My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 136

Evelyn

"Here it is, Bianca. He confessed everything," I said softly, extending the camera to her. It had been concealed in my dress during my visit to Tyler's mansion—the sole purpose of my visit being to extract his confession, not to sleep with him. But in the end, it seemed inconsequential. Jacob was inclined to believe what suited him, and I no longer had the energy to fight for truth when he had already inflicted enough pain upon me. Far more than I could bear.

It had been Bianca's and my plan all along: to deceive Tyler into confessing without him realizing it. I would pretend to play into his desires, coaxing the truth out of him under the guise of granting his wishes. And it worked, but unfortunately, not in the manner I had anticipated.

"Are you sure you're alright, Evie?" Bianca's concern was evident in her eyes, her furrowed brow, lines of her forehead, and uneven breaths betraying her worry. "I understand Jacob royally fucked it up. He's impulsive and foolish, and I totally understand what you've been through. But could you please consider speaking to him one last time? He's been searching for you everywhere since you left. He's genuinely concerned. Maybe we could at least let him know you're here?"

"No, Bianca. Please, don't," I whispered, brushing away the tears that had welled up in my eyes. Despite my attempts to blink them away, they persisted. "If you truly want to help me, please keep me away from Jacob for these last few hours before I leave for America. I'm not in a state to even bear the sight of him. Please, try to understand..." Panic began to rise within me, my breaths growing heavier. "Just don't... I beg you, please—"

"Hey, Evie... it's okay," Bianca reassured me, gently taking hold of my hand and giving it a comforting squeeze as she noticed my distress. "I won't say anything to him."

Her words prompted a sigh of relief to escape me. She wouldn't disclose my whereabouts to him. Yes, she wouldn't.

"If I were to see him now, Bianca, I know I'd start fucking hating him..." I exhaled, pulling my knees closer and wrapping my arms around them, resting my chin on top, a heavy sigh escaping me, my words trembling, "And I don't want that. I can't bear the thought of hating him. So it's better that it all ends like this. Maybe not on good terms, but at least in a way that if we cross paths in the future, neither of us would need to turn away. This is how it has to remain, for the better. I've forgiven all his transgressions and turned a blind eye to so much, but I can't lose myself in the process anymore. I'm done putting him before myself. Not anymore. So, please try to understand. I know you're his sister, and it must be painful for you to witness this, but trust me, it's better for him to stay away. Because if he shows up here, I'll end up hurting him more than he's ever hurt me."

Bianca let out a small sigh, her hand gently rubbing my back. Her touch provided some solace, reminiscent of Clara's, and I found myself longing for her presence. I missed Dad too—I wished I could hug him tightly and let my tears flow freely. I knew being close to him would lessen my pain, maybe not in a significant amount because the heartbreak Jacob gave me today would forever sting, but maybe just a little bit, to help me with the pain and simply live.

"I don't know what to do with you two," Bianca finally murmured after a while, “You two can’t live without each other,” this time her voice was barely audible, almost a whisper, yet I heard it clearly.

"Life goes on, Bianca. It doesn't wait for anyone," I replied softly after a brief pause. "And I'm sure Jacob will find a way to carry on, just as I will. Leaving his house in anger may have seemed impulsive at first, but the more I reflect on it now, the more I believe it was the right decision. Sometimes, it's best to walk away before things deteriorate to a point where reconciliation becomes impossible. I gave him numerous chances, did everything I could, but he disappointed me in ways I never thought possible—and now, I need to focus on picking up the pieces of my own life. No one else can do that for me; I have to do it myself, and that starts by staying away. It's what's best for me. I lost my way for a while, but now it's time to find my way back home."

"Have you told Samuel yet?" Bianca inquired gently.