My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 41 To Confront Or Not

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."This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"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?"

Damn. She was hitting the spots I'd been avoiding myself.

"Choosing to be with Jacob doesn't mean I'm abandoning Dad. I love him, and I wouldn't do anything to hurt him. I've already decided that I'll find a way to tell him about us, sooner or later. It'll all work out."

"No, it won't, Evelyn. It'll backfire on you, and it'll happen quickly. I'm saying this for your own good. Your dad, you know him-he won't take this lightly. He loves you more than life itself, and he trusts Jacob than he trusts himself. He'll be

you hold dear will crumble. Forbidden relationships bring nothing but chaos," Mom snapped, her words sharp, "Tell me, is that what you want? Do you really want to throw everything away for a momentary flame?"

shattered, and everything re

"Momentary flame?" I scoffed, "You claim to be my mother, yet you can't even read your own daughter's eyes? How ironic."

Calm down, Evelyn. Calm down.

Well, fuck it.

"Tell me," I finally snapped, my voice rising, "What the hell do you see in my eyes? Does it seem like I'm just seeking a casual fling? Do I appear to be risking everything for something I don't even take seriously? Does any of this seem like a joke to you? Do I and my dreams look like a joke to you just like I did then?!

"Don't raise your voice at me, Evelyn. Remember, no matter what, I'll always be your mother."

God, not again!

"Yeah, just for the record!" I shouted, "In reality, you're just a woman who can't even respect her own daughter's choices because of her own damn perceptions. Sorry, but I'm not as perfect as you, Mom. I'm not giving up on Jacob. I love him, and no matter what, we're standing by each other till the end."

"I can't believe you, Evelyn. Fine." She

wiped her tears and crossed her arms over her chest. "If this is what you want, then so be it. Just

because I can't get through to k

doesn't mean I won't have a talk with Jacob. He's crossed a line by getting this far with you. Someone needs to step back, and it's better if it's him."

Just as she was about to turn and walk away, I hurried and positioned myself in front of her, blocking her path.

There was no way I'd let her mess things up for me.

"You can't talk to him. You can't, alright?!"

"You're mistaken, Evelyn. Because I

can," she retorted, "As much as you've undermined relationships by getting into this, he's equally, if not more, responsible. You might be naive, but he..." Her voice oozed anger, growing with intensity, "He's a grown man, well aware of what's right and wrong, for heaven's sake. I have every right to question him. At least this way, there's a slim chance of preserving his friendship with your dad."

She was close. So close...to ruining everything in my life and the dreams I had. Again.

"You're doing it again..." I let out a bitter chuckle, tears involuntarily finding their way to my eyes. "You're once again tearing apart my dreams. Stealing away the life I want."

Her gaze softened, and I could sense she was about to speak. But I beat her to it.

"You know what? When you knocked on that door, a part of me thought I could put everything aside and mend what was broken between us. Yet, it looks like you have a way of your own for ruining things," I wiped away my tears and took a deep breath.

"If you even dare to talk to Jacob, it's over for good. I'll never, ever let you back into my life. I promise you, it'll be fucking done, once and for all,

Mom."

Her eyes widened in shock, and her lips parted. She appeared taken aback and hurt by my words, but I didn't give a damn about that. Instead, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room.