My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 48 Wounds And Words

Evelyn

"It's better if we talk inside," she suggested; the look on her face hinted at a revelation, and possibly a barrage of lectures. I had no idea what was going through her mind, but the closest assumption I could muster was that her boyfriend, who'd seen me last night during the entire incident with Chloe, had spilled the beans.

"Well, of course. I know you have a lot to say. Come in." I stepped aside to let her enter, and she walked inside. I shut the door.

"Tell me what you have to say; I have work to do." I spoke up, walking past her and sitting on the bed.

"Is that...is that Jacob's portrait, Evelyn?" She glanced at the painting before shifting her gaze to me, her voice filled with disbelief and disappointment, "And what are you wearing? His shirt?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Is this how you're rediscovering your passion, huh? Is this what you plan to do?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

God, I already despised this conversation.

"Well, I don't see anything wrong with it. I'm painting the man I love, while you, my mother, pushed your own daughter's dreams aside because of your selfishness," I shrugged, nonchalantly.

"The man you love? Are you out of your mind, Evelyn?! He's your father's friend. You can't love him. There can be nothing between you two that will last long. It's simply wrong. What the hell are you thinking? Making him the reason why you've picked up your brushes after years? You're ruining everything for yourself! You'll be the one who ends up getting hurt in this!"

"Enough, Mom," I stood up, barely able to maintain my calm, "Tell me, what exactly have I done wrong if I've found my passion again because of a man who cares for me, who fulfils my wishes, heals the wounds from my past, makes me happy, and encourages me to pursue my dreams? Most importantly, he loves me. Tell me, what's wrong with wanting to be with him?"

couldn't care less about that. "You don't love him, Evelyn. It's just a momentary attraction. When it fades, you'll regret the damage you've done. So, take a step back before

Okay, that was enough.

or not? It's my life, Mom. You don't get to control it. In fact, no one does. And why do you think everyone will experience that momentary attraction you had with Dad? Not everyone is like you. Your attraction

raised her hand, and I flinched, my eyebrows rising as I looked

left for her to do.

do and quickly moved her hand away, hesitation seeping into her gaze, cracks becoming evident in

the only thing left for you to do. So, why don't you just raise your hand and

cry, Evelyn. She doesn't deserve

"Evelyn, listen...."

I don't care what anyone else thinks of me or what the consequences of this forbidden relationship might be. All I care about is that I want to be with him. I can't imagine my life without him," I spoke up, struggling

is bad for you? I don't want you to end up heartbroken because, in the end, you and Jacob, you two will have

two of them? She'd

and then she's done, back to her old ways," I spat, "And Jacob? No, he doesn't love her. She's just his regret. He regrets everything he ever had with her. Don't tell me you want to bring Chloe back into his

eventually happen. I've seen it all during their college years-Chloe and Jacob, no matter what, always find their way back to each other. It's their complicated relationship. I know it's toxic, but it is what it is, and there's nothing I or anyone else can do," I

of course, your boyfriend told you, didn't

Jack didn't tell me anything, Evelyn. In fact, he wanted to stop me from coming here and talking about this with you," she said. "Chloe is the one who told me about it. And it's wrong, you shouldn't

her in disbelief, "I didn't freaking hit her! She was talking shit about me and crossing the line, and all I did was throw the wine at her face, nothing else! I can't believe

here to argue with you. I'm just here to tell you not to get involved in the mess of Jacob and Chloe's life. Just stop it already. I don't want to see you getting hurt." "Well, I think if you don't want me to get hurt, the best thing you can do for now

can't just keep running away from reality. You have to

think my whole life, I just wanted to be happy. So, I will not let go of Jacob, no matter how much havoc it

how much you try to deny it, that's never going to change. I will always be your mother, and I will do everything I can to prevent you from