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.

the ache. I felt hollow inside-ripped apart by guilt. Guilt for hurting Jacob. Guilt for what Cameron would go through if I followed

the things that could-pressed down on me. I felt like I was drowning in them. I was worried sick.

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,

hurt people sometimes, for your own sake. You need to think about your happiness, sweetheart. Because in the end, 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 what you want, what your heart craves, for anyone or anything in

voice cracked, but she didn't

not asking you

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

thing in our lives, sweetie. You're stronger than you think. Don't overthink or force yourself to see the future, because it will always be uncertain. Instead, listen to your heart. Just your heart, okay?" I nodded weakly, sniffling as

matter what decision you

me into another hug. In her arms, I found a fleeting sense of peace, a brief reprieve for my aching heart No

still needed more

choice to burn and toss aside. This was my heart. A fragile, wounded heart that had been torn apart once before and

tangled in a mess of confusion and doubt. My heart hammered in my chest as the tears threatened to fall once more. Clara kept whispering reassurances, telling me that everything would be fine in time. But the storm inside me wouldn't quiet. Then,

we'll go to

words were casual, but hit me hard. Tomorrow was Cameron's birthday. He'd joked earlier that if I missed it, he'd cancel the whole party, but there had been something serious beneath the joke. I knew it meant a lot to

also the