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?"

two have is wrong! Beyond wrong," she raised her voice, appearing angry. Well, I couldn't care less about that. "You don't love him, Evelyn. It's just a momentary attraction.

Okay, that was enough.

And why do you think everyone will experience that momentary attraction you had with Dad? Not everyone is like you. Your attraction faded, and when Dad's pockets went empty, you packed

hand, and I flinched, my eyebrows rising as I

This was the only thing left for her to do. After everything she'd done, this was

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

why don't you just raise your hand

cry, Evelyn. She doesn't deserve your

"Evelyn, listen...."

I want to be with him. I can't imagine my life without him," I spoke up, struggling to hold back my sobs, "So, I beg you. Please don't ruin this for me. Please, for once, think about what I want instead of what you think is right. It might bruise your ego, but it would spare me a

with unshed tears, "I'm saying this for your own good, not for mine. Do you think everything I do is bad for you? I don't want you to end up heartbroken because, in the end, you and Jacob, you two will have to be separated. It's going to end badly. Jacob loves Chloe, and she loves him. Coming between the two of them will

them? She'd lost her

spat, "And Jacob? No, he doesn't love her. She's just his regret. He regrets everything he

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 didn't want to take her words seriously, but they weighed heavily on my heart. "And today,

course, your boyfriend

talking about this with you," she said. "Chloe is the one who told me about it. And it's wrong, you shouldn't have hit

"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,

and I'm not 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 is leave, Mom. I don't want

just keep running away from reality. You have to understand what is

and I think my whole life, I just wanted to be happy. So, I will not let go of Jacob, no matter how much havoc it brings into my life. That's the only thing you should know, Mom," I declared firmly.

no matter how much you try to deny it, that's never going