My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 138

Evelyn

"Yes, Dad, I've boarded the flight," I reassured, sinking into the seat, the hum of the plane a comforting backdrop. "Don't worry about me—I'm fine."

The quiet on the other end spoke volumes. Dad had a thousand words bottled up, I could tell. But he held back, reserving them for our reunion, whenever that might be. His reluctant response was a single, "Okay."

God. I wish I could just give him a hug.

"I'll hang up now, Dad, alright?" I offered, understanding his concern all too well. I knew the weight of his worry, the whispers from Clara beside him urging him to ask more, to probe deeper. They were both anxious beyond measure. And I didn't like it—I hated watching them concerned.

But, I didn't know what to do.

I wanted desperately to offer reassurance, to ease their worry, but the words eluded me. To claim 'I am not in pain' or 'I am totally fine' would be a falsehood, transparent to them given how well they knew me—they'd catch my lie in a single blink. Therefore....Dishonesty wasn't an option, yet admitting the brutal truth—that I was in excruciating pain—was equally daunting. The agony transcended mere emotional anguish; it manifested physically, rending me apart in every sense. Despite my efforts to evade it, the pain clung to me, unyielding and merciless, a relentless force tearing me asunder without respite.

I was sick and tired of it but there was no escape too....

I felt stuck. So stuck.

"Okay. I'll be waiting at the airport," he murmured softly, as though promising to whisk away all my pain. But deep down, I knew better. This pain was mine to bear alone. None could ever take it away from me—it'd clung to me. Forever. Constantly. Relentlessly. Endlessly.

"Goodbye, Dad," I said softly, ending the call.

Opening one of my social media apps, I saw messages flooding in from friends. Despite having sent just one text to Jennie, news had spread like wildfire to others like Mason and Nancy, bombarding my inbox. Among them, Mason's messages came in a flurry.

Before I could respond, a notification from a news channel I'd subscribed to caught my attention, a habit I'd formed to keep tabs on Jacob's life in the media—something I supposedly wouldn't need anymore. Unconsciously, I found myself clicking on the news.

There, the secret video clip I'd taken of Tyler and his confession popped up.

As I read the article stating Jacob would regain his company soon, a strange sense of relief washed over me. I frantically checked other channels, all reporting the same news. A weight lifted from my chest.

So, the video clip worked...

Despite leaving Jacob, I couldn't deny my worry for him. Despite everything he'd put me through, I was still concerned. Knowing he'd reclaim his former life, free from Tyler's grasp, eased my mind. I could leave him knowing he was in a better place. That was my own kind of peace—one that I felt guilty of.

But then again, at least now, I wouldn't agonize over whether I did the right thing. He wouldn't have another reason to blame me, as he had before.

A small sigh escaped me as I exited the news app, fighting back tears.

Finally, I was leaving him. For good.

I regulated my breathing, refusing to let more tears fall—I'd shed enough already. Crying for someone who didn't deserve it wasn't how I wanted to spend my life.