My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 68 The Long Night Of Shadows

Evelyn

I found myself gazing at him blankly as he averted his eyes, avoiding any direct contact with me. It was difficult to discern whether it was guilt etched across his face or something else entirely. It was questionable whether I should confront him about it, given that he hadn't shown an ounce of guilt when he unceremoniously dumped me or when he was caught in a rather compromising situation with Chloe. God! He had even taken it a step further by publicly declaring his reconciliation with his ex.

A man like him didn't seem capable of guilt, nor could he care for me. If he had cared, he wouldn't have done what he did to me.

"I think I'd rather head inside to find my friends; I can find my way home with them," I said, my emotions in disarray and the effects of alcohol only intensifying the confusion. I couldn't determine if it made me more foolish or insightful, but that was a secondary concern at this point. "Thanks for your help."

I needed to stay far away from him, for my own sake.

As I began to step away, he seized my wrist firmly. "Are you out of your mind? You're considering going back into the club for what? To attract another asshole and get yourself into some shit again?"

"Yes, I am out of my mind! I am fucking crazy, alright?!" I yanked my hand away from his grip, inwardly resenting how my skin still tingled from his touch, yet I remained inexplicably drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. "I don't know what I'm going to do, but I do know one thing I don't want to be anywhere near you. I want to stay as far away as possible! You saved me from getting raped, and I'm grateful for that, but now it's time for you to leave!"

I pivoted to walk away, but he caught my arm and turned me around. The back of my heel met the rough pavement, causing a nearly inaudible wince to escape my lips- those blisters weren't going to fade for weeks.

Jacob, I may add, consumed by an unusual mix of agitation, appeared oblivious to it all. His piercing green eyes blazed with frustration, anger, and a myriad of other emotions that I chose not to read. Why bother reading them, anyway? He wasn't the Jacob Adriano I once knew-a transformation into an entirely different human being had occurred within the span of only 48 hours. He was- Twisted, heartless, fucked-up, and fucking cruel.

"Don't be stupid, Evelyn. You are far too drunk to consider going back into that club," his jaw clenched, "Enough with this drama; get in the car."

It was either sheer stupidity on his part or perhaps my own for even considering the idea. For fucks's sake-Why on earth would I want to share a car with him after all he'd put me through?

I scoffed, letting out a bitter, humorless chuckle. "Don't pretend you care about me, Jacob. It no longer suits you, nor does it serve me any longer. So, I suggest you drop the act and get the hell out unless you plan to be the one to take advantage of me. You've already done it once, haven't you? Maybe not by force, but manipulation counts just the same, doesn't it? There's not much difference between you and that guy, if you ask me."

Rage flared in his eyes, and I could tell I'd caught him off guard. Nevertheless, he quickly retorted, "Are you even listening to yourself, Evelyn?"

Of course, I was, and he probably knew it too. But his ego was too colossal to admit it.

am. I can hear myself loud and clear. But if you're having trouble understanding, I can repeat it for you, would you

take advantage of you, Evelyn. So,

Fuck him. Delusional motherfucker!

that's practically the same damn thing. You're a liar, a terrible being!" My words rang out, loud yet trembling. "I gave you my heart, and you shattered it without a second thought. You made promises you had no intention of keeping, uttered words you didn't mean, and pretended to be someone you're not, all while knowing you don't love me. Screw it, I don't even want to see your face! Get the hell out of here, if you have any ounce of

Evelyn. Don't you

my eyes. Damn it, I didn't want to

act unaffected when

landing relentless blows on my face, my sides, my

Let's set aside what's happened and think rationally. You're not safe here alone, especially in

refusing to let him evade my gaze this time, "You didn't care when I

didn't care when

you had with me behind closed doors, the fact that you broke my heart like

eyes locked, and his wavered. His uneven breathing became apparent. His once-alluring features no longer captivated me; they only served as a painful reminder of how he shattered me, how he tore me apart. How he reduced everything we had to

heaven's sake, he hadn't even labelled us. He didn't bother to. This fucking cruel

my hands, his touch surprisingly gentle. "I can't answer any of your

was all he had to

just to give myself another reason to despise him. But given my inebriated

only time in this entire night when I wished I weren't

sob finally escaping my lips. "Just leave. I'm exhausted, truly exhausted,

let me go, his strength and

back with me," he murmured, drawing me closer and hoisting me into his arms as I crumbled, devoid of any strength or will to fight any

so

confessed between sobs, "Maybe

you, but for

tired. Every minute, wish this was all just a nightmare, and then again, I wish I'd never met you. Please, make it stop... please," I cried, clutching onto his jacket as I buried my