My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 132 I Am Never Going To Be Yours

Evelyn

My hands trembled as I dialed his number, the early morning light casting a dim glow through the curtains. Jacob lay asleep, unknown of the turmoil raging inside me, cocooned beneath the duvet. I had tucked him in just moments ago, my heart heavy with the weight of what I was about to do.

I didn't know what the fuck I was doing. All I knew was that it had to be done, and it had to be done right.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before he finally answered, his voice thick with sleep. "Hello?"

So, the bastard was indeed sleeping. Probably in some other woman's bed, given his notorious reputation. I was sure he had different women depending on the days.

"Hello, this is Evelyn," I forced out, trying to keep my voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside me.

"Evelyn?" There was a note of surprise in his groggy voice.

"Yes, it's me. Though it's a wonder you don't recognize my voice, considering your apparent obsession with the idea of sleeping with me."

"Well, it's not that I don't recognize your voice, Bella Donna. It's just that I didn't expect you to call me at this ungodly hour, especially before I've had the chance to send the bigger bombs your way," he chuckled, his cockiness oozing through the phone line, making my skin crawl. "But, pray tell, what has prompted this early morning call?"

"I don't have time to answer your questions right now. Just give me your address," I demanded, my grip on the railing tightening until my knuckles turned white. I couldn't believe I was actually going through with this. The mere thought of it made me sick to my stomach.

"Anything for you, my love," he replied smoothly. "Take note: Via del Corso, 123, 00186 Roma."

"I'll be there this evening."

"I'll be waiting," he said, his voice dripping with anticipation, a sickening smirk evident even over the phone.

***

of Jacob's chosen dress, I found myself in a paradoxical situation, wearing something intended for moments far removed from this one. Yet, necessity demanded it, pushing me into the arms of a man I abhorred from the depths of my being.

I guess it was

each swipe of crimson lipstick and the soft click of pearls settling around my neck, I grappled with the weight of my actions. Betraying Jacob's trust gnawed at my conscience, a bitter pill swallowed in the face of

meeting with his business associates, likely in search of the last remaining pieces of evidence that could help him navigate out of this perilous situation. However, I doubted Tyler Ricci would let that happen. From what I had gathered about him, he wasn't the type to yield easily. At any cost, if he desired something, he would go to great lengths to attain it even if it meant destroying someone's whole world—that's what he did

my misfortune lay

fact that Tyler Ricci wanted

his pursuit,

the life of

was a cruel

us

nature, the fact

attribute it solely to my own allure; I knew that another reason for his obsession lay in his perverse desire to

I didn't intervene, he would soon erode the very foundation of the relationship between Jacob and me until there was nothing left. Tyler possessed formidable power-I was acutely aware of

stepped out of the apartment, rode the elevator down, hailed a cab, and directed the driver to Tyler's estate. As the cab pulled up to the property, I couldn't help but notice the ostentatious display of wealth-a manifestation of his wickedness both in its décor and its owner-meticulously arranged

had little interest in the grandeur surrounding me; my mind was consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and anxieties. I didn't want to

cab, and as I stood before the entrance,

security measures

inside, summoning a maid to guide me through the sprawling mansion. As

Tyler is waiting for you, Miss," the

a sharp breath,

tightly around my purse. I

rising tide of nervousness

focus on anything other than Jacob's potential reaction if he were to discover my current predicament. I knew he would sacrifice everything, even

me to

dress to conceal everything, I knocked twice on the door. His voice, beckoned me inside, "Come

the door

dim lighting, the windows tightly shut, and an atmosphere permeated with the mingling scents of