The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Chapter 183

Rayna's head rested beside Ethan's arm, her cheek nestled on the hospital bed as she slept soundly. Her hand was draped over his, her grip loose but warm, as if even in her sleep, she didn't want to let him go.

Ethan blinked slowly, his surroundings blurring into focus. The white walls and faint hum of machines told him where he was, but his gaze settled quickly on Rayna, her peaceful face so close to his that he could almost feel her breath.

He felt a surge of relief seeing her there, safe and unharmed. But as relief faded, he winced, remembering how he'd landed here. He felt embarrassed that hed gotten hurt like this- it wasn't exactly the cool, suave impression he'd hoped to make, especially when he'd been trying to protect her. He stayed as still as possible, not wanting to disturb her, and let his thoughts drift back to the moment hed lunged to save her. He could still see it- the car barreling toward her, the realization hitting him that he couldn't leave things as they were. He'd planned to sail out that night, to bury himself in the vastness of the sea and forget his troubles. But instead, hed ended up at her bakery, unable to ignore the feeling that leaving meant losing her.

He hadn't acted his best around her, he knew that. He'd been rough, cold, and distant. But, as he looked at her now, he couldn't deny it any longer- he loved her. Whether she was Rayna or the crazy lady he had met at the club, she was still the Golden Sun he had fallen for. Slowly, he raised his hand, aching to touch her, to reassure himself

she was real and not a dream. But just as he reached out, Rayna stirred, lifting her head slightly. Ethan dropped his hand back, closing his eyes to feign unconsciousness as she sat up and looked at him.

She sighed softly when and wrapped her hand around his. "How long do you plan to stay unconscious? I need you to wake up and tell me what you were thinking when you did that," she said, her voice was low, half-scolding but filled with concern. "You're an idiot, you know that? Jumping in to save someone you don't even like... what were you thinking risking your life that way?" she murmured, brushing her thumb gently over his knuckles. She continued, "Now what am I supposed to Listening to her, Ethan felt a a pang of of guilt,

He was about to

to do with you, huh? You messed up your hand. Just what do you expect me to do? How do I face you knowing I'm the reason you're lying down here?" but he bit back a smile.

to open his eyes, to say something reassuring, when a sudden, loud sound broke the quiet- a fart.

Ethan froze, his eyes shut tighter, resisting the urge to react since he didn't want to embarrass her. It was just the both of them in the room, and if he wasn't the one who did that, which he knew he wasn't, then it was Rayna.

Rayna let out a little groan, rubbing her stomach. "Oh, gosh. That stinks," she muttered to herself, clearly unaware of Ethan's consciousness. "I really need to use the restroom," she said as the odor filled the room, and rose to go use the toilet. held his breath, a silent laugh bubbling inside him despite the pain. He waited until he heard the restroom door close behind

Ethan

then cracked his eyes open, glancing around to ensure she was truly gone before letting out a soft chuckle. The absurdity of the moment brought a genuine smile to his face, and he chuckled quietly, wondering how she would have reacted if he had opened his eyes at When he heard familiar voices at the door and saw the room door being opened, he shut his eyes quickly, hoping to escape detection as Derek, Evelyn, and Derek's parents walked into the room.

at moment.

"Why is he alone? Where is Ray?" Evelyn wondered, wanting to take out her phone to give Ray a call, but before she could do that, Rayna stepped out of the restroom, her face flushed as she joined them. "Hey! You're here," she greeted pleasantly.

"Mom, Dad,"

Derek said, nodding toward Rayna. "This is Rayna-Evelyn's best friend. Rayna, my parents," Derek said, and they exchanged pleasantries. Evelyn gave Rayna a warm look. "How are you holding up, Ray?"

Rayna glanced over at Ethan, worry flickering in her eyes. "I'm not going to lie, I'm ridden with guilt. I just want him to wake up... I want him to feel better. It's bad enough that he hates me, he's going to hate me even more when he wakes up and sees what happened because he tried to s save me."

"I doubt that. Don't be too hard on yourself," Derek said, while Ethan quietly listened to the conversations.

"Don't worry, okay? Everything will be okay," Evelyn said with a gentle smile.

"How is your mom?" Rayna asked curiously, and Evelyn shook her head.

"She hasn't regained consciousness yet," Evelyn said sadly and Rayna sighed.

"I hope Sandra burns in hell. That girl is a devil, Rayna hissed and they all agreed.

"Has the doctor come to check on him this morning? Any reason why he is still unconscious?" Derek asked, moving close to Ethan.

"The doctor came by earlier... said he's stable and hopefully he will be awake soon," Rayna said and Derek nodded.

"Here" Derek said and handed her a food pack. "We brought breakfast for you, "he said, and Rayna accepted the food, nodding her thanks.

As they talked, Melvin and vin and Sarah arrived with little Ella and Samantha, who immediately ran to embrace her parents and grandparents.

After the introductions sand We'd love to spend some time with I

Derek's mom then turned to Evelyn with a request. "Could we take Samantha with us today?

pleash her," she

said, and both Derek and Evelyn exchanged a glance, both nodding. "But Samantha doesn't t have extra clothes with her," Evelyn pointed out. "Oh, don't worry about that," Derek's mom replied with a wave. "We'll set her up at home and pick up a few more things for her." "Will I get dolls too?" She asked, and they all I laughed. "Don't you have more than

"I don't have any from grandmough dolls already?"

Stone,"

"Evelyn asked exasperated.

Stone," she said, and they all laughed once again.

"You will definitely get as many dolls as you want," Derek's mom promised, "Now let's go."

Samantha bounced excitedly, hugging her mom and dad and waving Ella goodbye before leaving with her grandparents, a sparkle in her eyes.

Derek and

Evelyn escorted them out, and watched them go, waving until they were out of sight. Derek then turned to Evelyn, "Is it just me, or did it look like Ethan's awake but playing possum?" he whispered, a smirk forming.

Evelyn laughed, "I'm p "I'm pretty sure it's just you. Why would Ethan do something like that seeing how worried Rayna is?"

Back in Ethan's room, Melvin took a closer look at Ethan, studying him curiously and wondering why he looked like he was awake and hearing all that was being discussed.

Sarah turned to Rayna. "We brought breakfast for you both. Make sure you eat something. You look like you could use it."

Rayna gave a sheepish nod. "Thanks. But I'm not sure I can keep anything down yet. I'm having a bit of an upset stomach."

"Maybe you should head home to freshen up and rest," Sarah

suggested gently. "We can keep stay with Ethan."

Rayna hesitated, her eyes lingering on Ethan's face. "But I want to be here when he wakes up."

Sarah smiled knowingly. "Well, if he wakes up and sees you looking this rough, he might faint again. Are you sure you don't want to go home for a bit?" she asked as she sat on the only available seat in the room while Ella moved around the room her eyes glowing with Rayna scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "I don't give a horseshit what he sees or thinks about me. I've decided I deserve better and I've moved on. I'm only here because he was ridiculous enough to get hurt saving me."

Melvin whose gaze was still fixed on Ethan, spotted a slight scow! on his supposedly unconscious face. He let out a small chuckle.

It was obvious Ethan didn't like what Rayna had just said. Wanting to provoke him some more, he glanced at Rayna, "I see you've moved on then?"

Rayna nodded confidently. "Yes, as soon as he's better, I'm signing up for all the dating apps."

"Too bad. Ethan's stubbornness has cost him more than just a few bruises," Sarah murmured.

Melvin grinned as he noticed Ethan's faint frown deepening. "Well, we'll make sure he knows he's been left in the dust. You do deserve better than a jerk like Ethan. Go ahead and maybe take a little break, and we'll be here with him. I'll call you when he decides to wake Rayna glanced at Ethan one last time, her resolve softening just a little. "I'll try to freshen up quickly and come back," Rayna said, and Melvin gestured to Sarah and Ella to see her off.

up.'

Once he was alone with Ethan, he chuckled as he leaned in closer to Ethan, who still lay motionless. "How long are you planning on keeping up the act?" Melvin teased. "She's gone. You can open your eyes now." Slowly, Ethan cracked one eye open, looking sheepish. "How'd you know I was awake?" He asked weakly.

Melvin chuckled. "You weren't exactly subtle. I saw that scowl when she mentioned moving on."

Ethan scowled. "She's so mean. How can she say that when I'm in this state?" He muttered.

a known glance

Melvin exchanged a

Ethan glared at him, "You're

with

him. "You didn't exactly treat her well, did you? And it looks like she's serious about moving on. You lost her. What a shame."

not helping." tried to

What did you do the last time I

I to help?" Melvin asked dryly.

"Why are you pretending to be unconscious anyway?"

Ethan sighed, "I guess I don't even know how to face her. How did I end up here, tangled in this mess?"

Melvin raised a brow. "You tell me. Why did you jump in like that?"

Ethan hesitated, glancing down at his bandaged arm. "I didn't want her to get hurt. I just... I realized I loved her, and I couldn't stand the thought of

of seeing her hurt or losing her."

Melvin laughed. "Well, if you really love her, you'd better figure out a way to tell her. Before she actually goes through with this

'moving on plan."

Ethan nodded, a wry smile forming on his lips. "Yeah. I have to come up with a plan. For now, though... I'm starving. And I need some water."

With a chuckle, Melvin opened the food pack they had brought with them and handed it over. Ethan dug in gratefully with his good arm, savoring each bite.

His enjoyment was cut short as the door swung open, and Rayna, who had returned to get her phone which she realized she left behind stepped back in with Evelyn, Derek, Sarah and Ella.

Ethan froze with his spoonful of oatmeal midair as Rayna paused, her eyes widening as she spotted him, very much awake and eating.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

"Uh-oh!" Derek exclaimed with a chuckle, giving Evelyn an I-told-you-so look.