My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 124

Evelyn

Every fiber of my being tensed at the sound of that fucking despicable voice. Hatred surged through me like a tidal wave. If only I could reach through the screen and throttle that bastard, watch him choke on his own venom.

There was only one emotion I felt for him and that was—deep-rooted hatred. I fucking hated him more than I had ever hated anyone.

"So it was you, wasn't it?" I hissed, my jaw tight with fury. "You probably greased the palms of those investors to pull the rug out from under Jacob just when he was trying to make things right. What the hell do you want, Tyler? Why are you so obsessed with tearing my man down? What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

Tyler's voice oozed with sickening charm. "My, my, you sound even sexier when you're angry, Evelyn. Oh, the fantasies I have about you... I wonder how those lips of yours would feel against mine, how would it feel when I’d grab your waist and fucking dive deep into you when you’d quiver beneath me. Fuck! You drive me fucking insane, Evelyn. I can’t—“

"Shut your fucking mouth, Tyler," I spat, my anger rising. "Let me make one thing clear for you—you'd never have me. You will never fucking have me. No matter how much you drag down Jacob, no matter how much you try to put distance between us, try to get close, enter our lives, burn bridges, and daydream—I will never ever be yours, Tyler Ricci. Jacob Adriano is the only man to ever touch me, and he'd always be the only one to ever touch me."

He chuckled nonchalantly. "You don't even know what you're talking about, Evelyn. Be devoted to a man who can give you the whole world, lay every fucking possession you lay your eyes on beneath your feet, not someone who would struggle even to bring food to the table. Judging by how everything in your life is going downhill, trust me, that day is not far away when Jacob wouldn't even be able to bring a plate of food to your table. Be with a man, not with a failure."

"Jacob is not a failure. Do you fucking hear me? You did this. You did all these conspiracies to bring him down. It's your fucking games that got our lives torn between these situations, and if there's anyone to blame, that is you and your sick motives," I seethed, my fists clenching to my sides. "And I'd rather die than be with a man like you, Tyler. I don't care what you have, what your so-called possessions are, what your so-called abilities are. For me, one reason is more than enough to stay with Jacob for the rest of my ife—I fucking love him. And I'd love him till my last breath."

"Evelyn, life isn't a fairy tale. Love won't quench your thirst or put food on the table. It won't give you security or take your kids to school. Love won't buy you the latest fashion or shelter you from the storm—love doesn’t do any of that. It is just a twisted illusion, Bella Dona. It clouds our judgment, fucks with our minds, makes us settle for less, and fills our heads with doubts. Love ruins us—it's in its nature. And you, you should destroy it before it destroys you. I may not offer you love, but I can offer you everything it promises. You wouldn't even know the difference unless I told you."

"You know what, Tyler? I pity you," I scoffed. "Your twisted perspective will lead to your downfall, mark my words. One day, you'll regret every decision you've made, and it'll be too late to fix it. Those lives you've ruined will haunt you. You're headed for self-destruction, Tyler. You think you can have it all, but you'll end up with nothing. Take my advice—change before the world forces you to because when it does, you'll lose everything you've taken."

"That's your opinion, Evelyn," Tyler chuckled. "But from where I stand, the one who can hold onto what they've taken will always come out on top."

"You won't win, Tyler. Never—“

"Who are you talking to?" Jacob's voice sliced through the tension, making me startle. My phone slipped from my hand, the noise shattering the silence as it hit the carpet. Jacob's gaze was intense, his jaw clenched as he picked up the phone and put it on speaker.

Man, I hadn’t even realized when he had walked in.

"Is this Tyler?" Jacob's voice was low and dangerous.

"Oh, Mr. Adriano, enjoying the view of your closed office?" Tyler's voice dripped with arrogance. "How about my latest gift? It's been a while since I sent you anything, hasn't it?"

"How did you get my girlfriend's number?" Jacob's voice was icy, his anger palpable. There was something else in his demeanor, something dark and unsettling. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it sent shivers down my spine.

"What if I say she gave it to me?" Tyler's response was like a dagger in the heart, chilling me to the core.