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.

concern. "I want to be there for you, Jacob. I understand it's not easy, but you don't have to bear it alone. Let me be by

began to question whether

was perhaps trying

needed some time alone, a moment to gather his thoughts and emotions. I didn't want 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 to

I can't

be alone, I should

fine," I exhaled softly, "You don't have to open the door now. I'll leave. Take your time. But please, remember, I'm always here for you. You're never alone. You will

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

hair, the redness in his eyes betraying the tears he had shed, his breaths coming heavy. Before I could utter a word, he seized my hand and

my chest, his voice trembling with remorse. "I'm sorry," he whispered, the weight of his words hanging

never fucking ached

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

My poor Jacob...

tightly, his sniffles barely audible

tear-stained gaze to meet mine. His eyes, teary and red-nosed, reflected a vulnerability I had never seen before this was Jacob laid bare,

did, it was out of anger, a mistake, and mistakes happen. You don't need to punish yourself, you don't need to dwell on it-it's alright," I murmured against

going to put us in a lot

he sighed, 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

patterns along the back of his neck. "We can't change what's happened. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. Tyler can't do anything. People like him never win,