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 couldn't believe that

this? Well, I guess it was

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

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

my misfortune lay

Tyler Ricci wanted

in his pursuit, he

life of

cruel twist

us

the fact

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, and piece by piece, that's precisely what

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

breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead, I stepped out of the apartment, rode the elevator down, hailed a cab, and directed the driver to Tyler's estate. As the

my mind was consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and anxieties. I didn't want to embark on this path, but I saw no other

the cab, and as I stood before

businessman yet his security measures rivaled those of

summoning a maid to guide me through the sprawling mansion. As we ascended the grand staircase, a looming figure of a master bedroom emerged at the convergence of both staircases, its door

the maid

a sharp breath, steeling

hands clenched tightly around my purse. I

rising tide of nervousness threatening

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

allow me to

conceal everything, I knocked twice on the door. His voice, beckoned

pushed the door open

inside. The room greeted me with dim lighting, the windows tightly shut, and an atmosphere permeated