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.

***

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 still

guess it was no secret I needed to

pearls settling around my neck, I grappled with the weight of my actions. Betraying

I doubted Tyler Ricci would let that happen. From what I had gathered about him, he wasn't the

my misfortune lay

fact that Tyler Ricci

his

dismantling the life of the most precious person

it was a cruel

us

the

the women in the world, he had fixated his gaze upon me. I couldn't attribute it solely to my own allure; I knew that another reason for his obsession lay in his perverse desire to strip everything away from Jacob. He derived pleasure from witnessing Jacob's destruction,

power-I was acutely aware of that. To wrest that power from him, I would need to offer him something in return, or perhaps....play yet another game,

elevator down, hailed a cab, and directed the driver to Tyler's estate. As the cab pulled up to

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

out of the cab, and as I stood before the entrance, the

security measures rivaled

reluctantly granted me entry. One of the guards escorted me inside, summoning a maid to guide me through the sprawling mansion. As

for you, Miss," the maid announced with practiced politeness.

emitted a sharp breath, steeling

clenched tightly around

rising tide of nervousness

consuming me. My mind raced, unable to focus on anything other than Jacob's potential reaction if he were to discover my current predicament. I knew he would sacrifice everything, even his own safety, to spare me from such a situation. And that's precisely why I couldn't bring myself to tell him

allow me to

twice on

the door open

tightly shut, and an atmosphere permeated