My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 145 Words

Evelyn

As the sunlight filtered through the curtains, dancing with the breeze that gently stirred them, I found myself lost in a battle of distractions. With each crunch of a chip, I attempted to drown out the relentless thoughts of that infuriating man, burying myself in the pages of a book. Yet, even the storyline of my chosen novel failed to captivate me, paling in comparison to the chaotic drama of my own fucking life-a tragic fucked-up movie that audiences would devour when the characters would go through shit, feel like shit and maybe even look like shit!

Fuck this.

I am going to move forward, leave him and his memory behind once and for all that's final.

"Caroline didn't want to be with Edward, yet she knew he held the key to her heart, igniting a fire within her that no one else could replicate a spark destined to burn eternally," I read aloud, my jaw tensing with each word.

It seemed the universe conspired against me, even influencing my choice of reading material—a cruel reminder of what I was desperately trying to escape.

With a frustrated growl, I slammed the book shut and sat up, a wave of agitation washing over me. As I headed to the bookshelf in search of a distraction, a sudden knock shattered the silence of the room.

Who was it now?

"Come in," I muttered absentmindedly, my fingers grazing over the spines of various books until I settled on a thriller. There was no chance this genre would trigger thoughts of him; if anything, it would fuel my imagination with psychotic fantasies of revenge-a thought I'd shamelessly entertain. I would kill him, slowly and painfully-yes!

"Well, what have we here in the early hours?" Clara's voice echoed, drawing my attention away from the shelf.

"Just losing myself in a book, Clara-trying to make productive use of my time," I replied, flopping back onto the bed in my usual manner, legs raised as I sprawled across the mattress. "Finishing a book might provide a sense of accomplishment, don't you think?"

me on the edge of the bed, her eyes skimming the cover of my chosen novel. "A

few pages. "No point in sticking to the same old routine,

behind my words. She knew me too well to overlook that. No doubt, her arrival, especially at this hour, hinted at

something, Evie?" Clara's voice pierced the silence, drawing my focus

"Go ahead, Clara."

gathering her thoughts before plunging into the heart

constricted at her directness. I hadn't anticipated such a blunt interrogation,

hesitating, emotions swirling like a tempest within me,

him out of

and a profound ache-I wanted to revel in these emotions, make them permanent even, to shut him out indefinitely. But what if my feelings changed in the days

I couldn't allow that to happen. Allowing him back in would only invite further

sigh escaping my lips. "I don't want him in my life anymore-I've closed

Clara nodded understandingly,

gently grasp my hand in hers, offering a comforting, squeeze at was as though she sensed the monumental effort it. took for me to voice

I want to tell you one thing. I know you're not pleased with Jacob staying here, but believe us, we only agreed because he truly

to make

letting him stay, we've given him an opportunity to earn your trust back and given you a chance to reconsider your decision-a chance that both of

Clara. It's okay that you allowed him to stay. Regardless of our relationship turning sour, he's still Dad's best friend, and just because things didn't work out between Jacob and me, Dad shouldn't have to lose a friend,"

may have been,

loyal and

no