My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 129

Evelyn

My feet seemed to resist every step toward Jacob's apartment. Every fiber of my being yearned to distance myself from him. Yet, I knew I had to go back. Despite the turmoil that life and Tyler had thrown our way, I understood Jacob's desperation to find a solution.

Even though I wanted to blame him entirely for kissing Chloe, I couldn't.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the apartment door and stepped inside. Jacob was pacing back and forth, his face damp, likely from splashing water on it—judging by the open tap at the sink. His movements were frantic as he continuously called, presumably for me.

Well...My phone died halfway here. I'd received numerous calls from him during the taxi ride, but I couldn't bring myself to answer.

"God, Evelyn. Please pick up," he pleaded, his restlessness palpable.

Just as he turned, perhaps to leave the apartment in search of me—something he likely did multiple times judging by his disheveled appearance—our eyes met.

His eyes widened in surprise, but a moment later, his shoulders sagged in relief.

"Baby..." he began to approach me, but I raised my hand and delivered a tight slap across his face as if it had been itching to do so, just when he tried to hug me.

Finally...peace

His head turned from the force of the blow, reopening the small cut I had given him at the hotel while catching him with Chloe. After a moment, he looked at me, "Yes, I deserved it. But can we please—" Before he could say anything more, I landed another slap across his face.

"You don't deserve just a few slaps. You deserve so much worse than that, you piece of shit," I seethed, grabbing him by his collars and pulling him closer, my gaze piercing into his eyes. "You fucking kissed her! Do you even fucking comprehend what I felt watching you kiss that bitch?! Do you even have an idea of what you did?!”

"I'm sorry, baby..." he sighed, guilt evident in his eyes. "That kiss...please, trust me, it didn't mean anything. I know I screwed up, but—"

"Yes, you fucking screwed up, again. Just like you did in America," I spat. "Just tell me one thing, Jacob. Just one thing, and I'm willing to forget it all, okay? Just tell me... when will you fucking stop letting your ex get into our lives? When are you ever going to do that?!"

"Evelyn..." he sighed, his voice low, tears welling in his eyes. "I'm sorry. Trust me, I didn't want to. It just—"

"I don't care about your pathetic explanations. All I care about is what I saw," I interrupted. "You lied to me, went behind my back to meet that bitch, and kissed her! I can forgive all your mistakes, Jacob, except when it's another woman!" Tears streamed down my cheeks, the emotional turmoil overwhelming me. And those moments kept replaying in my mind—how his lips met hers. I couldn't just forget it, and I doubted I ever would.

"Baby, listen to me..." he cupped my face, drawing me closer, his fingers finding their way to my cheeks as he wiped away my tears.

Should I forgive him just like that? Forgiving him wouldn't erase the scene from my mind—it would linger for days, maybe months, or even years.

But what was I supposed to do? Push him away and become another of his problems instead of his home?

No. I refused to be his problem. We had our whole lives to work through these issues, but in this tough time, if I let go of his hand because of my anger and pain, I'd never forgive myself.

"It's okay," I finally sighed, extending my arms. "Come here."

"It's okay," I assured him, pushing his hair back and placing a kiss atop his head, rubbing his back. "We're okay."

"Please don't leave me," his voice trembled. "I won't make it without you by my side. Please."

"I'll never leave you, Jacob," I whispered. "From the moment I realized I loved you, I was there to stay and I will be there. Always and forever. Evermore."