My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 41

Evelyn

Indeed, I had let my mom into the room, but I had no idea what the hell I was supposed to say. This wasn't meant to happen, not so soon. God, not anytime soon. But that annoying bitch had to ruin it, of course. Why wouldn't she? It was as clear as day—her image, as perfect as it might appear on the surface, was twice as hideous within.

A simple agenda—If I can't have him, no one else can. Screw that bitch.

I was gonna kill her.

"Would you care to explain, Evelyn?" Mom asked.

"I'm not sure what kind of explanation you're fishing for. Based on your earlier statement, it seems like you've already pieced it together yourself, right?"

A look of disbelief mixed with anger flashed across her face, "Incredible. Look at you— You are not even trying to deny it."

"Why should I? I haven't committed a crime that requires denial. I love him. That's all the explanation I believe you need," I stated firmly, loud and clear for her ears, "Tell me, dear responsible mother, is that sufficient for you?" My words oozed with sarcasm as I walked back to my vanity, fumbling with things in frustration.

"Are you completely out of your mind, Evelyn?" As expected, she followed me, "He's your dad's friend, much, much older than you, and completely unsuitable for you," her voice grew louder, "What the hell do you even know about him that you're claiming to love him? Do you have any inkling about his past, his family, his background, his character?!"

So maybe I was not loud enough, or maybe, her ears had stopped working. Either way around, I wanted her nose out of my business.

"Mom, I know all that I need to know, and I certainly don't think it'll end up good for me if I seek relationship advice, especially from you. Like, come on, you destroyed your own marriage, so you're in no position to lecture me about choosing a guy; for God's sake, you walked out on someone like Dad," I faced her, my hands balling up in fists as I tried not to say things that I might end up regretting later.

But, today, I doubted that I'd be regretting anything.

"Evelyn, you're stepping way over the line!"

How naive of her to believe she could shut me down that easily.

"Believe me, I'm fully aware of my boundaries because I'm the one setting them. I am making a line. And as for choosing Jacob? You yourself are familiar with what kind of man he is and what he's been through, so don't stoop low just to try to drag him down in my eyes. I know who he is and I know everything I need to know," I shot back, meaning every word I said, "So, please leave."

"No, I won't. You're my daughter, and I have the right to—"

"No, you don't. You have no right over me! You don't get to dictate what I do with my life. If anyone has that right, it's my dad! He's the only one with any influence over my life, and if there's anyone who comes second, it's Clara. But you? You're in no position to control my choices. You walked away from me, alright? So now, deal with what you have sown."

Her eyes welled with tears resulting in a momentary crack within me revealing hesitation.

"I didn't plant the hatred in your heart, Evelyn. You did that yourself. You chose to hate me. I tried, I really did, but you shut me out. And now, you're denying me the right to be your mother. All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy, there's nothing else I want more."

"Then just let me be, for God's sake! He's the one who makes me happy. He's the one who makes me feel alive. I love him, alright? What's so wrong about loving someone?"

"But it's wrong, Evelyn! Even drugs can make you feel alive when they're in your veins, but that doesn't mean they're good for you. It all comes crashing down before you even realize it, and you're the one who's going to end up hurt," her voice quivered momentarily, "He's not the right match for you. He's your father's friend. Have you even paused for a moment yet to think about how Samuel will feel when he finds out? He loves you, he's devoted a significant part of his life to you, and you're willing to cast it all aside for Jacob?"