My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 35 Behind The Facade

Evelyn

I do not want to open the door- That's what I tried to convince myself as I struggled to remain in my place, battling my own inner turmoil.

Why was he here? He shouldn't be second-guessing himself given how composedly he had uttered those words, sharp as daggers, without a hint of hesitation. He had won that round-slipping away effortlessly.

"Evelyn?"

Damn! The timbre of his voice tugged at me, and I resented how much sway he held over me and I despised how much control he had over me.

Anger surged within me, and I wiped away my tears, determined to stand my ground. I got off the bed, determined not to let him affect me any longer. Enough was enough.

I opened the door. "Why are you here? Want me to book a plane ticket for you?"

Instead of the quick response I had expected, he looked at me, his eyes taking in my tear-stained face and the evidence of my crying. His gaze softened.

For a fleeting moment, my anger wavered, but I clenched my fists, holding on to it.

He was dressed as if ready to leave, yet there was no suitcase in sight.

Was he here to say goodbye? The thought set off alarm bells in my mind. He better not try to put on a show of saying farewell and wishing me well, because I wouldn't stand for it.

"Why are you here, Jacob? To say goodbye or to ask for a favour, like keeping everything between us a secret for a lifetime? I don't see any other reason for you to be here, and I'm not interested in either. So you should leave, or else—"

"I know I screwed up," he interrupted, his sigh heavy with regret, each word carrying the weight of it, "I'm sorry, Evelyn. Really sorry."

to swing the door shut. But he

let me

was difficult to refuse him like

the door, he stepped inside, and in that instant, I relinquished half my resolve. He secured the

He was too close...

think you're doing?" My gaze remained averted, unable to meet his eyes due to

He trailed his nose along my cheek, his voice heavy with guilt, and his gaze wavering, "I shouldn't have said those things to

I was there to support you, and you decided to lash out at me for absolutely no reason," frustration tinted my words as I placed my hands between us, attempting to push against his chest, "Anyway, I don't want to

"I'm fucked up, and I guess I didn't want you to see that. I didn't want you to witness the moments when I'm weak and questioning my worth. I only wanted you to see the whitewashed version of me, the one that's strong and confident, never falls weak... and in the process, I ended up hurting you. I'm sorry. Please, don't stay mad at me. I feel like I am dying when you are

appeared on the brink of tears, and that vulnerability triggered my own

been restraining throughout his presence finally escaped, tracing

was afraid that my imperfections would lead you to push me

ties before I could distance

gaze faltered, and I observed him inhale a shaky breath. "Yes. That's why I

have their own demons to fight. No one's flawless," I whispered, my fingers finding his face, tracing his jawline gently, "What really counts is whether we're willing to accept those flaws, whether we're ready to stand by them. I'm not in search of perfection, not chasing a

voice quivering. "Remember that day

in, I pressed our foreheads together, exhaling softly, "Yes, I

back from saving me from my father's beatings until the day he met his untimely end in an accident. And then there's my own love for Chloe, which drove me to the brink. It's always been shadows for me, no light, no bright places. That's why... I'm scared of it. Remembering all of it hurts, because I want to move beyond

whispered, gently cradling his face before pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, "I understand, and you don't have to talk about it

but life hasn't handed me what I wanted. Then I met Chloe, when

how I could comfort him. It pained me to even think

past wounds and mend him so right that none of those memories could ever haunt him

and I foolishly indulged that sick desire. I spent years seeking her approval for everything, from my clothes to my shoes, even the way I spoke. I believed that by complying, I could keep

That fucking bitch....