My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 138 An Ending, A Start

Evelyn

"Yes, Dad, I've boarded the flight," I reassured, sinking into the seat, the hum of the plane a comforting backdrop. "Don't worry about me-I'm fine."

The quiet on the other end spoke volumes. Dad had a thousand words bottled up, I could tell. But he held back, reserving them for our reunion, whenever that might be. His reluctant response was a single, "Okay."

God. I wish I could just give him a hug.

"I'll hang up now, Dad, alright?" I offered, understanding his concern all too well. I knew the weight of his worry, the whispers from Clara beside him urging him to ask more, to probe deeper. They were both anxious beyond measure. And I didn't like it—I hated watching them concerned.

But, I didn't know what to do.

I wanted desperately to offer reassurance, to ease their worry, but the words eluded me. To claim 'I am not in pain' or 'I am totally fine' would be a falsehood, transparent to them given how well they knew me they'd catch my lie in a single blink. Therefore....Dishonesty wasn't an option, yet admitting the brutal truth-that I was in excruciating pain-was equally daunting. The agony transcended mere emotional anguish; it manifested physically, rending me apart in every sense. Despite my efforts to evade it, the pain clung to me, unyielding and merciless, a relentless force tearing me asunder without respite.

I was sick and tired of it but there was no escape too....

I felt stuck. So stuck.

"Okay. I'll be waiting at the airport," he murmured softly, as though promising to whisk away all my pain. But deep down, I knew better. This pain was mine to bear alone. None could ever take it away from me— it'd clung to me. Forever. Constantly. Relentlessly. Endlessly.

"Goodbye, Dad," I said softly, ending the call.

Opening one of my social media apps, I saw messages flooding in from friends. Despite having sent just one text to Jennie, news had spread like wildfire to others like Mason and Nancy, bombarding my inbox. Among them, Mason's messages came in a flurry.

I'd subscribed to caught my attention, a habit I'd formed to keep

video clip I'd taken

article stating Jacob would regain his company soon, a strange sense of relief washed over me. I frantically checked other channels, all reporting

former life, free from Tyler's grasp, eased my mind.

now, I wouldn't agonize over whether I did the right thing. He wouldn't have another reason to blame me, as

small sigh escaped me as I exited the news app, fighting

I was leaving

refusing to let more tears fall-I'd shed enough already. Crying for someone who didn't deserve it wasn't how I wanted to spend my

through the silence-the

be over for now, but not forever. One way or another, you will

my phone and gazed out the

of

***

Bestfriend: Book 3: Healing Hearts, Renewed

back against the bar, my fingers aching to reach out to him as his face drew closer to mine, his eyes ablaze with lust, sending

was so fucking

His body pressed against mine, his fingers slipping beneath the hem of my short dress, toying

God....

my throat. "It's irrelevant," I countered, my gaze defiant. "You're my past, he's my present

tugged at

his emerald eyes sparkling in the dim light. "Do you really think I'll stand by and watch that happen,, sweetheart?" His voice dripped with determination. "I'd fucking tear down this whole world to have you back with me. So what if

he just

do no such—" Before I could finish my sentence, his hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my words in a way that left me bewildered. Then, his hand slid beneath the fabric of my panties, making contact with my bare pussy. My eyes widened, my body jerking