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.

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 don't have to bear it alone. Let me be by

silence persisted, I began to question whether my

he was perhaps

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

can't

wants to be alone, I should

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 never

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

side of his lap. He buried his face into my chest, his voice trembling with remorse. "I'm sorry," he whispered, the weight

My heart never fucking ached so

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

My poor Jacob...

his sniffles barely audible but palpable against my

look at me," I 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 laid bare, fragile

did, it was out of anger, a mistake, and mistakes happen. You don't need

us

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 enter our lives by acting in anger. I should have thought more before taking such a drastic step.

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 can't do anything. People like him never win, Jacob. They always end up losing