My Dad's Bestfriend (Evelyn and Jacob) novel Chapter 202

Evelyn

I had somehow managed to send Jacob to the office after an entire week of… well, do I even need to spell it out? Let’s just say we thoroughly tested every surface in the house—counters, the floor, the bed, the shower, the bathtub—nothing was spared.

We’d been inseparable. And even now, sitting alone on the couch, I found myself missing his warmth. Usually, by this time of day, I’d be curled up in his arms, both of us pretending to watch cartoons on the TV. I liked them because they were silly and comforting; he liked them because he could watch me laugh.

But today, the cartoons felt hollow. I sighed, flipping through channels, hoping to stumble upon something decent.

And then, there it was.

I paused mid-click as a familiar name from the news anchor pierced through my disinterest.

“Tyler Ricci…”

My hand froze, the remote slipping from my grasp as the screen showed him—Tyler Ricci, striding into a courthouse, his lawyers trailing behind like shadows.

“Tyler Ricci, CEO and proprietor of Crystal States, seems poised to make a dramatic return to the industry—or so the speculation goes,” the news anchor droned, her tone matter-of-fact. “Spotted with his legal team at the Supreme Court, sources suggest an appeal has been filed. While no official statements have been issued, Mr. Ricci’s father previously declared their intent to seek justice at a higher level. Today’s developments seem to confirm those intentions…”

The rest of her words blurred into static.

My chest tightened, breath hitching as panic clawed its way up my throat. No. This couldn’t be happening. He wouldn’t be released. He couldn’t be.

The thought of Tyler walking free, back in control, was enough to make my blood run cold. If he was released, he’d come for us again. He’d tear me and Jacob apart—again. And this time, he might succeed.

Shaking, I fumbled for the remote and turned off the TV, plunging the room into silence. I stood abruptly, running my fingers through my hair as if that could untangle the chaos inside my head.

“Calm down, Evelyn,” I whispered aloud, pacing the room. “It’s just an appeal. It doesn’t mean he’ll be released.”

But my body betrayed me. My stomach churned violently, that awful twisting sensation creeping up my spine. Before I could stop myself, I bolted to the bathroom.

The nausea hit hard and fast. I leaned over the sink, gasping as I emptied my stomach. Cold sweat dripped down my temples.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” I muttered weakly, gripping the edge of the counter.

This wasn’t the first time it had happened. I hadn’t told Jacob, but lately, I’d been throwing up randomly. Some days, I felt nauseous and dizzy; other days, I was so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open. Then there were moments I felt almost too energetic, as though I were running on borrowed time.

Stress, Italy’s weather, or something else entirely—I didn’t have the energy to figure it out.

Splashing cold water on my face, I tried to steady my breathing, but my thoughts refused to settle. That name, that face—it had snatched the ground right out from under me.

I heard the front door open. His voice followed.

“Evelyn?”

His footsteps drew closer, and I quickly grabbed a towel, patting my face dry before stepping out of the bathroom.

“Here,” I called softly, and the moment he saw me, his face lit up with that irresistible smile.

“Hi, love,” he murmured, reaching for me.

I chuckled despite myself, letting him pull me close. His arms encircled my waist, grounding me, while my hands rested against the solid warmth of his chest.

“I missed you,” he whispered, leaning down to press a tender kiss to my lips.

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