sandra can do to your erpuration if she finds out about Samantha before you reveal her yourself? Don’t give that snake anything to use against you.”

“Alright. I’ve heard you. I will think about all you’ve sand,” Evelyn promiseid.

“You had better. I’ll keep an eye on the snake, don’t worry” Hayna promised embracing Evelyn before getting into her car

Evelyn stood there, smiling and waving at Rayna until her car disappeared front view, and then Evelyn sighed deeply as she returned inside. Evelyn had never felt more relieved in the post six years than she felt now that s new she could lean on someone as dependable as Rayna: For the rest of the day, all Evelyn could think about needed to be on the repuve now

Kayna had kind. She had been calm the long enough. To protect Samantha she

rady in go in bed after Samantha had been tucked in her phone rang, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was Derek.

had kid about being more pportive of Derek, she received the ca

unded when be noted that she did

to him collly as Mti

12:16 PM ď ď

Evelyn smiled, “Why do you think so?”

*You sound so. Did something good happen?” He asked, and she nodded.

“Sort of. How are you doing?” She asked, changing the subject. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“Did you just ask how I’m doing? Or were you trying to ask why I called?” Derek asked in disbelief.

This time, Evelyn laughed softly, amused by Derek’s reaction to her easygoing demeanor.

“I don’t know what happened to brighten your mood, but I hope whatever it is happens every day going forward,” he said, and she rolled her eyes.

“I guess you’re fine then,” she noted.

“Yeah. How was your day? Did you go out?” Derek asked conversationally.

“No. I was indoors all day, Rayna visited, and we just hung out,” Evelyn said, and Derek smiled, enjoying the flow of the conversation.

“Talking about Rayna, Ethan told me he ran into her yesterday. She owns a bakery, Derek said, and Evelyn giggled.

“Yeah. You should ask him to calm down, though. Ray made an honest mistake. He shouldn’t hate her for it. And the least he can do is give her a chance to apologize. Evelyn said, and Derek sighed.

“Sure. I’ll let him know. And I didn’t call to talk about them,” he said, and Evelyn smiled.

“Why did you call then? Called to tell me about another date with Sandra?” She asked, and Derek scowled.

“I wanted to see you yesterday. I missed you so much and wanted to see you. But you won’t believe what happened,” he said, and she raised a brow

“What happened?” she asked, suspecting that he wanted to tell her about Samantha.

“I decided to hang around the park in your area, and luckily, I reconnected with a little friend of mine. Can you b that told Evelyn he still couldn’t believe it,

-What

“What little friend?”

believe it!” Derek asked in a tone

“Her name is Sam. Samantha. She’s the cutest, smartest, and sweetest kid I’ve ever met,” Derek said, and Evelyn’s heart fluttered.

He really thought Samantha was all of that? She mused.

“You must adore her,” Evelyn said, and Derek chuckled.

“Absolutely. I had no idea how much I missed her until I saw her yesterday. I’ll introduce you to her one of these days. We agreed to meet on Saturdays when I’m free,” he said, and Evelyn winced when she heard how excited he sounded.

“I don’t think her parents are going to want strangers meeting up with their kid,” Evelyn said, wanting to prepare his mind for the disappointment ahead.

She knew that following Rayna’s advice, she was supposed to tell Derek about Samantha. But now

ow was not the time.

She was not ready yet, and even if she was, it wasn’t going to be a phone conversation,

“Well, she did say her Mom knows about me. So, I don’t think I will be considered a stranger. I miss you, Evelyn,” Derek suddenly said, causing butterflies to flutter in her belly.

“I know you miss me too, even though you won’t say it. I know you’re holding back, Derek said when she didn’t say anything

“I miss you, too,” Evelyn whispered, and before Derek could respond or react, she quickly hung up.