My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 177 Torn Between Choices

Evelyn

I stumbled into my room, a complete wreck, eyes swollen from the tears I couldn't hold back. What I didn't expect was Clara. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the lamp-so unlike the usual darkness I hid in. She sat on the edge of my bed, waiting, her presence startling me.

"Clara?" I wiped at my face, trying to clear the tears with shaky hands. But to my surprise, she didn't react-no shock, no questions. It was as if she'd known.

Of course, she did. Jacob must've told them he was leaving, and they all knew he wouldn't go without saying goodbye to me.

"So, he told you?" Clara's voice was soft, her lips curving into a melancholic smile. Her gaze flickered down to the wine bottle clutched in my hand, and she let out a resigned sigh. "Drinking won't fix this, Evelyn. Come here."

She stood and opened her arms to me, her gesture so familiar, so full of understanding.

For a moment, I hesitated, afraid that if I let myself fall apart, I'd never be able to stop. But this was Clara-she'd seen me at my worst, seen every scar and every broken piece I'd tried to hide. Breaking down in front of her wouldn't hurt me. It wouldn't cost me anything. So, I moved toward her. The moment her arms wrapped around me, something in me shattered. The sob I had been so determined to keep down erupted, violent and unstoppable. My body convulsed with the force of it.

Fuck! This was exactly why I didn't want to cry. It always fucking broke me into pieces.

"It's alright," she whispered, her hand rubbing soothing circles on my back. "Sometimes, it's okay to not know what to do. To take more time than you think you should. It's okay to make mistakes, Evelyn. And it's okay to not be okay." Her words were soft, like a balm over a wound too deep to heal. But I knew nothing could truly soothe this.

hollow inside-ripped apart by guilt. Guilt for hurting Jacob. Guilt for what Cameron

hadn't happened yet but would, the things that could-pressed down on me. I felt like I was drowning in them. I was worried sick.

voice cracked between sobs. "No matter what I choose, someone will get hurt. I can't do that to them. Jacob... I know he's strong, but that doesn't mean I should put him through this. And Cameron... he's done so much, even knowing that Jacob's always been in my heart. I do love him, but it's not the same. It's never been the

if you aren't whole, life will feel impossible to live. You can't always carry the weight of making everyone else happy. I'm not saying you should be selfish, but you need to be compassionate with yourself. It's not okay to sacrifice your happiness, to bury

but she didn't let

not asking you

will make you happy in the long run? Take your time. There's no rush. What's meant for you-what's

with warmth. "You're the most precious thing in our lives, sweetie. You're stronger than you think. Don't overthink or force yourself to see the future,

matter what decision

I will always be here. We'll support you through every bit of it," she promised, pulling me into another hug. In her arms, I found a fleeting sense of peace, a brief reprieve for my aching heart No matter what I lost or gained, I'd always have Clara and Dad by my

still needed

But this wasn't a simple choice to burn and toss aside. This was my heart. A fragile, wounded

everything would be fine in time. But the storm inside me wouldn't quiet. Then, suddenly, the vibration of my phone broke through the chaos.

and we'll go

joked earlier that if I missed it, he'd cancel the whole party, but there had been something serious beneath the

tomorrow was also the day Jacob was