My Dad's Bestfriend (Evelyn and Jacob) novel Chapter 208

Evelyn

I stepped out of the doctor's office, my heart heavy and light all at once. It thudded violently against my ribs, my breath coming in shallow bursts. My skin felt cold, and tears prickled at the corners of my eyes. The feelings surged, intensifying with every second, creeping into every cell of my body.

I felt lost. Hopeless. Overwhelmed.

Was I ready to be a mother?

I didn't know.

Was it too soon? Maybe.

But not once, in the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind, did the idea of harming the tiny soul growing inside me cross my mind. My decision had already been made before I even realized there was one to make. I knew what I was going to do.

I just didn't know how.

Two and a half months. Probably from our time in America. And yet, until two days ago, the thought hadn't even occurred to me.

Lost in thought, I pushed open the door to our apartment. The evening light filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow. I froze when I spotted Jacob. He stood facing the mirror wall, his reflection framed by the city skyline.

He wasn't supposed to be home yet.

"Jacob?" I asked, dropping my bag as I stepped closer. "When did you get home? You said you'd be late."

He didn't respond. His shoulders were tense, his posture unnervingly rigid. There was a calmness in his breathing, but an air about him told me he wasn't calm at all.

I touched his shoulder. "Jacob? Are you okay?"

Slowly, he turned to face me. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes... they were cold. And then he lifted his hand, revealing something I hadn't noticed before.

My pregnancy tests.

My stomach dropped.

"My work finished earlier, so I came home," he began, his voice distant, icy. "I was about to call you, but I decided to freshen up first. While I was trying to reach you... I knocked over the bin." He paused, holding the tests up slightly. "And this is what I found, Evelyn."

The chill in his voice sent a shiver through me. This wasn't how I wanted him to find out.

"How long have you known?" he asked, his tone sharp enough to cut through the thick air between us.

"Jacob, I can—"

"When, Evelyn?" he interrupted, his voice rising, demanding.

I swallowed hard, my palms slick with sweat. "Three days ago," I admitted softly.

He exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I stepped closer, reaching for his hands, but he didn't meet me halfway. "I wasn't sure how," I whispered. "I needed to be certain before saying anything. I didn't want to stress you out over something that might not be true, so I went to the doctor today."

"And?" His voice wavered, a glimmer of hope breaking through his stoicism.

I felt my heart shatter at the faint trace of hope in his voice—a hope that my answer might be "no." But I couldn't lie.

"Yes," I breathed. "We're pregnant, Jacob."

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