My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 63 The Cost Of Sacrifice

Flashback Continues:

Jacob

Her words resonated strangely within the confines of those bygone walls, walls that Evelyn had painstakingly mended. Regrets, it seemed, were remarkably easy to cling to, weren't they? Especially when you begin to lose those things most dear to you.

"It might appear that she has it all with you now, Jacob," Danica began, her voice tinged with a note of caution, "but mark my words, regrets will come knocking. She's young, caught in the whirlwind of her emotions. In time, when reason takes hold, when she begins to depend on her mind rather than her impulses, she'll realize what she's missing. And, Jacob, I'm sorry to say this, but why would you want her to bear the burdens that haunt your life? Your crazy ex is a constant headache, always after you, showing up everywhere you go, your uncles still hound you for money, you still haven't recovered from those incidents in your youth, and your scars...they still run deep, perhaps too deep to ever heal. Why, then, would you wish Evelyn to grapple with it all if you truly love her? Nobody wants to put the one they love through shit!"

Damn, I'd always known Danica had a way with words, but I never expected it to be this intense. If not for today, I'd never known that Samuel was right when he said it.

"What exactly are you trying to say, Danica?" I cleared my throat, a disquieting unease seeping into the room, much like venomous spiders crawling up the walls.

"You're not naive, Jacob. I'm certain of that, especially since you managed to keep your relationship with Evelyn hidden right under our noses all this time," she continued. "Here's the deal: I don't want my daughter fixing someone else's mess. I want her to be with someone stable, someone who's not broken - that's the plain truth. She deserves someone who can look after her, someone who won't overreact or underreact, someone who won't misspeak, and most importantly, someone who won't burden her with the weight of his own traumas."

She had a point...

My life had been a tangled mess before Evelyn came into it, everything was in its way but not the way I wished, and her presence had brought order to the chaos. But was it fair to rely on her for that emotional security? There was no guarantee that I wouldn't end up failing to provide what she truly needed.

"I... I've never once allowed the past events of my life to affect my relationship with Evelyn," I spoke, my voice strained. "Not everyone has the privilege of growing up in a wealthy, loving family like yours, Danica. It wasn't my fault that I was born into a fucked-up family that wasn't even a family to be fair. My mother was worn out before she eventually passed away, and my father's alcoholism shattered my entire childhood. I had no control over any of it- if I had, I would have stopped it. But that doesn't mean I lack control over what I want in life now or that I can't take care of the people I love. I didn't choose to go through those things, believe me, no one wishes for that."

She let out a sigh, her expression unyielding, though I could sense traces of hesitation.

intend it or not. You can't control these things; they just happen. Evelyn can find someone far better, someone who would be perfect for her. This relationship between you and Evelyn, won't bring good to anyone-not to you, not to her, not to anyone around you. You might lose just a friend, but Evelyn could lose a father who loves

Danica, but damn it, she'll be fucking devastated. You haven't seen it, but I have. She

should refuse

going well, and I'm sure her life will continue just fine without you- I will make sure of it. Her

A sardonic chuckle escaped my lips as I fixed my gaze on

they didn't deserve love or the chance to be with the one they loved? What was wrong with

She loves her father, she loves her family, and that's all she's ever wanted. You alone won't be enough for her, Jacob. Her father is her world, he always has been. If this relationship with you takes that away from her, she'll crumble. So, it's better to lose something now that might

what you're

this way, she'll have a chance at a better future. She'll eventually move on. And in this way, at least, everything will seem alright, even if it's not. I won't say anything to Samuel, so you shouldn't either. Let things remain as

break your daughter's heart, Danica," I spoke up, as if she already didn't know what she was

the truth was, her words had stirred something deep within me, awakening emotions I couldn't easily dismiss- she had hit some spots that'd rendered me speechless. I couldn't find any words to counter her argument or justify my desire

the right to pursue

it seemed like everyone else still saw me

that mean I'd end up screwing up every good thing in my life? I had always tried my best not to let it, and up until now, I believed I had succeeded. But today, as Danica uttered those words, it felt like nothing had changed since those dark days, those moments spent in the shadows, those times when Chloe had used my traumas against me

but it appeared that everyone else still

was astonishing how she believed that damage

he, Danica? You never lose an argument," I managed a bitter chuckle, "Fine! I'll do it. I'll break Evelyn's heart, I will fucking break it and toss it away as it means nothing to me but.... I hope you know how to mend it afterward

that, I walked away, making a decision I had never even contemplated, not

Flashback Ends...