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.

hell is wrong with me?" I muttered weakly, gripping the edge of

felt nauseous and dizzy; other days, I was so exhausted I could barely

else entirely-I didn't have the energy

cold water on my face, I tried to steady my breathing, but my thoughts refused to settle. That name, that face-it had snatched the ground right out from under

heard the front door

"Evelyn?"

quickly grabbed a towel, patting my face dry

I called softly, and the moment he saw me, his face lit up with that

he murmured, reaching for

His arms encircled my waist, grounding me,

he whispered, leaning down to press a tender kiss

been gone for two hours, Jacob," I teased, my voice lighter than I felt.

quirked an eyebrow, "I'm being a baby for missing my girlfriend? You women are unbelievable. A man can't even miss his girlfriend without being

escaped my lips as

his waist, resting my chin against

gazing up at him. "Fine I'm sorry, whispered, the

can miss me as much as you

my toes, I pressed a kiss to his lips, and his hands came

yet firm. He

strands of hair away from my

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

stiffened for a fraction of

to mention the vomiting.

could

belongs to s

a bit off, so I washed it

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

shaking my head. "Skincare is not as gross as you're making it

if declaring an undeniable truth. Before I could retort, he scooped