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

things up, Clara," I sighed, flipping through the first few pages. "No

doubt, her arrival, especially at this hour, hinted at a conversation related to Jacob's stay, a maneuver orchestrated by Dad to soften the blow of his impending apology. I was pretty sure he'd be here once Clara gave

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

"Go ahead, Clara."

a moment, gathering her thoughts before plunging into the heart of the

hadn't anticipated such a blunt

myself hesitating, emotions swirling like a tempest within me, my pulse quickening

him out of my

profound ache-I wanted to revel in these emotions, make them permanent even, to shut him out indefinitely. But

happen. Allowing him back in

sigh escaping my lips. "I don't want him in my life anymore-I've closed the chapter that includes Jacob. He's no longer a

Clara nodded understandingly,

as though she sensed the monumental effort it. took for me to voice those words. "We respect your decision,

Jacob staying here, but believe us, we only agreed because he truly wanted it. He's

make

given him an opportunity to earn your trust back and given you a chance to reconsider your decision-a chance that both of you deserve. We never want you to regret anything, Evie. Ever.

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

may have been,

loyal

there's no need for