My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 202

Evelyn

I had somehow managed to send Jacob to the office after an entire week of... well, do I even need to spell it out? Let's just say we thoroughly tested every surface in the house-counters, the floor, the bed, the shower, the bathtub- nothing was spared.

We'd been inseparable. And even now, sitting alone on the couch, I found myself missing his warmth. Usually, by this time of day, I'd be curled up in his arms, both of us pretending to watch cartoons on the TV. I liked them because they were silly and comforting; he liked them because he could watch me laugh.

But today, the cartoons felt hollow. I sighed, flipping through channels, hoping to stumble upon something decent.

And then, there it was.

I paused mid-click as a familiar name from the news anchor pierced through my disinterest.

"Tyler Ricci..."

My hand froze, the remote slipping from my grasp as the screen showed him— Tyler Ricci, striding into a courthouse, his lawyers trailing behind like shadows.

"Tyler Ricci, CEO and proprietor of Crystal States, seems poised to make a dramatic return to the industry-or so the speculation goes," the news anchor droned, her tone matter-of-fact. "Spotted with his legal team at the Supreme Court, sources suggest an appeal has been filed. While no official statements have been issued, Mr. Ricci's father previously declared their intent to seek justice at a higher level. Today's developments seem to confirm those intentions..."

The rest of her words blurred into static.

My chest tightened, breath hitching as panic clawed its way up my throat. No. This couldn't be happening. He wouldn't be released. He couldn't be.

The thought of Tyler walking free, back in control, was enough to make my blood run cold. If he was released, he'd come for us again. He'd tear me and Jacob apart again. And this time, he might succeed.

Shaking, I fumbled for the remote and turned off the TV, plunging the room into silence. I stood abruptly, running my fingers through my hair as if that could untangle the chaos inside my head.

"Calm down, Evelyn," I whispered aloud, pacing the room. "It's just an appeal. It doesn't mean he'll be released."

But my body betrayed me. My stomach churned violently, that awful twisting sensation creeping up my spine. Before I could stop myself, I bolted to the bathroom.

The nausea hit hard and fast. I leaned over the sink, gasping as I emptied my stomach. Cold sweat dripped down my temples.

I muttered weakly, gripping the edge of

throwing up randomly. Some days, I felt nauseous and dizzy; other days, I was so exhausted I could barely

weather, or something else entirely-I didn't have the

thoughts refused to settle. That name, that

the front door open. His voice

"Evelyn?"

drew closer, and I quickly grabbed a towel, patting my face dry before stepping out

called softly, and the moment he saw

murmured,

close. His arms encircled my waist, grounding me, while my hands rested against the solid warmth of his

down to press

teased, my voice lighter than I

an eyebrow, "I'm being a baby for missing my girlfriend? You women

escaped my

waist, resting

at him. "Fine I'm sorry, whispered,

can miss me as much as you

to his lips, and his hands came

yet firm. He smiled, but it

strands of hair

is your hair wet?" he asked, his brow furrowing. "Did you

stiffened for a fraction of

keeping my tone light and breezy. The last thing wanted was to mention the vomiting. If Jacob found

I could

belongs to s

"My skin was feeling a bit off, so I washed it and did some

as though I'd just described something horrifying. "Skincare? Don't you guys find it boring? Layering all that gooey, goopy stuff on your

I laughed, shaking my head. "Skincare is not as

he said, his tone firm as if declaring an undeniable truth. Before I could retort, he scooped