My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 55

Evelyn

"What... what did you say?" I stammered, my hands dropping back to my sides, my eyes fixated on his figure.

My heart literally stopped. Yes, I'd felt it skip a beat many times, especially whenever my gaze landed on Jacob. But today, there was something terrifying about the way it ceased to beat. It was as if my entire world had crumbled, and every fiber of my being could only register those few words escaping his lips. Words that I could scarcely believe came from him—the man who, just a few hours ago, had told me that I was the only one he’d ever love.

No! This had to be some cruel joke...

He couldn't possibly be serious.

I watched as he exhaled a sigh, taking a drag and releasing the smoke into the air. His unaffected demeanor was already starting to infuriate me. How could he remain so composed while uttering words that were fucking breaking my heart into a thousand pieces?

"I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark, Evelyn. I just can't get over Chloe," My heartbreaker couldn't care less about meeting my gaze; instead, he seemed to find solace in the expanse of the sky, completely oblivious to the fact that he was crushing my entire world beneath his feet, “It will always be her. Only her."

Please let this be a joke…..please please, please.

"You're joking, right?" Once again, my voice trembled, sounding almost like a desperate plea for him to admit it was all just a cruel jest. I loathed the way I sounded, so utterly vulnerable. But perhaps that's why some people avoid catching feelings—they make you feel pathetic.

He remained silent for a few agonizing seconds, still composed and collected. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way. I was confused, torn between the past and this... uncertain present. It was a momentary attraction, something I thought would help me forget Chloe, but I couldn't. She's been my forever, and she always will be," He paused, finally turning to face me. His eyes held none of the warmth I'd seen in them all these days; they were unfamiliar and frigid, a strange shade of green. "There will never be room for another woman. She will always be the one I love."

‘A momentary attraction,’ he said...

His words hit me like a freight train, and I almost stumbled backward. God, he probably had no idea how deeply his words cut me. In fact, I wasn't sure if I fully comprehended the extent of my pain. It should be physically impossible to feel one's heart breaking into pieces, but why did it feel like every damn shard was shattering and falling away?

Was he actually serious?

"Even... even just a few hours ago, you told me you loved me," I struggled to piece my words together, my voice wavering. "And now, you expect me to believe that you've had a sudden change of heart? Suddenly realized that Chloe is the one for you. The same woman who put you through hell, the one you wanted to forget?"

"Sometimes, things change in an instant, Evelyn. You don't realize what's missing until that moment arrives. You don't grasp who you truly need in your life until it hits you—it's a sudden epiphany, and I'm sorry it took me a while to realize that it's her I want, not you. I—"

"A while?" I chuckled bitterly, my emotions spiraling out of control, spilling over. "So what was I to you, then? Were all those moments we spent together worth less to you than a few minutes talking to your damn ex? Are you even hearing yourself?!”

He remained silent. It wasn't that he couldn't answer; it was a deliberate choice not to respond.

Everything was fine, even moments ago and now, all of it was collapsing right before my eyes and I could do nothing.

"Answer the damn question, Jacob!" I yelled, seizing his collar and pulling him closer. "Tell me, was everything between us just a game for you? A rebound to help you forget your ex?"

His gaze locked onto my face, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a hint of softness in his eyes. But it was short-lived, quickly replaced by that same chilling coldness. "Yes, it was. I used it to forget her, all along. And now that she's back, I don't think we should continue this any longer."

Damn him!