My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 118 Walls Crumbling

Evelyn

I stood before the door, my hand hovering, hesitant to knock. I knew Jacob was in a tough spot, regardless of whether he wanted me near him or not. The truth remained he didn't deserve to face it alone. He needed me.

Take a deep breath, Evelyn. You can do this.

With resolve, I raised my hand and rapped gently on the door, "Jacob?"

Seconds ticked by in silence, no response forthcoming. My concern reached its peak.

Another breath, another knock. "Jacob, do you want to talk?"

Still, the only reply was the echoing silence of the room.

"Can we please talk?" My voice trembled. I didn't even know the extent of what he was going through, but I couldn't fucking bear the thought of him suffering alone. I wanted to be there to offer comfort—I did not want to be absent when his tears would fall, I wanted to be the one to wipe them away and make sure they'd not fall again just like he had always done.

"Just open the door, Jacob," I pleaded softly, my forehead resting against the cool surface. "You don't have to face this alone. I'm here for you. Let me in."

Once again, silence enveloped the space, his response absent. I pressed my palms against the door, feeling lost for words, unsure of what else I could say to coax him out.

my mind as I spoke once more, my voice laced with concern. "I want to be there for you, Jacob. I understand it's not easy, but you

silence persisted, I began to

him when he was perhaps trying to seek a moment

to encroach upon his breathing space, to force him into a conversation he wasn't ready for. Even though I wanted to be there for him I respected his need for personal space. I was not willing

I can't do

to be alone, I should let him

have to open the door now. I'll leave. Take your time. But please, remember, I'm always here for you.

door, preparing to walk away. Just as I was about to turn and leave, the sound of the doorknob turning filled the air, and the

tears he had shed, his breaths coming heavy. Before I could utter a word, he seized my hand and pulled me into the room with

sank onto the bed, my knees finding purchase on either side of his lap. He buried his face into my chest,

never fucking ached

murmured, fingers gently threading through his hair as I pressed a tender kiss to the crown of his head. "It's alright. Everything is alright." My hand moved in soothing circles against his back,

My poor Jacob...

barely audible but palpable against

whispered, gently cupping his face and guiding his tear-stained gaze to meet mine. His eyes, teary and red-nosed, reflected a vulnerability I had never seen before this was Jacob

happen. You

to put us

intertwining our hands and shaking his head in defeat. "It's not like I regret what I did. If I had the chance, I'd do it again for what they did to you. But I think it was all a ploy to tarnish my image in the media again. I'm sure it's Tyler behind all of it. I just made it easier for him to

a hug, my fingers tracing soothing patterns along the back of his neck. "We can't change what's happened. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. Tyler