《My Dad's Bestfriend》


 Chapter 1 Destination

    Chapter 1 Destination


    Evelyn


    "You have no right to look this beautiful, ra," I couldn''t help my excitement, "Dad will faint if he sees you in this on the wedding night!"


    Currently, ra, my dad''s fiance, was looking through the shopping we''d done since the morning, it was nearly evening when we''d returned to our house.


    "Evelyn, you have a way with words," ra chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She sifted through the shopping bags, her fingers grazing the fabric of the ckcy nightwear she had pulled out, "Seriously though, how about this one?" she asked, holding it up for me to see.


    "Well damn! You''re surely going to look like a whole damn meal," My eyes widened, and I couldn''t help but let out a whistle.


    "You and your dad have a simr way of givingpliments, no wonder why he is so fond of you-- you are just like him," ra burst intoughter, her infectious joy filling the room. She yfully pped my shoulder, and I couldn''t help but smile.


    "Whatever you say, after a few years of marriage, I want a sibling. Do you get that?"


    ra''s cheeks turned a deep shade of red, and she let out a gasp, clearly caught off guard by myment. "Evelyn..."


    Noticing her furious blush I burst into a fit ofughter. ra and I had developed a close bond from the beginning. After my parent''s divorce, I hadn''t seen my dad as happy with anyone until ra came into our lives. She was genuinely kind-hearted and a better person than my mom, who had left my dad in his most vulnerable moment when he needed her the most-a business loss that led her to abandon him and me.


    Amidst myughter, I pulled ra into a tight hug. "I love you, cutie pie."


    "I love you too, Evie, "A smile softened on her lips as she hugged me back, "Thank you so much for epting me in your and dad''s life, it really means the whole world to me." She sniffled.


    Knowing ra for years, I was aware of her tendency to be emotional even at the smallest things. And at that moment, she was having one of those heartfelt moments again.


    "So, you''re unlocking the waterfalls again, huh?" I teased, a yful grin on my face.


    A chuckle escaped her lips, and she nodded. "No, I am not," She smiled through her tears and looked at me before wiping away the moisture that had gathered in her eyes.


    "No sermons today, my soon-to-be mother," I interjected, a rebellious edge to my voice,


    "How many times do I need to tell you that you don''t need to thank me for anything? ra, you''re the epitome of perfection for Dad. A thousand times better than my selfish mother, of course."


    "Don''t speak that way, Evie," she pleaded. "Remember, she''s still your mother."


    "As if I care," I scoffed, throwing myself onto the bed, heedless of the mound of clothes struggling beneath my weight.


    "But, Evie..."


    "No lecture for today my soon-to-be mother," I cut her off, "You better arrange that there''d be a whole lot of hot guys for me to fuck with. This virginity is tiring as fuck."


    "Yeah yeah, so that your dad divorces me before we can even get married," She rolled her eyes causing me to burst into a fit ofughter. She was right, Dad was super protective about me, he had scared away multiple dates of mine in the past.


    "Can we just pack Dad up in a suitcase and ship him off for a few days so that I have some freedom and fun?" I asked suggestively.


    "I highly doubt your dad would fit into any suitcase," she shrugged.


    Suddenly, without warning, Dad strolled into the room, catching both ra and me off guard.


    "Ah, so what exactly is the master n here,dies?" Dad inquired, his impable timing never failing to surprise us.


    Dad and his uncanny knack for showing up at just the right moment!Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Fuck my luck, oh well ra''s too.


    "Nothing, Dad, we were just going over some wedding details," I stammered, trying to mask the obviousness of our prior conversation with a forcedugh. Yet, his expression betrayed what he saw through my feeble attempt.


    "I happened to overhear the ns you two were discussing," he said, crossing his arms defiantly. Behind her hand, I could see ra struggling to suppress herughter.


    My re in her direction seemed to


    jolt her brain into action, and she quickly chimed in, "Samuel, it''s not appropriate to eavesdrop on our conversation. It''s downright...um.... She searched for the right word, "disgraceful, to say the least."


    "Yeah, yeah," Dad rolled his eyes and took a seat on the sofa nestled in the corner of my room. "And I must say, it''s incredibly considerate of you two to discuss the logistics of packing me into a suitcase. Bravo!"


    ra''s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. She was at a loss for a suitable response.


    "Then maybe you should stop scaring away my dates!" I eximed, unable to contain my frustration any longer.


    "And maybe you should start finding decent guys instead of little rascals," Dad shot back without missing a beat. "They weren''t little!"


    "Do you agree with the fact that they were rascals raughed out and my cheeks burnt red in embarrassment at the realisation well...didn''t actually bring any nice guy till now but that doesn''t mean I was going to ept defeat in this argument.


    "I mean, they were not rascals!" I red at Dad.


    "Of course, they were, "Dad spoke confidently, "Each of those boys was, none of them had good intentions."


    There''s the thing, I didn''t want the good intentions....


    "Why do you always meddle in my rtionships, huh? I''m twenty, and I have the right to choose who I want to date."


    "Of course you do, but if you consistently choose the worst among them, I reserve the right to intervene


    Damn, Dad and his logic!


    I was left tongue-tied at my ce and I found myself heaving out a defeated sigh.


    "Well then, I suppose that concludes


    our little disagreement for today," Dad dered, rising from his seat. "Now, my dear daughter and my fianc¨¦e, how about we put aside the idea of packing me in a suitcase and focus on actually packing our clothes for the trip? We need to leave early for the flight."


    ra interjected, "By the way, when is our flight?"


    "We have to be at the airport before 9 pm," he checked his wristwatch. "So, we''d better start getting ready."


    "Can''t the flight be dyed? We just came back from shopping," I groaned, stretching my armszily above my head.


    He shook his head. "Nope. We need to prepare the mansion for the arriving guests. They''ll be here starting tomorrow." "No rest for the weary, I guess?!"


    "Probably not," Dad clicked his tongue, "And the destination wedding was your n so you can''t me me."


    "Ugh! You are so cruel!" I groaned burying my face into my hands


    "Thank you," With that grin being shed at me, he walked out of the room.


    "Don''t worry, once we get to the mansion, I''ll figure something out," ra reassured me, her words filling me with a glimmer of hope. "You won''t have to lift a finger."


    "I love you, I love you, I love you!" I eximed, throwing myself into her arms. She chuckled in response.


    "I love you too, now go and get ready before the demon side of your dad wakes up," she teased. "You''re absolutely right," Iughed, before darting into the closet to start preparing for the journey ahead.

 Chapter 2 The Arrival

    Chapter 2 The Arrival


    Evelyn.


    The morning sunlight infiltrated the room through the window, its warm rays rousing me from my slumber. I reluctantly pried my eyes open, only to have them promptly shut again in protest against the intrusive light.


    Letting out a disgruntled sigh, I buried my face in the pillow, hoping to shield myself from the unwee morning.


    Mornings. Ugh! I despised them with a passion.


    Even more than my periods.


    Groaning, I finally dragged myself out of bed, deliberately averting my gaze from the blinding sun, I stumbled my way to the bathroom. As usual, I brushed my teeth at a tortoise''s pace, trying to dy the inevitable start of the day.


    As usual, I brushed my teeth at a tortoise''s pace and took a shower. I made sure to scrub away any remnants of sleep, unwilling to risk looking like a ghost amidst the uncertainty of potential guests.


    While the gathering had mostly been arranged amongst family members, I vaguely recalled my dad mentioning a few of his friends being invited, too. I included a few of my friends who woulde a day before the wedding day.


    I dried my hair and threw on a casual spaghetti-strap tank top and shorts before venturing out of the room. The mansion seemed eerily quiet, signalling that no guests had arrived yet. However, as I made my way towards the kitchen, I couldn''t help but overhear fragments of conversation between Dad and ra, their voices carrying through the stillness of the house.


    "Good morning, lovebirds," I greeted with a smile as my eyes fell on Dad and ra .They were preparing breakfast, with ra seated at the counter and Dad taking charge as today''s chef.


    "Good morning to you too, sweetheart," They responded in unison.


    "So, what''s on the menu, Mr. Chef?" I yfully inquired, walking closer to them and stealing a nce at the pan.


    "Pasta, apparently it''s the only thing I know how to cook well," Dad replied with a hint of self-deprecating humour in his voice. This remark elicited a small chuckle from both ra and me.


    "Well, that''s not a problem at all. You''re still the best," I giggled, hugging him from the side.


    "Finally, you''re admitting it, huh?" Dad chuckled, returning the embrace and nting a tender kiss on my forehead.


    "I''ve never denied it, though," I giggled, "By the way, I''m sorry for joking about packing you in a suitcase the other day. I didn''t mean it, really." I kissed his cheek, and he let out a gentleugh before reciprocating with a smooch on my left cheek.


    "I know," He ruffled my hair, "You are still too childish tomit a crime like that."


    This made anotherugh tear from my throat.


    "All love for Dad, huh?" ra''s dramatically sad voice interrupted and my eyes shifted to her direction, "Nobody loves me."She melodramatically dered, averting her eyes from me, as if to express a hint of resentment. I could notice the small frown that''d appeared on her lips.


    Unable to resist the opportunity to tease her, I walked over to ra with a grin on my face. "Oh,e here, my drama queen," Laughing I wrapped my arms around her and nted a kiss on her cheek.


    I watched as she tried to maintain an unruffled expression, but a smile inevitably made its way to her lips, and she hugged me back.


    "You shower all your affection on Dad and call me a drama queen, huh? That''s not fair, Evie," ra yfully protested, shaking her head in mock disbelief.


    "He''s a little childlike you know, he needs affection," I mused and she burst outughing.


    Dad, always knowing how to y his cards, responded with a teasing threat, "Remember, littledy, that''s definitely going to affect your allowance." I chuckled, realising the slight difference this time. With a month full of functions and travels to various locations, I did not need an extra allowance. "That''s why I called you childlike, Dad. You seem to have forgotten that I don''t need any money for this entire period," I pointed out, reminding him of his own wedding experience with ra.


    "Then I''ll adjust it next month." He deadpanned.


    "We both know you''ll forget about it till then," I couldn''t hold onto myughter anymore and the same went for ra, she too deluged inughter.


    "We''ll see about that," He rolled his eyes and focused his attention on cooking again but this time with a small frown that took its ce between his brows.


    My dad was indeed adorable.


    "You''re just too cute, Samuel," she giggled as she pinched Dad''s cheek yfully


    Dad looked at her in disbelief, rubbing the spot where she left a slight pink tint. "What the heck!"


    "Aw, shut up, you cute little bear," She tapped Dad''s nose and this only seemed to increase Dad''s irritation, evident by the small frown that deepened between his brows.


    "Don''t get on my nerves, ra," Dad groaned, trying to maintain his faux sternness, though a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "What will you do, huh?" her voice brimmed with mischief. It was a familiar dynamic between the two of them, one that I had grown ustomed to over the years. However, at this moment, with the hungry rats in my stomach causing amotion, I needed them to focus on preparing breakfast. I was well aware that if they continued their yful banter for too long, I would be left hungry and food-deprived, something I couldn''t handle properly. "Okay, guys, enough of the family circus for today," I decided to speak up, "I''m starving, and if I don''t get food now, I''ll go crazy!"


    ra crossed her arms over her chest, asserting herself. "You heard that, Chef? Cook for Evelyn."


    Dad''s re lingered on ra for a moment, but he soon shifted his attention back to the task at hand, resuming his cooking duties.


    When I was confirmed that the situation was under control, I made my way to the refrigerator to grab some orange juice. As I raised the bottle to my mouth, I took a satisfyingly big gulp, allowing the tangy vour to awaken my taste buds.


    "So, none of the guests have arrived yet?


    "Not really, except for..." ra''s voice trailed off as a familiar yet foreign voice resonated from right behind me, sending chills down my spine. "Good morning, everyone," the voice said, unmistakably the voice of the Italian man who had invaded my every dream.


    My entire body froze, my heart racing in my chest, and the room suddenly felt devoid of oxygen, despite the gentle breezeing in through the open window.


    I could hear his footsteps as he approached, his presence looming behind me. I was too petrified to turn and face him, my grip tightening around the juice bottle in my hand.


    "Good morning, Jacob," ra greeted him with a smile.


    "Did you have a good sleep, mate?" Dad asked casually, not bothering to look up from his cooking, unaware of the turmoil brewing inside me. "Yeah," He responded, I could feel his gaze on me as well as ra''s, who seemed surprised by my sudden stillness.


    "Who''s this youngdy?" Jacob''s voice broke through the tense silence, and my worst imagination became a reality he didn''t recognize me.


    I couldn''t entirely me him; thest time he saw me, I was just fifteen years old. These past five years had transformed me in ways I never could have imagined.


    "You can''t recognize her?" Dad chuckled, finally ncing at Jacob. I, too, mustered the courage to look at Jacob Adriano, and... well, damn it!


    He hadn''t aged a day since Ist saw him. The same devilishly handsome jawline, the full, tempting lips, and those bewitching green eyes that had ensnared me for as long as I could remember.


    A few strands of his luscious


    chestnut brown hair, which I had


    imagined running my fingers


    through countless times, fell casually on his face. And that same maddeningly attractive face that had


    haunted my dreams, and I had


    Visualized between thighs, now


    stood before me.


    Wearing a simple t-shirt that entuated his sculpted muscles and paired with trousers, he could easily outshine any supermodel with just a single nce.


    I had to hold my breath so that the gasp didn''t slip past my lips.


    "It''s my daughter, Evelyn." Dad''s voice made his lips part in what I could identify as astonishment.


    "Wait really?" He asked, looking heavily dumbfounded," She was so little then."


    Yeah, little but still capable enough to imagine your gorgeous face while masturbating..............


    "Yeah, time flies. Doesn''t it?" Dad began," Evelyn, did you fail to recognize Jacob too?" He looked at me and asked.


    I forced a smile and shook my head.


    "No, I recognized him. Unlike me, he hasn''t changed even a little bit. He looks the same as before." The


    words slipped out of my mouthContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    before I could stop them. I tried not to let my gaze linger on Jacob for too long, but my eyes seemed to have a mind of their own.


    There was a flicker of something in Jacob''s green eyes upon my words, and perhaps because of my gaze, but he quickly masked it with a smile.


    "You have grown up a lot, Evelyn," he


    added with a small chuckle. "I can still remember you running inside your room every time you saw me For years, I wondered what it was about me that made you so


    but in the end, I gave up." He walked towards the counter and poured himself a ss of water. Content


    belongs to


    Decent of you to think that I did that because I was scared of you. The only reason I used to do that was to stop my poor heart from jumping out of my


    chest.


    "Even I often thought about it and every time I''d ask her she''d just ignore me." Dad seemed to find it funny and apparently ra and Jacob too.


    I was the only one who had that red shade of embarrassment covering her face.


    "Okay, I think we should stop discussing Evelyn''s childhood," ra seemed to be the first one to notice my furious blush," She is turning red."


    This sentence of hers seemed to manage to bring the focus of those green eyes back on me, there was a barely noticeable twitch at the corner of his lips and I didn''t know if it was intentionally shed at me or not but the wetness between thighs began rising anyways.


    Shit, Evelyn! Get hold of yourself!


    "Evelyn is still as cute as she was," He took an apple from the basket and raised it to his mouth, taking a bite as he leaned against the counter staring at me, "Still somewhere the same....little girl."


    Holy!


    At this point, it was hard to tell if it was my mind that was acting weird or if it was his words that were strange.


    "Yeah, you won''t believe she still acts like the kid she was before," Dad seemed to find very nice entertainment in embarrassing me, "Her childish habits are still there."


    "Old habits are hard to let go just, of course," Jacob made a thoughtful noise while still looking at me. His gaze was not receding at all.


    I could feel my restraints breaking one by one.


    This was not going to go well if I stayed here much longer.


    "I''ll...I''ll just go to my room," I quickly spluttered and turning around, I began walking out of the kitchen.


    "But your breakfast..." ra began.


    "I''ll take itter, ra," I interrupted, tucking a piece of my hair strand behind my hair And stealing a quick nce at her before I walked out of the


    kitchen.


    "Wait, Evelyn..." My dad''s voice trailed after me, attempting to reason, "You said you''re hungry."


    "Just bring it to my room," I hollered back, my footsteps quickening as I ascended the stairs and sought refuge in my own locked room. Finally, alone, I released the weighty breath I hadn''t realised I''d been holding. A solitary bead of sweat traced its way down the side of my forehead, evidence of the tension that had been building up inside me.


    "Calm down, Evelyn," I said to myself," Calm down."


    Jacob Adriano made me feel the same things again. All these years I had thought my attraction for him had faded but one gaze at him and all my


    decisions had flown away out of the window.


    Surely it wasn''t good news. Today..... There was something in his gaze that I hadn''t seen five years before or maybe it was my own hallucination that made me want to think such things. But I doubted it was just a hallucination.

 Chapter 3 Poolside Party

    Chapter 3 Poolside Party


    Evelyn.


    Leaning against the balcony railing, I took a sip of my coffee, its bittersweet vour providing a much-needed respite from the stress that threatened to consume me. By conveniently feigning a headache, I managed to escape the formalities of greeting the arriving guests one by one, effectively dodging any encounter with Jacob.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Damn, that man seemed to defy logic with his ever-growing handsomeness.


    From my vantage point, I could see the gathering around the poolside. It was like a scene straight out of a poolside party movie. Handsome men were aplenty, some being Dad''s business partners'' sons, while others represented their fathers'' interests.


    But amidst this sea of attractive individuals, my eyes only craved stolen nces at the green-eyed Italian male perched on a chaise lounge. Unlike the others, he maintained a certain air of casual elegance, leaving only a few buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of the gold chain around his neck. Every now and then, I caught a tantalising peek at his tattoo-a masterpiece that seemed to originate from the left side of his chest and undoubtedly extended down his arm.


    What was God thinking while creating this masterpiece? He is too good to be true.


    I tore my gaze away from him and looked at the sky. The weather was nice today enough to make me want to go for a walk, which was pretty rare for me to do.


    "Evelyn...what on earth are you doing out here?" ra''s sudden loud voice jolted me, causing me to gasp and spin around. My hands instinctively tightened around the coffee mug, preventing it from slipping through my fingers.


    "ra...you scared me half to death!" I ced a hand over my chest as my heart continued to pound erratically.


    "For heaven''s sake, everyone''s by the pool having a good time, and here you are, acting like a lone ghost," she rolled her eyes and strolled towards me, d in a swimsuit with a poolside robe draped over her, "Go on, change!"


    "I didn''t bring any swimwear," I shrugged, hoping my little white lie would hold some weight.


    "Oh, you little liar. I packed your suitcase with you so don''t like your flimsy excuse will work on me," Of course, she saw through my ruse. What was I even expecting?


    "B-but..."


    "No buts," she cut me off, "Go and get ready, otherwise I might, unfortunately, have to drag your ass there."


    Realising that further resistance would be futile, I finally exhaled a defeated sigh. "Fine, I''ll get ready."


    A victorious smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she nodded. "Good. Be downstairs in a few minutes, or else I''ll have toe back up here to check on you."


    "Alright," I rolled my eyes and made my way into the closet.


    Thankfully, I had unpacked my luggage the previous night before going to sleep, so locating my swimwear proved to be a rtively hassle-free task.


    I opted for a ck triangle bikini, pairing it with a flowing white chiffon sheer robe. Pulling my hair back into a loose bun, I intentionally left a few strands framing my face. After slipping into the swimwear, I draped the robe over it, stealing onest nce in the mirror to ensure I looked presentable. Satisfied with my appearance, I made my way toward the poolside.


    I wished my perverted mind would stop making me look at Jacob again and again. It had only been a day since his arrival, yet he had already managed to send my sanity teetering on the brink.


    Amidst the cacophony of guests'' conversations, the sound of theirughter and the clinking of sses filled the air. The waiters were serving everyone drinks and other delicacies.


    Familiar faces started to emerge from the crowd, including some individuals I despised from the depths of my being. One of them happened to be associated with my dad''spany-a woman who stirred an intense irritation within me: Gloria Henderson-- A fucking wicked bitch. She embodied everything despicable, a cunning and promiscuous woman who shamelessly pursued any man within her reach, regardless of her marriage to a military husband who likely believed her deceptive facade of unwavering love.


    The mere sight of Gloria''s conniving ways triggered a surge of irritation within me. How could she brazenly manipte and betray her husband, all the while pretending to be a faithful and loving wife? It disgusted me to witness her deceitful actions, and my disdain for her reached its peak.


    My jaw clenched in anger.


    Fucking bitch!


    "Don''t give her that death stare, Evie. People will start thinking you''ve got some personal vendetta against her," ra whispered into my ear, breaking my intense gaze. I had been absorbed in ring at that woman, who was shamelessly flirting with an unknown guy.


    "I hate her, ra!" I groaned under my breath.


    "Me too but you know where your dad had to invite all of his colleagues, so he couldn''t just exclude this one bitch from the list." She sighed, "Anyways, ignore her and enjoy the party. There are plenty of attractive boys around here." Her voice took on a mischievous tone.


    "I don''t need just any boy, ra," I chuckled. "I need a real man."


    Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Thank goodness you didn''t say that in front of your dad. He''d probably ground you for days, forgetting all about the wedding ns and whatnot."


    "Yeah, yeah, as if I care," I rolled my eyes and made my way towards the bar set up in the corner.


    "One cocktail, please," The bartender began preparing my drink with a friendly smile.


    Well...he was cute. However, my eyes wandered around the party, and as expected, they settled on Jacob. But, this time, the sight that unfolded before me, made my skin crawl in a whole new way-Gloria, that fucking bitch, was now making tant advances towards Jacob, trying to get into his pants, of course.


    My jaw clenched involuntarily, and my teeth ground together as I observed her witch-like nails trailing up and down Jacob''s arms. His


    giving her easy ess, and shel


    sleeves rolled up to his elbows


    clearly trying too hard to appear seductive or maybe to convey just how easily she could be taken to bed.


    Jacob, on the other hand, looked anything but pleased. I could see his ufortableughter and his bodynguage inching away from her touch, yet she persisted, reaching out again and again.


    Why was I even paying attention to this? He was a grown man perfectly capable of handling himself and dealing with women like her.


    I tried to keep my focus on the drink but one sip and everything felt tasteless.


    God, Evelyn! He''s not your husband, nor your boyfriend! Calm the fuck down!


    Taking another sip, I continued to send daggers with my eyes in Gloria''s direction, her shameless flirting still in full swing. Jacob appeared visibly irritated, though he maintained hisposure, politely responding to her seemingly pointless questions.


    "One Negroni, please," I found myself requesting the bartender, ordering the very drink that happened to be Jacob''s favourite.


    As the bartender prepared it, I untied my robe, leaving it open but still draped over me, and held my half-finished cocktail in one hand and the Negroni


    in the other.


    Before I even realised it, I was


    walking towards Jacob, propelled by an inexplicable force. His eyes fell on me sooner than I had expected, and they lingered, taking in my figure. Gloria, sensing Jacob''s attention shift away from her, followed his gaze and noticed me walking over to


    them.


    Completely ignoring her, I smiled at Jacob and positioned myself next to him, leaning against the bar. "Here''s your favourite," I said, gesturing towards the drink in my hand.


    His brows rose ever so slightly in surprise as he epted the drink from my hand. Our fingers brushed against each other, sending an electric shiver down my body.


    "Oh, Gloria," I turned my attention to her, noting the strange expression on her face. "It''s so nice to meet you. How''s your husband? Is everything


    alright?"


    My carefully aimed words hit their mark, causing embarrassment to flood her features. She fumbled with her words, ncing at Jacob, who appeared shocked by this newfound discovery.


    "Yeah, he''s fine," she hesitantly let out, "Excuse me, I''ll get a drink for myself and be back." With a flimsy excuse to mask her embarrassment, she hurriedly made her way towards the bar I had previously upied, despite another bar being conveniently nearby.


    As Gloria disappeared, I saw Jacob visibly rx, relief washing over him... and me.


    He turned to look at me, his green eyes now filled with a different intensity, stirring up a jumble of thoughts and emotions within me. At that moment, a surge of courage washed over me, empowering me to take a daring step.


    Just when he was about to say, I found myself leaning closer to his ear and whispering the next words, "Thank meter, Jacob."


    With those words hanging in the air, I walked away, advancing towards ra, dropping my open robe onto the chaise lounge where Jacob had been seated moments ago.


    I could feel his intense gaze on me the whole time, so intense that the hair on my neck stood up but I didn''t let it affect me much for him to notice.


    I joined ra in the pool and a few other women who were now talking about the wedding ns. Though the conversation was uninteresting, I couldn''t help but be drawn back to Jacob Adriano''s piercing green eyes that never seemed to divert their gaze.


    My own eyes trailed to look at him, I saw him slowly raising the drink to his mouth and taking a sip as he stared only at me as if the sight of me was more savouring the drink itself.


    Well damn...it was not going to be easy to stop me from getting hauled towards him.

 Chapter 4 Secret Or Not

    Chapter 4 Secret Or Not


    Evelyn


    "Evelyn, get the hell out of the pool....you''ll catch a cold!" Dad''s voice echoed across the poolside, but I chose to ignore his yell and swam to the other side, determined to enjoy the water.


    "I am not a kid, Dad!" I shouted back, my voiceced with defiance as I leaned against the edge of the pool. "Go and get some rest!"


    The party had ended an hour ago, and the once lively poolside had now emptied, revealing the vastness of the mansion Dad owned. It was nothing short of a pce, capable of amodating over a hundred people, though there weren''t nearly as many guests invited. But I had a feeling the wedding day would be an exception.


    "Evelyn, I said get out right now!" Dad ordered but once again, I paid no attention to his words.


    At that moment, there were only four of us left by the poolside: ra, who was struggling to suppress herughter; Dad, who was determined to spoil my swim; me, defiantly sticking to my decision; and Jacob, silently observing the entire spectacle from one of the plush chaise lounges scattered around the area.


    "Grow up, Dad," I didn''t know why I loved getting on Dad''s nerves, "Let me enjoy my swim."


    As expected I could see Dad''s face turning different colours and he yelled again, "What did you just say? You are me telling you to do what?" "Grow up, Dad," I repeated and ra burst into a fit ofughter. Even Jacob couldn''t hide his amusement, attempting to stifle his ownughter behind his hand.


    "Evelyn Fernandez, get the hell out of that pool right now!" Dad barked,


    "Samuel, let her enjoy herself," ra interjected,ing to my defence as Dad and Ipeted in the mini ring contest," She just started swimming a few minutes ago."


    Dad''s re remained fixed on me, "She has a tendency to catch a cold easily, ra. She shouldn''t be so careless."


    "Dad, the water is very warm. You can check it if you want," I chimed in.


    His re faded, reced by a frown of contemtion.


    Knowing my dad, I could almost see the internal debate happening in his mind. Ether he''d continue this argument or let it go.


    There was another chance of his to confirm if....


    Before I could evenplete my thought I saw Dad crouching down and checking the temperature of the water by reaching his hand inside the pool. Theugh tore from my mouth automatically but Dad, being himself, seemed unfazed. He slowly stood up after confirming the temperature was safe for his daughter''s health.


    "Fine, you got an hour, and after that, I want you back in the mansion, and if not then I''ll drag you out from the pool by myself." He spoke still keeping his stern voice and I nodded trying hard to notugh again.


    He still treated me the same way he used to when I was a kid, apparently for my dad I''ll always remain a little kid no matter how old I get.


    "Jacob; ra and I are expecting some guests who will likely arrive in a few minutes. Could you please keep an eye on her and let me know if she starts sneezing or experiencing any difort?" He looked at his best friend and I had expected Jacob to look surprised or say anything but he only nodded.


    With that, my dad left the premises, and ra, blowing a kiss my way, soon followed suit, disappearing from my sight.


    No sooner had they departed than the atmosphere around the pool area grew inexplicably heavier.


    It was just the two of us in this vast expanse, and there were no signs of any guests yet. This section of the mansion facing the pool primarily consisted of rooms reserved exclusively for us. Some remained unupied, awaiting the arrival of my friends and family members.


    "Need something, Evelyn?" Jacob seemed to notice the stillness of me and my unruffled gaze that was staring at the reflection of him that fell on the water.


    "I''m afraid you won''t be able to assist, Mister Jacob," I replied, swimming closer to the pool''s edge and settling on the submerged blue-tiled steps. This position allowed half of my body to remain above the water, with only my hips and legs immersed.


    To my surprise, he questioned me in return, "And why do you believe that, youngdy?"


    There was a subtle shift in his tone, almost imperceptible, yet it made my skin crawl with something new. Damn it, even watching him without being able to turn my wildest fantasies into reality right there by the pool was sheer torture.


    "It''s not a matter of belief; it''s a certainty," I asserted, resting my elbows on the steps behind me and leaning back, basking in the gentle caress of the sun''s rays on my face as I closed my eyes.


    Even with my eyes shut, I could sense Jacob''s gaze tracing the path of water droplets gliding down my skin.


    Of course, I was deliberately putting on a show for him, although I couldn''t quite fathom why I desired such a response. Perhaps, for now, the sensation of his eyes on my skin sufficed.


    "You have indeed grown up..." I heard his deep voice remark, almost resembling the suppressed growl of an unhinged beast.


    "And you have be even more handsome than before," I let out, still avoiding direct eye contact as I casually tousled my semi-wet hair to remove any excess water.


    "I thought you were afraid of me


    back then," His words this time caught my attention,pelling me to finally dook at him. The devilishly handsome face adorned with green eyes and features reminiscent of a Greek god... was now fixed with a blend of confusion and


    dupon


    amusement.


    me


    "It''s kind of you to assume that I used to flee out of fear," I chuckled, unable to contain the mirth, "Because the real story was quite different."


    "And what is the real story, Evelyn?"


    he inquired, his voice rendering my name in a way that sent my thoughts into disarray, mind at


    theet


    sevens and sixes and heart on the


    e of jumping out of my chest. I


    verge


    had to restrain myself from


    squeezing my thighs together,


    attempting to quell the fire that his mere voice had ignited within me, particrly in that one sensitive area.


    Sudden heat was sown deep into my body.


    "Why don''t we keep it a secret, for now, Jacob?" I found myself uttering as I rose to my feet. "After all, secrets have a way of making everything more interesting."


    "You seem to be keeping a lot of secrets from childhood huh?" He rose on his feet as well, in his right hand, there was the robe that I had left on the lounge before entering the pool.


    "Unfortunately, it was only you who saw me as a child, because I vividly recall engaging in activities that are beyond a child''s realm," I sighed, shaking my head, and approached him. His eyes tracked my every movement with unwavering attention as I stood before him.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    His gaze locked onto mine, and I held his stare for a moment before extending my hand towards him. "Would you mind returning my robe?"


    A half-smirk crept onto his face, his pearly white teeth gleaming as he released a softugh and handed me the robe. "You''re a different breed, Evelyn."


    "Thank you for thepliment, Jacob," I smiled and slipped into the robe. However, as I attempted to tie it, I discovered that the tie was missing. Confusion etched itself across my brow as I looked at him. "You took the tie?"


    Amusement danced in his eyes, and a chuckle escaped his lips as he bent down, his warm breath grazing my belly, causing an involuntary intake of breath.


    As he straightened back up, I saw the white tie delicately held in his hand. "It must have fallen when you put on the robe," he exined, presenting the tie to me. My mouth formed an ''O'' in realisation.


    Before I could gather my thoughts or find the words to respond, Jacob leaned closer, encircling me with his presence. He deftly wrapped the tie around me, gliding the ends through the loops and securing it at the front of my belly.


    My heart raced, quickening its pace, and my breath grew heavier as his cologne enveloped my senses.


    His warm fingers brushed against my cool skin as he slowly knotted the tie, his gaze never faltering from mine.


    "Be cautious, little girl, because the


    notion that a secret may remain undisclosed might be illusory. Perhaps it is something that someone discovered long ago," he whispered and with a gentle gesture, he tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear, igniting a rush of goosebumps across my body.


    Holy hell! He just did not say that, well damn he did!


    A devilish smirk yed on those full lips that I longed to sink my teeth into.


    I stood there speechless, his words momentarily rendering me unable to gather coherent thoughts. I could only gaze at him, bewildered and


    captivated.


    "Go to your room, darling," He lightly brushed my cheek with the back of his fingers causing the warmth to pool my veins and the surreal need to rise, "You''ll catch a cold."


    I mustered up the courage to ask the next question that had been burning in my mind as I watched him begin to walk away, "Which secret are you referring to, Jacob?"


    He paused in his tracks, turning to face me. The same glimmer sparkled in his green eyes, sending a wave of tension rippling through my insides.


    "The secret you believe I am oblivious to," he responded with a smirk, his words hanging in the air like a tantalising promise. With that enigmatic smile lingering on his lips, he walked away, leaving me alone by the poolside, my mind in disarray.


    Fucking Devil!


    I had assumed that Jacob remained unaware of my intense infatuation with him.


    Well, I had thought Jacob was clueless about my obsession with him, but today he had shattered that belief, revealing that he likely knew far more than I had ever anticipated.

 Chapter 5 Igniting Fire

    Chapter 5 Igniting Fire


    Evelyn


    Currently, I found myself seated in my dad and ra''s room, surrounded by a mountain of clothes on his bed. They were gifts he had purchased for his friends and rtives attending the event, and now, after sorting and packing everyone''s presents, there were two identical shirts in different sizes remaining, intended for my dad''s best friend.


    The very same person whose words from the previous day continued to echo in my mind.


    "Why is there an extra shirt?" I inquired, cing the magazine I had been flipping through onto the nearby table.


    "Oh, I bought two different sizes for Jacob since I wasn''t sure how muscr he might have be," Dad chuckled, drawing closer and settling himself on the bed. "He certainly has built himself like a giant."


    I couldn''t help but disagree with the notion that Jacob''s physique resembled that of a giant. In reality, his physicality was far more subtle and captivating. There was a remarkable bnce to his muscr frame.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Even though his muscles remained concealed beneath his clothing, it wasn''t hard to discern the perfect male form beneath.


    "Both sizes don''t seem to have much difference. I suppose either one of these will fit him," ramented, examining the shirts.


    "I need him to try these shirts and see if they fit," Dad groaned, stretching his arms in an attempt to alleviate the strain from walking to multiple stores. "My spine is killing me."


    "Hey, Evelyn, why don''t you go and ask Jacob to try them on? You haven''t lifted a finger all day," Dad suggested, his gaze turning to me. I furrowed my brow at the end of his sentence.


    He always had this perception of me beingzy, and while I wasn''t sure if it was entirely true, I wasn''t about to decline this task now. No way in hell! "Perhaps you could have asked me properly instead of calling mezy, don''t you think, Dad?"


    "But you arezy, it''s a well-known fact," Dad chuckled, causing a scowl to settle on my face.


    "Well, I didn''t realise you had a personal vendetta against me enjoying a little rxation," I grumbled, my annoyance growing as his amusement persisted.


    "Leave her be, Samuel," ra interjected, attempting to control her ownughter. "If she decides to ignore you in revenge for a day, you''ll be the one wandering around like a lost soul."


    Dad''s expression shifted at the reminder, and I noticed him clearing his throat as if the thought itself troubled him.


    "I can''t believe I''m about to do this again after so long, and Dad is just making sure I have another go at it," I remarked, crossing my arms over my chest. The tug appeared on my lip on its own knowing that this n of mine was going to work.


    For a moment, Dad fell silent, seemingly contemting whether he should continue to push my buttons or relent.


    Apparently, he made up his mind quicker than I expected.


    "Fine, I apologise," Dad sighed, conceding defeat. "Now, please...would you go and give these shirts to Jacob?"


    I wanted to refuse, to say no, but...


    How could I say no to the beautiful view of Jacob''s face?


    Perhaps others could, but Evelyn Fernandez certainly couldn''t, not even in her wildest dreams.


    "Fine, hand them over," I rolled my eyes, feigning annoyance on my face. The underlying excitement remained hidden.


    I took the bag from Dad''s hand and made my way out of the room, passing through the long corridor until I reached Jacob Adriano''s designated room.


    The thought of going to his room triggered so many dirty imaginations to stir awake. Well, the ideas they were conjuring up weren''t half bad, they were kinda...


    Evelyn get your virgin ass together!


    I shunned my thoughts away and yanked myself out of the daydreams before I finally knocked on the door, but there was no response.


    I knocked again, growing slightly impatient, but still, there was no answer from the other side. The door wasn''t locked either.


    What was he doing?


    The door was not locked either.


    Impatience mingled with scepticism, and I found myself contemting whether I should take a peek inside the room or not. It wasn''t as if my intentions were entirely impure. Or maybe they could be...Damn it, I didn''t know!


    "Jacob?" I called out, knocking on his door once more, but still, there was no response from him.


    Was he not in the room?


    As low as my patience level was, my curiosity was theplete opposite. And in a moment of impulse, I decided to do the most logical thing that came to mind¡ªyes, anyone could have guessed it. I cautiously cracked the door open and peered inside the room.


    Well, this was odd-there was no sign of anyone in the room.


    Should I go inside?


    That''d be totally wrong, but hey, it''s my dad''s mansion anyway. I couldn''t care less about what''s appropriate or not. Besides, I had a plethora of excuses ready if anyone, especially Jacob, caught me in his room right now.


    Without giving it a second thought, I pushed the door open wider and cautiously stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room for any signs of him. To my surprise, there was no sign of Jacob, but there on the bedy a pair of trousers and a in ck T-shirt.


    ''Was he in the...''


    Before I could evenplete my thoughts, the bathroom door creaked open, shattering the silence, and Jacob''s voice pierced through the air. "Evelyn?"


    I gasped, caught off guard, and spun around to face him, but damn...


    The sight that met my eyes made me wish I hadn''t.


    Water droplets cascaded down his sculpted body, highlighting his rock-hard abs. Damp strands of hair fell gracefully across his face,


    adding an air of mystery. And th


    most intriguing part of this whole image of Jacob standing before me was that he stood exactly like my dreams, with just a towel hanging dangerously low on his waist. Fuck!


    And that tattoo... God! I didn''t know if I was going to faint or lose myself at that very moment.


    Never in my entire existence had I imagined that the face of a freshly showered Jacob could be this delicious.


    "What are you doing here?" he asked, a sheer confusion etching his face, though I couldn''t help but detect a subtle hint of something more as his tongue darted out to lick his bottom lip.


    My thoughts spiralled into chaos, and naturally, my brain decided to take a vacation right at the most crucial moment.


    "Uh, I-I..." It was nearly impossible to focus on anything else with him standing there, half-naked, in all his glory.


    "I came to give you these shirts." I finally blurted out.


    "Shirts?" His eyes drifted to the bags in my hand, and recognition sparked within his gaze.


    "Actually, my dad bought matching shirts for all his friends and family for tomorrow''s party," I exined. "He wasn''t sure about your size, so he got two different ones."


    He chuckled. "Your dad and his quirky habits. Even on my birthdays, he always brought two sizes, just in case one didn''t fit."


    "I know," I replied, a smallugh escaping my lips this time. "He never quite managed to choose the right gifts for you. It was always me who had to struggle to help him pick something suitable."


    "So, all those gifts...you were the one behind them?" he asked.


    "Yeah, otherwise your best friend would have never been able to give you a fitting present on your birthdays, always wondered if you actually liked any of those gifts chose for you, and if so, which one was your favourite..." I chuckled. But as our eyes locked and silence filled the room, tension began to build, and I found myself blurting out, unable to resist the moment.


    "Um...would you mind checking if any of these shirts fit you?"


    Something in his gaze once again stirred feelings I knew I shouldn''t entertain.


    "Sure," he replied, grabbing a spare towel from the top of the wardrobe and wiping away the water trailing down his physique.


    His eyes remained fixed on me, as if transfixed.


    "Here, hand them over," he said, taking the bags from my hand and cing them on the bed before he pulled out one of the shirts. Well... I certainly hadn''t expected him to try them on right in front of me.


    But could Iin? Not at all.


    He attempted to slide his hands into the sleeves, but the fabric constricted around his biceps.


    Despite all the exaggerations, mket


    dad made about his size, his muscles were never truly gigantic. On a scale of one to ten, anyone could easily give him an eleven in terms of perfection.


    He was


    ess, and so was his body, but this shirt size? Hell no!


    I felt the urge to go back and ask my dad if he had been drunk when he picked out this size for a fully grown man.


    "Samuel will never change," His manly chuckle caused goosebumps to cover my skin.


    "This won''t fit, but maybe the other one will," he murmured, struggling to extract his hands from the sleeves. The slight dampness on his skin made it even more challenging for the fabric to separate.


    "Damn!" he muttered under his breath, attempting to remove the shirt.


    "Let me help you," I blurted out before I even realised it. I moved closer and took hold of the shirt''s cket, pulling gently on the edges. But as I did so, I couldn''t help but realise what a foolish decision it was.


    I had unintentionally moved too close... so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath and the heat radiating from his skin.


    I tried to maintain aposed facade as I began removing the shirt from his body, but my fingers inadvertently grazed his skin, causing my breath to


    hitch.


    Calm down, Evelyn!


    I worked quickly, delicately peeling the fabric away, avoiding any further contact with his skin.


    "Here, try this one," I said, picking up the other shirt and handing it to him. I purposely avoided meeting his gaze to preserve what was left of my


    dignity.


    "Okay," he replied, taking the shirt from me. As he put it on, even without buttoning it up, it was impossible not to notice how perfectly it fit him.


    "So, this is the one," I stated, mustering the courage to finally look at him. "You can wear it to tomorrow''s party."


    "I guess, yeah."


    "I should get going. See youter, Jacob," I said, a sigh of relief almost escaping my lips as I made my way towards the exit. However, his voice


    stopped me in my tracks.


    "Evelyn..."


    My feet froze, and I held my breath for a moment. I turned around to find him walking closer to me.


    "The custom watch with my initials," he leaned in, his voice a soft whisper in my ear. His cheek brushed against mine, sending a jolt through me.


    "That one was perfect."


    It took me a few seconds to register that he was referring to the gifts.


    As he pulled away slightly to meet my gaze, all the air in my lungs seemed to vanish the instant our eyes connected.


    "Thanks for putting in the effort to choose those gifts for me," he said, a faint smile ying on his lips. Then, he gently tucked a strand of my hair


    behind my ear.


    OH. MY. GOD


    The single touch set my body on fire.


    "Y-You are wee," I managed to stammer, my face flushed with embarrassment. Without wasting another moment, I turned on my heels and


    hurriedly made my way out of the room.


    Well, I could have sworn that I heard his chuckle when I had taken off, blushing like a mess.

 Chapter 6 : A Dance With The seduction

    Chapter 6 : A Dance With The seduction


    Evelyn


    As I scanned the bustling dance floor, my eyes followed the spirited movements of everyone, each finding their groove with partners and friends. But it was my dad and ra who truly caught my attention, twirling and swaying at the heart of the floor. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. They looked absolutely adorable, and more importantly, my dad looked genuinely happy.


    Since my mom left, my dad had endured countless hardships, yet he never wavered in his role as the perfect father. He was the epitome of what it meant to be a dedicated parent. I yearned for his happiness, and it was evident that ra would be the one to ensure that infectious smile never faded from his face.


    "Hey, Evelyn."


    A deep, melodious voice shattered my trance, pulling me back to reality. I turned towards Jacob, who walked over and perched on the neighbouring stool, his eyes locking with mine, momentarily suspending time in its enchanting grasp.


    Oh... hi!"


    It took me a second to notice his attire, momentarily captivated by the way his red shirt entuated his features. As always a few strategically undone buttons revealed a glimpse of the tattoo on his chest, and this sexy tattoo of his drew not only my attention but also the admiring gazes of numerousdies.


    Curving his lips into a small smile, Jacob inquired, "May I know what''s bringing such joy to your face?"


    I shifted my gaze to my dad and ra, the smile on my face remained unyielding, "Nothing much. It''s just that my dad has finally found someone who brings out the best in him. It makes me happy to see him genuinely joyful and loved."


    "You love your dad a lot." It was not a question, instead, it was a remark that showed more admiration than anything else.


    "He''s all I have," I began, "But now, thankfully, I''m gaining ra as a family too. And that means the world to me."


    Curiosity tinged Jacob''s voice as he probed, "You never talk about your mom. Why is that?"


    The mention of my mother veered my mood in a different direction, causing the smile on my face to fade away.


    Beneath the surface, the old grudges and anger stirred, threatening to break free. Yet, as always, I suppressed them, bearing the weight of those emotions within me.


    "She''s not my mother," I retorted, my wordsced with bitterness. "Sure, she gave birth to me, but she was never there for me. My dad, on the other hand, has been the one taking care of me since I was five. If there is anyone who''s always been by my side, that''s my dad and I know he always will be." The sharpness in my tone conveyed that my harsh words were not directed at Jacob, who was well aware of it.


    "I prefer not to dwell on those who left me long ago," I continued, my voice betraying a slight tremor. "Sometimes, it''s better to cut certain people out of your life."


    A heavy silence hung between us for a few moments, as I absentmindedly stared at the dance floor, at the shadows of the people dancing the evening away.


    However, Jacob decided to break the silence soon.


    "Red wine," he offered, extending a ss toward me. "Your favourite."


    I blinked in surprise, my gaze shifting to the wine ss he presented.


    "How did you know?" I asked, stunned by his keen observation.


    A barely noticeable smirk yed at the corners of his beautiful lips.


    "Just like how you knew Negroni is my favourite," he replied, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.


    Memories of the time I rescued him from the clutches of the insidious Gloria flooded back.


    "So, you used to stalk me too?" The words slipped from my mouth impulsively, regret instantly washing over me.


    His captivating dark green eyes met mine, a flicker passing through them.


    Damn! It was toote to retract my words.


    Stupid Evelyn! Why couldn''t you keep your mouth shut, for God''s sake?


    "Not really," Jacob dismissed it with a chuckle, opting to brush it off. "But I have caught you sneaking away with bottles of we at night, more than a couple of times."


    The mention of myte-night wine escapades coloured my cheeks with a rosy hue.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    After our pics, there were nights when I would stay awake, stealing away to the cabs, indulging in stolen sips of wine.


    And sometimes, in those hazy moments, my mind would wander to fantasies involving Jacob Adriano, though I desperately hoped he hadn''t heard any of the embarrassing sounds I made...


    Before I could dwell further on my wandering thoughts, an annoying voice shattered the tranquillity.


    "Hey, handsome."


    I turned my attention to the approaching figure a woman encased in pink stic rather than a dress, none other than Gloria, the nastiest bitch of all time. She stood far too close to Jacob, invading his personal space.


    Difort etched across Jacob''s face and in his bodynguage as he instinctively moved away from her intrusion.


    "Hi, Miss Gloria," he awkwardly replied.


    "I must say, you look extremely... delicious today," she purred, trailing one of her overly long nails along the side of Jacob''s face, a gesture that made my skin crawl. The nail continued its unwee journey, descending down to his neck.


    This fucking bitch!


    Agitation wrote itself across Jacob''s face, mirroring my own rising anger as I witnessed this woman shamelessly pursuing him, seemingly determined to get into his pants.


    "You''re a fucking married woman, Gloria," I seethed, my teeth grinding together in frustration.


    She had the audacity to speak back, "Well... can my husband be seen anywhere near?"


    The effects of alcohol must have erased any semnce of shame she possessed. Although I highly doubted that she possessed any.


    "No, but that ring on your finger certainly can be," I retorted, my desire to p her intensifying, though I had to settle for verbal retaliation. "So, I suggest you stop acting like a trashy woman already."


    "Listen, little girl, what we grown-ups do is none of your business. Okay?" she slurred, clearly intoxicated to the point where she might end up getting herself beaten; By me of course.


    "And if you have such a problem with this ring," she sneered, removing the ring from her finger and carelessly tossing it into her purse, "There you go, it can no longer be seen."


    Her brazen disy of defiance only fueled my anger further, but I fought to maintain myposure, refusing to stoop to her level.


    The amount of insanity, arghh!


    Rage surged through my veins as that wretched woman just shamelessly removed her wedding ring, hoping to seize her chance with Jacob. Bloody hell, I was dangerously close to pummeling her to a pulp.


    Just as I was about to unleash all the curse words in my vocabry upon her, Jacob gently took hold of my hand, offering me a small smile. Beneath that smile, I sensed his plea to avoid creating a scene.


    "Let''s find another ce to sit, Evelyn," he suggested, standing up and guiding me away from the toxic presence.


    "Wait, let''s have a dance," She brazenly reached out, attempting to grab Jacob''s hand. That was the final straw for me.


    Swiftly, I positioned myself between them, blocking her path.


    "Don''t you fucking understand that he is not interested in you?" I spat, "Now, before I toss you out of this party for causing a scene, just get lost." Her arms crossed defiantly over her chest. "He didn''t say that yet."


    "If hearing it from my mouth will put an end to this, then yes," Jacob interjected, his tone harsh and annoyance etched across his face. "I am not interested in you, and I have better things to do. Now, please leave."


    As the weight of my insult sank in, I couldn''t help but notice the shock that flickered across her face. It seemed she couldn''t fathom being rejected so tantly.


    "Now, did you hear him?" I taunted, it


    §ï§ä


    was just oddly satisfying to watch her face turn different shades, "And as for the dance, he has already promised it to me. Better luck next time. With that, I firmly grasped


    Jacob''s hand and led him to the dance floor, deliberately ignoring the presence of that despicable woman.


    My anger had yet to subside; if anything, it continued to simmer within me Every time Iid eyes on her, my blood boiled, raising the temperature of my indignation by a hundred degrees. From this moment on had another reason to despise her.


    "Fucking bitch!" I muttered under my breath, as I absentmindedly ced Jacob''s hands on my waist, my own finding their ce on his chest.


    God damn my anger! I couldn''t even realize what I was doing. Getting those enticing hands on me? A big no for thest few drops of my dignity!


    My gaze shifted to Jacob after a few moments, and to my surprise, his face was adorned with an amused expression.


    "What''s so funny?"


    "You get angry very easily," he chuckled.


    "You''re a grown-up man, Jacob. It''s high time you learned how to protect yourself from the clutches of such women," I remarked, a touch of frustration exuding from my words, "This is the second time I''ve had to save you!"


    "Well... I am thankful for that," He pulled me closer by my waist, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. It was at this moment that I became acutely aware of our proximity.


    Though we were surrounded by a sea of people on the crowded dance floor, an inexplicable sensation began to crawl beneath my skin. It wasn''t nervousness; it was something entirely different, something I couldn''t quite put into words.


    I knew none was going to notice us, then why this strange feeling and goosebumps?


    "The colour red suits you, Evelyn," he whispered and slowly he started to move our bodies in sync with the rhythm.


    "But I''m wearing ck today," I replied, perplexed by hispliment. After all, the dress I had chosen for the evening was ck.


    "I''m talking about the colour on your cheeks. They turned quite the shade of red when you were angry."


    A furious blush threatened to overtake my face, but I decided to dismiss it, determined to maintain myposure.


    "Haha! Nice joke!" I replied sarcastically, earning augh from him.


    "Well then, tell me, whatpelled you toe to my rescue not once, but twice?" he asked after a while.


    "You should know, considering you seem to be aware of all my secrets," I retorted.


    This time I didn''t regret my decision of allowing the words to slip out without reservation.


    "You do like to keep a lot of secrets, don''t you?" His voice deepened.


    "Or maybe it''s you who overlooks the signs."


    His challenging green eyes pierced through mine. There was an unspoken intensity that caused a shiver to travel up and down my body, jolting my


    senses and alerting me.


    And then, in the blink of an eye, he uttered words that shifted the atmosphere entirely.


    "Sometimes, things are better that way."


    Fuck his philosophy!


    "You know what? I should have left you with that Gloria," I snapped, frustration coursing through my veins. "At least then I wouldn''t have to endure


    these cryptic philosophies of yours."


    He seemed to sense the intensity of


    my anger, but he remained silent, leaving me to decipher the meaning behind his expression, but I had the least amount of interest to read him right now because he''d already


    made me pissed off enough.


    "Go back to that bitch and dance with her," I eximed, my exasperation palpable. "I''m done."


    With that, I turned on my heel and stormed away from him, my footsteps resolute as I made my way off the dance floor, refusing to spare him another


    nce.

 Chapter 7 : Burning Desire

    Chapter 7 : Burning Desire


    Evelyn


    Frustrated and overwhelmed, I leaned against the kitchen counter, trying to calm myself down. I took a deep breath, attempting to push aside the swirling emotions that threatened to consume me. I couldn''t deny the truth, though. My feelings for Jacob ran deep, and his obliviousness to them only intensified my frustration.


    Oh, how I loathed it! His enigmatic ways. His riddles and ways of overlooking the very things I wanted him to understand.


    It was solely intentional, a calcted choice. He was not a damn child to be clueless about the fact that I have liked him for years and I still did. I was fucking obsessed with him and this dude simply couldn''t care less to give a fuck about that.


    Enough was enough! I was done.


    Fuck Jacob Adriano!


    "Guess there''s one thing you can''t..." The bitch inside my head interjected, maliciously aiming to worsen my already frayed mood with her offensive remark.


    "Well...to hell with you too, you little snake!" I snapped back, silencing the conversation inside my head.


    God! I hated these mood swings and my life even more!


    I was well aware that I was overreacting, yet I couldn''t help myself. One moment, he''d shower me with flirtatious charm, and the next, he''d transform into a bloody philosopher.


    Bloody devil!


    In a fit of frustration and anger, I snatched a cold water bottle from the fridge, mming the door shut, hoping it would quell the boiling rage within me. Attempting to twist open the bottle cap, I found myself engaged in a ridiculous battle with a minuscule piece of stic. Yes, you guessed it-this damn thing refused to budge. Once again, I strained to open the stubborn bottle, but it remained resolutely sealed.


    Am I this weak and stupid?


    "Perhaps you are, or else who''d consider banging her dad''s best friend?"-That bitch dared to speak again. My attention wavered, now fixated on yelling at that inner voice, until I heard heavy footsteps drawing near.


    I knew who it was so I did not bother to nce back to reconfirm.


    He approached and positioned himself beside me, but I refused to meet his gaze. I found it to be unreasonable to engage in a conversation with him. Instead of acknowledging his presence, I redirected my attention to the next seemingly impossible mission-opening the bottle cap. It became my sole focus, my own personal Everest.


    I could sense his eyes fixed on me, observing my every futile attempt.


    "Let me help you," he finally offered, after witnessing several minutes of my fruitless struggle, attempting to reach for the bottle.


    "No, I can handle things on my own," I snapped curtly, swiftly withdrawing the bottle from his grasp.


    I could have sworn I heard him stifle a chuckle, an infuriating cherry atop my kingdom of useless anger.


    "If you''re here to mock me, then kindly leave," I seethed through clenched teeth, still refusing to meet his eyes and unwavering in my determination to conquer the task at hand.


    "Evelyn... I wasn''tughing at you," he said, his voice softer than ever.


    Fuck it!


    "I don''t believe you!"


    "Fine. I confess I didugh," he sighed, "Now will you please look at me?"


    "No."


    "And why is that?"


    "I have more than just one reason to keep my distance, Jacob," I said, my voice not remaining as loud as it was at the start, "Because, let''s face it, you never seem to understand anything."


    "And why do you say that?" His voice grew quieter, a hint of seriousness colouring his words.


    "I am not saying it for no reason at all. I say it based on what I''ve observed," I asserted, feeling a surge of courage urging me forward, "You have a talent for avoiding reality, while I prefer to confront it. So, it''s better if I stay away from you... to...," I paused for a second, debating whether or not I should say the next words, but then my courage kicked in, "To keep you out of my thoughts once and for all." I let out.


    I had no clue what kind of response I was anticipating from him. Maybe silence, or perhaps something entirely different. However, what Jacob said next was beyond my wildest expectations.


    "And you expect me to believe that distancing yourself from me will make you forget about me? That you''ll somehow, miraculously aplish what you couldn''t achieve all these years? Get me out of your mind when I am all you can think of?"


    Holy...!


    Those questions obliterated every other thought from my head. The intense heat seeped into my skin, causing my determination to slowly crumble whilst he simply watched.


    He knew. He knew it all.


    Without explicitly stating it, his words, within the solitary boundaries of these questions, were all the answers, clear and unmistakable.


    The bottle cap miraculously twisted open, the sound of it echoing through the silent kitchen. Perhaps it opened due to the conflicting emotions that had caused me to apply extra force. But at that moment, I no longer had the desire to drink anything anymore.


    "So you knew it all along... you knew... that..." I couldn''t finish my sentence as he cut me off.


    "Yes, I''ve known it since the very moment your eyes began to speak volumes, your feelings. It was the instant you started to look at me differently, the way you would hurriedly avert your gaze to avoid exposing your emotions- I knew it, I knew it from the day youid your eyes on me," he admitted, his voice drawing closer.


    I could feel his breath gently caressing my exposed shoulder, the delicate strap of my ck midi dress providing minimal coverage.


    His presence felt predatory, yet there was an undeniable allure to being his prey. Never had I imagined that being pursued could feel so intoxicating. "Then yes, I want to believe that staying away from you will help me achieve what needs to be done," I spoke, my emotions bing a tangled mess as I answered his previous questions all at once, "Especially since you have such a talent for overlooking signs and disregarding everything." Without looking back at him, I turned, intending to make my way toward the exit. However, I did not seed.


    In the blink of an eye, my feet were no longer on the ground. The cold marble surface of the counter greeted my skin as my back mmed against the wall, and an involuntary gasp left my mouth.


    It took a moment for me to register that Jacob had lifted me effortlessly by my thighs, cing me on the counter. Now, as I became acutely aware of how close we were, my heart pounded relentlessly, showing no mercy.


    His hips were dangerously brushing against mine as he stood between my thighs, his hands settled on both sides of my waist and they pulled me, even more, close so that my body collided against his rock-hard chest.


    That was it.


    Yes. That was it.


    l


    In that instant, all my senses were long gone, consumed by a primal heat that surged through my entire being as my eyes locked with his. The heat exploded in my lower abdomen, and the water bottle soon fell from my trembling hand but that mess on the floor did not concern me more than the one between my thighs, the pulsating heat and wetness.


    The hunger in his eyes begged my body to submit to him. Let him ruin me already and not utter a single objection.


    "Evelyn Fernandez..." His voice, a


    deep and suppressed growl,


    reverberated against my skin as his chest pressed against mine, creating


    a mesmerising vibration. "Just because am restraining myself from the pleasure of having my way with you, doesn''t mean I desire anything in this world more than taking you here, right on this counter, hard and fast, all night long," He lowered his voice, a smirk curving at the corner of his lips, "Till you can''t take it anymore and I have had enough of you screaming my name over and over again."


    Oh. My. God.


    I couldn''t believe that this was Jacob talking to me right now.


    The thoughts those words alone aroused were undeniably pleasing.


    "Just because I have chosen not to take you right-now when you look so incredibly sexy and tempting in that ck little dress, doesn''t mean I don''t desire to take you to my room, bend you over and fuck you till the sun goes up." He wrapped his fingers around my throat and squeezed it, earning a breathy moan from me as he ground his bulge against my wet heat covered with only a thin thong. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    "Fuck!" He cursed under his breath hearing my moan.


    It was evident that he, too, was losing his control the way he was making me lose mine. Our heavy breaths mingled in the charged air. Desire clouded everything around us, blocking every escape route. Yet, I could sense his restraint, his determination to keep hisposure intact.


    I wanted his lips to press against mine. I wanted him to do exactly what he had said- I wanted him to ravish me without a care for this world, but I also knew he wouldn''t do that. I just knew it before he even said it.


    "But I can''t do that. I can''t have you," he breathed out. He pressed his nose against the delicate skin on my neck, inhaling my scent, and sending shivers down my spine.


    The goosebumps rippled my skin. My hands clinging to his shirt to bnce myself tightened their hold on the fabric for some reason thinking that it would be the only one that''d help me fall from the edge of this overpowering enigma of desire and.....the temptation himself¡ª Jacob''s Adriano. Jacob''s hand around my neck moved to grab my jaw where he titled my face so that his lips could find their way to the sensitive skin there. Every inch of my skin was set on fire that will never deter. And as his lipsnded more and more feather-like kisses, the desire for friction increased.


    I was soaking wet down there and the worst thing was that I did not care.


    I could not think of anything else other than Jacob and the things he made me feel.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    He ced a lingering kiss at the corner of my mouth making me grip his shirt even tighter, his minty breath fanned my face and the collision of heat caused the need to grow even more.


    Just when I thought his lips would finally meet mine, an agonising pause hung in the air- He stopped. His face hovered so close, his lips inches away from touching mine but....he just stopped.


    He reached out with a gentle touch, his finger gliding from the base of my neck to the exposed skin of my bare shoulder. I involuntarily trembled under


    his touch.


    "You are tempting as sin, Evelyn," he whispered, I could see the desire swarming in the green of his eyes, "The only sin I can''t allow myself to


    commit."


    There went all my hopes, shattered by his cruel confession.


    He brushed away a few pieces of my hair strands away from my face and then after a long look at me he attempted to pull away but I refused to let him escape. I hooked my legs around him, stopping him from pulling away.


    I craved his touch, his closeness, and I wouldn''t let him deny us both what we truly desired-I was not going to give up.


    "But you are the sin I am willing tomit in every way," I grabbed his hands and settled them on my hips, pulling him as close as possible.


    "Evelyn...."


    Before he could say anything else, I did not know where I got the courage but I slid my hand around his neck and pressed my lips against his. The warmth spread through my body rapidly.


    Before he could say anything else, in an impulsive act of bravery, I reached out and slid my hand around his neck, pulling him closer to me.


    And without a moment''s hesitation, I pressed my lips against his.


    Well damn. The sparks hit differently...


    I did not give a fuck if there were over a hundred people around us and the chances of us getting caught, the tenfold. All I cared about was this man.


    I was fucking obsessed. To the point it was insane.


    In the beginning, he didn''t simply fall into the motions. His initial reaction was one of sheer astonishment, as if struggling to regain hisposure. But as I gently grazed my tongue over his lower lip, everyst vestige of restraint he possessed shattered.


    He yanked my body close so our hips came colliding against each other, my moan got suppressed by his mouth and my aching nipple pressed


    against his rock-hard chest as he ravished me.


    God damn!


    He thrust his tongue inside my mouth, the touch sending a zap of electricity to my entire body and causing the fire to ignite, even more, the feel of hardness between my thighs.


    I reached out, my fingers trembling, to undo the buttons of his shirt. But at that moment, his senses emerged from the enigmatic haze. The realisation


    of what we were about to do washed over him.


    He seized my hands, halting their motion before breaking the kiss.


    "This isn''t right, Evelyn," he sighed, shaking his head.


    "Why?" My voice barely escaped as a whisper.


    "We have our own boundaries, ones we cannot cross," he uttered. "We shouldn''t do this. You''re not that kind of girl, Evelyn."


    I asked, the sting I felt from his words reflecting in my eyes. "Is this what was in your mind all along? To humiliate me?"


    He must have sensed how I interpreted his words, for a flicker of realisation shed in his widened eyes.


    "No, that''s not what I meant," he hastily interjected. "There''s so much more to you. What I meant is, I''m not ready for anymitment. Even if I


    wanted to, I couldn''t give it to you. And you deserve so much better than that. You don''t deserve to be treated like an object."


    "Jacob..."


    "No, Evelyn," he shook his head, letting out a quiet sigh, "We can''t continue to do this and you must understand why. It''s simply wrong."


    He paused, his gaze searching for the right words before he continued.


    "And maybe you were right. Perhaps it''s best if we start keeping our distance." As he uttered those words, I finally released my grip on him.


    "Fine," I responded, my voice devoid of emotion, but inside, a fierce fire burned, an inexplicable pain lodged in my chest, unquenchable, "If you want


    to act like this then be it."


    Every fibre of my being longed for his touch, a part of me clung to the hope of changing his mind, but I forcefully pushed it all aside and stepped off


    the counter.


    Talking to him seemed useless..


    "Goodbye, Jacob." With that, I turned and walked out of the kitchen.

 Chapter 8 : Touch Of Fire

    Chapter 8 : Touch Of Fire


    Evelyn


    I awoke to the merciless grip of a pounding headache. A very bad one indeed.


    Grimacing, I instinctively pressed my fingers against the throbbing side of my forehead, while taking small sips of the coffee ra had handed me just moments ago.


    "Why does your headache scream of a night drowned in alcohol?" Dad asked, arching one of his eyebrows as he nonchntly crunched on a packet of chips.


    Dad and his knack for suspicion. Just unbelievable!


    "Yes, I drowned in a tank of it." I scoffed.


    A frown etched across his face as my words sank in, but before he could respond, ra swiftly intervened.


    "Samuel, let her be," she scolded, her voice firm, "Don''t bother her!"


    "How am I bothering her?" Dad asked, his disbelief evident.


    "You are," ra asserted, her tone unwavering. "By bombarding her with pointless questions at this moment."


    "I was merely curious about the cause of her sudden headache. There must be something more to it," Dad persisted, his suspicious gaze fixated on me once again.


    Apparently, he attributed my headache to alcohol.


    But how could I possibly reveal to him that the true culprit was his best friend? That infuriatingly handsome Italian devil who had invaded my dreams! Ugh! I must put an end to these thoughts.


    "I can assure you that Evelyn''s headache has nothing to do with what you''re suspecting," Suddenly his voice buzzed.


    Well, speak of the devil, and the devil appears.


    Jacob sauntered closer, taking a seat on the opposite end of the couch.


    "She had only a ss of wine, nothing more," he said, briefly ncing at me before directing his gaze at my dad.


    "Is that the truth, or are you just trying to cover for her?" Dad questioned, his doubt palpable.


    "Oh trust me, thest thing your beloved best friend wants is to alleviate my troubles," I retorted with a scoff, lifting the cup to my lips once again.


    Jacob remained silent, his intense stare locked on me. However, my dad on the other hand had quite an opinion.


    "Then why do you get yourself into problems anyway?"


    "Dad! Please, don''t get on my nerves right now." I frowned at him.


    "What did you just say? I am getting on your nerves?" He asked. Disbelief was etched on his face.


    "Yes, and I kindly request that you grant me the pleasure of some peace and quiet," I replied, mustering a smile.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Evelyn, you..." Dad began, his tone dripping with warning, but I cut him off.


    "ra, could you please handle your fianc¨¦?" I turned to her, pleadingly. "My head is pounding, and I''m not ready for one of Dad''s lectures." "Samuel, get out" she stated without hesitation.


    "Because of you, she gets away with it every single time," Dad used, ring at me which I dly returned.


    I could have sworn I caught a hint of Jacob''s stifled chuckle amidst the ongoing family drama.


    "Evelyn, here, take this medicine," ra offered, handing me a ss of water along with a pill.


    "And as for you,e with me," she seized Dad''s hand, dragging him away while scolding him along the way until they disappeared from my sight.


    A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I swallowed the medicine, allowing my body to sink into thefort of the couch.


    "How''s that headache treating you?" Jacob''s voice inquired.


    "Well, well, the headache itself is asking about my well-being!" I responded with feigned surprise.


    He was about to reply, but his words died on his lips as his gaze wandered downward, catching a glimpse of my exposed cleavage. The loose-fitted V-neck top had shifted, revealing more skin than intended.


    At that moment, the most deviant idea of the century popped into my mind.


    "Enjoying the view, Jacob?" I asked, a yful tone in my voice, as I tugged on the thin tie-up string of my sleeve, exposing even more of my skin.


    He appeared stunned by my unexpected move, and hunger began to surface in his eyes.


    "Or is it better now?" I slid the top slightly lower, teasingly revealing a hint of my bosom.


    I couldn''t help but feel grateful for my impulsive choice to go braless that day.


    He dryly licked his lips, his gaze fixated on my fingers as they delicately brushed against my skin while I slid the top further down.


    I could sense his breathing bing heavier, and I noticed his hands clenching and unclenching in a futile attempt to contain his growing desire. "Perhaps this is even more to your liking?"I suggested as I moved to the other sleeve and slid it down as well.


    It did not take much effort to see that my n was working-Jacob''s expression told it all.


    "You know what? I think I know what''s best," I asserted, inching closer to him, slowly crawling over the couch to bridge the remaining distance between us.


    The whole time he watched me intently; The gaze alone told everything that he refrained himself from doing.


    With calcted confidence, I allowed my legs to rest on hisp, and his eyes traced a path from my thighs up to meet my gaze.


    It was hard to not get nervous whilst I was putting myself in such a scandalising position in front of him, however, I managed to keep myself together.


    "Let me show you," I whispered, guiding his hand to my thigh, relishing the sensation of his rough touch against my bare skin-an exhrating sensation that surpassed any other I had ever experienced.


    His once-green eyes seemed to darken with each passing second, a reflection of the escting tension between us.


    Without hesitation, I grasped his


    other hand and brought his fingers to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss


    upon them, without breaking emet


    contact. I purposefully brushed my lips against his skin, ensuring he felt every delicate touch.


    His clenched jaw gave me signs of his struggle and it fueled my desire to push the boundaries further.


    Guiding his hand downward, I allowed it to graze the skin of my neck and descend towards the curvature of my cleavage.


    My own breathing grew heavier in the meantime. I did not know if I''d be able to keep myself together or end up crushing under the warmth of his skin. Apparently, I didn''t need to control Jacob''s hand anymore. It moved on its own or I could say, the owner did the work.


    He moved his hand downwards, fully


    taking control. His fingers toyed with the waistband of my shorts but instead moving inside, it travelled upwards-He slipped his hand inside my top from the end and then his fingers were there, brushing past my nipple.


    I sucked in a breath and threw my head backwards. His fingers circled my nipple at a leisurely pace before he pinched it between his fingers. Oh. My.God.


    The wetness pooled my bottom, the heat entrenched not just my skin but my whole body with a few touches of this alluring man in front of me.


    And then he cupped my breast in his hand and squeezed it. Thest strings of restraints I possessed over myself, faded away, into nothingness. Throughout the encounter, Jacob''s focus remained solely on me, intently observing every subtle reaction that escaped my control.


    "Oh my." I moaned lowly and bit down my lip.


    He grabbed my thighs and dragged me closer. A gasp slipped past my lips but I didn''t get the time to register anything as he was immediate totch his mouth on my neck.


    "So fucking perfect," He murmured, slowly his hand went around my hip tightening his grip there.


    God, damn!


    His hunger-filled kisses moved from my neck to my jaw.


    My hand flew to tangle my fingers into his silky hair locks and keep him where he was.


    The intensity of his movements urged me to lose my calm and drown in the ecstasy right there. This man knew how to get a woman under his control, this man exactly knew how to get make me surrender by barely doing anything.


    Taking his sweet time, he released


    my breast from his hold and


    .ne


    wrapped his hand around my throat. Finally when his eyes fell on my lips.....he looked like a hungry animal ready to feast on me and I certainly did not have any intention to stop him.


    He leaned in, drawing nearer to kiss me, and I reciprocated, closing the distance between us. However, his body abruptly stiffened, as if a wave of realisation had washed over him.


    Well...?


    Letting out a heavy sigh, he shook his head and forcefully withdrew his hands, as though my very touch had scorched his skin.


    "This isn''t right," he said, "We can''t do this, Evelyn."


    "What?" I stammered, taken aback.


    "This is not right. We shouldn''t be doing this," he repeated, as he stood up and shook his head, looking conflicted himself.


    "What is wrong with you?" I couldn''t hold back any longer. "One moment, you act as if you want me, and the next, you retreat as if you''re trapped by arbitrary rules and so-called morals."


    "You don''t understand, Evelyn," he sighed, "This is wrong, incredibly wrong for both of us."


    "Or maybe it''s just you who cares too much, who''s afraid to take a risk," I retorted, rising to my feet. "I''m sorry, Jacob, but you''re either acting like a coward or perhaps you truly are one."


    His jaw ticked and his expression changed.


    I was well aware that I had hit some nerves and he''d not taken it lightly at all, but at that moment I could care less to give a fuck about that.


    "But since you want it to be this way then fine, be it, " I smoothed my top and shrugged nonchntly, "I''ll forget all of these that have happened so erase it all from your mind too."


    "Plenty more fishes are in the sea, anyways," I threw my hair over my shoulder and walked out of the room, without sparing another nce at him.

 Chapter 9 : A Plan

    Chapter 9 : A n


    Evelyn


    "Finally you all got time toe," I said as Jennie, Nancy, and Mason entered my room, their hands filled with shopping bags.


    These dorks will never change!


    "Oh,e on, Evelyn," Jennie plopped down beside me on the bed, "It''s not our fault your dad''s wedding turned into a destination extravaganza. We had to finish our assignments early just to get our leave approved."


    "Sure, me it on me. It''s not like any of you take your studies seriously," I retorted.


    "Enough with the lecture," Nancy said, copsing on the other side of the bed, "You''re hardly one to talk. You spend all day daydreaming about your dad''s hot Italian best friend." They all burst intoughter.


    "Just spare me and drop the subject of that headache," I groaned.


    "Wait, I see you''ve given him a new name," Jennie interjected, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Something must have happened."


    "We can discuss your forbidden uncleter, Eve. But first, here''s a little something to spice up your evening," Mason nonchntly tossed a bag in my direction, and itnded squarely on my face.


    It wasn''t just the bag hitting me that infuriated me; it was the way he referred to Jacob that truly got under my skin.


    Uncle? What the hell!


    "Don''t you dare call him my uncle! He''s not!"


    "I know you wish he weren''t, but let''s be fair here. He''s practically family, considering how close he and your dad are. They have been best buddies, like brothers for as long as I can remember. And Jacob? Well, he''s practically family to all of you. So, technically, he is your uncle, isn''t he?" A smirk crept across his lips, revealing his deliberate provocation.


    "No, he is not!"


    "Okay, okay, guys, let''s just calm down," Jennie spoke, "Please, let''s not fight over this, for God''s sake!"


    "Tell this bimbo to stop spreading false rumours. Jacob is not my uncle!"


    "Alright, even if he''s not, that doesn''t give you a green light to jump into his bed," Masonughed, amused, "If I were in your shoes, I would have made him mine within days, but here you are, yearster, still unable to fuck him."


    "I wouldn''t bother to sleep with that insufferable man, regardless!"


    "Evie, what''s going on? Why does this whole Jacob situation make you so furious?" Nancy inquired,


    Of course, I had made my anger towards Jacob too obvious. And why shouldn''t I be furious? That man had left me with no other choice!


    "I don''t even know where to begin, Nancy. He''s just a constant source of headaches!" I groaned, frustration seeping into my voice. "One moment he acts as though he desires me, and the next he ys the role of a saint, trapped by some damn rules, unable to touch his best friend''s daughter. And the fun part? He''s already kissed me, and it was far more than just a simple kiss."


    "Wait, what? He kissed you?" Jennie''s voice echoed with shock, mirrored by the astonishment etched on Nancy''s face.


    "Well... technically, I initiated the kiss, and he kissed me back. But then, hepletely transformed into a different person, telling me in ten different ways that it was all wrong. And you know what''s the most ironic part of it all? He knew all along that I had been obsessed with him from the very beginning."


    "What?!" Nancy''s voice cracked, as if she had been dropped from the top of a skyscraper,


    "I have no doubt that you''re a dumb birch," Mason interjected, his voice dripping with disdain. "You kissed him, had the chance to get close to him, and yet you couldn''t seal the deal? How hard could it be to lure him into your room and take it from there? It was damn easy to fuck


    him!"


    I looked at him in disbelief, "Shut up, Mason! I am not going to rape him, at least."


    "You''re seriously aplete idiot," he retorted.


    In response, all I could do was shoot him a withering re.


    "Evelyn, you still haven''t grasped the true reason behind all of this," Jennie spoke up after what felt like an eternity of contemtion.


    "What are you talking about?" I asked, my confusion evident on my face.


    She and Nancy exchanged a meaningful nce before Nancy spoke up, "The beast is already out of its cage; all it needs is a little provocation." "Hah! Do you think I haven''t tried seducing him? Everything goes smoothly until he abruptly sabotages it just as things start to heat up."


    "We''re not talking about seduction, Evie. We''re talking about something else entirely," Jennie smirked, her gaze shifting towards Mason.


    Oh no... They couldn''t possibly be suggesting...


    Hell, they definitely were!


    "No! I refuse to do this. You all know how gross I feel by the lovey-dovey stuff with a girl!" Mason almost shouted, breaking free from his bewildered stupor.


    "Listen, Mason. It''s just acting, and


    besides, no one would even


    Spect


    you''re gay unless you say it by yourself. Youe across straight as fuck," Nancy reassured him.


    "Guys, I really don''t think this is a good idea, "I took the cue to speak.


    "Don''t even start with it, Evelyn. This is thest chance for your fling with your dad''s best friend." Jennie scolded.


    "For God''s sake, he has a name! Why do you all insist on calling him like that?!"


    Theypletely ignored my question and focused on their target which was Mason.


    "I won''t do this!" He red.


    "You have to do this. We''ve run out of options," Nancy, gripped his arm as if she already anticipated his attempt to flee.


    "Let go of me, Nancy. I didn''te here to y a role in Evelyn''s little fling," He desperately tried to get himself away from Nancy''s grip, "I am not going to be a part of this stupid n."


    "Technically, you''re the centerpiece of our ''stupid n''," Jennie let out augh, and a suppressed chuckle threatened to escape my lips.


    "I came here to flirt with guys, not to pretend as Evelyn''s new love interest!" He cried out.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "No more discussion. You''re doing it, and that''s final," Nancy''s voice escted, frustration tingeing her tone, while Mason wore a deep frown.


    "Don''t be such a selfish jerk, Mason. It''s a small favour for your friend, and it won''t harm you," Jennie reasoned.


    He fell silent for a few moments, his internal struggle evident on his face. Finally, with a defeated sigh, he relented, "Fine, I''ll do it."

 Chapter 10 : Jealousy

    Chapter 10 : Jealousy


    Jacob


    This evening was weirder than the previous ones, at least....for me. While everyone seemed to be perfectly enjoying their evening, something felt off.


    The coffee tasted increasingly bitter against my tastebuds as I observed Evelynughing and chatting with that new guy, sitting a little too close forfort. Myfort.


    There was no denying her breathtaking beauty. Her silky dark hair, enchanting hazel eyes, captivating smile, and radiantplexion held an irresistible allure. Beyond measure. They beckoned to me like forbidden fruit, tempting me to indulge in sinful desires. Oh, how I longed to take her to my room and ravish her!


    Damn it, I knew I had to contain my thoughts. But, I just couldn''t.


    The memory of her lips pressed against mine in the kitchen still haunted my thoughts. Relentlessly


    She was driving me to the brink of madness, every movement, every word, every smile andugh sending shivers down my spine. Even without actively doing anything, she had an uncanny ability to ignite an inferno within me.


    I was well aware that I shouldn''t be acting like a love-struck teenager at my age.


    Yet, my entire being, body, mind, and soul, yearned for her.


    The depth of her impact on me was both exhrating and terrifying.


    I could sense her desire for me, an unspoken longing that she yearned to fulfill. She wanted me to have her and denying it won''t make it true that I did want her as much as she did.


    It was undeniable, but I had to resist. I couldn''t allow myself to have her.


    The truth was, she existed outside the boundaries I had set for myself. She was considerably younger than me, and toplicate matters further, she was Samuel''s daughter. Entertaining such a risk could jeopardize everything I held dear.


    My eyes moved to nce at her from afar. Theck of distance between that boy and her really bothered me; In a way, it shouldn''t have. Nheless, I could not help it.


    My fists continued to clench involuntarily, and my grip on the coffee mug handle tightened even further.


    Calm down, Jacob. She is not yours.


    Hell, I can''t calm down!


    I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, but the moment I opened them, theynded on Evelyn once again. This time, a surge of rage coursed through me as I noticed that guy''s hand resting possessively around her waist, while he whispered something into her ear, prompting her to giggle. Her gaze briefly met mine, but she quickly averted her eyes, refocusing her attention on that guy.


    Okay! Enough was enough.


    What was she trying to do?Allowing that guy to get all close to her....for fuck''s sake, she was practically sitting on hisp!


    "Hey, mate," Samuel''s voice suddenly broke the tension, as he walked into the hall. "What are you doing here? I''ve been looking for you."


    "I went to the kitchen to grab some coffee and heard the loud chatter of Evelyn and her friends, so I decided to check it out," I exined, dismissing the tension with a forcedugh.


    "Ah, I get it. Kids these days can bber on all night," Samuel chuckled.


    "So, all of them are Evelyn''s friends?"


    "Yes, they''re all very close to her, especially Mason. He and Evelyn have been together since Fourth grade."


    Ah, so the pup''s name was Mason.


    "And you know the funny part? I don''t have to worry about my daughter''s safety when she''s with Mason because he..." Samuel''s sentence was abruptly cut off by the ringing of his phone.


    "Give me a sec." Samuel swiftly retrieved his phone from his pocket and answered the call.


    I didn''t catch much of his conversation as my focus remained fixed on Evelyn. It was evident, though, that he was speaking with ra.


    If there was anything or anyone I''d rather divert my attention to, it was Evelyn.


    "Yeah, I''vee downstairs to inform him about it. Don''t worry," Samuel hung up the call and walked over to me.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "So, Jacob, I actually came here to tell you something," he began. "Upon ra''s request, I''ve chartered a yacht. Since we''re close to the coastal region, we''ll be visiting some coastal areas and inds. Everyone will be joining us. I wanted to inform you in advance so that you wouldn''t bete. We''re leaving early in the morning and returning by night."


    "Sorry, buddy. I won''t be able to join you,"


    "What?"


    "First of all, I''ve already visited those ces, as you know. I was here a couple of years back," I exined, trying to sound reasonable. "Secondly, I really need some proper rest. All these functions and events have been exhausting, and I haven''t had a chance to rx."


    The first reason was true, but the second one was entirely fabricated. I knew one reason alone would never be enough to convince Samuel. "Okay, these reasons are absolutely stupid."


    Well......they were. But I couldn''t bring myself to attend and witness the nauseating lovey-dovey acts between Evelyn and that boy.


    "I know but it is what is true." I shrugged.


    "Fine then, if that''s what you want," Samuel sighed, shaking his head before walking away.


    As Samuel disappeared from view, I turned my gaze towards Evelyn. To my surprise, she was already looking at me. It seemed her gaze had lingered on me while I was engaged in conversation with Samuel. Those hazel eyes of hers were locked onto mine, suggesting a more meaningful connection than mere fleeting nces.


    However, the moment I held her gaze, she averted her eyes in a swift sh.


    There was undoubtedly something going on in her beautiful mind, but I couldn''t bring myself to care. Her actions were already getting under my skin. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I decided to retreat to the kitchen. I absentmindedly ced the cup in the dishwasher and reached into the fridge to grab a water bottle.


    This unfamiliar sensation gripped me, unlike anything I had ever experienced, even in my time with Chloe. It was a strange feeling, as if a raging fire had been ignited within my chest, threatening to consume everything in its path. No matter how many gulps of cold water I took, it did nothing to extinguish it.


    This was so wrong.


    I shouldn''t be feeling this way for her.


    Suddenly, the sound of footsteps broke through my thoughts. I turned my gaze towards the kitchen entrance, only to find Evelyn walking in.


    She casually flipped her hair over her shoulder, a slight furrow forming between her eyebrows, and her plump, pink lips slightly parted as she locked her eyes on me.


    As Iid my eyes on her in that short maroon dress, hugging her like a second skin, my self-control teetered on the edge. Every curve of her body seemed irresistibly


    tempting, and it was be!


    ??


    harder to resist.


    She had transformed into apletely different person¡ªA beautiful woman.


    "Oh, so you''re still lingering around here," she remarked curtly, striding past me towards the cab to grab a beer bottle.


    In her haste, her dress hitched up slightly, revealing more of her enticing form. Her frustration grew evident as she struggled to reach the cab that seemed just out of her grasp.


    "Shit," she muttered softly under her breath, her attempts proving futile.


    I looked down at her juicy ass that begged my attention. Fuck!


    She ttened one of her hands on the counter and supported her weight as she made an attempt to get the bottle. This time her dress lifted upwards, a bit more, and her creamy thighs drew my attention.


    This was it.


    I finally lost it.


    I approached her, closing the distance until I stood just behind her. With a smooth motion, I slid my hands onto her hips, drawing her in closer until her back met my chest.


    She immediately froze on her spot, and there was a hitch in her breathing.


    Her delicate fragrance enveloped my senses, a hint of roses filled the air, intoxicating and captivating. Her ass pressed against my hard-on. Holy, this is all I could wish for.


    I sensed her awareness of my presence, her stillness betraying a mix of caution and uncertainty.


    "What is it that you want?"


    "I-I... want the beer bottle," she stuttered.


    "This one?" With deliberate intent, I extended my left hand toward the bottle, effectively enclosing her in the space between the counter and myself.


    "Yes," she nodded, her troubled breathing filling the air, a palpable tension hanging between us.


    As I grasped the bottle and set it down on the counter, I posed another question, "And for whom?"


    There was a moment of silence before she spoke hesitantly, "Mason, my boyfri¡ª"


    Interrupting her, I swiftly spun her around, capturing her throat within my grip. "What are you attempting to do, huh?"


    Herck of shock or surprise caught me off guard.


    Instead, a smirk crept across her lips, "There are plenty more fish in the sea, Mr. Jacob Adriano. Remember?"


    Damn this girl was going to fucking ruin me!


    "Don''t y with fire, Evelyn. You''ll get burned if you push it too far," I warned, my teeth clenched tightly.


    "What fire are you talking about?" she retorted, her voiceced with a calcted tone. "All I see is a..." Her voice trailed off as she let out a thoughtful sound. "Coward."


    Calm. Down.


    You can''t lose it right now.


    "Watch your mouth, Evelyn," I growled, it was so fucking hard to control the storm raging within me


    "You''re not my father to dictate my actions," she retorted, swiftly seizing my hand that rested on her neck and forcefully pushing it away. "What are you even to me? My boyfriend?You have no right to tell me what to do or not do. I''ll say and do as I please."


    "And what I do is none of your concern," she continued, "You''ve always excelled at turning a blind eye, so continue doing that for the remainder of our


    days."


    Yes, it shouldn''t have mattered to me who she was involved with, who she conversed with, or who she chose to be with.


    But it did. It affected me more than I cared to admit.


    I fucking hated seeing her with anyone else. Even the thought of it.


    "Was it that new guy you fantasized about when you touched yourself at night, or was it me?" I grabbed her jaw firmly, angling her face to meet my


    gaze.


    Her lips parted, a fleeting flicker passing through her eyes. Her breathing grew heavier, yet she remained silent. I knew she was nervous.


    "Was it the new guy you used to discreetly steal nces at during every gathering, or was it me?" I pressed, my voice tinged with a mix of desperation and longing.


    Her mouth opened as if to respond, but she seemed at a loss for words.


    "Whose touch used to, and still does, send shivers down your spine? His or mine?" I whispered against her lips, my voiceced with a raw intensity.


    "Answer me, Evelyn."


    "Listen, Jacob," she finally breathed


    out, her voice carrying a blend of exasperation and frustration. "You can''t keep doing this, alright? One moment you act like this, and the next moment you change. I don''t want to be caught in this constant


    dilemma. I need someone who won''t be such a coward, someone who can push past their fears, like Mason."


    A surge of rage enveloped me as her words pierced through my defenses. But I chose to stay silent.


    nce, she walked away, leaving me seething in her wake.


    "So, excuse me. I need to join my friends, they are waiting for me." She lightly pushed at my chest, creating a gap between us, and without a second


    Perhaps it was time to break free from the confines of my own limitations, to show Evelyn Fernandez just how wrong she was tobel me a coward.


    She wanted the real Jacob, she will get the real Jacob.

 Chapter 11 : Alone With The Temptation

    Chapter 11 : Alone With The Temptation


    Evelyn


    "Evelyn, rise and shine! We can''t afford to be tardy," ra nudged me, determined to rouse me from my slumber whilst I tried to sink my head into the pillow.


    "Not today, ra. My head is throbbing like a war drum," I groaned.


    "Did you drink alcoholst night?" Her keen observation was almost immediate; Of course, she couldn''t miss the scent of liquor.


    "Don''t breathe a word to Dad, but yes. I may have consumed an entire bottle."


    God! The consequences were evident in my pounding head and queasy stomach.


    "Why did you overdo it? You know your tolerance for strong liquor iscking," she sighed, sitting beside me.


    I couldn''t reveal the true reason, could I? Absolutely not.


    "I simply wanted to let loose and have some fun, but I went a little too far with the alcohol. Perhaps sticking to beer would have been wiser," I confessed, turning on my back and pinching the bridge of my nose, "The idea of having fun fucked me up."


    Of course, it was a lie. Every syble that escaped my lips, save for myints of a pounding headache and a churning stomach, was nothing but a big fat lie I had not simply drunk for the sake of enjoyment.


    First I drankst night because I had finally managed to make Jacob jealous, and then I went overboard with it because the worry of him changing his stupid mind shrouded my mind.


    So technically the main reason behind this hangover was none other than Jacob Adriano.


    "Yes, you should have," ra sighed, "Because this pounding headache of yours is anything but delightful, isn''t it?"


    "Indeed, it''s unbearable. I simply need some rest," I dered, "You all can go ahead. I''ve grown tired of Dad''s monotonous yacht excursions anyway." The truth was, I had been on countless yacht tours with Dad, and even without this wretched hangover, today''s itinerary failed to pique my interest. "There''s no way I''m leaving you like this," she scolded, her eyes filled with concern. "I''ll inform Samuel to reschedule today''s n. We can go another time."


    "No! I won''t let you cancel the n because of me," I shot up to sit, forgetting about my hangoverpletely.


    "You are all that matters to Samuel and me. We can always rearrange everything. For now, I''ll stay by your side and take care of you," she dered, gently brushing my dishevelled hair away from my forehead. "Now, be still and lie down."


    "ra, it''s your and Dad''s wedding. During these precious few days, all that should matter to you is savouring every single moment together," I implored, sping her hands in mine. "Remember, I nned this entire destination wedding with one goal in mind: to give both of you the time and moments you couldn''t have before. Do you think it would bring me any joy if you cancelled today''s n because of me?"


    "But, Evie..."


    "No, ra. It''s my request, please don''t let my hangover hinder your ns. I want you and Dad to relish every second and create beautiful memories together," I pleaded. "Can''t you grant me this one small favour? Not even for the sake of my happiness?"


    "Okay, okay, fine," she finally relented with a sigh. "We''ll go!"


    A radiant smile adorned my lips, and Iunched myself into her embrace, just as I always had. "Thank you. Thank you so much."


    "But I do have a few conditions," she added, quickly.


    Well...this was new.


    "What are they?"


    "First, you must take utmost care of yourself while I''m away, and absolutely no alcohol for the rest of the week," she asserted. "Deal?"


    "ra, you''ll only be gone for a few hours," I rolled my eyes.


    "Deal or not?" she pressed.


    "Fine, deal."


    ******


    As the afternoon lingered on, the sun casting its warm glow, I found sce in the medication ra had provided. It had worked wonders, relieving me of the weight of a hundred jeeps crushing my head.


    I felt better. A lot better!


    Convincing Dad to proceed with the ns without me had been no easy task. My excessive drinking had earned me a handful of his threats, but ra had skillfully managed the situation. It was a relief to see her handle everything so smoothly.


    To be honest, it was very boring being all alone in this entire mansion except for a few workers who solely remained busy with the tasks at their hands. This solitude felt stifling.


    I had always preferred chaos. To be honest, my entire life had been like that, no matter how my father tried to make all go smoothly. Being a single parent was no easy feat yet he made it. Regrettably, I couldn''t im to have been the epitome of an ideal daughter in return.


    God. This is why I hated silence. It''d take me to the worst corners of my mind where my fears and insecurities lurked.


    In my attempt to push away one troubling thought, another insidious idea crept into my mind-the worry that Jacob could potentially fall prey to maniptive individuals like


    Gloria and her ws- That ex


    man is stupid and too polite sometimes. The mere notion sent a wave of regret crashing over me, making me curse my decision to remain behind instead of joining everyone on the yacht.


    You are so stupid, Evelyn! So fucking stupid!


    Without further dy, I made my way to the closet to grab a bikini.


    Yes, it may have seemed random, but the soothing rhythm of the water would surely help me find respite until the return of the others to the mansion.


    So why dy?


    Slipping into my bikini, I descended the stairs and headed outside, securing my hair in a messy bun. The absence of people created an eerie stillness, a silence that enveloped the surroundings like a delicate hush. It bothered me quite a bit.


    Reaching the pool area, I walked down the steps, relishing the sensation of the slightly warm water caressing my skin as I submerged myself. It felt liberating, truly exhrating.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Oh, how I loved pools!


    I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the crisp air, before propelling myself forward, slicing through the water with each stroke. I maintained a steady pace, my head held above the surface, savouring the refreshing coolness enveloping me.


    Undoubtedly, taking a swim had been the right decision.


    As I swam in gentle circles, a newfound tranquillity settled over my body and mind. Closing my eyes, I turned my face toward the sky, allowing the sun''s warmth to wash over me, melting away any lingering traces of stress or worry.


    Merely minutes into my solitary aquatic sanctuary, a noise shattered the calm, causing my head to snap up in rm.


    I pivoted in the water, my eyes widening in disbelief as I beheld a sight that defied all logic-Jacob Adriano strolling into the pool area.


    What in the damn hell-


    How had he appeared here? Wasn''t he supposed to be with the rest of the group?


    Before I could gather my wits, Jacob spoke, his gaze lingering on my glistening, water-drenched form, seemingly captivated by every subtle detail.


    Okay.....


    "Saw you swimming, all alone. Thought I should join," he uttered, his words hanging in the air.


    Okay, I definitely wasn''t prepared for this...

 Chapter 12 : Broken Restraints

    Chapter 12 : Broken Restraints


    Evelyn


    Warning: 18+, mature and sexual content ahead.


    "I... I wasn''t expecting you at all," I managed to stammer, my voice betraying my surprise and unease.


    A casual smirk yed on Jacob''s lips as he replied, "Neither was I." With a swift motion, he discarded his t-shirt, causing my jaw to drop in awe at the sight of his bare, sculpted torso. The sight alone was enough to make my heart skip a beat, and the tattoo that adorned his skin only added to his allure.


    How could someone be so perfect?


    "But surprisingly, a few minutes ago, as I observed you swimming, I discovered that I''m not the only one who decided to deviate from today''s ns," he continued, descending the pool steps and immersing himself in the water.


    This man was a walking Greek god. Well, if there were any Italian gods, he could be that too. Fuck, he could be any god he wanted! Heaven and hell, he could conjure both...into me.


    Suddenly, my body seemed to ignite, the temperature soaring as my gaze remained locked with his. I struggled to find my breath, the intensity of his presence overwhelming.


    It was an erotic sight, one that stirred a desire deep within me.


    "Why didn''t you go?" I managed to stutter, instinctively taking a few steps back as Jacob steadily approached, narrowing the distance between us.


    A mischievous glint danced in his eyes as he replied, "Because I didn''t want to." With each step he took, I found myself retreating until my back pressed against the edge of the pool.


    The sight of him was erotic Erotically pleasing.


    "That''s not a sufficient reason," I murmured, my voice dropping several octaves as he encased me, cing his hands on the pool''s edge, effectively trapping me.


    A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he leaned closer, his warm breath grazing my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine. "What''s your reason, may I ask?"


    I swallowed hard, my voice barely a whisper as I confessed, "I... I had a hangover."


    Jacob''s lips brushed against my earlobe, "People only drink for two reasons, Evelyn," he murmured, the sensation sending a jolt through my body and I clenched my thighs together, "Either for pleasure or pain."


    If I wasn''t in the pool, surely my arousal could have proven to be enough of a good reason for my dampened panties.


    "What is your reason?"


    "Both." I unknowingly confessed and A smirk curved on his tempting lips, his eyes glinting with a knowing spark.


    "I see. You appear rather stressed. Is there anything I can do to help you rx?"


    That suggestive tone.....


    Oh, dear lord.


    Was this even real? Or was I caught in some weird sex dream?


    "Well... I suppose helping me rx is probably thest thing on your mind," I retorted, my sarcasm acting as a defence mechanism against the rising tide of desire. "Since you always seem so keen on disrupting my peace."


    A low, husky chuckle reverberated from his chest. And god forgive me! It was the sexiest sound I had ever heard. With him so near, the heat of his body enveloping me without even skin-to-skin contact, my thoughts spiralled into uncharted territory.


    This man was a masterpiece a work of art that I could stare at endlessly, without even a single blink.


    "Trust me, Evelyn. If anyone''s peace has been disturbed, it''s mine," he asserted, his hand gliding to my lower hip beneath the water, teasingly brushing against my inner thighs. I sucked in a deep breath, determined to maintain unwavering eye contact despite the intoxicating sensations coursing through me.


    "And that was from the day, I saw you for the first time after five years," His fingers slowly inched closer to my warm cleft, giving rise to the pace of my already troubled breathing, "You are the most irresistibledy I have evere across, you make the need of a man to possess stir awake just with your innocent little movements. You make me want to forget my morals and dive deep into you....in many ways."


    It was still hard for me to believe that these were the words being spoken by Jacob Adriano himself.


    He was the man who had consumed my thoughts, the one who awakened a fire within me like no other. And now, here he was, close enough to touch, saying the things I had always yearned to hear. It felt fucking tremendous.


    "You, Evelyn," he whispered, bringing his hand back from under the water and this time brushing his fingers on my hardened nipple. "Have the power to unleash my darkest desires. Sometimes, I want you to be my downfall, to embrace the chaos and devour me whole. I want you to fucking ruin me."


    Well..of course, I hadn''t expected my nipples not to be hard and pressing against my bikini top when Jacob himself was this close to me and turning me on with each word that fell off of his sexy lips.


    I was on the brink of losing it all. There was no sanity left within me, not even at any corner. Jacob''s presence had wiped off all of it.


    "You are my temptation, Evelyn. And god, the things I wanna do to you!"


    I had the perfect opportunity to stop there and pull him in for a kiss. But I wanted more than just a fleeting moment of passion. I wanted to shatter his self-imposed restraints and set free the wild inside him- The beast within.


    Finally, I mustered the courage to break the silence. "You are all talk and no walk, Jacob!"


    Unexpectedly, a smirk danced upon his lips instead of his jaw ticking with anger, catching me off guard.


    Okay...I wasn''t expecting this.


    "The reason I held back before was that you were Samuel''s daughter," he confessed, his fingers gently gripping my hips, pressing me against the pool''s edge. The cool surface sent shivers down my spine, awakening my senses. "But now..."


    His words hung in the air, teasingly implying a shift in his perspective.


    Could there be anything he had already nned in his mind?


    I scoffed, trying to maintain myposure. "Now what? Have you conveniently forgotten my lineage, Jacob? Do you expect me to believe you''ve wiped off your memory?"


    He leaned in closer, his voice setting


    a tantalising fire over my body, ¡°No, Evelyn. I''ve made a conscious choice," he looked deep into my eyes, and the world around us


    shrunk, "And that is to forget el


    damn morals and dive deep into you, Evelyn." Goosebumps covered my skin upon his words. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "And I fucking know it- Once I dive in, I''ll dive deep." He spoke against my lips and cupped my butt, a moan threatening to tear through my throat at the feel of his hands on me.


    I had almost lost my ability to talk ore up with any retort. My senses were gone for good and all my nning too.


    However, Jacob''s n did not just end there. Little did I know, his one was way too extreme and yet to finish.


    My heart raced, my breaths growing shallow as I felt his warm fingers trace a daring path towards the edge of my bikini bottom. "What... what are you doing?" I stammered.


    "You called me a coward earlier, remember?" He asked, his other hand found its ce around my throat, exerting a firm yet thrilling pressure, lips torturingly brushing over mine "So let''s find out how much you can handle when I break the boundaries."


    "I....I haven''t said anything wrong," I breathed out, the collision of the heat of our bodies made the wetness between my thighs intensify more


    A devious smile curved his lips as he hooked my legs around his waist, catching me off guard, "Oh really?"


    I opened my mouth to say


    something but before any word


    e


    could leave my mouth, sliding past my bikini bottom his fingers were there on my bare throbbing clit and the next second they thrust inside the very tight hole of mine leaving me to scream in utter shock and electricity jolting throughout my body.


    But everything went silent as he pressed his hot lips upon mine just as I had been wanting since the first day I had ever seen him.


    Holy shit! This was actually happening.


    This was not a dream, oh god!


    I didn''t even get the time to kiss him back because he was just relentless, sucking and biting on my lips whilst his tongue forced itself inside of my mouth to ravish me.


    "Ah-"My scream that was on the verge of getting out when he began pummeling his fingers in and out of my warm hole got suppressed by his hunger-filled kisses.


    I slipped my hands around his neck, holding onto him for dear life while he pushed me to the edge with each of the thrusts of his fingers, and each time his tongue duelled with mine.


    I''d never felt myself getting closer to an orgasm this fast, but Jacob indeed did magic on me...or to be specific his skilful fingers that were hitting the ces I didn''t know existed inside of me.


    "Is this what you imagined when you used to touch yourself, Evelyn? Is that the scenario you made up in your mind?" He asked, his breathing falling hot and heavy on my face, "Me fucking you with my fingers?"


    I did not have any idea how I was supposed to answer that concern.


    I was a moaning mess, my body was constantly shaking and my tears began gathering in my eyes. I couldn''t think of anything else.


    At this moment, I could have even forgotten my name and I could care less about that.


    "Oh...gosh!" I cried out when he curled his fingers inside of me causing a shiver to hit my core and a zap of electricity to travel down every fibre of my


    body.


    "Well, if you have then you have


    more than one reason to be celebrating," He spoke, squeezing my throat and looking into my eyes as he kept finger-fucking me down there with the same intense speed, "This encounter will not just end with only exploring your tight cunt with my fingers."


    As if his dirty talking turned on a switch inside of me, I felt my release hitting me like a tsunami.


    I threw my head backwards, my nails almost digging into Jacob''s shoulders as I screamed out my release. My walls clenched around his digits and


    released my juices.


    My eyes closed on their own and my heavy breathing began to slow down during the effects of the aftershock.


    Before I could fully gather the strength to look at Jacob, he himself pulled me up and pressed his lips against mine, sealing them in a deep passionate


    kiss.


    I kissed him back without having to think twice, tangling my fingers into his silky hair locks as I pulled at them.


    God damn! He was so delicious.


    "Your room or mine?" He asked, as we finally broke the kiss.


    I could see in his green eyes that he was in no way near stopping. And could Iin? Hell Nah!


    "The one that''s closer."

 Chapter 13 : Burning Passion

    Chapter 13 : Burning Passion


    Evelyn


    Warning: Mature and Sexual content ahead.


    We ended up in my room; mming the door shut, Jacob''s strong arms lifted me, my legs instinctively wrapping around his hips. My hands remained around his neck as I pulled him for a kiss, wanting to be as close as possible to satisfy the urge of friction. Our lips collided, hungry and desperate.


    We sumbed to the fire between us. Losing each other in the fog of desires.


    Jacob lowered me onto the bed, his lips trailing from mine to my neck. His kisses were relentless, leaving a trail of desire in their wake. A loud moan escaped my lips as he found that sensitive spot below my ear, his tongue teasing and igniting a wave of pleasure.


    "I want you all bare," It was more likely a low growl than just amand erupting from him and wetness pooled my already dampened bikini bottom. It was like as if he had a strange connection with my mind and soul- I would willingly listen to his every word and not even bother to ask the reasonC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    I reached closer to his ear, tangling my fingers in his silky smooth hair locks as I pulled him to me and whispered, "Then undress me."


    I did not give a fuck about what I was going to lose or gain, I just wanted to drown deep in him and that sure would be my greatest pleasure of all time.


    "I''ll, Evelyn; I. Will." And the sound of the strings of my bikini top getting torn was heard the next moment, slicing through the atmosphere of the room. A soft gasp got out of your mouth unknowingly but it soon turned into a loud brazen moan when Jacob rubbed me over my panties ever so slowly; His touch slow andnguid yet he was somewhat making sure I felt every bit of it on my slit to clit.


    My pulsating nerves felt extra sensitive because of the contact with this inexplicably enchanting male and his skilled movements that drove me crazy. "Jacob..." I moaned out his name and saw his muscles visibly tensing upon the sound.


    He leaned down and pulled my bottom lips between his teeth, his free hand moving to cup my bare breast and pinch my nipple hard; My eyes almost rolled to the back of my head at the sensations that exploded in my lower abdomen.


    I was in pure ecstasy. Jacob''s touch made a strange heat carve within my skin, something I had never felt before.


    He took my nipple in his mouth and the foreign feeling instantly made my back arch. My body was literally begging for his touch; I had never felt so needy in my entire life the way I felt right now.


    Secondster another sound echoed through the room- The sound of my bikini bottom getting torn.


    I watched as he discarded my now useless bikini set on the floor.


    I waspletely bare in front of his hunger-filled eyes, just like he wanted.


    "God damn, Evelyn. I shouldn''t have waited this long because, this..." He growled, lowly, as he looked at me before his eyes travelled down to stare at my pussy, "Truly is a sight to behold."


    I bit down my bottom lip, his stare making the heat travel all over me once again. My cheeks were set on my fire.


    "Do


    you


    have a condom with you?" I found myself asking after a while of hesitation.


    His tongue firmly tucked inside his mouth upon my question, his starended on my face and he leaned closer to me once again, my nipples skimmed against his rock-hard chest causing a vibration to be sent through my core.


    "Well...I am not going to fuck you today, Evelyn," He murmured against my lips.


    Wait...what?


    We were not going to have sex?


    "What?" This left my mouth automatically, out of confusion.


    A smirk adorned his lips and he gently brushed away my hair strands from over my forehead before he slid his hand down to my warm dripping folds.


    I tried to press my thighs together at the sudden feeling of being touched down there but his body was right between my legs, blocking my way.


    I released a raspy breath when he pushed his middle finger inside of me followed by his ring finger, the sudden pration made my back arch ever so slightly and my pupils dted.


    Jesus Christ! He was driving me insane.


    "What I mean is that....today I''ll get a taste of you." He said and pulled his fingers coated with my juices out of my pussy before he brought them to his lips and sucked them into his mouth.


    Holy shit! That was the hottest thing I had ever seen Jacob Adriano doing.


    I could just faint right there but then there would be my regret of not getting the chance to see the rest.


    "Fuck! You taste amazing." He grabbed my jaw and pulled me in for a kiss.


    I fought hard to keep up with his pace. He was just relentless, hungry, and unpredictable.


    In one word¡ª He was like a beast.


    But who could I me? I was the one who had set it free.


    He broke the kiss, leaving me almost breathless, and travelled his kisses down my body, from my chest to my belly and hips, leaving multiple hickeys all the way.


    He hooked his hands around my thighs and spread my legs wide, pushing them till my knees hit the mattress.


    And then I felt his breath right there on my sensitive wet folds.


    A zap of shiver ran up and down my spine and he brushed his nose on my inner thighs as he inhaled the smell of my arousal.


    My eyes closed shut, and I drew in a sharp breath. He was going to be the death of me!


    "Eyes open, Evelyn," his stern voice sounded and words vibrated against my moistened bottom causing my eyes to flutter open and lock with his


    ones.


    And then he darted his tongue out, keeping the eye contact stable as it was, and licked up and down from my slit to clit. A slow sensual lick. Holy! What in the damn....that left me breaking into pieces right on the spot.


    "Jacob..." I moaned out loud without even knowing so. My body seemed to react on its own to everything this devilish man did.


    He did not just stop there. He dove right in, licking and kissing me there on my pussy, working his way inside my tight way with his expert tongue. It moved in every carnal motion, pushing me to the edge.


    "Oh my..." I did not know if I was crying or shouting or doing both.


    I had never felt anything like this before. Of course, I had often touched myself but this...god, this felt out of the world.


    My legs trembled, my erratic breathing made my chest heavily rise and fall, and tears gathered in the corners of my eyes.


    "Oh...yes, right there." I threw my head backwards, my hands finding their world to Jacob''s hair and they tugged and pulled at them.


    The pleasure was too much to handle and I wanted to close my thighs so bad, but I couldn''t since Jacob''s hands holding them held me still in my ce.


    And then he pushed his tongue inside my warm cleft. My hips vigorously shook, my hand clutching onto his hair tightened and a loud moan broke through my throat.


    Just a momentter, I felt two of his


    fingers prating inside of me,


    heightening the effects of my


    l


    uing orgasm. The stretch. down there made a thrill rush in my body My body was begging for a release.


    S


    "Jacob...Please, please, please." A series of moans escaped my lips; I did not know what I was asking for but at the same time I did.


    My walls clenched around his digits, releasing more juices and coating his fingers.


    He ate me out like a hungry animal.


    There was a


    could feel sort of thirst I


    every one of his movements, every brush of his


    tongue and graze of his teeth


    swollen bud. He knew what he was doing to me and he was also aware that he was in control. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I felt my release getting closer and closer, Jacob kept with his sweet tortures, constantly pushing me to my limits.


    Secondster, I reached my high,ing apart all on his tongue. He drank up each drop I had offered, licking me clean and curling his fingers inside


    of me causing another mini orgasm to wash over me.


    Iid there, my lips parted, breathinging out as pants and eyes fought to close in aftershock.


    Jacob came up and brushed away my hair strands from over my face. Something utterly new was shining in his orbs.


    Without having to think twice, I tangled my fingers in his hair and pulled him for a kiss. Our lips collided together and I felt myself melting right there.


    This....this was all I had ever wanted.


    It all was...fucking amazing. There was no doubt that this gorgeous specimen right here, was going to be the death of me and I would have noints against him.


    "So the beast is finally out, huh?" I smiled against his lips.


    A smirk took ce on his face upon my question.


    "If I say yes then it will make you excited Evelyn, won''t it?"


    "Of course, it''ll, Jacob. Of course....it will." I traced my finger on his jaw, enjoying the feeling of his stubble against my skin.


    "Then, it''s a yes," He leaned closer to my ear, "Your beast is out."


    And.....I felt a very familiar shiver run down my spine.

 Chapter 14 Whispers And Touches

    Chapter 14 Whispers And Touches


    Evelyn


    A few hours had passed since we freshened up and changed into new clothes, and ended up in Jacob''s room.


    Currently, I was upied. Really very upied in admiring the masterpiece beneath me, as I sat astride him, my legs on either side, taking in the mesmerising sight of his tattoos.


    They adorned his chest and extended down his arm, a tapestry of intricate details that I traced with the pads of my fingers. It was as breathtaking as he was.


    He slid his hand beneath the fabric of my oversized t-shirt, his fingers gently grazing my bare waist, just a few inches above the waistband of my shorts. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he traced patterns against my skin before firmly resting his hands on either side of my hips.


    He knew what he was doing!


    "You didn''t have so many tattoos back five years ago," I mumbled.


    "Yeah, I''ve collected them over the years," he replied.


    "This dragon on your chest, you have had it from the start," I said pointing at his chest before sliding my hand to his muscr arm, "But this lion on your arm is new. And the sword too."


    I observed the problematic designs on his chest and arm, tracing them with my finger. My gaze fell upon a particr tattoo, a moon-shaped one on the right side of his chest. Something about its shape seemed off, resembling the letter ''C.''


    "But this moon looks very weirdly shaped," I poked at the tattoo, "It almost looks like a ''C. Does it stand for someone''s initial?" I spoke out the thoughts in my mind.


    Of course, my curiosity had got the best of me and I would be lying if I said there wasn''t a tinge bit of jealousy involved in it too.


    He stiffened, hesitation flickering in his green eyes. "It means nothing, maybe the artist didn''t shape it properly," he deflected.


    I sensed his difort and decided not to press further. I let the topic slide," Oh," and his body visibly rxed beneath me.


    A few moments passed as I studied his tattoos once again, taking my time as I found them utterly captivating and truly the most interesting thing in this world.


    God, everything looked so fucking good on him. I bet he could wrap stic and I''d still praise him, that''s how crazy I was about him.


    "By the way, you have a sharp memory, huh?" Jacob chuckled, propping himself up on his elbows to look at me properly, "Then why are your maths marks still so poor?"


    Damn him! Why did he have to bring up maths?


    He seemed to relish teasing me, enjoying the opportunity to embarrass me.


    "Dad spilled the beans about my marks, didn''t he?" I raised an eyebrow, my irritation turning into a mischievous smirk.


    Oh, he''s in for a surprise when he arrives.


    I was so fucking sure that I am going to give him a near-death experience today.


    "Let''s just say, he may have hinted at it," Jacob replied with a yful glint in his eyes.


    "Seriously, Jacob, spare me your mind-bending riddles," I groaned, rolling my eyes. "For fuck''s sake!"


    Jacob''s lips curled into a mischievous smile as he leaned closer, his fingertips gently tracing the outline of my bottom lip. "You curse a lot, Evelyn," he murmured, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "I might just have to tame that pretty mouth of yours."


    His innuendo was crystal clear, causing a rush of warmth to flood my cheeks.


    Dammit, Evelyn! Don''t let him see how he''s already wrapped you around his finger.


    Don''t blush!


    "I thought you were only interested in my maths skills," I retorted, pushing him back onto the bed. "How did your interests take such a turn so fast?" "Just like your interest shifted from me to Mason." He smirked.


    Fuck his slyness!


    And Fuck him too....I was going to do that anyway.


    Evelyn! Get your act together.


    "For your information, my interest never shifted," I retorted, "Mason''s gay."


    Surprise instantly crossed his face. "What?"


    Now it was my turn to smirk. "Yes, and do you know why we staged the whole ''Mason being my boyfriend'' charade? trailed my index finger along his jawline. "It was to expose your true colours, to reveal the wolf in sheep''s clothing, and to make you take advantage of me," I burst intoughter.


    However, myughter was put to an end quickly as Jacob flipped us without any warning.


    I let out a startled gasp, finding myself on the bed with him hovering over me.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "I''m far from being a saint, Evelyn," his voice dropped to a dangerously low tone. "I''ve been fighting my desires because I know, deep down, that whatever''s brewing between us won''t end well for either of us."


    A shiver travelled down my spine as his lips brushed against mine, teasingly close.


    "But can anything truly stop me now? No, not even the heavens themselves can keep me from having you, no matter how catastrophic the aftermath might be."


    Seizing the moment, I swiftly shifted


    our positions straddling him once more. "I hope you''re ready to back up those words, because I''ll be eagerly waiting to see what you''re capable of." Resting my hands on his chest, I leaned in for a kiss, but just as he leaned closer, I pulled away, unable to contain a mischievous giggle at the sight of his slightly furrowed brow.


    "What was that?" he asked, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    "You''ve kept me waiting long enough, so a little taste of your own medicine seemed fitting," Iughed, yfully pecking his cheek.


    "Evil woman," he muttered under his breath, to which I responded with another burst ofughter.


    "Thanks for thepliment. Now, may I ask about the story behind those scars on your hand?" I pointed to the scattered marks on his left hand. They did not look too old, nor did they look too mild to fade away soon.


    "Nothing serious, It was just a small ident a few years back," he replied, his wordscking conviction.


    Yet, there was an undeniable hesitation in his voice that suggested he was hiding something.


    What was he keeping from me?


    Before I could inquire further, the sound of cars pulling up in the parking area caught my attention.


    Everyone has arrived? Fuck man, Why couldn''t they arrive a bitter?


    "Seems like they''ve arrived," Jacob whispered, his fingertips tracing gentle circles on my waist as he sat up. "I have to go, Evelyn. Because the first thing Samuel and ra are going to do is to meet you, and they shouldn''t find us in this


    no


    compromising position, should they?" He delicately tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.


    e


    "Yeah, I suppose you''re right," I cupped his face, drawing him into a passionate kiss. He responded eagerly, and I took the opportunity to deepen the connection, savouring the moment.


    Pressing my forehead against his, my breath still heavy, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "Goodbye."


    A smile yed on Jacob''s captivating face as well. "See you... soon."

 Chapter 15 Pleasure

    Chapter 15 Pleasure


    Evelyn


    Restlessness consumed me as I tossed and turned in bed, unable to get any sleep.


    After meeting ra and Dad, enduring a long conversation with ra and enduring Dad''s lecture on ''A million reasons why not to drink alcohol,'' I returned to my room hours ago. But sleep seemed to elude mepletely.


    My sleep schedule was fucked up, and my mind was consumed by thoughts of Jacob.


    Was it wrong to long for his presence once again?


    Perhaps it was, or perhaps it wasn''t. Regardless, I was deeply troubled by this newfound forbidden addiction.


    I''m addicted to him. I definitely am.


    A groan escaped my lips as I abruptly sat up in bed. These past few hours had made it abundantly clear that sleep was an elusivepanion, for Jacob refused to vacate my thoughts.


    However, did I even want him to be out of my thoughts? It was a constant internal debate because I genuinely loved dwelling on thoughts of him. There was a strange sense of peace I found whenever his face appeared in my mind''s eye.


    I rose from the bed and reached for my robe, slipping it on over my short-sleeveless nightgown.


    Well...there was no point in hiding my intentions anymore. It was clear where I was headed-Jacob''s room, for the sake of my own sanity.


    I headed out of the room, closing it shut behind me.


    And soon enough, I found myself standing before the door to his room.


    Deep down, I knew it might not be the best time. He could be fast asleep or perhaps wide awake, although thetter seemed less likely. Nevertheless, my determination outweighed any potential obstacles, and I mustered the courage to knock on his door.


    No response came, the silence indicating that he might be fast asleep.


    Seconds away from resigning myself to return to my room due to my impatience, the door suddenly swung open, revealing the very man I hade seeking, shirtless, I might add.


    Okay, so theck of response didn''t mean he was asleep after all. It was simply his way of swiftly opening the door.


    "Evelyn..." he breathed out, acknowledging my presence.


    "I couldn''t sleep."


    Unbeknownst to me, a blush crept up my cheeks.


    Why did this man have such a profound effect on me?


    Jacob raised an eyebrow in response to my statement, his eyes leisurely scanning my body.


    "Why?" he asked, as I''d anticipated.


    "I don''t know."


    "Perhaps... I have an idea," he spoke, stepping aside to invite me into his room. "Come inside."


    I could swear that every hair on my body stood on end like needles the moment he uttered those words. Surreal sensations washed over me in an instant. Nevertheless, I gathered myposure and walked into his room.


    He closed the door behind us, locking it securely. Without wasting a moment, he picked me up by my thighs and pressed me against that very door, his mouthtching on my neck.


    Holy!Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    A gasp left my mouth, soon turning into a moan of pleasure as he left open-mouthed kisses on my skin, sucking and kissing his way down to my corbone. He ground his bulge against me making me wet.


    I grabbed onto his shoulder for support, my other hand fisted his hair. My legs hooked around his waist and tightened to pull him even close, to satisfy the need for friction.


    "It was a wise choice toe here. Because I was unable to sleep too," He withdrew his lips from my skin and whispered against my lips, "And I know my reasons well." His eyes looked at me with hunger causing my skin to tingle with desire.


    "Why are you doing to me, Evelyn?" He asked, brushing his thumb over my lips.


    Damn, my name sounded so good from his mouth.


    "Kiss me," I managed to utter, and in that very instant, his lips crashed against mine.


    Our mouths melded together, and he delved his tongue inside, exploring every nook and cranny. The taste of his minty breath filled my senses, and as I responded fervently, I once again lost myself in him.


    Without breaking the kiss, he carried me to the bed and gentlyid me down. Skillfully, he untied the robe, revealing the thigh-length nightgown I wore, which he raised to my lower abdomen as he slipped his hand inside my panty.


    "Oh, Jacob..." I moaned, my hips raised on their own to meet his touch there on my soaking wet folds.


    He began rubbing small circles there, working on me with his excellent fingers and using his thumb to put pressure on my clit which triggered an orgasm to wash over me almost instantly.


    My eyes widened and my lips parted in both astonishment and the effects of the orgasm. I''d never known that I could reach an orgasm so fast. Jacob surely knew better how my body functioned than I did.


    "I love how your body reacts to my touch." He breathed against my neck. Cupping my breast in his hand and he gave it a rough squeeze, "God indeed took his time while making you."


    Once again a moan slipped past my lips and my heartbeats picked up a pace.


    "I wonder how this tight pussy of yours will feel around my dick."


    God damn, he has started talking dirty.


    I think I could just reach my climax just by hearing him speak.


    "But longing makes everything better, right?" He pinched my hardened nipple from over my dress and rolled it between his thumb and index finger. I did not get the chance to figure out whether was I even going to say something or not, because he raised himself, and pulled down my panty, before he pulled my dress above my head and threw it away.


    I was yet to recover from the shock of how fast he''d just undressed me when he toured his hand over my body and he took my nipple in his mouth. The warm feeling of his mouth around the sensitive bud caused an electric shock shooting straight down there where I needed him the most.


    I crept my hands to feel his rock-hard chest and sculpted abs, the texture of his skin felt surprisingly good against my palms.


    Unable to hold it, I pushed him onto his back and straddled him so that I can press my lips right against the skin on his neck. Hell, this was the best decision of my life yet because he tasted so fucking good!


    "I don''t know why, but I am absolutely fucking obsessed with you Jacob."


    I kissed down his neck before


    het


    moving to the corner of his mouth, however, I ended up gasping out loud before I could press my lips against his because unknowingly his growing erection ground right against my warm cleft because of the questionable position, with my thighs resting on both side of him.


    I bit down my bottom lip, a sudden nervousness making its way to my core; I was sure, that mere contact alone had already left a wet patch over his trousers cause I was soaking wet and sensitive right now.


    "Fuck!" he cursed under his breath as he took a look at my lower lip caught under my teeth before they moved to look at my wet pussy.


    And then he pushed me back to


    where I was before, just right underneath him, and the next instant he pressed his hot mouth over my pussy My back arched, tingles shot through my body and I cried out his name in pleasure, "Ahm... Jacob!"


    His tongue flicked over my clit before he dove in, eating me out like a starving man as if I was his first andst meal-It moved in all sorts of motions driving me crazy, to the edge, whilst his hands held me tight in my ce so I could not escape from his sweet torment on my body.


    My moans and groans were the only sounds that could be heard in the room along with a few asional screams that left my mouth every time Jacob would discover ces I''d never known could deliver so much pleasure.


    Soon enough, I came spasming all over his tongue. Screaming out my release as I clutched the bedsheets as tight as I could.


    Jacob savoured every drop I had to offer, licking me clean.


    He came up and sealed my lips in a kiss and I kissed him back instantly, I could taste myself on him but that did not bother me the slightest bit.


    As we broke the kiss and he pressed his forehead against mine whilst we both caught our breath, I slowly became aware of the jute of his erection that rest just between my thighs.


    A momentter he attempted to pull away but I held his hand stopping him, "Where are you going?"


    "To take a cold shower," He let out a chuckle, "Otherwise I don''t think I''d be able to sleep, nor would you. Stay here, I''ll be back very quickly." He kissed my forehead and sat up.


    I found myself reacting before even my mind could actually realise what I wished to do.


    "Wait..." I raised myself to meet his eye level, hesitant, and low but I managed to utter the next words anyway, "You have tasted me....but I haven''t


    tasted you."


    A flicker passed through his eyes and his tongue darted out to lick over his bottom lip before he leaned closer, unknowingly my breathing hitched.


    "Are you sure?" His hand moved to grab my jaw so that he could look directly into my eyes.


    I swallowed the lump in my throat and brought my courage together to nod in response, "Yes, I am."

 Chapter 16 First Time

    Chapter 16 First Time


    Evelyn


    I pulled down his trousers before he helped me in sliding them all the way down before I moved my hands to his boxers. He was too perfect; I could already see it without having to actually see it.


    But suddenly, a wave of insecurities crashed over me. Doubt and worry crept into my mind, threatening to overshadow the excitement. I had absolutely no experience in oral whatsoever. The furthest I had gone with any guy was just a lip kiss and a few minutes of make-out-that was the extent of my limited knowledge.


    The questions bombarded my thoughts, like a relentless barrage.


    What if I''m utterly terrible at it?Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    What if he''s left disappointed?


    What if I fail to please him?


    I was surely not as experienced as the other women who had graced his presence. Such a man like him must have encountered so many beautiful women, who might have astounded him to the core from the looks to the performance on the bed. And to be awfully honest, I did not have any skills whatsoever since I have never done this before.


    Did I possess the allure to capture his attention, let alone keep it?


    I was inexperienced and young, perhaps, not the kind of girl who would pique anyone''s interest at first nce. I wasn''t even interesting enough. "Evelyn, you don''t have to feel obligated to do this if you''re notfortable," Jacob''s voice was gentle as he ran his hand through my hair, mistaking my worry for reluctance. "I can handle it, don''t worry."


    "But I want to," I responded immediately, meeting his gaze. "It''s not about feeling ufortable; it''s just that I''ve never done anything like this before. I... I don''t want to let you down."


    His surprise was evident, though not as much as I''d expected, "You are a virgin?" he asked.


    "Yeah," I admitted, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "I haven''t had much of a dating life, you know."


    "I had a feeling," a smile tugged at his lips as his fingers traced my jawline, sending delightful shivers down my spine. "Listen, Evelyn, nothing you do could ever disappoint me. You''re the most perfect woman I''ve everid eyes on. There''s no reason for you to feel insecure, my love. You don''t know how perfect you are and you wouldn''t be questioning this way if you could see it from my view...." He leaned down, grabbing my jaw and brushed his lips against mine, making me shiver, "You are my temptation. The most perfect possession. And trust me, you don''t even know the depths of your beauty. I do."


    Butterflies fluttered in my stomach and my nervousness got washed away as well.


    I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to tear my gaze away and meet his eyes. My nce, however, couldn''t help but stray down to the bulge of his erection, which remained impressively prominent and undeniably intimidating. The sheer length and thickness that I could only assume from the bulge sent a shiver down my spine-it seemed almost too much, straining against the fabric of his boxers, as if on the verge of bursting free. He was even bigger than I had imagined, surpassing the mental image I had conjured up in my mind.


    Letting go of the breath I did not know I was holding till now, I slowly pulled down his briefs, setting his cock free.


    He released a low painful groan and threw his head slightly backward.


    My eyes widened ever so slightly as they took a look at his rock-hard member. It was so impressively


    thick thatit made me doubt if boret


    was going to even fit in my hand let alone my mouth. There were blue veins that stood out, and precum leaked from its red tip.


    Okay, I admit¨D He was indeed perfect, from the top to the bottom. He was just....delicious.


    I wrapped my hands around his length before I took a breath and slowly eased him inside my mouth till the tip of his dick hit the back of my throat.


    He was salty on my tongue, and for some reason, I liked the feel of him inside my mouth. It was strangely satisfying and somewhat of a huge turn-on.


    "Oh, Evelyn," He groaned, positioning his hand on the back of my head as he began to rock back and forth.


    It was fascinating to see his


    expressions change whilst he thrust


    in and out, watching him drown in pleasure caused the heat to pool in my stomach. Pleasuring him was giving me pleasure. I didn''t have words to describe the feeling but I could say for sure, nothing could beat this for me.


    I was never the submissive type, but god, in his presence, I was more than ready to submit. He made me want to submit. Just watching him had my knees weak, and my once unyielding determination crumbled. I was willing to be whatever desired, consequences be damned. Rationality seemed irrelevant in the face of such overwhelming allure.


    ??


    Feeling confident enough that this was making him feel good, I began to bob my head up and down, taking him as much inside as I could.


    He harshly gripped a clump of my hair and began to really go deep down my throat with his steel-hard cock. I''d thought there would be some sort of pain because of his savage move but there was nothing else except for pleasure and the urge to satisfy him.


    I did not know for how minutes or even hours it went on, but I was just so down for it. Tears had gathered at the corners of my eyes but that was not because of pain.


    And I kept sucking him, teasing him, tasting him, and absolutely loving every moment, every sound that left my mouth, and every dirty thing he said whilst he kept fucking my mouth with his intense speed.


    Finally, Jacob emitted a loud pleasuring groan and he released his hot ropes of cum inside my mouth, the fluid made my mouth full and he slid out whilst I swallowed everything.


    My breaths escaped my lips in rapid pants, perfectly synchronised with his own ragged breathing. With a gentle tug, he pulled me to my feet from my kneeling position. "You were absolutely amazing,"


    Allowing myself to bask in the warmth of his embrace, I nuzzled my face against his neck, seekingfort and reassurance in his presence. Sensing my exhaustion, he noticed myck of energy. Once we both managed to catch our breath, he effortlessly lifted me and gentlyid me down on the bed, covering me with a soft nket before joining me beneath it.


    "Will you be able to sleep now, Evelyn?" he asked, his voice husky and yful as he pulled me into his arms.


    Augh bubbled up from within me, escaping through my throat, as I inhaled his intoxicating scent and pressed my nose against his warm skin. "I believe so," I replied, feeling a sense of tranquillity settle over me.


    "Goodnight," he whispered, his voice a tender caress in the darkness. With the soothing strokes of his fingers tracing my back and spine, I gradually surrendered to a deep and peaceful slumber.

 Chapter 17 The Morning After

    Chapter 17 The Morning After


    Evelyn


    I woke up to the breathtaking sight of Jacob''s face. His arm enveloped my waist, pulling me in close, our naked bodies entwined beneath the cosy nket. The sensation of our skin against each other was pure bliss.


    In the serenity of his slumber, Jacob appeared even more captivating, his features softened and peaceful. It was a view I wished I could wake up to every morning, but the reality was far from that. He and I were so close, yet we were miles apart and perhaps would have to remain that forever.


    My own troublesome thoughts began shrouding my mind right at the very fresh start of the morning.


    Did we even have a forever? Was I raising my expectations too high?


    Fuck this shit!


    I decided not to let my thoughts ruin this moment, and shrugged all of it and the notions away.


    Reaching out, I gently brushed aside a few stray strands of hair that adorned his forehead. A smile yed upon my lips as my fingers trailed down, caressing his jawline and grazing the subtle stubble.


    How could someone be so fucking pretty?


    Okay, I know "pretty" might not be the most fitting description for a rugged man like him. Yet, when it came to Jacob, I was helplessly infatuated, just like I had been since I was a kid.


    My thumb glided over his velvety lower lip on its own, eliciting a slight tensing of his muscles. The subtle movement beneath his closed eyelids hinted at the awakening of his consciousness.


    He was indeed awake but not fully yet.


    Suppressing my smile, I leaned in closer, yfully brushing my lips against his.


    Finally, he made a move.


    His hand shifted to my lower hip and he pulled me closer until there was practically no distance left between us. A soft gasp escaped my lips involuntarily as I could feel his arousal pressing against my thigh.


    So the morning wood thing is real. Noted.


    "It''s not very kind to tease a man who''s still asleep," he murmured, his eyes gradually opening. As his gaze met mine, a surge of butterflies erupted in my stomach, sending tingles throughout my body.


    Before I could react, Jacob shifted down, nestling his head in the curve of my neck, inhaling my scent deeply. His hands wrapped around my hips, his warm breath caressing my skin and causing goosebumps to form all over.


    Yet, despite the overwhelming sensations, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I found myself threading my fingers through his hair, gently massaging his scalp. "So, what are you going to do about it? Because I have a feeling I''ll take advantage of every opportunity."


    He chuckled softly, his voice husky. "There''s not much I can do to punish such a beautiful woman, but I can think of plenty of other options that I would much prefer."


    "And what are they?"


    "Perhaps, I''d eat you out till you faint," His blunt statement caught me off-guard but from the smirk that tugged at his lips, I knew he was not done yet and my assumption came true when he pushed me on my back and hovered me, the nket thankfully still covering half of our bodies.


    "Or even better if I....fuck you in all holes." He whispered, leaning closer to my ear.


    Heat surged to my cheeks, and a whirlwind of sensations twisted in the depths of my being. The seriousness in his tone sent an electric current coursing through me, awakening a kaleidoscope of desires.


    Holy shit!


    "Which option would you choose, Evelyn? Being filled in all holes or have me eat your sweet pussy till you lose even thest bit of consciousness?" He grabbed my jaw and looked at me with his enchanting green eyes.


    I did not know what to say.


    Damn! How could I focus on anything else, or even the voices in my own head, when Jacob''s face loomed so close, his lips mere inches away from mine?


    He was just too...addicting.


    "How about you kiss me good morning and then we decide?" I finally spoke.


    A smile spread on his lips, "That was smooth...." Without further ado, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine, sealing them in a deep passionate kiss. His tongue thrust into my mouth and he ravished me.


    I could do this my whole life, just keep him, me and this moment on a never-ending loop and I''m sure I''d never ever get bored of it.


    As we both parted because of the need for air, it would be a lie to say that we both didn''t have the same bright smiles spread on our faces.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "We should get ready and head downstairs because if your dad and ra see us like this, I think that''s going to be a huge problem," He spoke, a small chuckle slipping past his lips.


    "Maybe we can stay like this for a bit more...." I pulled him close, wrapping my hands around his neck and pressing my forehead against his one as I closed my eyes.


    Amidst the multitude of emotions that stirred awake within me in Jacob''s presence, there was one that stood out-peace. His mere existence brought a soothing calmness to my soul. He was my peace-a whole new world for me.


    As Jacob let out a gentle sigh, I sensed his body also easing into rxation. "I don''t understand what you are doing to me...Evelyn."


    "Me neither," I breathed out.


    I couldn''t help but agree With Jacob it all felt so right but....it was wrong at the same time.


    *******


    Three shouts buzzed throughout my room, torturing my poor eardrums and ruining the calm atmosphere.


    "So you and Jacob had sex the entire night?"


    "Are you fucking serious right now?! You have finally given your V-Card?"


    "So, you are officially living an adventurous life from now on."


    One from Jennie, One from Nancy and One from Mason- three thirsty dogs to say short.


    And guess where all these assumptions came from? Just by hearing me say that I was in Jacob''s room for the night.


    "Guys, don''t shout," I cringed, making a lowering motion with my hands, "And no, we haven''t fucked. Just because we spent a night together does not mean we had sex. Get your mind out of the gutter."


    "Oh shut the fuck up! You both spent


    the whole night together and you want us to believe that nothing happened between you two? Do we look that stupid Evelyn?" Jennie pped my arm causing a winch to slip past my lips and my hand


    moved to rub the spot. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Not just the night, they were alone in the mansion for the whole day," Mason added, "Don''t forget that point."


    "Right! Now you tell us or we get our ways to make you spill out the truth." Nancy threatened.


    "Well..I did not say that nothing happened between us at all...." I trailed off.


    Their eyes lit up in curiosity.


    "Then what happened?" Jennie sat close to me, seeming as excited as kids when they are told that they''d get to hear an intriguing story.


    "We did pretty much everything except for sex," I said, a blush covering my face on its own.


    "Pretty much everything?" Slight


    confusion took over Mason''s


    expression but it was gone soon as


    it appeared, "Oh my god! Jacob


    Adriano ate you out?! And...and You gave him a blow-job?!" His loyd voice was draped with sheer excitement.


    Mortified of the chances of someone hearing our conversation where Mason beside me was certainly shouting like a mad monkey, I hurriedly covered his mouth with my hand.


    "The next time you decide to shout like this, I am gonna chop off your balls and feed them to the dogs!"


    A frown settled between his brows and he removed my hand from his mouth.


    However, I couldn''t spare any reaction to him because Nancy and Jennie''s shouts were the next thing to echo across the room.


    "Oh my god! You got your pussy eaten!" They both eximed together, "You let him fuck your mouth!"


    Oh no!


    "Guys stop it!" I shouted, my eyes wide in horror.


    Despite the fact, the door and windows were locked, with their loud dog-like screams I was so sure that anyone passing by could hear them and that was thest thing I wanted.


    "Shut up. What do you expect us to do when you have given us such great news? I feel like dancing right now. Your virgin ass is finally going to have some fun." Nancy said.


    "But if you all keep shouting like this,


    I am sure everything will be put to an


    ve


    end before I can getid. Because Jacob is my not-so-same-age fling, and the thing that is worth mentioning- He''s my dad''s best friend." I put it all together.


    Thankfully the realisation passed through their eyes.


    "Oh no, we don''t want that. At least you need to get rid of your V-card," Jennie added hurriedly, her voice a lot lower than the previous times.


    "Yeah," Nancy nodded in agreement and Mason soon followed by emitting a sigh.


    "Thanks for deciding to use your brains, now please allow me to get ready because I need to join everyone at the breakfast table and yeah, you all need to be there too." I stood up and walked into the closet.

 Chapter 18 Not A Good Morning

    Chapter 18 Not A Good Morning


    Evelyn


    When I descended the stairs, little did I know that my entire morning was about to be ruined.


    Amongst ra, my dad, and Jacob, my eyes were immediately drawn to the presence of Gloria-the painfully unpleasant woman. And to make matters worse, she was seated right beside Jacob. What intensified my burning jealousy was witnessing Jacob engaging in afortable conversation with her, just as my dad and ra were.


    What in the world was wrong with that man?


    "Evelyn, try not to re at him as if you''re plotting to extract his kidneys," Mason''s voice whispered in my ear, his tone low. "Trust me, you don''t want anyone to catch on to your jealousy."


    "Why the fuck he is talking to her? What''s he trying to do? Let her suck his dick?!" I whisper-yelled, my eyes did not move an inch from the scene. "How would I know? I can''tprehend the thought process of straight men," he shrugged, nonchntly.


    "Evie, it''s possible that he''s simply trying to avoid awkwardness. After all, he can''t just curse and shout at her with so many people around. She''s also a guest, and he probably doesn''t want to ruin the situation," Nancy reasoned, "Just try to calm down."


    "I don''t give a damn. I don''t want to see that woman anywhere near him," I seethed through gritted teeth.


    "Don''t be so possessive, naughty girl," Jennie purred.


    "Yeah, have some faith in your uncle," Mason chimed in.


    Uncle? What the hell?!


    "What did you just say?" My jaw clenched, and my hands clenched into fists by my sides. I was ready to strike him at any moment.


    He nced at my clenched fists, a sheepish smile appearing on his lips. "Uh...never mind."


    "You better not say anything!" I nearly shouted, but my attention quickly turned to Gloria, who seemed to be shamelessly ogling Jacob''s tattoo. "That damn woman! Her entire existence revolves around sex!"


    "And yours seems to revolve around Jacob Adriano," Mason whistled softly.


    This idiot.....


    "You dickhead! Shut the hell up, will you?!"


    "Okay, fine. Don''t scream like a rabid dog," he retorted, his brows furrowed.


    I was on my way to yell again when I got interrupted by Nancy.


    "Guys, calm down." Nancy cringed, making a lowering motion with his hands, "What y''all tryna do? Do you want them to hear us?" Oops!


    She was right.


    I was going to be in great misery if my dad or ra happened to hear me.


    Just as ra''s voice interrupted my train of thought, she called out, "Evelyn, what are you all doing? Come over here."


    I could feel Jacob''s piercing green gaze on me, but I purposely ignored him and forced a smile on my face as I walked closer to the table. Mason, Jennie, and Nancy followed suit.


    "How do you manage your business in Italy so sessfully while spending most of your time here?" Gloria''s question to Jacob reached my ears as I approached the table.


    That bitch surelyckedmon sense.


    "Well...we all find our own bnce," Jacob replied, a hint of difort evident in his voice, though it did little to quell my anger.


    I was livid. Jealousy coursed through me like moltenva.


    My jaw clenched involuntarily. "Actually, something has ruined my appetite, ra. You all enjoy your breakfast-I''ll pass."


    "What? Are you feeling okay?" ra asked immediately.


    "What happened?" My dad set his coffee mug down, his smile fading as worry reced it. "Are you not feeling well?"


    "Dad, I''m fine," I sighed, my anger dissipating almost instantly when I saw his expression. "I just don''t feel like eating today."


    "Then you''re not allowed to leave without having breakfast. Sit," he insisted, furrowing his brow and motioning for me to take a seat. "But, D-Dad..."


    "No ''buts,'' Evelyn," he interrupted firmly. "You''re not getting away with this. Sit down."


    The entire time, Jacob silently watched me, seemingly aware of the reason behind my reaction.


    "But..."


    "By the way, Mason, Nancy, and Jennie, why don''t you take a seat? Your friend''s drama will y out for a few minutes, so you can enjoy your breakfast," Dad dismissed me.


    Frustration reddened my face. "Why do you always treat me like a child?!"


    "Because you are a child. A driver''s licence and a bit of extra height don''t make you any different to me. You''ll always be my little clingy Evelyn," Dad took a casual sip of his coffee, embarrassing me without a care.


    ra stifled a chuckle, and it was clear that everyone else was struggling to hold back theirughter. As for that wretched Gloria, she continued her futile attempts to gain Jacob''s attention, asking him trivial questions she likely wouldn''t get answered.


    "Dad, you..." I began, my voiceced with a threat.


    However, I couldn''t finish my sentence as the devil himself decided to interrupt.


    "Evelyn, why don''t you just have a seat and let''s see what we can do to improve your mood?"


    A shiver ran down my spine involuntarily, and my gaze locked with his.


    His expression was a mix of amusement and incredulity.


    "I don''t think anything can make it better," I fought the urge to shoot him a death re.


    "We''ll see about that," he shed me a knowing smile. "Now, would you mind taking a seat?" His hand lightly patted the chair to his left.


    My body acted before my mind could catch up, and I found myself sitting on the chair beside him. The fact that Gloria, that detestable woman, was still here bothered me.


    "Wow! That was surprising," ra chuckled. "I didn''t think you''d listen to anyone, but thanks to Jacob."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    "Yeah, it''s actually surprising that Evelyn is bothering to listen to somebody," Dad remarked, confusion flickering across his face before it morphed into something else.


    "The pleasure is all mine," a smirk tugged at the corner of Jacob''s lips.


    "Thank God, I was starving," Mason eximed, already devouring his toast as he sat down.


    "You''re always starving," Nancyughed, joining Jennie in taking a seat.


    Moments passed, and everyone got absorbed in their own conversations while I attempted to channel my anger into the food in my mouth, chewing as forcefully as possible.


    Suddenly, I felt a familiar hand on my thigh, his fingers grazing my skin ever so slightly as he casually sipped his coffee.


    My gaze shot toward him, but he didn''t spare me a nce, as if he wasn''t even aware of his hand''s actions under the table.


    I wanted to shout at him, but s, I couldn''t. So, I reached my hand below the table, attempting to remove his hand from my thigh, only for his grip to tighten.


    And amidst it all, something fortunate happened.


    Gloria''s phone rang, and she had to step away to take the call.


    "Yes, baby, just a moment. I''ll Face Time you right now," speaking into her phone and grabbing her juice ss, she excused herself and left the dining hall.


    Secondster, Jacob subtly moved his chair closer to mine, a clever and unnoticed manoeuvre.


    Dad and ra discussed party arrangements, while my friends, true to their nature, busied themselves with discussions about their outfits.


    "Can you tell me what made you so angry?" Jacob''s whisper sent a sudden dryness down my throat.


    "You...you act like you know nothing."


    "It''s always a pleasure to hear something from the beautiful mouth that can do wonders," he said, his smirk widening.


    I fought back a blush.


    "Your dearest Gloria seems willing to do you those favours," I said, shing him a smile that conveyed my true thoughts: ''Fuck off.''


    "So, someone''s jealous," A low chuckle slipped past his lips and he travelled his hands upwards, reaching closer to my pussy over the denim shorts I was wearing.


    Shit, he was going to y it dirty.


    "I find it surprising that you have the


    time to notice my mere jealousy when all of your attention was on Miss Gloria," I looked at him faking a


    surprised expression, "Whata


    wonder!"


    "I am confident that you know I am aware of where my attention should be," He whispered and pressed his hand against my folds over my shorts, "And that''s here."


    I nearly choked on the gasp and I cleared my throat to avoid coughing like an olddy.


    "Evelyn, are you okay?" ra asked me. Dad''s stare shifted at me too.


    "Y-yeah, I am okay," I shifted on my seat, trying to remove Jacob''s hand but he didn''t budge.


    Thankfully none of them asked any further questions and their attention slowly drifted away. "Get your hand off of me," I spoke through gritted teeth, somewhat careful not to speak out loud.


    If anything my reaction did, was-Increase the amusement dancing in his orbs.


    "Not happening," He smirked, taking a sip of the coffee and letting out a


    sigh of


    presatisfaction. He added more


    pressure and magically it directlynded on my sensitive clit


    God damn it!


    "You don''t get to touch me after I spotted you enjoying talking to that bitch who tried to hit on you multiple times, "I finally moved his hand away,


    "I only talked to her briefly, it wouldn''t have looked right to ignore her." He grabbed my hand.


    "You should be thanking god that


    she didn''t decide to take advantage of that fucking ''brief talk'' because she could have just dragged you to her room and raped you," I red at him, "Oh, actually not. You certainly would love getting raped by her."


    "Rape? Are you serious, Evelyn?" Heughed, trying to hide his mouth behind his fist, "I can''t believe you."


    "This looks funny to you, huh?" A scowl settled on my face, "You know what? Why don''t you just go and fuck that Gloria? I am done."


    I stood up from my chair, "I am done, I''ll go to my room right now."


    "No, youngdy. You are not allowed to leave unless you finish that toast." As expected Dad said.


    "God! I swear, you can be so annoying sometimes," I grabbed the avocado toast from the te, "Here, I''m taking your precious jewel. I''ll eat it in my


    room. Now, spare me."


    With that, I walked out of the dining room and headed upstairs, not bothering to spare another nce at Jacob.

 Chapter 19 Innocent Demand

    Chapter 19 Innocent Demand


    Evelyn


    For the past fifteen minutes, I had been pacing back and forth in my room, unable to find peace. Frustration gnawed at me, and I found myself hurling onto the bed, only to bounce up momentster without reason.


    I was so out of my mind-it was in chaos.


    "Stupid jerk," I muttered on my own shifting on the bed and grabbing a book to distract myself


    However, his handsome face kept invading my thoughts relentlessly, shattering my attempts to keep my thoughts together in the most gruesome way possible.


    Why did he need to be so irresistible for no goddamn reason?! Fuck that, what the hell I was so infatuated with him?!


    I was trapped in this weird state, consumed by burning jealousy that was not giving me any mercy. I was so fucking doomed


    Suddenly, my thoughts were abruptly halted by a violent knocking on the door, breaking the silence like a thunderp.


    I sighed irritably, reluctantly leaving thefort of the bed to approach the door.


    I was fairly certain it couldn''t be Jacob; he was too clever to make any move in daylight that would raise suspicion. Besides, he wasn''t as obsessed with me as I was with him.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    As I swung the door open, preparing to unleash my exasperation, a gasp escaped my lips. Jacob stood before me, his fiery gaze piercing mine. Well, maybe I was not that good at reading him- he was here, right at my door.


    What the hell? My guesses had never been proved wrong before.


    The fiery stare of his eyes burned into my gaze that smouldered.


    "What are you doing he¡ª" I started, but my words trailed off as he forcefully pushed me inside the room and mmed the door shut behind him. The words died on the tip of my tongue as if they never existed in the first ce.


    He appeared furious, yet I couldn''t deny that it only made him look more sexy.


    Get a grip, Evelyn! You can''t let his good looks sway you every time!


    "Excuse me, but this is my room, and you''re not allowed to-" My protest was cut short as his hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer.


    My chest collided with his, our bodies pressing against each other, and a low hiss escaped my lips. Not in pain, but in response to the sudden proximity.


    Okay, this felt good. Kind of enough to make me want to forget my anger.


    "Do you have any idea how difficult it was to find the right moment to slip away from the gathering? To avoid raising suspicion that could jeopardize both of us ande here to confront your stubborn attitude?" he growled. "Do you have any fucking idea?"


    "Um... no," I stammered, confused about the point he was trying to make. "So?"


    But who could me me? Every time I encountered Jacob Adriano, my senses would simply take a leave.


    The next thing I registered was being lifted by my thighs andnded on my back on the bed with a thud, whilst he hovered over me.


    I nearly screamed in shock, "Are you out of your mind? You could have broken my bed!"


    "Yes, I''ve lost my mind, and I''m certain that myck of restraint desires nothing more than to whip you into shape," he whispered against my lips. A surge of desire coursed through me, setting my skin aze, and a peculiar sensation ignited in the pit of my stomach, spreading like wildfire, "Besides, this isn''t how I would break your bed. I have far more interesting ns in mind, baby."


    His hands released my thighs and travelled upwards, intertwining his fingers with mine. He pulled my hands over my head, securing them in his grasp.


    A shiver ran down my spine. The position I was in, with my legs spread and his hips pressed against mine to the point where I could feel Jacob''s bulge pressing right against my moistened centre whilst my hands were locked leaving me unable to do anything, surely wasn''t one of the most usual ones for me. It felt scandalizing but I kind of liked it.


    I felt so vulnerable under his intense gaze. All my arrogance and anger seemed to melt away.


    "It was your fault. You ruined my mood by talking to that bitch," My lips puckered, and a frown settled between my brows on its own.


    "I''ve encountered my fair share of women, Evelyn, but you are by far the most difficult one I have evere across," he sighed. "You must know that I didn''t want to cause a scene After all, who would even be interested in her? She makes advances on every man she meets. So why do you persist in being so stubborn?"


    "So are you trying to say, you still wouldn''t have any interest in her even if she can give you the best blowjob of your life?" "Nope," He tsked, "I''d rather have your plump lips around my dick."


    A blush crept up my cheeks upon his blunt statement.


    "What if she is willing to let you fuck her anywhere?"


    "I don''t go for easy women, Evelyn," He whispered, like things that are interesting. Chase thrills me, it bes my desire, my possession." His lips brushed against mine as he spoke causing a fire to erupt in my body,


    "And..nothing can be more


    ??? ????


    interesting than you for me, Evelyn. I


    find everything in you, all at once."


    I was on the verge of melting right there, my mind going nk as all I wanted was to pull him closer and savour every inch of his mouth. The intense desire was overpowering. However, the adamant bitch inside of me was not done yet. She refused to back down.


    "Huh, I''m not being stubborn," I retorted, unwilling to ept my own fault.


    A low snicker escaped his lips as he moved closer, using his nose to nudge aside a strand of my hair. "Yes, you are," he said, his voice filled with amusement. "In fact, you''re being incredibly feisty. And I can''t quite decide whether I want to punish you or pleasure you. Damn it, you''re driving me insane."


    His lips met my jaw, leaving a trail of teasing kisses along my neck. I struggled to free my hands, but he held them firmly, radiating dominance.


    My back arched involuntarily as a tingling sensation spread throughout my body, and a raspy breath escaped my lips.


    Oh god, he was driving me crazy already.


    It was a battle to resist the overwhelming desire when every fibre of my being longed for Jacob to ravish me then and there.


    "But... you need to make up for your mistake," I finally managed to utter.


    He paused, his movements freezing upon my statement, and he raised himself to look at me.


    "Mistake?" he arched an eyebrow, his tongue sweeping over his bottom lip as he studied me with curiosity, "Care to borate?"


    His aura was intimidating, yet strangely, I found myself drawn to it.


    "You made me upset," I admitted, my voice tinged with vulnerability.


    He let out a chuckle in response, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, that''s certainly an interesting reason."


    Of course, I knew it sounded foolish, but it was the only justification I coulde up with.


    "Perhaps, but it''s still a reason. So now, you need to make it up to me," I stammered, determined to stand my ground, "I am not going to let it slide so easily."


    "Okay," he nodded, a hint of mischief in his eyes as he leaned closer to my face, his warm breath caressing my skin, ¡°Tell me, what do I have to do?" A victorious smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "Take me on a long drive tonight."

 Chapter 20 Cant Get Enough

    Chapter 20 Can''t Get Enough


    Evelyn


    Slipping into a pair of sleek ck denim shorts, a fiery red crop top, and crisp white sneakers, I tiptoed out of my room, defying my natural clumsiness. Each step I took was a silent ballet, a delicate dance of caution.


    Finally, I emerged from the mansion''s confines, and there it was: Jacob''s car, parked in the driveway like a beacon of anticipation. The headlights glowed, a signal that he was waiting for me.


    A smile automatically spread across my lips, and I dashed toward his car, feeling like a silly kid. The excitement I felt was indescribable. It puzzled me why something as simple as going out at night, which I had done countless times before, now felt so different.


    The reason was Jacob.


    As I neared the car, he opened the door from the inside, shing me a grin. "Get in."


    "I didn''t think you''d be so punctual," Imented, climbing into his sleek Benz and closing the door with a thud.


    The ck vehicle was simply breathtaking, but then again, when you''ve spent over a quarter of a million on a car, it''s almost impossible not to be fascinated.


    "Being punctual is important," he said, leaning in to fasten my seatbelt, a detail I hadn''t deemed necessary. "Especially for men. Otherwise, idents can happen."


    "idents?" I asked, puzzled. But then, as his smirk became evident and he pulled away, the meaning behind his words became clear.


    "Such a dog," I chuckled, yfully hitting his bicep, making sure not to hurt myself against his steel-like muscles.


    "Ouch, that hurt," he hissed, his acting skillsmendable, yet not enough to deceive me entirely.


    "Oh, shut up! Those biceps could easily be mistaken for rocks," I scoffed. "It would take a hundred Evelyns to actually cause any damage to you." "If executed precisely, only one could be enough, Evelyn," he said, his voice dropping a few octaves as he started the car and elerated onto the open road. "Anyway, tell me where you''d like to go?"


    My mind barely registered his question, fixating instead on the first part of his statement.


    Confusion washed over me, and I blinked several times, trying to grasp the underlying meaning behind his words. There was definitely more to what he said than met the eye.


    I unbuckled my seatbelt and set my phone aside.


    "What are you doing?" he nced at me, a mix of curiosity and perplexity in his eyes.


    Without uttering a word, I moved closer to him, manoeuvring myself onto hisp. He made room for me by shifting his left hand behind my waist and gripping the steering wheel with his other hand. Finally, I settledfortably, cing my legs on the seat I had previously upied and wrapping my arms around his neck.


    This was far more enjoyable than the boring seat.


    "Now you know what I was up to," I whispered, nting a gentle kiss on his lips.


    "This isn''t the safest way to drive, I must admit," he chuckled. "But I can''t reallyin."


    Okay, his mood had improved. That''s exactly what I wanted.


    No, I didn''t have any intention of questioning him about why he had suddenly seemed distant. Thest thing I wanted was to ruin this beautiful moment we were sharing.


    "You''re cute," I couldn''t contain my smile, cing another peck on his lips, and then another.


    "You know, it''s not quite fair-first, you called me a dog, then you hit me, and now you''re calling me cute," his face disyed a hint of distaste as he mentioned the word ''cute.'' "You''re being unfair."


    "Wait, you consider ''cute'' as an insult?" I gazed at him, disbelief evident in my eyes.


    "Yeah," he shrugged. "It''s not exactly the kind ofpliment most men appreciate."


    "Oh, really?" I had to stifle myughter at this point; he was truly something else. "Then what kind ofpliment would you prefer to hear?"


    "Anything else, just not that particr word," he replied, his eyes focused on the road ahead as he concentrated on driving.


    I had to admit, this man was devilishly handsome. His light stubble, captivating green eyes, a jawline that could cut ss, and those lips... Goodness! Just the sight of him could set my heart racing within a second.


    "How about Ie up with a


    I


    I


    nickname for you?" A mischievous idea popped into my head, and I traced my nail along his jawline before moving down to his chest, feeling the fabric beneath my touch. "Would you prefer that?"


    "What is it?" he cleared his throat, his body tensing under my touch.


    The blue veins on his arms and neck stood out momentarily, momentarily capturing my attention. However, my n went beyond mere seduction.


    "I have a few options for you-Dog, Cat, Monkey, Gori, Zebra, Crocodile, Hippo. You can choose any of these to be your nickname," I blurted out. His gaze snapped to me instantly, and his expression said the words he hadn''t yet uttered-What the hell?


    "Are you fucking kidding me right now?" As expected, he asked me in disbelief.


    Don''tugh, Evelyn. Hold on to it for a bit longer.


    "Why? They''re such lovely names," I feigned innocence and pouted. "You don''t like them?"


    "I don''t think any sane person would ever appreciate those," he scoffed.


    I had to bite my lower lip to suppress theughter that threatened to escape. I wanted to y along and tease Jacob a little longer, but it seemed that wasn''t going to be possible


    "After presenting me with such utterly ridiculous nicknames, now you find it amusing. Incredible!" His jaw tensed, and his gaze hardened.


    That was it. I couldn''t contain myughter any longer. It burst out of me, and I covered my mouth as I did so.


    Jacob''s reaction was priceless. It was astonishing how easily I could get under this grown man''s skin.


    "Okay, I''m sorry," I managed to say amidst myughter, nting a kiss on his cheek. "I couldn''t resist." "Apology not epted," he dered curtly.


    "Why?" I furrowed my brow, a puzzled expression on my face.


    "You know why," he replied.


    "No, I don''t," I chuckled. "Tell me."


    He remained silent, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. He was clearly irritated, but for some reason, I found it incredibly attractive.


    Perhaps I was out of my mind, but I simply didn''t care.


    "Actually, you''re right. None of those


    names suits you," I trailed off,


    brushing my thumb against his bottom lip before leaning closer to his ear. A wild and fiercely reckless man like you can''t fit into those categories..." I brushed my lips against his earlobe, feeling his grip tighten around my waist and his nails digging into my skin. Content


    belongs to


    "Tiger... that''s more like it," I whispered, moving to look at him and leaning closer to his face until our lips touched. "And I would very much love to let this beast ravish me."


    A low growl rumbled in his chest, and he moved his hand from my waist to grab a fistful of my hair, crushing his lips onto mine. He thrust his tongue into my mouth, exploring every corner. He tilted my head for better ess, and our tongues danced in a passionate frenzy.


    I could feel the speed of the car increasing rapidly with each passing second, yet there was no fear. I fucking loved the way he felt against me, the warmth of his scent, and the sensual touch that drove me wild.


    We finally parted once out of breath, his chest heavily rose and fell as he stared at my swollen lips before his eyes moved to look into mine.


    "You know.....kissing and driving at the same time is not the safest thing to do," I breathed out, still short of breath after the kiss.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "I don''t give a fuck about what''s safe or not," He chuckled, huskily, "If I had really cared, you wouldn''t have been here with me now."


    "Right....."


    Making the choice to take out his best friend''s daughterte at night, without anyone''s knowledge, was far from wise, especially considering the unconventional nature of our rtionship.


    I mean, let''s be realistic here, it''s not exactlymon for a girl to develop romantic feelings for her own father''s best friend, is it?


    "Now tell me where are we going?" I smiled, tracing his stubble, "It should be somewhere interesting."


    "Your wish, mymand." He leaned closer and pressed his lips to mine once again.

 Chapter 21 Kisses & Promises

    Chapter 21 Kisses & Promises


    Evelyn


    "You''re thoughtful," I remarked, my gaze fixed on Jacob whoy beside me.


    "I don''t deserve all the credit," he replied, adjusting his position by propping his head on his arm, "Most people know beaches look even better at night. The sea''s beauty is unmatched."


    A smile appeared on my lips, for reasons unknown.


    This moment with Jacob was beautiful. Our fingers intertwined, his eyes meeting mine, our breathing in sync, and the sky blending into the endless blue sea.


    The gentle waves brushed against our feet, filling me with bliss.


    "Not everyone," I sighed, gazing at the star-filled sky, like a magnificent, glittering veil. "Many fail to see its magnificence, finding it boring."


    He remained silent, his eyes fixed on me.


    I pulled Jacob''s hand closer, tracing my fingers over its back as I admired the sky.


    "Tell me something, Jacob," I turned my head to face him, "How many rtionships have you had?"


    A flicker passed through his eyes, a hint of hesitation evident. He seemed slightly ufortable.


    "It''s okay if you don''t want to talk about--" I couldn''t finish my sentence because he spoke up.


    "Not many," he sighed, "I never really sought long-termmitments. Most of the time, it was more casual. Though I did have a few rtionships in the past."


    "How did they end? On a good note or..." I left the question hanging, letting him fill in the rest.


    "Mutually," he responded, "There were no strings attached, so it was always easy to break free and move on."


    "This is why you don''t want to settle down?" I asked, intrigued. "Did you fear it would restrict your freedom?


    "Not really. We all have our reasons, some of which we prefer to keep hidden," he said, his voice softening. "My life has beenplicated, Evelyn. I didn''t want furtherplications. That''s why I chose to live this way."


    "So, that''s why you''re not married? Because you don''t want a conventional rtionship?" I probed.


    "Kind of, yes," he admitted. "And I believe it was the right choice. There''s nothing inherently special about it. You fall in love, spend more and more time together, expectations rise, your life revolves around your partner, and eventually, love fades¡ªeither from one side or both. It''s all just a temporary attraction, a trap."


    His belief actually surprised me, revealing that there were hidden depths beneath his exterior. I realised that there might be mysteries, secrets, or perhaps even traumas he carried within. Unlike me, he was not an open book, there was so much yet to unfold.


    I hadn''t heard such a range of emotions in his voice before.


    "You''re right, but there''s another side to the story," I began, "It''s true that love can sometimes fade between two people. But have you ever considered the bright side? The part where you learn to heal, live for yourself, and discover a new purpose?" I smiled gently, "Take my dad as an example. When my mother left him, he was devastated. His smiles were rare. But as time went on, he transformed. And you know what? My dad often tells me that I''m his reason for living, and I never doubt it because I''ve seen how much I mean to him. He found his happiness in me. And now that ra hase into our lives, everything is even better than before. She loves my dad unconditionally, ws and all, and cares for me as if I were her own daughter. My dad has never been happier."


    He simply looked at me, his gaze searching and contemtive.


    "So, just because love failed us once doesn''t mean it will always be that way," I smiled, "Life has so much more to offer if we''re willing to embrace it." I leaned closer, pressing my forehead against his.


    I closed my eyes, basking in his warmth. Shortly after, I felt him close his eyes too. "Will you tell me something, Jacob?" I asked.


    He hummed softly, his nose gently brushing against mine.


    "Do you think a rtionship wouldplicate your life, or is it love itself that scares you?"


    He remained silent. Yet, in his silence and the soft sigh that escaped his lips, I found my answer.


    It was love.


    Pulling back slightly, I lifted my hand to caress his cheek, tracing his stubble with my thumb. "Have you ever been in love before?" I inquired, searching his eyes. The brilliant green in them could rival the beauty of the sea.


    Nheless, I couldn''t shake the feeling that there was something about Jacob that I didn''t know.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Jacob''s silence this time felt different, devoid of any hidden answers. Suddenly, he appeared less rxed and carefree. His body tensed, and his breathing grew heavier.


    "You don''t need to tell me now," I reassured him, offering a gentle smile as I nted a light, tender kiss on his lips. "Just give me your answer whenever you feel ready."


    He nodded, exhaling softly as the tension in his muscles slowly subsided.


    A few moments passed in silence, neither of us speaking. Sensing Jacob''s impending question, I anticipated it and shifted my position, straddling him.


    I took hold of his hands, guiding them to rest on my hips, knowing that it was his favourite ce.


    I leaned closer to his face, my


    fingers curling around the fabric of


    his t-shirt, and our lips met, closing the distance between us. A warmth spread through me as our lips moulded together and he slid his hands down to cup my butt as he pulled me more into him Content


    belongs to


    He licked the seam of my lips, demanding entrance and once I allowed him, he thrust his tongue into my mouth. The kiss began getting heated, and a ze passed through both of our bodies.


    Once we parted our lips, Jacob sat up. He pressed his lips against my neck, assaulting it with hot and heavy kisses; He grazed his teeth against a particr spot of my neck and it made a moan rip through my throat.


    His hand slipped inside my crop top and he cupped my breast over my bra. I threw my head backwards, and a quivering breath left my mouth as he tortured me with his slownguid kisses.


    His other hand moved to grab my throat, and he pulled me close so that he could devour my lips once again. I gasped into his mouth when he squeezed my butt.


    "You are very fragile," He spoke against my lips once he finally broke the kiss. His breathing was surprisingly calmpared to my erratic one. He had left me breathless.


    "Not as much as you think," I replied, my breath uneven as a chuckle escaped his lips.


    "Perhaps," he nodded, attempting to hide a smile, "You might be even more fragile than I presumed."


    A frown formed between my brows, but I struggled to find the right words to counter his assumption.


    "We should probably go, my love," he chuckled, his fingers gently stroking my cheek, "We can''t afford to raise any suspicions."


    Although I wanted to linger a little longer, I couldn''t deny the logic in his words.


    "Yes," I nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.


    "Let''s get moving, then," he smiled, preparing to rise.


    But my hands instinctively gripped his t-shirt, halting his movement.


    I wavered, struggling to vocalise the words that lingered on the tip of my tongue, desperately trying to push them out.


    "Is something wrong?" he noticed my hesitation.


    "Um... actually," I took a deep breath, "Nevermind, we should just go."


    As I tried to rise, it was his turn to stop me: Jacob''s firm grip on my waist halted my movement. He held me in ce, determination etched on his


    face.


    "No, tell me," he demanded, his voice leaving no room for evasion.


    Don''t embarrass yourself, Evelyn. Just say it.


    "Well, you and I, neither of us know how things between us will unfold or how long they''llst," I began, my words cautious, "Perhaps, after my dad''s wedding, we may not even see each other. You might be engrossed in your business, maybe even go abroad, and I might find distractions of my own. But..." I hesitated for a moment, exhaling a small breath.


    "But?" he prompted, his voice softer than ever, and his eyes filled with an enigmatic gaze.


    "For the time being as we stay here together. In the remaining few days, I want it to be us. Just us. No other woman should be involved," I expressed, gathering my thoughts. "These experiences I''m having with you, Jacob, arepletely new to me. It''s truly my choice to share my firsts with you. I enjoy yourpany. I know our affair is morally wrong, but I can''t deny how much I care about you and I don''t give a fuck about the wrong and right. I don''t know what the future holds for us, if it will end badly or perhaps end for good. But regardless of that... I simply want it


    to be you and me, as long as we''re together. If it''s too much to ask,


    please let me know, and I''ll|--"


    "It''s not too much to ask," he interrupted, his hands gently cupping my face. "I''m yours for as long as you want me." His intense gaze locked with mine, causing my heart to race.


    I sat stunned for a moment, while gigantic fireworks exploded inside me, filling me with giddy excitement.


    "And, Evelyn," his words brought me back to reality, "there won''t be any other woman. It will only ever be you." With that, he pressed his lips against


    mine.

 Chapter 22 Two Types Of Tension

    Chapter 22 Two Types Of Tension


    Evelyn


    "So...ra, can I ask you something?"


    "Oh, since when did you start acting so formal?" She burst intoughter. "What happened? Do you have a fever or something?"


    I sighed, feigning sadness. "I don''t get you or Dad. Even when I try to be nice, it''s always a problem."


    "Enough, drama queen," ra chuckled. "Ask me what you want to know."


    A smile tugged at my lips as I leaned in, adjusting my chair to ensure she heard me clearly. "By any chance, do you think Jacob has been through a heartbreak or something?"


    "What?" Confusion etched upon her face, "Where''s thising from?"


    "I am just curious, you know," I tried to keep my curiosity subtle.


    "And why are you suddenly curious?" She asked skeptically.


    "Well, it''s just that he sometimes seems like a lone soul," Iughed, though it came out sounding nervous. "So, I got curious."


    She paused for a moment, as if recollecting her memories in one ce. "I''m not entirely sure, but I heard from your Dad that he had a serious rtionship in the past. After it ended on a bad note, he never pursued rtionships again."


    "What else do you know?"


    "That''s all I know. Every time I asked your Dad, he said it''s a long story," She shrugged. "Besides, this wedding is the only event where I''ve seen Jacob, so I haven''t had the curiosity to pester Samuel further. Although hearing a little story would have been interesting, you know, your dad can be so boring sometimes."


    "Oh, I see," I replied before shifting my focus back to the te full of pancakes drowning in chocte syrup that ra had made for me.


    So...Jacob went through a heartbreak.


    A few minutes passed as I delved deeper into my thoughts. Suddenly, the sound of the chair beside me being pulled interrupted my contemtion. "Hello,dies," Jacob''s face greeted my view as he sat beside me; Dad followed suit, taking the chair beside ra across from us.


    "I must say, you look in a really good mood today." There was a hint of suspicion in his voice, causing me to drop my fork onto the te.


    "Dad, what''s wrong with you? If I''m in a bad mood, you have a problem, and if I''m not in a good mood, you still have a problem!"


    "No, my problem is that you''ve started having these odd mood swings all of a sudden." He quirked an eyebrow. "Is this about any guy?"


    My cheeks burned red, and my eyes widened in shock. "Dad!" Disbelief screamed through my voice.


    "What? I was just asking," he shrugged nonchntly.


    From the corner of my eye, I could see Jacob trying to hide hisughter behind his hand. Well, of course, he would find it amusing because he knew the truth, and he also knew that I couldn''t tell Dad the truth.


    "Why don''t you just keep your stupid questions to yourself?"


    "I have the right to know what''s going on with my daughter," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "It''s my moral right."


    ra burst outughing, and I had to wrestle the smile that fought to curve on my lips.


    Dad was too cute, but that didn''t mean his suspicion wasn''t a risk. If he started bing observant, both Jacob and I would be in deep trouble. "Nothing is going on. I just had a good sleep. That''s it!" I emphasised, hoping to end the conversation.


    "That''s convincing, but still not enough."


    "Then I don''t care! Just let me have my pancakes, I''m hungry!" I snapped.


    His relentless questioning made me nervous. Not only that, it triggered an annoying blush to rise on my cheeks because the reason behind my good mood was right beside me, and his lingering gaze made it nearly impossible to keep my face devoid of any emotion.


    I despised the effect Jacob had on me, yet paradoxically, I loved it at the same time.


    It was obvious that Dad couldn''t resist opening his mouth once again. Knowing him so well, I knew he wasn''t going to let it slide so easily.


    "There must be something you''re hiding," he squinted his eyes at me as if examining a culprit.


    "Dad, I swear to God, if you don''t stop right¡ª"


    "Samuel, leave the poor girl alone," Jacob chuckled,ing to my rescue. "Can''t you see how red she''s gotten?" He shot me a nce, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.


    This man...


    He knew exactly how to get on my nerves. He was ying it dirty, fucking dirty!


    "So, this is about a boy..." Dad mused to himself, his suspicion growing.


    Well done, Jacob! You fucked this whole situation up for me.


    "No, it isn''t. It''s about a man. I''ve found a very handsome and hot man," I shed Dad a sarcastic smile, and a frown settled on his face. "Do you want to know his name?"


    From the corner of my eye, I could see Jacob genuinely shocked by my response, yet there was curiosity shining in his eyes as well.


    "What''s his name?" Dad asked, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in my voice. I couldn''t believe he failed to catch on, but I suppose I shouldn''t be surprised. Dad had a knack for taking things too literally.


    I couldn''t believe that he failed to catch the sarcasm in my voice.


    I mean, I know what I''ve actually said is the truth but somewhat opting for my usual sarcasm. Nevertheless, Dad was not supposed to question me.


    "I''m sure since you''re so intrigued with the idea of finding out the identity of my supposed fling, you''d be able to solve the puzzle on your own," I replied, a hint of exasperation in my tone.


    Dad seemed ready toe back with a response, but this time ra did me the favour of shutting his mouth. "Enough, Samuel. Don''t trouble her." "Your help won''t let her get away this time," Dad retorted in a deadpan manner.


    "Then keep your dumb questions to yourself. I''m not answering them!" I red at him, frustrat seeping into my voice.


    "Alright, guys, I think the


    fifteen-minute duration of your regr argument is now over," Jacob finally spoke, amusement evident in his tone as he looked at


    ????


    Dad and then at me. His gaze at


    lingered on me for the longest time. "You both should take a break and recharge."


    Dad nced at me, still wearing a frown, before pushing a can of orange juice my way. "Here, drink it. You sound like a hoarse-throated horse." Well, he was right. My throat felt as dry as a desert.


    I maintained my hard gaze as I took the can and gulped down the juice, but I couldn''t help but notice the amusement written all over Jacob''s face.


    ********


    I pushed at his bare chest as I climbed onto his bed, causing him to fall back with a thud, clearly surprised by my sudden visit to his room at this hour. What better moment toe here than midnight? There was none.


    "You were having so much fun when Dad was giving me a hard time, weren''t you?" I used, gripping his jaw and leaning closer to his face.


    "I mean... I couldn''t help it," heughed at my expression, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Samuel wasn''t bluffing. What he said was true."


    "And what do you think would have happened if had told him the truth, that his best friend is the man I''ve been involved with?" I asked, my voice tow and threatening. "Tell me, do you honestly think he would have congratted us?" Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    Unexpectedly, a smirk tugged at his lips. "I know that revealing our rtionship is thest thing you would do."


    "Overconfident, aren''t we?" I quirked an eyebrow.


    "I just know you too well," He took advantage of my loosened hold on his jaw and flipped us before he pressed me against the bed with his hands on my hips and my legs trapped between his knees.


    "I love this obsession of yours, little girl. It makes me want to im you in every way possible." He whispered into my ear causing goosebumps to cover my body.


    God damn! I could not let him turn me on when I was here to teach him a lesson.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "You can''t get away with your misdeed by seducing me," I stammered, "Your seductive words ain''t gonna work."


    "Alright, then what do you want me to do?" He spoke, intentionally brushing his lips against mine as he did.


    "Apologize to me for what you did at the table."


    "Okay," He agreed to that way too quickly than I''d thought, ruining all my fun of my mini revenge mission, "I am sorry, Evelyn."


    I couldn''t speak as he moved to kiss down my neck and corbone, sucking and biting on my skin. I felt wetness pooling on my bottom and my breathing turning heavier.


    "This is not how it works, it''s not done!"


    "What''s not done?" He looked up at me, the sight of his face was already tempting me.


    "This. You...y-you weren''t supposed to agree that quickly." Damn, my stutter!


    "How could I help? I am one lucky


    Pet


    man who got the chance to have such beautiful art beneath me," He moved his hand to my shorts and undoing my buttons he slipped it insidegupping my pussy and a moan slipped past my lips," be a foot if I decide to argue rather than taking advantage of this opportunity that has walked into my room by herself."


    Okay, maybe the argument nned in my mind could wait for another time.


    "If you were at my ce, I bet you would have done the same," He smirked and lift my top to reveal my breasts.


    I found myself somewhat regretting my choice to go braless today. For me, watching Jacob shred my clothes one by one was more entertaining than


    a movie.


    "Fuck!" He cursed under his breath as pulled my top over my head before he threw it away, then effortlessly pinned my hands with just one hand, "You don''t know what you do to me, Evelyn."


    And he pressed his lips against my sensitive nipple, taking it in his mouth as he swirled his tongue around it.


    My back arched and electric shocks shot through my body. He''d not even started yet and I was already on the edge of falling apart.


    He paid my other nipple the same attention before he moved his hot and heavy kisses lower, reaching for the edges of my shorts as he pulled them


    down.


    And then he just...looked. His longsting gaze there made me feel exposed in a way I had never felt. I felt vulnerable at some point but there was weird satisfaction within the situation that kept me on my ground.


    A blush covered my cheeks, "Jacob..." My voice came out low and stifled.


    "You can''t even imagine how perfect you are," He breathed out, looking at me in astonishment, "You make me wanna be....someone else. Better."


    He came up and pulled me for a deep kiss. I buried my hands into his hair as I gave into him, allowing him to ravish my mouth and devour me.


    As we broke the kiss, he traced his fingers from my jaw to my belly button, leisurely teasing my skin, "I want you to do something, would you listen to me, sweetheart?"


    Unknowingly I found myself nodding without even having to think twice.


    "Ride my face, just like you used to imagine."

 Chapter 23 Forbidden Emotions

    Chapter 23 Forbidden Emotions


    Evelyn


    Jacob did not have any intention to stop today. He was like a wild animal whose first andst meal was me...only me.


    "Jacob, I-I can''t...." My words ended with a loud moan as he cupped my butt and pulled me more into me which gave him ess to plunge his tongue right into my pussy.


    It was clear that his restraint had vanished. With lightning-fast movements and an intense fervour, he devoured me. Tears streamed down my face as


    I moaned and screamed, my body entangled in a chaotic frenzy. At that moment, only he held the power to bring me release, even if it meant enduring this painful pleasure for another half an hour.


    "You can, baby," His words vibrated against my sensitive folds, "Give me one more."


    One more?!


    God only knew what had gotten into him. The number of times I had reached my release had be a blur, as my mind failed to register the relentless onught. All I was aware of was Jacob transforming into a fucking beast, consumed by desire. Despite my exhaustion, my body eagerly surrendered to him, revelling in every moment, an insatiable craving for more.


    "Oh god," I cried out as hepped his tongue on my clit, kissing me there like he''d kiss my lips.


    My body shook vigorously and I fisted the bed sheets tight, trying hard to keep up with his intense speed.


    Fuck. He was driving me insane- This man knew how my body functioned more than I did. Every little move of his was basically throwing me off the edge.


    My hips rocked back and forth on their own, and Jacob grabbed the sides of my hips driving them to move faster. I grabbed onto the headboard desperately fighting to keep myself steady and find some sort of bnce nheless neither my hips stopped, nor did Jacob.


    I fought to keep my eyes open and calm my breathing that came out as pants. Tears gathered in my eyes. The intensebination of pain and pleasure was euphoric. I was on the ninth cloud but at the same time, this uing release was painful. He pushed my body beyond its limits, in a way that I loved and hated at the same time, however, there was no denying that I had no objections against him.


    Hell, he could destroy me and I would willingly lend a hand in that.


    "Jacob," A loud moan slipped past my lips when hended a tight p across my butt, pulling me more into his mouth as he ate my pussy like a hungry animal.


    My release began getting closer and my heart began beating loud like a drum, so fast that I could feel it partially banging against my chest as if it was ready to get through the surface.


    I closed my eyes shut, my toes curled, a surreal feeling spread all over me, and ck dots emerged in my vision. My walls clenched and unclenched as Jacob continued the sweet torture with his tongue, pushing it deeper every time.


    My throat was dry as a dessert after all the shouting and screaming. He had already drained me out of any sort of energy that could have resided within me in a thousand different ways.


    A particr move where he lightly grazed his teeth on my sensitive clit, got me gasping for air, the electrifying feeling made my inner walls shake in ecstasy and jarring shock.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "Jacob...I-I....." I stuttered, unable to form any sentence since I was too consumed by the overwhelming pleasure.


    "Cum for me, Evelyn." As if he already knew how to solve my dilemma, he spoke.


    The next moment a loud moan left my mouth, I threw my head back, and my hands tightened their grip on the headboard to the point where my bones hurt. The release hit me like a destructive wave where only relief resided. Jacob savoured every drop I had offered.


    I dropped to the side of the bed panting heavily, barely sessful at keeping my breathing steady which was heavy as if I''d run a marathon. Perhaps, it wasn''t a marathon but, I was sure that a marathon did not take any less energy than what I''d spent during the past half an hour.


    Jacob hovered over me and captured me in a kiss, his lips against mine aided my difort to vanish.


    "You''re so fragile beneath that fiery attitude," he chuckled, his fingers brushing against my jaw and trailing downward, sending shivers through my skin as he ignited a cascade of sensual sensations.


    "I''m not fragile," I retorted. "It''s you who shapeshifts into a beast. You''ve drained everyst ounce of energy from me."


    "Believe me, I could ravage you in ways beyond what you''ve experienced," he chuckled huskily. "But for now, I need a moment to regain myposure. I''ll return in just a few minutes."


    He attempted to move away but I grabbed his hand, "Where are you going?"


    Apparently, the effects of aftershock had made mepletely forget about his hardened member that now poked my right thigh.


    "Well....You can''t abundantly moan like a tease and expect no response from me, can you?" He looked amused, but there was lust shading his eyes as well, "Every cell of my body is more than willing to fuck you right here but I don''t want it to be like this, it should be special for you."


    A smile fought to spread on my lips, I did not know why. He made me feel some sort of way that I could not describe.


    "So, give me a few minutes and I''ll be back to you." He kissed my forehead and made an effort to pull away but once again I grabbed his hand, stopping him. I turned and flipped us around so that he was under me.


    "A cold shower is not necessary," I leaned closer to his ear without giving him a chance to react to my sudden move, "Because...My mouth can do wonders."


    "How old are you, actually?" I blurted out amidst our casual banter, as we cuddled and enjoyed the morning breeze seeping through the gap in the curtains.


    "What''s your guess?" A mischievous smirk danced on the corner of his lips.


    "Well, Dad''s almost 38, so you could be around the same age or maybe a year younger, considering you both were in the same ss back in high school," I reasoned. "So, you must be 37."


    I was quite confident that I had guessed his age right as I awaited confirmation. However, a soft snicker escaped his lips, catching me off guard. "Wrong."


    "What?" I stuttered in disbelief, my victory slipping away. "What do you mean?"


    "I mean, I''m not 37... I''m-"


    "Wait, I''ve got it! You''re 38!" I interrupted, my excitement resurging.


    "Still incorrect," he tsked, yfully shaking his head. "You''ve missed again."


    My lips pursed, a frown etching onto my face. "Then what''s your actual age?"


    "Well, you see, your dad wasn''t


    exactly the studious type," Jacob chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "After a few failed exams, he got expelled from his previous


    el.n


    schooDand ended up enrolling in the same school I attended. It took him nearly three years to start over because of his passion for video games."


    My mouth nearly hung open. Dad had always boasted about his schrly achievements, iming be never failed a single subject. Yet, he had vehemently refused to show me any of his certificates. Now, it all made sense...


    Dad was far more cunning than I had ever imagined...


    But I could focus on taking his sster on. For now, it was Jacob''s age that asked for my attention.


    "So, you''re..."


    "34," he replied,pleting my thought.


    "You''re younger than I thought," I couldn''t hide my amazement.


    "Did I appear old to you at first nce?" he asked, a chuckle escaping his lips.


    "Not really, but not gonna lie, you did look intimidating."


    "As far as I can recall, I''ve always been nothing but friendly to you," he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Would you mind enlightening me on what exactly has intimidated you?"


    Without saying anything I sat up and straddled his hips, "This..." I brushed my thumb over his jaw, "Handsome face."


    The green in his eyes darkened as I moved closer to his face and brushed my lips over his ones, "Your tempting lips."


    I brought my hands to his shoulder before I glided them down to his biceps, "These details. And these abs..." I finally reached his abs and felt the smoothness of his skin against mine.


    Unlike me, he was warm and this warmth was inviting me.


    "Merely looking at you has always had the power to make me lose control, both in the past and even now," I confessed. "I often find


    myself questioning if I can eve


    ovee this obsession, or if deep


    down, I simply choose not to."


    "I can''t speak for you, Evelyn, but I for sure, am never ever going to be able to get over you," With that, he flipped us with a swift move and smashed


    his lips on mine in a soul-searing kiss.


    He pressed me into the soft mattress of the bed as he deepened the kiss. As always he made sure to leave me breathless before he pulled away, still leaving me wanting for more.


    "And I don''t know if that''s good for any of us..." He sighed, I could see the hesitation and uncertainty in his eyes.


    Of course, none of us had the answer.


    I cupped his face, my gaze locked on his. These few days had brought us closer than ever before. But what would happen after my dad''s wedding? Jacob wouldn''t be there with me anymore.


    No.


    I couldn''t let it end like that. I refused to let this slip away. I would hold onto it with everything I had. Jacob, our bond-I wasn''t going to let them go. "Whatever happens, we''ll figure it out," I said with a smile. Without hesitation, I leaned in and pulled him into a kiss, not caring about anything else at that moment.

 Chapter 24 Pain

    Chapter 24 Pain


    Evelyn


    As I walked downstairs with Jacob, thest thing I had expected was to see a woman who seemed both familiar and unknown. Her hair, once short, now cascaded down to her waist, and herplexion appeared slightly darker, making her even more beautiful. But it was her eyes that caught my attention the most-they no longer held the gloominess I remembered; instead, they exuded pure happiness.


    She looked happy. Truly happy.


    Standing by her side was a man, his arm wrapped around her waist, as she engaged in lively conversation with Dad and ra.


    "What''s the matter?" Jacob''s voice snapped me out of my daze. He looked at me with concern.


    I could not answer him. However, as his eyes followed to see the sight, he soon realised the reason behind my sudden stillness.


    "Oh, there she is. Jacob''s here too," ra called out, gathering everyone''s attention. "Come join us."


    All eyes turned towards me, and my breath quickened as years of suppressed anger began to rise. I didn''t want to speak to that woman or even see her face.


    "Evelyn,e on," Jacob pleaded, grasping my hand in an attempt to coax me forward.


    "No. I don''t want to meet her," I replied, my voice trembling as I struggled to maintain control over my emotions.


    "But she''s a guest. It wouldn''t be polite if you just walked away," he reasoned.


    "I don''t care. She means nothing to me. I-I..."


    "For your dad... do it for him. He invited your mom because he wants to mend your rtionship," Jacob interjected, knowing exactly how to convince


    me.


    His words infuriated me and left me feeling powerless.


    "Come with me," shing me a small smile, he pulled me along.


    "Hi, everyone," he took the initiative to strike up a conversation with my mother and her boyfriend. "Evelyn was just a little nervous, so sorry for the dy."


    I heard a sigh of relief from both Dad and ra at Jacob''s words. They knew I wasn''t just nervous, but they wanted to avoid any awkwardness at all costs.


    "Hey, Evelyn," Mom''s voice reached my ears, and reluctantly, I shifted my gaze towards her, though it was thest thing I wanted to do.


    Her voice held a softness, and her eyes were filled with hope, which made me feel a twinge of guilt. She understood that I wasn''t happy about her presence. It was evident that she was trying tomunicate her remorse.


    But as the memories of everything my dad and I had endured shed before my eyes like a projector, everything seemed to dissipate into thin air. "Hi, Mom," I greeted her, my voicecking any warmth.


    Mom''s smile visibly faltered. She tried to mask it, but her disappointment was evident.


    "Um... Evelyn, this is Jack, your mother''s fianc¨¦," Dad interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension in the air.


    "Hi, Jack. It''s nice to meet you," I said, my attempt at a smile falling t.


    "It''s nice to meet you too. Your mom talks about you all the time, and I must say, you look a lot like her," he replied warmly, choosing to overlook my previous coldness.


    "Really? I haven''t had many opportunities to notice our simrities. We haven''t spent much time together," I chuckled. "Anyway, it was nice meeting you both. I hope you have a pleasant stay here. If you''ll excuse me, I need to catch up with my friends."


    Without wasting another moment, I turned around and walked away.


    *****


    "Evelyn, please open the door."


    "No, Jacob," I managed to speak through my sobs, "Just leave me alone."


    "You''ve been in your room all day. You can''t iste yourself like this. It won''t help," he pleaded. "Please, open the door."


    "I don''t want to talk about anything," I sniffled, "I just need some time alone."


    "No, I can''t leave you like this. If you don''t open the door, I''ll have to break in."


    "Please, just go," My voice muffled as I buried my head in the pillow, unable to stop my tears from flowing and adding to the mess I already felt.


    "I''ll count to three," he threatened, his tone filled with frustration. "After that, you can''t me me for what happens."


    "I need some time alone, Jacob. Why don''t you understand?"


    "I don''t understand. I can''t believe you''re being serious right now. You''ve locked yourself in your fucking room for the past six hours, refusing to talk to anyone or leave this damn den of yours. Your dad''s going crazy out there, while you call this istion some kind of ''private moment.'' And you think I''m the one who doesn''t understand?!" His worry was evident, overshadowed by his frustration, "Stop acting like an idiot and open the damn door!" "Don''t call me an idiot! You''re the idiot," I snapped, wiping my tears before burying my face in the pillow once again.


    The tears continued to stream down my face. The emotions churning in my stomach felt unbearable.


    "No, you''re the big idiot here. Locking yourself in the room and crying like a five-year-old who lost a fluffy doll kinda thing or got one of those stupid glittery dolls with terrible makeup on her face snatched away!" He sounded really pissed.


    "They''re not weird fluffy things, that''s called plush toys!" I wanted to make my voicee out strong, but it still came out simr to a toddler''s after crying, "And it''s not a stupid glittery doll, it''s a Barbie, you moron!"


    "I don''t care. Unlike you, I haven''t done a PhD on dolls. It''s you who engages in nonsensical behaviour, and you know what? I actually thought you were smart. But intelligence seems to be thest thing present in your almost non-existent brain cells."


    "Don''t you dare insult me again, Jacob. Consider this a warning," I sniffled.


    "And what will you do? All you can do is cry over trivial things and create a mess," he taunted, intentionally pushing my buttons.


    "Enough! Just go away before I kick you out of this mansion!"


    "Doesn''t seem like you have the guts to take such a step. You''re too afraid to even step out of your little den. It''s no surprise, considering you''re the most foolish person on this pl."


    That was it, I threw away the pillow and sat up. Furiously I wiped my tears and strode to the door before I opened it.


    "You fucking dickhead, how dare..."


    I was cut off as he pushed me inside the room, smashing his lips against mine, and sealing them in a fierce kiss. He kicked the door shut and pushed me onto the bed as he kissed me, hard and reluctant to stop.


    Sparing me zero control, he caught my hands under his hold and pinned them over my head as if making sure that I don''t move and feel every touch of his lips and tongue duelling with mine.


    Once he pulled away, there was no sign of anger or frustration that I could see on his face, he looked relieved almost as if he had gone through a rollercoaster of emotions before reaching here where we were.


    "You are an idiot," He released my hands and wiped my tears, "Otherwise who ruins such a pretty face by crying like this?"


    Even a few moments ago, I was extremely mad at him for calling me an idiot and was thinking of all sorts of ways of yelling at him, but this time, my reaction came out wholly contrary to what I''d thought it''d be.


    I found myself grabbing his cors and pulling him all the way till our lips moulded together once again. I kissed him, the same passion that surged within when he kissed me, now overflowing with every one of our movements. It made me forget about everything, the weight of my chest that was bothering me ever since I saw my mother now felt lighter.


    Having Jacob closer soothed my pain.


    "You''re evil," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his, a few teardrops sliding down my cheeks on their own. "You said those things to make me open the door, didn''t you?"


    "I didn''t have any other choice," he confessed, cupping my face and brushing away my tears with his thumbs. "I was worried sick and just wanted to see you."


    "I''m sorry," I sighed, leaning into his touch. "You know it''s not easy when someone walks out of your life, but what''s even harder is when they try toeback after you''ve finally- adjusted to reality. I''m happy with the life I have now, Jacob. There''s only room for a few people in my life, and if I let her back in, everything will fall apart again. I''m not as strong as my dad. He may be able to forgive her, but... I can''t. I just can''t."


    My words were interrupted by sobs that wracked my body.


    "Shh... It''s okay," he whispered, pulling me into his arms and slowly turning us so that I could bury my head into his chest. "You don''t need to exin anything. I understand. Calm down."


    "It''s not that I hate her. She''s my


    mom, even though she was never there for me. But I can''t forgive her for what she did to Dad and me. She left us when we needed her the


    most. She acted selfishly, and the et


    price had to pay was my dreams, everything I had nned for gs as a family, the wish to have both my parents close..." My words were choked with emotion as he rubbed my back, my tears staining his shirt. "Am I a terrible human being for not wanting her back in my life? Is it my fault?"


    "No, it''s not your fault," he shook his head, continuing to trace soothing circles on my lower back, "You have every right to feel this way. You have the right to say no when you know it will hurt your feelings and protect yourself from getting hurt. It doesn''t make you a terrible human being. You have nothing to feel bad about."


    I did not say anything, instead, I let myself bask in hisfort.


    "Do you know something, Evelyn?" he spoke after a while.


    "What?" I looked up at him, my eyes still moist with tears.


    "I never got to see my mother. Apparently, God had other ns for her, and that''s why he took her away the day I was born. For the longest time, I never celebrated my birthday. I thought it was my fault that she wasn''t there with me. Then, one day, my great-grandfather told me something. He was ny-five at the time, and it changed my entire perspective on life," he wiped away my tears gently.


    "Your mother''s death was not your fault?"


    A small chuckle escaped his lips, and he leaned in to press a tender kiss on my forehead. "No, that was a truth even I knew but was too reluctant to ept. What he said was something very different. Give me your hand." He reached out and took my hand in his, making a fist.


    "This is what happens when you hold onto something too tightly," he said, his voice soft but firm. "It could be something painful, like anger, grudges, or just a bad memory. You keep trying to hold onto it, and hold onto it... until you get tired. It bes a burden without you even realising it, weighing you down in the same way you once held onto it. But, do you know what happens when we let go?"


    I looked at him, waiting for him to finish his sentence.


    "When you let go, you free yourself


    from the weight of hurtful memories that not only trigger negative emotions but also tether you to the past. As you release these burdens, a transformation takes ce within you, birthing a newfound perspective that allows you to perceive the world in apletely different light. Every moment bes an opportunity to revel in the joy of living, without the constant worry of whom you should exclude from sharing those moments."


    A warm smile graced his face as he looked at me. "And you know what? My great-grandpa never explicitly spoke these words to me. It''s whatContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    unfolded after I heeded his advice."


    "What did he say then?"


    "In life, there are times when we must release the things that cause us pain." With those simple words, he not only unlocked my clenched fist but also


    liberated my heavy heart.

 Chapter 25 Awkward Communication

    Chapter 25 Awkward Communication


    Evelyn


    To be honest, Dad''s wedding felt like the longest destination wedding ever conceived. It was my meticulously nned affair, and I had no regrets


    about its duration. The actual wedding ceremony was scheduled for about a weekter, so at this point, the mansion was filled with close friends and rtives. Other guests were expected to arrive a day before the wedding, while some woulde on the final day.


    However, amidst the people present here, there were a few individuals whom I despised, and one of them was undeniably my mother. The only reason she was here was to face the consequences of her past actions.


    "Your father truly cares about you," Jacob said, a smile ying on his lips as he handed me a cup of coffee. He nced over at Dad, who was massaging my feet as a way ofpensating for the upheaval he had caused by inviting my mother to the wedding.


    Dad''s intentions were not unfounded; he simply wanted to mend the strained rtionship between my mother and me. However, that doesn''t excuse him from the fact that he invited her to his wedding without informing me. He had done itpletely behind my back, making him a culprit in my eyes, even if not in reality.


    "I know, right?" I chuckled, leaning in to press a kiss on Dad''s cheek. "But sometimes he just acts like a bonehead."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    While Jacob and ra burst intoughter, a deep frown settled on Dad''s face, clearly disying his irritation.


    "Excuse me, this foot massage doesn''t give you the right to call me stupid. You won''t be getting anything else aspensation," Dad retorted. "You''re too cute," Iughed.


    "And you''re too stubborn."


    "That''s kind of true," Jacob chimed in, taking a sip of his coffee. A small, almost imperceptible smirk formed at the corner of his lips.


    However, as soon as Dad''s gaze fell on him, Jacob quickly brushed it off with augh. "She''s always been like this since childhood, hasn''t she?" Dad''s earlier peculiar expression disappeared, reced by a in, nk expression.


    "Yeah, she has always been like this. Stubborn and a bit childish," he chuckled lightly.


    "Excuse me," I frowned, feeling the need to defend myself. "I was never childish."


    "Evelyn, hate to break it to you, but that''s debatable," ra interjected, causing a gasp of disbelief to escape from my lips.


    She wasn''t supposed to side with them, "ra, you were supposed to be on my side!"


    Her realisation seemed to dawn on her as she bit her tongue. "Well, I didn''t mean it... What I meant is that..." She searched for the right words but stumbled upon nonsense. "You can never be childish. Yeah, you never act like a child."


    "Thank you so much, ra. That was truly helpful," I replied, dripping with sarcasm.


    Though she clearly caught the sarcasm in my voice, before she could respond, a voice interrupted us- thest person I wanted to see at that moment.


    "Good morning, everyone," my mother, Danica, entered the hall, and suddenly, the desire to be there vanished from within me.


    "Good morning, Danica," ra greeted her with a smile. "Here, take a seat."


    Mom settled beside ra, exchanging pleasantries with Jacob and Dad before her gaze finally fell upon me. Though I had purposely avoided looking her way, I could sense her hesitation.


    She wanted to talk to me. No matter how many years we had spent apart, she was still my mother, and interpreting her emotions wasn''t difficult for


    me.


    I observed her exchanging a nce with Dad and ra, seeking their reassurance before she spoke, "Hey, Evelyn." Her hesitation was palpable, her eyes wavering. "How''s everything going?"


    Without knowing why, my gaze shifted to Jacob, who sat across from Dad and me on the couch. I felt a strange mix of certainty and uncertainty, as if my body and heart were seeking answers from him, perhaps just some validation.


    As if he had read my thoughts, Jacob subtly nodded and blinked, and at that moment, the invisible restraints that had held me back frommunicating seemed to dissipate into thin air.


    It was astonishing how much I hade to rely on him, almost unconsciously. It had happened slowly, creeping up on me until it became a full-blown dependency, without me even realising it. Now that I finally acknowledged it, it seemed toote to do anything about it, and truthfully, I didn''t even want to take any action.


    My mother noticed the silent exchange between Jacob and me, but she chose to remain silent and hide her suspicion.


    "I''m good, Mom," I forced a smile onto my face, "How are you?"


    To my surprise, a smile broke across her face at my response. Maybe I hadn''t sounded as cold as I did the other day.


    "That''s great," happiness gleamed in her eyes. It seemed that a simple response from me had brought her an unbelievable amount of joy.


    If she truly loved me so much, then why did she leave us in the first ce? It just didn''t fit right.


    "How are you doing with your studies? I remember thest time I heard from Samuel, he mentioned that you did really well in the semester. Have you been focusing on maths?"


    She remembered that I struggled with maths...


    For a woman who had left her child and husband years ago, it was surprising that she still retained such small details about her daughter.


    "Yeah, I''ve been focusing on it. ra has been a tremendous help to me over the past few years, and my maths skills have improved," I cleared my throat, feeling a peculiar sense of guilt creeping up within me.


    "That''s good," Mom smiled. "And your friend Mason, Nancy, and... what''s her name... Jennie? Are you still friends with them?"


    The more she spoke, the more ufortable I felt. I had never expected her to remember anything about me, let alone these small details that were once a part of my life. "Yeah, everything''s good. We are still friends, just like before. Thanks for asking."


    "That''s nice to hear," she smiled, the excitement in her eyes making me want to avert my gaze, " I didn''t really get the chance to catch up on your daily life. It''s Samuel who has always kept me informed about you."


    I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to quell the guilt that had been


    lingering within me. I shouldn''t feel guilty for


    with hot maintaining contact


    her


    these years. Yes, she


    tried to reach out to me multiple times, but it was she who left me in the first ce.


    The reason I chose not to keep her involved in the events of my life was simple. She abandoned me, despite my desperate pleas for her to stay At the time when Dad and I needed her themost, she chose to step away. So why should I feel obligated to share my life with her now? Why should I open up or pour out my


    heart to her?


    It was true that Dad never held any grudges against her. But for me... I couldn''t help it. I was just a child who had dreamt of having both her parents close to her, but my dream was shattered. The fairytale ending was cruelly cut short before it could even begin.


    "You used to paint all the time..." she began, a nostalgic smile on her face. "And you guys know what? All of Evelyn''s paintings were absolutely astonishing. Remember Samuel, the time she made a painting of the two of us? We couldn''t believe our eyes that it was made by her because she was just so little then." Content


    belongs to


    "Yeah," Dad''s lips curled into a smile. "Compared to a seven-year-old, her skills were... unbelievable."


    Perhaps under different circumstances, I might have blushed at receiving such praise. But at that moment, I felt an indescribable sense of overwhelming emotion that left me feeling numb.


    The inspiration behind my paintings had always been my mom and dad, and without that inspiration, it felt like there was no art. My parents'' divorce had shattered many things, including the person I used to be.


    I had learned to adapt to the circumstances, but the resentment I harboured towards my mother was an ever-present haunting presence.


    I was okay, but not truly okay.


    "Evelyn..." My father''s voice broke through my daze.


    "Yeah?"


    "Your mom was asking you something," Dad reluctantly informed me, as if he already knew my response to the question my mom had asked, a question I hadn''t quite registered.


    "Sorry, I just zoned out. What was it again?"


    "I was asking if you still paint," she repeated, genuinely interested in knowing my answer or perhaps hoping for a positive response at the very least.


    I shrugged, letting out augh. "I don''t paint anymore."


    "What?" Her face disyed utter bewilderment. "Why did you stop painting?"


    "Because I lost my inspiration," With that, I stood up from my seat and walked out of the hall.

 Chapter 26 No Resistance

    Chapter 26 No Resistance


    Jacob


    As I watched her walk out of the hall, a sudden wave of unrest washed over me. It was so damn hard, sitting there and trying to find an excuse to go after her. I was fucked up in more ways than one.


    I knew she was struggling. It wasn''t easy for her to simply forget everything and act normal. Samuel, being more mature and having experienced the world to a greater extent, could perhaps let go of his past and not care as much. But for Evelyn, it wasn''t that simple. Her entire childhood had been shaped by her mother''s absence, and she had adapted by learning to despise her presence.


    I had witnessed her struggle to ept the notion of letting go, to release the grudges that had caused so many obstacles in her life. But it was true that she needed time.


    We couldn''t expect her to suddenly be okay and return to normal overnight.


    On the other hand, As Evelyn made her exit, all the colours vanished from Danica''s face. I could see the desperate need in her eyes to have a conversation with her daughter. She longed to reach out to Evelyn, to bridge the gap that had formed between them. Perhaps Evelyn wasn''t fully aware of what had transpired between Danica and Samuel all those years ago.


    Even if she was, it would have been difficult for an eight-year-old toprehend theplexities of a rtionship and the reasons behind growing apart.


    "Um... shall I?" I cleared my throat, gesturing with my index finger towards the exit. I hoped that my message would be understood without me having to exin further, as my own legs were already primed to follow in that direction.


    I wanted my Evelyn to be close to me again. Thest thing I wanted was to leave her alone in the midst of such a difficult situation.


    "Yes, please," ra spoke up before Samuel could say a word.


    Before I had the chance to say anything else in response, I found myself rushing out of the hall with great speed.


    My sudden movement might have seemed suspicious, but at that moment, it was the least of my concerns. Every fibre of my being was consumed by thoughts of Evelyn, and what made it even moreplicated? She was my best friend''s daughter.


    It took me mere seconds to spot her, her long dark hair gently swaying in the breeze near the pool area. She stood there, arms crossed over her chest, her gaze fixed upon the clouds in the sky, as if she didn''t truly belong in this ce. Even from the distance between us, I could sense the distant expression on her face.


    Without hesitation, I walked up to her, grabbed her arm, and turned her around. Our chests collided, and a soft gasp escaped her lips.


    "You know what?" I said, pressing her gently against me. "Someday, you''re going to be the reason for my heart attack."


    "What?" Confusion filled her eyes as she looked up at me.


    "You don''t understand?" I had no idea why I was enraged but I couldn''t help myself, "You are driving me nuts, damn woman. You are making me crazy and it''s fucking stupid." I mmed my lips against her, not caring about the risks of anyone noticing us or what the consequences could be. She patted at my chest, passing me a message to stop as I ravished her mouth, kissing her and pulling her closer.


    "Jacob...someone will see us," Pulling away, she whisper-yelled.


    "I don''t give a fuck." I smashed our lips together once again.


    Getting tensed, she tried to push me away for a while before she stopped her attempts and eventually gave in, allowing me to slide my tongue into her sweet mouth.


    The thrill ran all over me. She was like a drug, addicting to the point where it was lethal.


    I wanted her lips on mine, to feel the press of her curves against me, and her heart beating against my chest. Yes, she held absolute power over me -She could bloody destroy me and yet I wouldn''t say a word. The desire for her ran in my veins. The craving for her resided within every of my breath.


    I was fucking head over heels in love with Evelyn Fernandez, I could die for her and live for her, it did not matter if it meant that I had to turn the entire world upside down to be with her. I just knew, I''d do it. And I''d do it right.


    Evelyn


    Jacob''s kiss worked like magic, instantly lifting my spirits and leaving a permanent smile etched on my face since morning. Not only did it improve my mood, but it also had a ripple effect on my father, easing his and ra''s tensions. The credit for this transformation belonged solely to Jacob. However, could I consider sharing this secret with anyone? Absolutely not, except for Nancy, Jennie, and Mason, who were mysteriously absent for now, possibly due to two possible scenarios.


    One: They are busy drinking their arses off.


    Two: Finding someone and doing nasty in one of many rooms in my dad''s mansion.


    Good for them, because my dear Jacob seemed to relish keeping me in suspense rather than...


    Well, forget it!


    For now, I immersed myself in the atmosphere of the party, savouring every moment like everyone else. Jacob stood across from me, casually leaning against the bar, strategically positioned to give him an unabashed view of my entire body.


    Thankfully, I managed to steer clear of any intense conversations with my mother, sparing myself from being overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. This allowed me to fully indulge in the present and relish the possibilities thaty ahead in the next few minutes.


    My thoughts had already taken a scandalous turn, venturing into territory not suitable for polite conversation. My mind was filled with a plethora of explicit fantasies, each one more tantalising than thest.


    But amidst the barrage of lustful thoughts, one, in particr, drove me to the brink of madness-Jacob''s mesmerising face.


    Damn! I had no shame in admitting that I craved nothing more than to straddle it. Just the idea alone was fucking pleasing.


    Jacob leisurely undressed me with his eyes, piece by piece, sending shivers down my spine in a matter of seconds. Goosebumps erupted across my skin.


    I wasn''t wearing anything special; it


    was a simple yet elegant short red dress with an open back and delicate spaghetti straps. It gracefully entuated my curves and overall figure. Although I had considered wearing something more revealing to tempt Jacob, I decided against it, aware of the potential risks. Unexpectedly, however, this dress seemed to captivate his attention, as if he could see right through it, and I sensed an untamed desire brewing within him,


    awakening the animal inside of him that now was on the verge of tearing through theyers of his skin and


    wrecking me.


    A mischievous idea sparked in my mind, and I slowly turned around, sweeping my hair to the side to reveal my back.


    His intense gaze seemed to burn through my skin, even from a distance. I could almost feel the low growl reverberating in his chest. Perhaps this


    mere distance was not enough to wither the invisible connection that''d progressed more than any of us had thought.


    I casually sipped a ss of wine, knowing that my dad was too preupied with attending to the guests to notice me. It always amazed me how well he knew this eclectic group of people and their names.


    "Hey, Evelyn," a sudden voice interrupted my thoughts.


    I turned to see Jack walking towards me.


    "Hi, Jack," I greeted him with a smile.


    "Is that wine? Be careful, Samuel would have a fit if he caught you," he chuckled, leaning against the bar.


    "Maybe, but the good news is he''s too caught up to notice, and who would tell him anyway? Especially not you," I snickered, resting my elbows on the metal edge of the bar. My gaze involuntarily shifted to


    oveContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Jacob, but his intense stare remained fixed, as if he werepletely unaware of Jack''s presence, or perhaps he simply didn''t care.


    There was something off about him today. His devil-may-care attitude both concerned and strangely intrigued me. Damn my thought-process, always getting stuck in one ce.


    "Perhaps, but don''t go overboard with the wine. You don''t want to find yourself in trouble, trust me," Jack advised, ncing at Jacob. His words should have alerted me, but unfortunately, I was too engrossed in admiring that seductive Italian devil.


    "Sure thing," I finally decided to give Jack my attention, "Trust me, I know how to avoid trouble."


    "Well... judging by the ss of wine in your hand, I''m not so convinced that you''re not fond of trouble," he shrugged, his wordsced with hidden meaning.


    Did hisment refer to the wine or something deeper? Who cared? His opinion didn''t matter to me. He wasn''t important, but someone else was, and in that room, my focus was solely on that person.


    "Some troubles are worth it, aren''t they?" The words escaped my mouth before I could even consider them.


    Shit. I really need to do something about this mouth of mine.


    "Valid point," he nodded. "I can''t argue with that. But be cautious; there are eyes around you, everywhere," He attempted to mask his cryptic message with augh, but it didn''t escape my notice. Then, in the next moment, he walked away, vanishing into the crowd and leaving me entangled in a web of questions.


    What the fuck was that?


    Did he really mean what I suspected? No, it couldn''t be. He had only arrived here a day ago. There was no way he could be that observant.


    Evelyn, you''re overthinking. Rx.


    I let out a sigh and redirected my gaze to the bar, only to find no sign of Jacob.


    Damn it!


    I scanned the room, but he was nowhere to be found. Frustration began to gnaw at my nerves.


    "Where the hell did this man go?!" I muttered under my breath, my eyes sweeping across the entire room until theynded on the stairway.


    There he was, ascending the stairs for some unknown reason. Before I knew it, I found myself impulsively following him.

 Chapter 27 Take Me To Your Room

    Chapter 27 Take Me To Your Room


    Evelyn


    For the first time in my life, I despised the sheer size of my father''s mansion. The damn thing was so massive that even climbing the stairs felt like traversing the entire country. I kid you not. Those ridiculously long flights of stairs were a struggle, especially when I was in a rush to catch up with the devil himself. Usually, it never felt like a challenge, but today was different.


    When I finally reached the top, my breaths came out in heavy gasps, reminiscent of someone who had just finished running a marathon.


    The floor stretched before me, vacant and devoid of any signs of the man who seemed to have vanished into thin air like a magician. Well...he did have his moments of magic, but not in this instance. If you know what I mean.


    As my eyes futilely searched for any trace of him, my ears picked up the faint sound of footsteps


    I turned to the left, following the sound, and soon enough, I spotted the devil walking through the long corridor.


    For a moment, I contemted calling out his name, but my bizarre curiosity got the better of me. Some inexplicable desire to remain hidden for a little longer took hold, and I trailed behind him like a spy shadowing a dangerous criminal.


    My brows furrowed as I observed his measured steps. He seemed oblivious to my presence, showing no signs of suspicion or ncing back, which was a relief for my covert mission.


    Thank goodness. So far, I remained undetected.


    He made a turn, and I quickened my pace to catch up, only to find myself in an empty corridor.


    What the heck!


    Jacob had vanished once again.


    Perplexed, I looked around, feeling like a lost puppy. How was this possible?


    Could it be that he had somehow noticed me?


    Nah, I''m too smart for that. He couldn''t have...


    Before I could finish my thought, a hand shot out from behind a pir, gripping my arm, and I found myself forcefully pressed against the nearest wall.


    A gasp escaped my lips, and my eyebrows shot up in surprise as confusion washed over me.


    Okay, maybe I am not that smart.


    "Well...hello, my love," he said, a mischievous smirk ying on his tempting lips, revealing that he had been aware of my presence all along. "Well...care to enlighten me about your n?" I retorted, mimicking his tone.


    "No specific n," he shrugged, moving closer, his hand sliding down to my waist as he pinned me against the wall. Heat radiated from his body against mine as his nose trailed along my neck, causing the hair on my skin to stand on end like sharp needles.


    "There has to be something," I managed to speak up, "First, you sneak up here, undetected. Then, you vanish despite knowing I was following you. And now, you''re here, trapping me in these strong, muscr arms like a kidnapper. All of this can''t be for nothing. So either you tell me, or I head downstairs right now."


    "Well, it seems I have underestimated you," he chuckled, exhaling softly. "You''re quite observant."


    "Yes, I always have been," I pressed my lips together, squinting my eyes at him, studying him as if he were a thief or a rogue who hadmitted a serious offence, "Now, tell me what''s going on in that mind of yours and why you''re here when the party is downstairs?"


    "Actually, I have a ratherpelling exnation for that," he began, his hand gently brushing away strands of hair from my face, deliberately letting his fingers graze my skin,


    causing my breathing to quick


    With undivided attention, he focused solely on me, "First and foremost, I must mention that you look absolutely stunning in that red dress. Your curves were beckoning me more than you can imagine..." His hands slid down my hips, firmly cupping my butt, pulling me closer so that our chests pressed together.


    I fought back a moan, biting the inside of my cheek. Jacob''s touch fueled the burning fire within me, a me that had been raging for an unknown length of time.


    There was no denying that I was deeply entangled in him, trapped in something that should have frightened me, but unfortunately didn''t.


    "But, as you''re well aware, the party


    1


    is brimming with familiar and unfamiliar faces. While I can''t vouch for the unfamiliar ones, I can confidently say that some of the known individuals could pose a considerable threat if, by some unfortunate turn of events, I were to lose control and do something... to you and this appealing body of yours," he paused for a moment, his warm breath wafting across my face, leaving me with a tantalising sensation, "So, leaving was the only viable solution for me. It was a way to protect both of us from the unwantedplications that could arise."


    "I must say, I find that reason quite unsatisfactory when there could have been numerous alternative solutions, and you could have simply given me


    an easy hint," I huffed, frustration evident in my voice. "You can be incredibly unreasonable at times."R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Amusement sparkled in his eyes, and I couldn''t believe he was actually enjoying this argument.


    "Well, I suppose I can offer you another reason," he pretended to ponder for a moment, "I simply don''t enjoy parties."


    "That''s highly illogicaling from the man who has always been the centre of attention at every party," I retorted.


    I could vaguely recall him throwing parties every single week, although I was too young to attend any of them. His phone calls to my dad and the numerous invitations had not escaped my notice.


    "Let''s just say I''ve been to one too many parties to develop a genuine liking for them," he said, raising an eyebrow and resting his hand against the wall behind me, while his other hand remained firmly wrapped around my waist.


    "You know, it''s quite ironic. You''re well aware that I see through your lies, yet you continue lying right to my face."


    Inside, I wanted to jump in excitement for delivering the perfecteback, but I maintained aposed expression, keeping up the pretence of seriousness.


    "Believe me, I used to enjoy parties in the past. But now, they don''t hold much appeal for me... unless there''s something, or rather someone, that draws me in," he smirked, his thumb tracing my bottom lip, "And with you present at Samuel''s party, it bes a whole lot more interesting. However, I can''t trust myself when I''m around you, and that''s precisely why we''re having this conversation."


    "This is quite surprisinging from your side, considering how determined you were to not wreck your best friend''s daughter," I said, my hands moving to encircle his neck as I leaned in closer, teasingly brushing my lips against his, "Tell me, Mr. Adriano, where have your morals gone?"


    "To hell," he growled, the look in his


    eyes revealing his struggle to maintainposure, "They''re gone. Long gone. And you, Evelyn, are the reason for it. God knows, what spell you''ve cast on me, but every time I touch you, I feel like a damn sinner, and I fucking love it. I never thought, not even in my wildest dreams, that I would lovemitting the same sins over and over again, but I just... do. And it feels so fucking right."


    His words ignited a fiery desire throughout my entire being. I had intended to make him lose control, but now it seemed that I, too, was on the brink of


    losing myself.


    He was intoxicating. Like a drug, a lethal one.


    "You know, I once heard that once youmit the greatest sin, nothing else you do is considered sinful anymore," I whispered, desire clouding my senses as I yearned to lose myself in him, "So why don''t we put an end to this cycle once and for all? You know what needs to be done, don''t you?" "Yes, I do," he replied in a low voice, "But you should understand that once you give in, there''s no turning back."


    "It was never me who wanted to hold back, Jacob," I asserted, "I have always been sure about what I want, and I don''t foresee a day when I would question my decisions."


    "I''ve spent half my life riddled with regret for things I could never undo, Evelyn," he whispered, "It took me a long time to reach this point where I stand now¡ªfinally certain of my choices and what I want in life. I don''t want you to carry the weight of regret because it will destroy you. You still have the opportunity to step back if you wish to."


    I could sense his concern, the swirling questions that upied his mind. Jacob was the mostplex person I had ever encountered. But today, it seemed easier to see through his facade, to unravel hisplexity. Sometimes he was an open book, while at other times he remained a tantalising mystery. However, at this moment, it wasn''t Jacob who was the mystery. The uncertaintyy in how the next moments would unfold for us.


    Yet amidst this whirlwind of emotions, the one truth that remained steadfast was my unwavering desire for him. There was no one else I yearned for, no debate to be had. It was only him, and it would always be him. Forever and ever.


    "I never regret, Jacob," I murmured, pulling him closer until our foreheads touched, "Take me to your room. Now."

 Chapter 28 Ready For Me?

    Chapter 28 Ready For Me?


    Evelyn


    As the sound of the door closing reverberated through the room, my heart raced, thumping against my chest. Each breath I took was heavy, and my palms felt sweaty. My throat grew parched, and nerves danced within me.


    Yes, I was nervous.


    But amidst the nerves, there was no doubt in my mind. Every fibre of my soul knew that choosing Jacob was the only decision that mattered. There was no one else in this world I desired. From the very beginning, it had always been Jacob, and it would always be him.


    He approached me from behind, his hand sliding around my waist, drawing me closer to the warmth of his chest. I could feel his hardness against my back, causing the heat between us to rise to a few degrees.


    "How much can you handle?" He murmured, kissing my earlobe and moving down to my neck where heid his leech-like kisses and left his red artwork on my skin, or so I could say, deep hickeys that''d take days to fade away.


    "I don''t want you to hold back anything," I breathed out, my hand moved to tangle my fingers into his hair whilst he assaulted my neck and triggered me to get even wetter.


    Desire had consumed my thoughts, leaving me unable to focus on anything else but him. This man utterly captivated me under his spell; I was entranced by his mere presence. Every time his fingers grazed my skin, it ignited a fire within me. I was drowning in the waves of desire and god, I was drowning deep.


    The contrast between his warm skin and my own coolness sent shivers down my spine. The barrier of clothing between us became an agonizing torture, intensifying the anticipation for the moment of ultimate connection. Yet, strangely, I cherished every second of this encounter, even during the torturous wait.


    "Do you think you can handle all of it?" he asked, his warm breath teasing my sensitive skin.


    The campfire in my belly zed into an inferno at the core of my being. At that moment, an indescribable sensation, both unfamiliar and intoxicating, surged through my entire body in mere seconds. The need for friction grew, surpassing my initial nervousness, and aligning with the surge of every other emotion and physical response coursing through me.


    I released a low sigh, trying hard to keep myself standing upright and not let my knees give up.


    "Yes," I finally spoke, craning my neck to look at him, "I want you. All of you."


    His eyes glimmered with lust and an enigmatic essence, shrouded by the obscure shadows that hindered myplete view. As I peered into their depths, I recognized the unmistakable truth¡ªI had surrendered myself to him, losing any possibility of retreat. There wasn''t even a faint corner of my mind that entertained the thought of stepping back.


    I couldn''t ascertain if it was love that I felt for him, but I knew with certainty the feeling of love could not be any less than what I felt for Jacob.


    His hand ventured toward the zipper of my dress, deftly undoing it in one swift motion. The scarlet fabric cascaded to the ground, forsaken and forgotten, like a worthless possession.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    He eyed me up and down, looking absolutely stunned by what he was seeing. His unwavering devotion erased any trace of insecurity within me. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and a delightful tingling sensation coursed through my skin under his prolonged, enamoured gaze.


    Caressing my cheek with his fingertips, he trailed them down towards my lower abdomen, teasing me with tantalising strokes.


    I drew in a shallow breath, and a surge of electric sensation permeated my being. My thoughts scattered, and I found myself unable to think straight. Not that I wished to figure out anything at all.


    The hunger reflected in his green eyes shattered my confidence, yet I stood on my ground as he gracefully dropped to one knee. Taking my leg, he gently rested it on his knee, skillfully unhooking one heel before repeating the gesture with the other.


    His sensual movements drove me crazy. I was dripping wet and if I was not wearing this lingerie, my wetness would have surely dripped down my thighs.


    Jacob came up, grabbing onto my hips as he gently pushed me down the bed, not even for a second did he tear his eyes away from mine. Giving me a look that told me to stay still in my ce, he slowly kissed my thighs, gliding his lips down to my legs before moving upwards and spreading my thighs wider. His warm breath hit my moist cleft from over my soaked panty.


    My eyes closed shut at the feel of his lips all over me. I fisted the bed sheets as tight as possible.


    A few secondster, he removed my bra and then I felt him sliding my panty off of me. The cold air hit my bare pussy causing me to shiver and my eyes open in shock.


    Pushing two of his fingers inside my tight hole, he came up and kissed me on the lips, swallowing the gasp that was on the verge of breaking through my throat. I let his tongue invade my mouth, and he kissed me hungrily. His fingers inside of me began moving in and out, stretching me as he added a third one and continued his movements. His other hand teased and pinched my hardened nipples.


    My hips matched the motions of his fingers, leaning into his touch every time he''d push in.


    Once we both were nearly out of breath, it was when he broke the kiss.


    He attempted to move and go down on me but I held onto him, "Not today." I breathed out, "Tonight, I want you. Only you."


    "Are you sure?" He asked.


    From his expression, he''d said it clear that this time the answer I''d give him would be the final one. He was not going to hold back anymore.


    I did not give my mind the chance to rethink my decision, instead, I pulled him closer, pressing my forehead against his as I whispered, "Make me yours, Jacob."


    Apparently, this was thest stroke for him topletely get out of bounds. He mmed his lips on mine, rapidly opening his shirt whilst I helped him get it off of it.


    His muscr figure entered my field of vision, instantly causing my breath to catch, apletely involuntary reaction to his presence.


    He was undeniably stunning. His well-defined abs, powerful arms, and the intricate tattoos adorning his chiselled chest, extending down to the wrist of his left hand... every aspect of him was awe-inspiring.


    I raised myself and unbuckled his belt. He observed me as I slowly threw his belt away and unzipped his pants before I pushed them down, leaving him only in his briefs.


    I could both see and feel his hardened member from over his briefs. I swallowed, feeling a bit nervous at some point. Even though I''d seen him naked before, today, I was feeling nervous like I''d never felt before.


    I shook all of my thoughts away and pulled his briefs down as well. His daunting length came into my view, almost pping against his stomach. He was..huge.


    "It''s not like you haven''t seen this before baby, is it?" He chuckled, which sounded husky, before he cupped my face with one hand and leaned closer to my face, "Wait here for a second."


    He moved and reached for his drawer before he fetched out a condom sachet, tearing the packet with his teeth, he pulled it out and slipped it on.


    Not even for once, I managed to tear my eyes away from him, there was something strangely addictive about him that hauled me towards him without letting me know it. I could not help but keep falling weak for him every time I saw him.


    He climbed on the bed once again, shoving his hand between my legs as he parted them and rubbed my pussy, looking deep into my eyes as I threw my head back, biting down my bottom lip to stifle the moan. He pushed me down the bed once again, worshipping my body as if I was the most precious belonging he could ever have.


    He was gentle, as if I was so fragile that even a single touch could break me.


    "You are perfect, Evelyn. The most perfect woman I have ever seen." He murmured, caressing my face whilst he assaulted the sensitive bundle of nerves down there, coating his fingers with my juices.


    "Jacob, Please..." I whimpered, unlike other times this time I knew exactly what I wanted.


    I wanted him. My body yearned for


    him, his touch, his closeness. I


    el


    wanted his lips on mine, feel his steady heartbeats, trace his beautiful smooth skin, run my fingers through his hair and breathe in his scent. I wanted him close to me, forever.


    "You are going to be the death of me." He growled and mmed his lips on mine. The kiss left me breathless like every other kiss of his. I fisted onto his hair, pulling him even closer to me, loving the closeness.


    His length poked my inner thigh, causing my desire to reach the top once again. The world did not exist for me anymore, only Jacob did and every thought of mine revolved around him, only him.


    Both of us breathed heavily as he grabbed his length and positioned it between my thighs. Right at my centre, the entrance that was begging for the friction only he could give me.


    "Are you ready, my love?" He asked, looking deep into my eyes, exploring every curve of my soul, unfolding every secret, looking through


    everything and in the midst of it


    searching for any speck of


    ove


    hesitation but from the small smile on his lips, I could tell that he found


    none.


    A small smile tugged at my lips as well, and I finally let out, "Yes."

 Chapter 29 Making Love

    Chapter 29 Making Love


    Evelyn


    I had heard hymen being nothing but a myth but the moment Jacob pushed his tip inside my entrance I felt both my misconception and the fragileyer of skin break all at once. My entire body froze and a pained hiss slipped past my lips.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    He looked down at me, concern swarming in his eyes, "Do you want me to stop?"


    "No," I shook my head, slipping my arms around him and pulling him closer, "Don''t stop."


    "I''ll go away, just bear with me for a bit," He spoke, his voice was tight, giving me hints that he was having a hard hard time holding himself back from pushing his entire length inside me all the way at once.


    "Okay," I breathed out and nodded, looking into his eyes as he pushed a few more inches, my body bounced the slightest bit, both in pain and the strange feeling that began attacking my core.


    It''ll go away. It''ll go away, Evelyn- I repeated inside my head trying hard to not lose it. The pain was unlike anything I''d felt in my life. I''d never thought the first time could be this painful, but tonight I was proved wrong. Never in my wildest dreams, I''d thought that the pain of being deflowered could be so much.


    Jacob continued his motions, encouraging me with his sweet words, telling me how good I was whilst he pushed a few inches at a time until he was almost inside of me. Almost.


    "So big..." I whimpered, biting down my bottom lip, trying to hold it together but failing as the difort of this foreign stretch made its way to all the veins in my body.


    It astonished me that he was still a few inches left from beingpletely seated inside of me and I doubted if he was going to fit inside of me or not. And then he pulled out of me, causing a stinging pain to fly through my body before he thrust his entire length inside of me, balls deep.


    I nearly screamed at the top of my lungs when Jacob captured both pleasure and pain in his mouth, sealing my lips under his hunger-filled kiss and lunging his tongue inside my mouth.


    Oh god! At this point, even my body was confused about whether it should focus on the sensations of the kiss, or the surreal feeling building in my lower abdomen. I was already a mess.


    As the kiss broke, he intertwined his fingers with mine and gently guided my hands above my head, holding them firmly in ce as he began with his slow thrusts.


    A soft sound escaped my parted lips as I gazed into his eyes, bing captivated by their enchanting shade of green.


    In theory, there was nothing remotely romantic about this encounter. Yet, whenever I locked eyes with Jacob, a sense of enchantment overcame me. I was inexplicably drawn to him...in a way that couldn''t be depicted.


    "You are so fucking tight," He hissed, rolling his hips as he dove deeper into me.


    He was delving into uncharted territories, discovering ces within me that I didn''t even know existed until today. The sensations I experienced were beyond words, indescribable and utterly unbelievable. At that moment, all the pain I had endured at the beginning faded into oblivion, overshadowed by the intensity of pleasure coursing through me.


    "Faster..." I whimpered, my walls squeezed around his thick length.


    A low, almost animalistic growl slipped past his lips and he smashed them on mine. Meanwhile, he took up on the pace and began pounding his length inside, hard and fast.


    "What a treasure you have got down here, baby," His lips curved at the side, forming a devilish smirk as he spoke against my lips, "I don''t think I''ll ever get enough of it."


    My cheeks burned red but the small amount of shyness faded away soon as his hand moved to rub my clit, causing a burst of pleasure to course through my body.


    Holy!


    I moaned, loudly. Meanwhile, he found another way to overwork my body as he squeezed my breast and rolled my sensitive nipple between his teeth. "Oh god..." My words trembled. He was driving me insane yet I found some sort of ecstasy within it.


    What the hell was wrong with me?


    "Is this what you used to imagine?" He whispered in my ears causing goosebumps to cover my body, "Me fucking you to my fill?"


    My breathing caught in my throat. My eyes widened ever so lightly.


    Holy shit!


    He knew exactly what he was doing with those words because the glimmer shading his eyes whilst he watched my face turn into different shades told me all of it, both the known and unknown.


    I blushed hard, looking everywhere but at him.


    "Don''t you think it''s toote to get shy on me?" he let out a breathy chuckle, kissing the bridge of my nose before moving to the seam of my lips. "Um...I don''t..." My words ended with a loud moan, as he hit a spot that shook my entire body, making electric shocks jolt through every cell. "Found it," He winked at me, angling himself as he hooked his hands around my thighs and hit that sensitive spongy again and again.


    It could have been the elusive


    G-spot, or perhaps something entirely unique. To bepletely honest, I couldn''t care less about its scientific ssification or historical significance. At that moment, all that mattered to me was the unparalleled pleasure that only Jacob could provide.


    I could hardly breathe, but damn, being out of breath never felt so satisfying before.


    "Oh, my god... Jacob!" My eyes closed shut and I bit down my lip so hard that I tasted blood.


    He freed my bottom lip from between my teeth and kissed me. Surely he could taste the blood on my lips as well, but it didn''t seem to bother him even the tiniest bit.


    "I can fuck you all night long, Evelyn," He spoke, his breathing falling hot and heavy on my face, "And trust me, I would enjoy every second of it. You are perfect, just fucking perfect."


    The look in his eyes was so foreign.


    He made me feel things I didn''t know were possible until now-Butterflies fluttering in my stomach, sparks erupting on my. skin, the feeling of being swept off of the ground and getting lost in the clouds. Desires had gotten the best of me and I didn''t want this feeling to fade away.


    I wanted it tost forever. Just the two of us, forever.


    Before I could utter a response, the impending release consumed me entirely. A low gasp escaped my lips, causing my toes to curl and my nails to


    dig into his arms as I held onto him with all my might. Overwhelming waves of pleasure surged through my body, engulfing mepletely.


    "Jacob, I am close," I whimpered, my hips violently shaking, unable to match his deep thrusts anymore.


    "Let it go, baby," He spoke and the


    next second, my release followed. The orgasm was so strong that it


    left me shocked; Relief flooded in et


    my veins, my erratic heartbeats banged at my chest and my breathing did not fall behind from being suitable to be addressed as ''erratic'' as well.


    That was..... unbelievable.


    I looked at him, still shocked and trapped in the daze of aftershock. Our eyes locked as he pressed his forehead against mine, and it was then I realised that he hasn''t reached his high.


    I gulped, trying to subside the dryness that''d magically appeared in my throat out of nowhere.


    It was no secret that this encounter was far from over, but somewhere within me, there was this strong urge to listen to it from his mouth. Perhaps, that''s what I needed to hear, in order to regain my long-lostposure.


    As if he had read my mind through my eyes and discovered every little secret that I hadn''t told him, he slowly moved his hand and wrapped his fingers around my throat, "I''m not done with you yet, little one."

 Chapter 30 Passion And Devotion

    Chapter 30 Passion And Devotion


    Evelyn


    It was one of my biggest delusions to think that Jacob would have an off switch tonight. It seemed that such a button simply didn''t exist within him, or if it did, it was malfunctioning. I found it hard to believe the stamina of this man; he was like a relentless machine, wild, intense, and seemingly unstoppable.


    I had lost count of how many times I''d climaxed, but this man had only climax once and within the period of mere five minutes he was set on wrecking me once again but this time raw, and that encounter was still not over.


    He was indeed ravishing me. Taking advantage of every opportunity he got.


    "Damn, you smell delicious," He growled and kissed down my neck, his hands grabbed either side of my hips as he held me down to the bed whilst prating deep inside of me, he was going balls deep with each thrust and making sure I felt every inch of him.


    He surely knew more ways than just one to drive me crazy.


    My entire body was covered in his marks that were not going to fade away for weeks. He hardly missed any spot where he could leave his mark, although it seemed like he was biased towards my neck and chest area the most since they became his main target.


    Despite the fact, I barely had any vestige of energy left, I found myself enjoying every bit of the moment equally. The pleasure was intense, and so was Jacob and I couldn''tin about anything he did or made me feel. I was lost, truly lost in him and I did not care if there was no way out of this depth.


    I pulled him for a kiss and he kissed me breathlessly just like every other time. Our bodies moved in sync, and my hips moved to match each of his thrusts, sending me closer to my high. My feelings were weird, in a mess that I couldn''t figure out yet everything about them was euphoric.


    "You are beautiful..." He murmured, looking at me, "So fucking beautiful."


    Before I could evenprehend how I should respond, or even a reaction could ur on its behalf, he suddenly pulled out and flipped me so that Iy on my front, he traced his nose from the back of my neck to my lower back. The feel of warm breath against my skin, made goosebumps cover my whole body.


    And then he used his hand to grab my neck and pushed his cock all the way in once again. It felt like he hit some different spots from this position, a low moan slipped past my lips and I buried my head into the pillow, fisting onto the bedsheet for my dear life.


    God damn, He is just...too wild and unpredictable.


    "Everything about you is fucking addicting, and you drive me insane Evelyn. You make me want to ruin you, and let you ruin me as well," Growling, he bit my earlobe causing a small whimper to automatically break through my throat.


    As he began moving in and out, I felt the pleasure building even more. He indeed filled me till the hilt. I''d no doubt that this man was capable of blowing away any woman''s mind.


    "Oh, my god..." I breathed out, feeling the strong knot form in my lower abdomen once again.


    He squeezed my butt,nding a tight p that left a stinging feeling there. I stopped the moan by biting down my bottom lip.


    Jacob grabbed the headboard and this time he actually dove into the depth, hitting the sensitive spot again and again as if he knew that would trigger me toe apart faster.


    Another loud moan left my mouth. Even my throat hurt at this point.


    The bed shook due to the intensity of his speed, he was animalistic, like a beast feasting on its prey, no way near stopping until it gets its fill.


    A few moments passed and I sensed myself edging closer to my release, I felt Jacob''s member twitch inside of me indicating that he was close too.


    A low groan slipped past Jacob''s lip, and a gasp tore from mine, my release hit me like a speeding wave and he followed soon.


    I felt him emptying his load inside of


    me and resting his sweaty body hot and heavy over me, both of our


    breathing was erratic, not falling et


    behind the pace of one anomy heart was beating loud but there was a strange satisfaction flowing in my veins.


    It wasn''t restlessness that I felt; it was a profound sense of peace, something had never experienced before. The warmth his presence brought was both incredible and unnerving, knowing the profound connection I shared with this man.


    Was it too soon to say I was in love? Perhaps. But there wasn''t any way to deny it as well.


    Jacob pulled out of me and turned me around, being fully aware of how drained I was.


    "Don''t tell me you''re not on pills," he chuckled, pressing his forehead against mine.


    Augh burst from my throat. "Don''t worry," I said, nting a quick kiss on his lips. "I couldn''t take that risk, considering how impulsive you can be sometimes, right?" I gently ran my fingertips along his jawline.


    "Well...thank you for keeping that in mind," He smiled and kissed me, this time slow and sensual, taking his time to make me feel each caress of his lips and tongue.


    I could feel myself teetering on the


    edge of losing control once again, with just a little more push. But deep down, I knew that neither of us wanted that right now. The best choice was to savour this moment, and that''s exactly what we were doing, without any regrets. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Damn it all! I couldn''t fathom the enchantment he had cast upon me, drawing me irresistibly toward him. I couldn''t resist falling for him, even though I knew it wasn''t in the best interest of either of us.


    "I can''t remember thest time I felt this happy," he sighed, pulling me into his arms as wey side by side on the bed.


    A smile formed on my lips as I snuggled closer, resting my head on his arm. "I''ll never forget tonight," I whispered.


    "Trust me, if you do... I''ll make sure you never forget it again," he whispered in my ear, causing a rush of red to flood my cheeks.


    Seeing my flustered face, he chuckled and kissed the top of my head. "Come, let''s sleep. You must be tired."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "Yeah," I managed to reply, relieved that I didn''t stutter.


    I buried my head in the crook of his neck as he turned towards me, pulling the nket over our naked bodies, providingfort and warmth. "Goodnight, Jacob," I murmured.


    "Goodnight, Evelyn."

 Chapter 31 Enamoured

    Chapter 31 Enamoured


    Evelyn


    Morning arrived sooner than expected, as the sun''s gentle rays permeated the room through a slender gap in the curtains, caressing my face. Instinctively, I sought refuge in the warmth of Jacob''s neck, eliciting a yful chuckle that assured me of his wakefulness.


    "So you''re awake," I mumbled, my voiceden with fatigue and grogginess.


    How could I possibly summon any energy when Jacob had effortlessly drained every ounce of it from me the night before? My lower abdomen still throbbed, a testament to his unwavering vigour. The man was made of steel....everywhere.


    "Yeah, I''ve been up for a while," he replied, tenderly tracing small circles on my back while nting kisses on my shoulder.


    "Aren''t you tired?"


    I was genuinely curious. How could I feel utterly depleted while he radiated tenfold more energy, considering he had been the one responsible for our passionate escapades?


    "That''s theplete opposite of how I''m feeling right now," he snickered. "How can anyone be tired after such an incredible night?" "But why do I feel so fucking tired ?" I queried, lifting my gaze to meet him. Damn, he was breathtaking.


    "Because¡ªwhile it''s true that I was the one exerting the effort, it was upon you that I bestowed it..." He paused momentarily, mischief flickering in his emerald eyes, "Oh, my apologies, beloved. I haven''t worked on you; I''ve worked inside you. Would you like me to show you the exact spot?" He attempted to move his hand towards my bottom, but I grabbed it soon as I could, stopping him halfway from his misdeed.


    "Don''t you dare." I red at him.


    There was no way in hell I was going to let him touch me right now. If he did, I knew without a doubt that all my self-control would crumble, and the consequences would be an intensification of the agony coursing through my body and my insides.


    Jacobughed, fully aware of my reasons. How could he not? Both he and I remembered every intricate detail ofst night, and if it weren''t for this relentless pain that sent electric shocks through me with every second, I would be the one seducing him right now.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    There was no denying his prowess in the bedroom; it was fair to say he had kept me up for nearly the entire night.


    "Okay, I won''t," he assured me, pulling me closer and rubbing my back, as if trying to help me find sce, "Do you need Advil? I can get it for you." "No, don''t worry. The pain will fade away soon," I replied, snuggling even closer to his body, relishing in hisforting warmth, "What you can do is stay with me a little while longer."


    "Your wish is mymand," he said with a smile, pressing a gentle kiss on my lips, "What are your ns for the day?"


    "Do I look like I''m allowed to make separate ns when it''s none other than your best friend, AKA my dad, getting married?"


    "I could help you."


    "What''s the catch?"


    Reading Jacob was effortless for me. It was astonishing how quickly I hade to understand him. I could effortlessly discern his thoughts before they even left his lips. He was like an open book, though there were moments when he stood as the most enigmatic person I had ever encountered. This man possessed a myriad of colours, and I was determined to witness them all.


    "Well... I was thinking that you and I could spend some uninterrupted time together," he whispered in my ear, sending delightful goosebumps cascading over my body.


    "And where do you propose we go, escaping everyone''s prying eyes?" I asked, deciding to y his game as I brushed my hand over his abs, venturing toward his V, but intentionally halting just in time.


    I felt his muscles tense, and his jaw clenched. There was an oddly satisfying allure in how his blue veins protruded, and the pace of his breath subtly quickened.


    I may have said it a thousand times, but I''ll say it again he is addictive.


    No matter how frequently I voiced this sentiment, it would never alter the truth that such a statement merely scratched the surface of what I felt.


    "If you don''t want this conversation to take a particr turn, I suggest you stop your little tactics, youngdy," he spoke, his tone both seductive and serious, "I''m quite certain the ache between your luscious thighs requires a few more hours to fade away."


    "Well... you were the one who initiated it with your seductive whisper, weren''t you?"


    "Yes, and believe me, I''m more than willing to put an end to it right now," he chuckled, his voice husky and resonant, "But you wouldn''t be able to handle it at the moment."


    "This isn''t fair. You can''t always win arguments by resorting to... to these methods," I stammered.


    "Oh, really? So now you''re using me of being unfair?"


    "Yes," I nodded, "You are unfair."


    "If there''s anyone unfair between the two of us, Evelyn, you have to admit it''s you. From seducing me since day one, to making me jealous by pretending your gay friend was your ''fake boyfriend of the day,'' calling me a coward, and countless other foolish things, all leading up to making me lose every ounce of self-control I had," he sighed, smacking his lips, "It would be awfully fair tobel you as unfair."


    I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stifle myughter. Reflecting on all those antics I employed to lure him out of his shell was utterly hrious. I had certainly gone to extreme lengths to push him over the edge. But I didn''t regret any of it. Jacob was worth every moment of it. I couldn''t fathom experiencing sharing these moments with anyone else.


    "Okay, you win," I finally relinquished myughter. "By the way, I''m sorry for calling you those things, but you can''t really me me. You did stress me out a great deal."


    "Yeah," he nodded, his tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip as he slipped his hands around my hips and brought me closer to his body, "And now I''m nning to stretch you out...a lot."


    My cheeks burned and my eyes widened in disbelief.


    He just did not do that....he just....fuck, he did!


    "Jacob!" I pped his chest, sheer disbelief etching itself onto my expression.


    "What? Am I not supposed to inform you of my ns beforehand so that you can be prepared?" He feigned innocence, but the smirk ying at the corner of his lips revealed the true story.


    "You know you''re just too wicked, don''t you?"


    "Tell me something I don''t know."


    "Well, something you might not know or perhaps conveniently forgetting is that our little escape n might not work. I already have some exining to do because we both disappeared from the party yesterday. If I reveal the true reason, we''ll be in the midst of a full-blown war," I exined, "Without giving him a solid set of reasons that aren''t suspicious, my dad will be on my tail like a ghost."


    "Don''t worry. I''ve already prepared some exnations. All you need to do is narrate," he said, tapping my nose yfully as if I were a child, "So our n is a go. Okay?"


    "Where do you intend to take me?" I asked, a frown creasing my forehead as I moved his hand away from my face, protecting my poor nose from his wrath.


    "Somewhere," he replied, smoothing away my frown with his thumb and index finger, only for it to reappear on its own.


    "Where?!"


    "At the very least, somewhere far from this so-called creation of your father''s," he chuckled.


    "Hey, don''t call it stupid. My dad''s choice is the best.".


    "Well, no matter how much you argue, it''s true that Samuel can be a bit clueless at times. How did he manage to include everything imaginable in this mansion except a gym?"


    "Because he''s not much of a fitness enthusiast. Besides, there''s a gym nearby our house, although this mansion is an exception, built in the middle of nowhere. Even the closest gym would take at least half an hour to reach. This ce is a bit inconvenient."


    "So you agree?" A smile tugged at his lips, thinking he had achieved his desired victory.


    "Not exactly," I asked, "We came here


    primarily for a function, to spend quality family time, cherish rare moments, and reconnect my dad with old friends he hasn''t seen in years, and got out of touch, including you. He didn''te here


    ie''


    to sculpt himself like the Hulk, so it''s fair for him to overlook such minor details that you seem to notice so much."


    "For the record, your dad and I never lost touch, though it''s true we hadn''t met for years because I was caught up with my business and he was upied with his. And, of course, let''s not forget how he managed to scare away your dates," he chuckled, his expression quickly fading into a nk canvas as he gently pushed me onto the bed, hovering over me.


    "However, I must admit your reasons are valid," he continued, "But what irks me is, did you just indirectly call me that green monster?" He arched an eyebrow, and damn, he looked irresistibly sexy.


    From this view, I could see all the details of his body.


    "I don''t want to admit it, but... you are too stunning for that. I must say, Mr Jacob Adriano, you''ve sculpted yourself in a way that no woman can take her eyes off you once theyy their gaze upon you." I wrapped my hand around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.


    As expected, he leaned in, seemingly forgetting that just moments ago he was trying to put up an argument with me.


    Suddenly, I changed my mind and swiftly moved away, evading his attempt to seal my lips with what would have been a presumably dominating kiss.


    "What was that?" His expression betrayed genuine shock at my unexpected move.


    I suppressed augh, clearing my throat. "You''re not getting a kiss."


    "Why?" His irritation was palpable, and I couldn''t help but enjoy getting under his skin.


    "Because I said so."


    "Evelyn, stop this nonsense," he scoffed, attempting to lean in for another kiss, but once again, I skillfully evaded his advance. It was a challenge not


    to burst intoughter. His expression, a mix of confusion and frustration, was truly entertaining.


    "That''s what I said-I won''t give you a kiss."


    "You were the one who distracted me by pulling me closer," he pointed out, his jaw clenched as he stared at me.


    He looked incredibly adorable at that moment, and a part of me wanted to abandon this act and kiss him right away. However, the truth was that I was enjoying this game far too much.


    "So?"


    "You know what? You need a lesson," he dered.


    "Wait, I... I..." I didn''t have a chance to finish my sentence before he attacked my sides, tickling me relentlessly.


    "Oh my god, stop it, Jacob!" Iughed uncontrobly, attempting to free myself from his grasp, but his hands remained steadfast.


    "Why should I stop when you clearly set out on a mission to annoy me early in the morning?" he retorted, his voice audible amidst my giggles.


    "I... I''m sorry."


    "You''re only saying that to escape the situation," he chuckled, the mask of seriousness slipping away, yet his hands continued their assault.


    "No, I truly am sorry," tears welled up in my eyes; he had definitely given me a hard time, "Stop!"


    And finally, he stopped.


    I greedily inhaled the air I had lost due to his tickling, shooting him a re. "Jerk!"


    "Thanks," he snickered, nting a kiss on my lips, "I''ll let it slide this time because I have to go and time is running short. Otherwise, you would have


    to pay the ultimate price."


    "Wait, where are you going?"


    "To the gym, apparently my best friend can go without working out, but I can''t. My muscles are crying right now," he quipped, stealing another kiss on


    my lips before grabbing his t-shirt and shorts from the nightstand, "I need a boost."


    He was definitely not the most organised person.


    "But you said you''d spend the day with me..." My smile faded.


    Did he change his mind?


    "Yes, I will, love," he reassured me,


    his smile unwavering as he looked at


    me, his gaze softened, likely noticing my dropped expression, "But we both know the entire morning will be


    spent with you exining you will


    absence to your dad, and we can''t leave at this moment since everyone is keeping a watchful eye. So, we''ll


    slip away once I return from the gym and find the perfect moment when everyone will hopefully be distracted."


    "Promise me you won''t cancel the n..." I held out my pinky finger.


    He looked at my finger and let out augh. "Promise."


    And he interlocked his pinky finger with mine.

 Chapter 32 The Ex

    Chapter 32 The Ex


    Evelyn


    A few hours felt like an eternity. I was acting like a desperate puppy, and I didn''t know what was wrong with me.


    Had I always been crazy about Jacob, or was this new? I couldn''t tell, but his presence meant a lot to me. I wanted him close all the time and even found excuses to keep him from going to the gym.


    For me and my enigmatic thoughts, it would be very much logical to suggest myself as an exercise for him.


    "Sex burns calories, doesn''t it?" I asked Jennie, who was painting her nails beside me, while Mason checked out guys on social media, and Nancy searched through her luggage.


    "I guess it does," Jennie replied.


    Maybe I could offer him...


    "Why are you suddenly so curious? Is it because you are feeling tired after getting your cherry popped?" Mason teased, showing that he was not only into checking out men but also keenly listening.


    "Shut up!" I blushed red and threw a pillow at him, which he effortlessly dodged.


    "Ohe on. What''s there to feel shy about when you have already taken that big dick down your throat and elsewhere," Mason rolled his eyes, "Just share some details already," This was the fifth time he''d insisted on knowing what I and Jacob had donest night.


    The thought of rememberingst night made my cheeks ten times hotter.


    "I swear, I ced the packet of condoms right here!" Nancy''s sudden shout frightened all of us.


    "Hey, why you shouting like a mad dog?" Jennie asked, pissed, "You ruined my nail art!"


    "Forget about your damn nail art! My whole life''s at stake right now!"


    "For a packet of condoms?" I asked, bewildered.


    "You don''t fucking get it! I brought it just so there wouldn''t be any inconvenience. I already met a guyst night and I thought of fucking him today," She released a frustrated groan, "God! What I am going to do now?!"


    "Wait a minute, Nancy. You are not the one with the dick, then why are you creating a fuss about it?" Jennie quipped.


    "Just so, if he doesn''t have a condom, I get to have one so that there won''t be any dy in the fucking, duh."


    "God, that''s awful," Augh slipped past my lips, however, soon as Nancy''s ring gazended at me, I sealed my mouth shut.


    "I... I think I have one," Mason dug into his pocket and brought out a single sachet, "Will that be enough for today?" His nervousness was out of character; he usually taunted Nancy for her clumsiness.


    "Wait..." Nancy''s eyes widened as she snatched the sachet from his hand, "These are the same ones I bought!"


    Well... that exins it.


    "Come on, Nancy. You''re not the only one who buys from the brand," He tried to shrug it off withughter, but his expression gave him away, "It can only be a coincidence."


    "A coincidence? My foot!" She grabbed him by the ear, making him stand up, "How dare you steal my condoms?!"


    Jennie stifled augh as I watched with wide eyes.


    "You didn''t need them, so I thought I could use some," he whined.


    "Some? You used all of them, you asshole."


    "Fine, I am sorry. Now let go of my precious ear."


    "Precious ear? I will bite off your stupid little ear, you jerk," She pped him on the back of his head, "How dare you use my condoms?! I will fucking kill you!"


    "Then what am I going to steal, your bikini? I am not sure, I would look too good in that. Besides that your boobs are small, mine won''t fit."


    It seemed like Mason was really into digging a grave for himself.


    "You fucking jerk, how dare you call my boobs small?! Do you know how manypliments I get because of them?!" Nancy twisted his ear, earning an ''ouch'' from Mason, "More than you''ll get for your ass in this lifetime."


    "They only say that because there''s nothing else topliment!"


    Oh shit!


    "You are so dead today. Before Samuel''s wedding, I will make everyone attend your funeral!"


    "Guys guys, stop it," I finally decided to intervene, and rushed down the bed, standing between them, "There''s a drugstore nearby. You two can go there and buy condoms for yourselves, okay?"


    "No, it''s not. Look at that jerk. He''s not even sorry," Nancy once again tried to pounce at him, and Mason hid behind my back. "Evelyn, stop her!"


    "I am stopping her, but you need to say sorry too," I cleared my throat, trying hard not tough.


    "Okay, fine. I am sorry."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "That didn''t sound very genuine," Nancy crossed her arms over her chest.


    "Nancy, that''s enough. You two can''t fight the whole day," I rolled my eyes, "Now, go make-up, or else the drugstore might close soon. It takes an hour to get there."


    "Here, take my car keys," Jennie tossed her keys, which Mason caught.


    "Come, I will drive you there. You are a rash driver, and I promised your mother not to let you drive and cause an ident," Mason spoke, pursing his lips as if to let her know his contempt, although he was at fault.


    "Fine," Nancy finally let go of the re etched on her face, "Let''s go."


    ****


    ''When are you going to be back?''-I texted the devil as I sat on the sofa, in the living room, along with Dad, ra and...well, my mother.


    ''I am on my way. Five minutes max.''-The response came soon.


    ''Kay! I want you in my room soon as you get here, okay?''


    ''Don''t do that. I can''t walk into your dad''s mansion with a hard-on. He''ll throw me out.''


    ''Would you like to see me in red?'' I fought a smile as I sent him a picture of me wearing a red bikini.


    ''You little deviant, you are in for a punishment.''


    ''Can''t wait for it. Come fast, sir.''-with that, I put the phone aside.


    Gosh, I loved teasing him!


    "You better not bete," I mumbled to myself.


    "What did you say, Evelyn?" My mumbling drew ra''s attention, and my dad looked suspicious.


    "Oh, I was just talking to myself. I just ordered something. So I am hoping that I get it soon." I nervouslyughed.


    "What did you order?" Dad quirked an eyebrow.


    "Is that really important, Dad?!"


    "Well, of course. I need to know where you are wasting my money."


    "You are acting cheap!"


    "What did you just call me?!"


    "C.H.E.A.P-Cheap!" ra chuckled, stifling it behind her hand. My mother smiled, and I couldn''t care less. Well, maybe just a little.


    "You little brat..." Dad red at me, "No extra dresses for you this month."


    "Boo! ra''s already bought them for me."


    His gaze snapped at ra, who instantly deflected her stare, engrossed in her nails as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.


    "You are seriously so spoiled! I will


    get you


    ?


    both line after this wedding and both of us a deadly stare, verve


    also the one spoiling you," He shot


    somehow ended up looking cute.


    "You haven''t changed at all," my mom finally spoke up, a smallugh slipping past her lips, "You still can''t win a fight with her, Samuel."


    "Wait, has he always been bad at arguments?" ra''s interest was piqued.


    "Of course, ra. He could never argue with anyone, let alone win. And when ites to Evelyn, he can''t argue at all."


    "Then howe you blocked me for


    two days straight just for an


    argument over a funky t-shirt of


    yours that Iughed at?" It was


    ra''s turn to re, and Dad nervously gulped.


    Well well... this was getting interesting.


    "That was actually me practising


    how to win an argument," Dad let et


    out a shakyugh, scratching the back of his head, "It has beema long time since that incident, hasn''t it?"


    "Not for me," ra squinted her eyes at him, "You really were trying to act tough then, weren''t you?"


    "Not really. I was... ah, hurt!"


    It was a sure case that he was trying to act tough on her, and perhaps his source of information was Google I vaguely remember him seeking rtionship advice from bots.


    "That''s a lie."


    "No, it''s not!"


    "Yes, it is!"


    "Danica, what have you done?!" Dad looked at Mother in frustration, and I saw her trying to hide augh.


    It kind of surprised me how they became friends and did not have any awkwardness between them. Would it be alright for me to admit that it made


    me kind of... happy?


    "Don''t me her. You are the miscreant here!"


    "Wait, what?!"


    Before ra could speak again, a sudden voice interrupted, "Hi, guys... am I interrupting something here?"


    All gazes shifted to the doorway, and Dad''s eyes widened.


    "Chole..." The name fell off his lips as if he was horrified, but he quickly masked it with a smile, "It''s been a long time."


    "Yeah, it actually has," she walked inside, looking stunning, "But how couldn''t Ie? I ran here right after I got the invitation."


    "Oh, Danica..." her eyes fell on my mom, "How are you?"


    What the heck? She knew my mom as well?


    My mom smiled hesitantly, "Hi, Chole. It''s a pleasure to see you after all this time."


    "This is ra, my fianc¨¦e," Dad gestured at ra, who seemed just as confused as me because of the awkward smiles and pleasantries.


    "Hi, I am ra," she extended her hand, but Chole pulled her into a hug.


    "It''s so nice to meet you. You are so pretty," she smiled, "And we have simr names. I think we are gonna get along well. Good choice, Samuel."


    "You must be tired from the travelling," My mom intervened, calling for a servant, "She''ll show you your room. You can freshen up, and then we can have lunch together."


    "Yeah sure, I think you are right. I should-" Chole didn''t get the chance to finish speaking as heavy footsteps entered the room, tension filling the


    atmosphere.


    My eyes trailed to the doorway, finding Jacob entering the mansion. A smile took upon his lips as he looked at me, but it faded as soon as he spotted


    Chole.


    What the hell was going on?

 Chapter 33 Flames Of The Old Friend

    Chapter 33 mes Of The Old Friend


    Evelyn


    These past few minutes had to be the most excruciatingly awkward moments of my life. The room fell into a deafening silence, and the intense eye contact between Jacob and this woman named Chloe Spoke volumes and yet revealed nothing at the same time. There was an undeniable tension, evident from the way his jaw clenched and anger flickered in his darkened green eyes while he stared at her.


    Could she be an ex-lover? A rtionship gone sour, perhaps? That seemed like a usible exnation.


    For the briefest moment, Jacob looked at Dad, raising his eyebrow in a way that felt almost threatening. I noticed Dad awkwardly shifting in his spot, shooting a re at ra, who still appeared clueless.


    So, was it true that Dad hadn''t invited Chole? Most likely, yes.


    Since ra and I handled most of the invitations using Dad''s old diary, which contained the names and numbers of his old friends and colleagues, Dad probably had only a faint idea of the guests we''d invited.


    "Jacob..." A sigh escaped Chole''s lips. Unlike him, her eyes were soft, almost affectionate, as she gazed at him. "It''s been a long time."


    She released her hold on the suitcase and took a step toward him, her arms extended as if to hug him, but Jacob moved away, gesturing for her to stop.


    "Don''t pretend we''re friends, Chole," he added, his face stern, though bitterness seeped through every word.


    She stopped, the smile on her face fading. "I know," she said, clearing her throat as she stepped back. "I was just surprised to see you. That''s all." "Well, I''m surprised too that you showed up," he replied, walking past her. "And even more surprised that my so-called friend decided to invite you, knowing how much you screwed up. Pretty fucking ironic, isn''t it?" He shot another bitter stare in Dad''s direction as he ascended the stairs.


    I witnessed Dad exhaling a defeated sigh, clearly unsure of what to do next.


    "I have known him for a long time too, Jacob," Chole''s voice trembled as she spoke, and Jacob came to a halt.


    "Oh, really?" he replied, emitting a low chuckle as he looked back, leaning against the stairway. "I suppose that''s convenient. You can fill in for me at Samuel''s wedding now because I''m done. I didn''te all the way here, leaving my work and duties on hold, to attend his wedding and functions he decides to arrange on his own whims, just to deal with this mess."


    My eyes widened, and I held my breath. It was almost impossible to keep quiet and not shout-Why the hell would you go?


    But I knew, it wasn''t my ce to speak. It just wasn''t.


    Because there were no curtains separating us, nor were we behind closed doors. And god, it hurt me.


    "What? You''re leaving?" Dad asked, shock written all over his face-perhaps, he hadn''t expected Jacob to react this way.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "Look, Jacob... if it''s because of me that you''re leaving, then don''t..." Chloespoke, her voice quivering. "I can leave if my presence bothers you so much."


    "Isn''t it obvious that you''re the reason?" Jacob''s expression contorted with incredulity, "Why ask when you already know? And don''t even try to put on that act. You wouldn''t havee in the first ce if you actually wanted to leave- you made the choice to be here, fully aware of everything. Don''t tell me that you expected me to skip my friend''s wedding."


    "No, it''s not like that. I admit that I knew you''d be here, yet I came, but I didn''t want to make you feel ufortable. I''m sorry. I don''t want to ruin it for you. I''ll leave."


    "Since when did you start caring about what you ruin or not? That''s new. Anyways, you don''t need to leave, Chloe. You were invited, so you should stay here," he shrugged. "I''m sure you''ll have a great time, and that''s all that matters to you, right? Anyways, I''m done. So, goodbye." With that, he walked upstairs without ncing back.


    An awkward silence enveloped the room, and not a single word was spoken.


    Damn, I wanted to go to him. But I couldn''t... because what existed between us was wrong. Yet, why did it feel so right every time we were together? Whether anyone had noticed or not, beneath Jacob''s bitter words, there was more pain than resentment. It was evident that this woman had hurt him deeply, and the guilt in her eyes remained persistent.


    "I''m sorry, guys. I didn''t know this would happen," she choked out. "I wouldn''t havee if I had any idea. I should leave."


    For some reason, I couldn''t shake the feeling that she actually did have an idea, yet she came anyway. Perhaps she wanted to get close to Jacob again? Otherwise, why would she look at him that way?


    "No, Chole. Wait," my mother intervened, reaching for her hand. "You don''t need to go. Jacob will calm down after some time; we all know him. He''s just heated up at the moment, and I''m sure he won''t leave. You know how much he cares for Samuel. He wouldn''t do that."


    Gosh, my mother and her habit of acting great!


    "Still, Danica. I don''t think I should stay," Chloe let out a quiet sigh. "It''ll be ufortable for him."


    "I won''t deny that it might be ufortable for him, but you should stay. After a while, you two might be friends again, who knows? Everything takes time to heal, so give it some time. Everything will be alright. Besides, it''s been years. You both should be moving on now."


    "I understand, but..."


    "Chloe, I will talk to Jacob," Dad


    finally spoke, his voice determined. "I will find a way to handle this, and to be honest, I never wanted to put you two together because I knew it could be a mess. But let bygones be bygones. You should go to a room and freshen up. We''ll talkter."


    "Yeah,e with me, Chloe. I will show you your room," ra offered, shing a small smile.


    "Okay, fine."


    My mom followed them, heading to her room, leaving only Dad and me alone in the hall.


    "Is that his ex?" I blurted out the question as soon as the opportunity arose.


    "Yeah," Dad replied, dropping onto the couch with a sigh, rubbing his forehead. "The only ex, apparently."


    "What? He''s only dated once in his life?"


    "Well, not in that way. She was the only one he was ever serious about."


    "Their rtionship ended on a bad note?"


    "That would be an understatement," Dad sighed, "Jacob went through a lot because of her and her mood shifts. In a word, she only used him, no matter what she says right now or how much she regrets her. actions. The damage she has inflicted can''t be undone. She put him through a lot, and it''s not easy to forget, let alone forgive." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    ve?


    It all made sense now-why Jacob didn''t wish to be in a rtionship, the tattoo he covered up, those scars on his hand, and his reluctance to open up. All of it traced back to her.


    "Why don''t you go and talk to him? You have to exin it to him. What if he leaves because of her?" I urged, concerned for both my dad and Jacob.


    "I don''t know how I''m supposed to face him, Evelyn. I''m sure this was thest thing he had expected. God, I didn''t even n on inviting her, but it slipped out of my mind, and perhaps her number got on the list mistakenly. This is terrible."


    "But you need to talk to him. Staying silent will just create a wall between you two, and I''m sure you don''t want that. Why not solve things before they get out of hand? You two have been friends for years, I think he will be willing to understand."


    "I think you''re right. I should talk to him," Dad finally decided and stood up, however, after a few steps, he paused and turned back to me.


    "Would you... perhaps like toe with me?"


    My jaw nearly dropped to the floor, "Sorry?" I stammered, trying to grasp the unexpected request.


    "Well, Jacob gets pretty violent when


    he''s pissed, and I''m afraid that he might end up beating me up since screwed up," Dad confessed, scratching the back of his head, "At least, my daughter''s there, for the sake of my respect, he might not hit me. I don''t want to be seen all red and covered in bruises on my wedding day."


    "Oh, it''s totally alright," I blurted out quickly, hoping not to seem suspicious. "I''lle with you."

 Chapter 34 Bleeding Emotions

    Chapter 34 Bleeding Emotions


    Evelyn


    As Dad knocked on the door, there was no response. The eerie silence emanating from his room only intensified the twisting feeling in my gut. I wasn''t sure what I should do. If Dad weren''t here, I might have just barged through the door without a second thought.


    He was a grown man, fully capable of handling his emotions, so why did I feel so anxious? Why did I have this overwhelming need to help him, even when I wasn''t sure if he actually needed me?


    Fuck! I hadn''t thought I''d end up falling for him so deep. It felt insane. I was being driven to the brink of madness.


    "Jacob, I know you''re in there. Please, just open the door, okay?" Dad asked.


    But once again, there was no answer from Jacob.


    "Jacob?"


    Was he even in there?


    "Man, open the door. This is my house!"


    My eyes widened, and I impulsively pped Dad''s arm, "Dad! You can''t solve this like you solve our arguments. He''s not your kid, for God''s sake!" I whispered urgently.


    "Then what am I supposed to do?" he asked, lowering his voice to match mine.


    "I don''t know, just try to talk to him gently, maybe?"


    "Damn, it''s not going to work," he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "He won''t open the door. I''ll have toe backter when he''s calmed down. You should go back to your room too. I''m going to take a nap; this is stressing me out."


    "What?"


    "You heard me. Now get back to your room," Dad said as he walked away, eventually disappearing from my sight. He seemed clearly frustrated and tense.


    Of course, Jacob needed time. But I was going to die out of stress in the meantime.


    God, everything had been so perfect just a few minutes ago, but now it all seemed messed up, fucked up, and ruined by just one person''s arrival. The feeling of something bad urring wouldn''t leave me.


    Enough! I can''t stand there any longer. I need to speak to him.


    I slowly ced my hand on the doorframe, slightly leaning my head against it, and started, "Hey Jacob. Dad has left," my voice was soft and calm, "I know you''re mad at him, and you have every reason to be. But, would you please open the door for me and let me in? I just want to talk... that''s it."


    The silence in response disheartened me, causing doubts and questions to stir awake in my head. I wasn''t even sure if it was the right decision for me to try to make him speak.


    "If you don''t want me here, I understand. You can take your time. I know it''s hard for you. But remember, you told me that... holding onto things only makes it harder for us? I''m here to help, just like you helped me at that time. You don''t need to be alone when you''re having a hard time," I sighed, "I know I''m not always mature or understanding, but I can try. I can try to make you feel better. Can you please open the¡ª"


    The next second, the door opened.


    I exhaled in relief as I watched him. It seemed like he had freshened up; I could see that he''d changed into a white shirt and cks. However, before I could say a word, my eyes trailed to spot the suitcase on his bed-he was packing.


    "Are you really nning to leave?" I asked, my voice barely rising above a whisper.


    "I am not nning. I am leaving, Evelyn," he replied, walking back into his room. His cold tone was unfamiliar to me he had never been like this before.


    "Jacob, drop this idea. You don''t have to leave because of her," I implored, grabbing his hand to stop him from packing, "Dad didn''t invite her intentionally. It was a mistake. The invitation list was handled by ra and me, and we had no idea about this. I''m sorry for whatever happened today. Let''s talk this through and find a solution together."


    "Evelyn, I don''t know what you''re expecting from me, but..." he hesitated before pulling his hand away, "I''ve been clear with you from day one that I''m not the right man for you. I''m not the person you should be with. So, let''s end this here, okay?"


    What the hell was wrong with him?


    "Where is thising from, Jacob? What does any of this have to do with you and me?"


    "It doesn''t matter. It is what it is. I can never give you what you want, and how long can we keep fooling ourselves? Eventually, it wille to an end.


    It''s better if we stop here, today," he spoke, sounding indifferent and casual, which hurt me even more, "You''re young and beautiful, and I''m sure you''ll find someone new. Someone your age. It won''t beplicated then, and you can be happier. So, it''s best if we¡ª"


    "Who gave you the right to decide


    §Ö


    what''s good for me?" I interrupted, I was hurt but also determined to not let him dictate my life, "If you had these doubts all along, then what did all those moments we shared


    mean? Were they just a lie? A fling to you that you can throw away


    whenever you want?" Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "I can''t help it if you think that way. I don''t have the power to change anyone''s beliefs, do I?" He shifted his attention back to packing his clothes, seemingly unmoved.


    God, this cold-hearted motherfucker!


    "You know what? You are one cruel man, Jacob," I gripped his cors, forcing him to look at me, "You don''t even need to try hard to break someone''s heart. You''re unbelievably good at it, and unfortunately, I realised it toote."


    For a brief moment, I saw a flicker of hesitation in his cold gaze. His breathing trembled as he looked at me in silence.


    "You can go wherever the fuck you want. I won''t stop you, nor will I try to be there for you. It was my mistake toe here," I fought back my tears, my bottom lip quivering, "Go! Leave as soon as you can. I''|| make sure my dad doesn''t try to stop you," I pushed his chest, causing him to take a step back.


    He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.


    "I hope you have a safe journey," With that, I walked out of the room, holding back my tears until I reached my own room and copsed against the door.


    Well...Heartbreaks are painful¡ªI wouldn''t have realised it if it wasn''t for this day.


    ***Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "You sure you''re okay? We can always postpone this," Jennie said, standing before my door, concern etched on her face, "We don''t want to leave you here alone. I can already see how much you''ve cried-your eyes and nose are red already."


    "I''m okay, Jennie. It''s just that I


    sniffed some dust, and my allergies kicked in. Mason came a few


    minutes ago, and it took me a whole ten minutes to assure him that I''m alright. Nancy has made three phone calls from the car, and


    now,


    please don''t tell me I''ll have to spend another ten minutes on you."


    "You don''t have to, but I''m just worried. And don''t lie, I know you were crying. But look, if youe with us, you can ease your mind-the club''s fun. You''ll forget about this entire incident and that jerk, at least for a while."


    "I''m good, Jennie. Don''t worry," I shed her a small smile, "Besides, I just need some time alone. Please, don''t insist."


    "Okay, fine," she finally sighed in defeat and stepped inside the room, nting a kiss on my cheek, "You know we''re always here for you, don''t you?" "Yes, I do," a smile broke on my face, "Now go before I kick your ass. All the hot guys in the club will find someone else if you''rete."


    "Yeah, you''re right," she chuckled and hugged me, "Don''t cry anymore, okay? Jerkse and go, only real men stay."


    Augh unintentionally escaped my throat, "Okay, got it. See you then."


    "See you soon."


    As she headed out of the room, the smile faded from my face, and tears made their way down my cheeks again.


    God damn it! Why can''t I seem to stop crying? This is awful.


    I wiped my tears and brushed my hair back with my fingers, trying topose myself, "I can get through this. He wasn''t even my boyfriend yet I can


    forget him."


    Can I forget him?


    Maybe not.


    I tried to stifle a sob as it threatened to break through.


    I hated crying. It just made me feel so weak. But there was no way I could stop myself, either. I could only hope that I would be able to cope with these conflicting, overwhelming surges of emotions.


    I wondered if he had left yet. Perhaps he had. He was so determined, after all!


    Minutes passed until there was another knock on the door, "Nancy, don''t tell me it''s you. The previous two have already checked on me, so make your way back as soon as possible," I attempted to sound as if I weren''t crying, but my voice betrayed me.


    A few seconds passed before a response came.


    "It''s not your friend. It''s me."

 Chapter 35 Behind The Facade

    Chapter 35 Behind The Facade


    Evelyn


    I do not want to open the door- That''s what I tried to convince myself as I struggled to remain in my ce, battling my own inner turmoil.


    Why was he here? He shouldn''t be second-guessing himself given howposedly he had uttered those words, sharp as daggers, without a hint of hesitation. He had won that round-slipping away effortlessly.


    "Evelyn?"


    Damn! The timbre of his voice tugged at me, and I resented how much sway he held over me and I despised how much control he had over me. Anger surged within me, and I wiped away my tears, determined to stand my ground. I got off the bed, determined not to let him affect me any longer. Enough was enough.


    I opened the door. "Why are you here? Want me to book a ne ticket for you?"


    Instead of the quick response I had expected, he looked at me, his eyes taking in my tear-stained face and the evidence of my crying. His gaze softened.


    For a fleeting moment, my anger wavered, but I clenched my fists, holding on to it.


    He was dressed as if ready to leave, yet there was no suitcase in sight.


    Was he here to say goodbye? The thought set off rm bells in my mind. He better not try to put on a show of saying farewell and wishing me well, because I wouldn''t stand for it.


    "Why are you here, Jacob? To say goodbye or to ask for a favour, like keeping everything between us a secret for a lifetime? I don''t see any other reason for you to be here, and I''m not interested in either. So you should leave, or else¡ª"


    "I know I screwed up," he interrupted, his sigh heavy with regret, each word carrying the weight of it, "I''m sorry, Evelyn. Really sorry."


    "Are you? Fine, I heard you. Now leave," I said, making an attempt to swing the door shut. But he ced his hand against the wall, blocking me. "Evelyn, please let me exin."


    It was difficult to refuse him like this.


    "The earliest flight to Italy departs at 12.30. You''d best hasten to catch it," This time, as I aimed to close the door, he stepped inside, and in that instant, I relinquished half my resolve. He secured the door, sliding an arm around my waist, drawing me closer, and in doing so, eliminated any avenues of escape.


    He was too close...


    "What... what do you think you''re doing?" My gaze remained averted, unable to meet his eyes due to ack of strength and courage.


    "I''m sorry," he murmured, his forehead gently touching mine. He trailed his nose along my cheek, his voice heavy with guilt, and his gaze wavering, "I shouldn''t have said those things to you. It was a loss of control. I felt it was best for you not to get entangled in the mess."


    "What mess are you even talking about? Last time I checked, I was there to support you, and you decided tosh out at me for absolutely no reason," frustration tinted my words as I ced my hands between us, attempting to push against his chest, "Anyway, I don''t want to talk right now. I''m exhausted and all I need is sleep."


    "I am the mess," he admitted, drawing me in even closer. "I''m fucked up, and I guess I didn''t want you to see that. I didn''t want you to witness the moments when I''m weak and questioning my worth. I only wanted you to see the whitewashed version of me, the one that''s strong and confident, never falls weak... and in the process, I ended up hurting you. I''m sorry. Please, don''t stay mad at me. I feel like I am dying when you are not around."


    This time, he seeded inpelling me to meet his gaze. His eyes appeared on the brink of tears, and that vulnerability triggered my own suppressed emotions.


    The tears I had been restraining throughout his presence finally escaped, tracing down my cheeks, "W-Why? Why did you want that?" "Because I was afraid that my imperfections would lead you to push me away, and that''s why I thought I should-"


    "Cut ties before I could distance myself from you?"


    His gaze faltered, and I observed him inhale a shaky breath. "Yes. That''s why I reacted the way I did."


    "Everyone carries their own imperfections, Jacob. They have their own demons to fight. No one''s wless," I whispered, my fingers finding his face, tracing his jawline gently, "What really counts is whether we''re willing to ept those ws, whether we''re ready to stand by them. I''m not in search of perfection, not chasing a fairy tale, I never chased one. What I''ve always wished is... to be with you. Ever since I understood what it meant to want someone, it''s always been you. How could you even think that your past would change how I feel and what choices I make?"


    "I know I was mistaken. I''m sorry for what I''ve done...I really am," he sighed, his voice quivering. "Remember that day at the beach when you asked me if it''s rtionships or love that scares me... and I couldn''t answer?"


    Drawing him in, I pressed our foreheads together, exhaling softly, "Yes, I remember."


    "Love terrifies me, Evelyn, because


    all I''ve seen is its darker side," he


    began, his words hesitant, "My father''s love for his addiction, my mother''s love for him despite his abusive ways, even to herst day which came far too soon because of him. My sister''s love for me, marked on her back from saving me from my father''s beatings until the day he met his untimely end in an ident. And then there''s my own love for Chloe, which drove me to the brink. It''s always been shadows for me, no light, no bright ces. That''s why... I''m scared of it. Remembering all of it hurts, because I want to move beyond it all. I''m not holding on, but these memories, they never leave."


    "I understand," I whispered, gently cradling his face before pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, "I understand, and you don''t have to talk about it if it hurts too much. I get it."


    n


    "But I want to," he admitted, his restlessness still evident, "It''s not easy for me to open up because I never wanted to. But with you, I want to break free from that. You bring out the best in me, and being with you feels so right despite everything wrong. I''ve always held my expectations high, but life hasn''t handed me what I wanted. Then I met Chloe, when I was just fifteen. It started with friendship and grew into something more. I was young, adjusting to my new parents who had thankfully adopted me and Jessica. We were trying to forget the


    traumas of the past. When Chloe


    offeredfort, it felt like all I


    needed. I thought I was finally making progress, finding fulfilment.


    But I didn''t realise she was using


    me."


    "Oh..Jacob," I didn''t even know how I couldfort him. It pained me to even think he had gone through all of this.


    Oh, How I wished I could heal all of his past wounds and mend him so right that none of those memories could ever haunt him again.


    ¡°She had this twisted desire, an unhealthy need for people''s lives to revolve around her, and I foolishly indulged that sick desire. I spent years seeking her approval for everything, from my clothes to my shoes, even the way I spoke. I believed that byplying, I could keep her with me. Eventually, it became too much to bear. We drifted apart, but she wasn''t finished."


    That fucking bitch....


    "It was difficult for her to ept that our rtionship ended. When we met again during our college years at the same institution where I and your mom and dad studied, she wormed her way back into my life," he continued, a mix of frustration and rage in his voice, ¡°And I let her, foolishly."


    "Except this time, she portrayedContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    herself differently at first. She made me believe she had changed, until she started showing her true colours once more. We fought endlessly. There were moments of physical aggression from her, and ckmailing if I even mentioned ending things. She swung between being controlling and loving, exploiting the fact that I loved her,"


    he said with a bitter chu


    Gwe


    had cycles of breaking up and getting back together thatsted for


    years, so toxic and tiring. Until it reached a breaking point, when I discovered she was cheating on me. Even then, she tried to shift the me onto me, saying that I was at fault for focusing on my business model and studies instead of giving her attention. So I walked away, and I took a job offer in Italy. I returned to my hometown, working from my grandmother''s house until I got an investor''s offer and things took off. Despite all that, she would call me, offering empty apologies that held no sincerity."


    God, I will kill that damn woman.


    "After going through all that because of her, seeing her today brought back all those feelings I''ve been carrying," he admitted, "I''ve always resented myself for letting her manipte my emotions and trample all over me. Her presence today made me feel worthless, just like she used to back then. I took it out on you, and I''m deeply sorry for that. Can you forgive me and forget what I said?"


    "I already have," A smile made its way to my lips.


    "Thank you. Thank you so much." He leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a fervent kiss that carried the weight of pent-up emotions. He explored every


    nuance of my mouth.


    Finally....


    It felt liberating. Like a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders.


    Damn! I had missed his touch. His scent. The way he held me close. It was as if we''d been apart for years, even though it had only been a matter of


    hours.


    He broke the kiss, leaving both of us breathless and wanting more, "I had asked you to spend the day with me, but I ruined it. Will you give me a chance to make it up to you?"


    "Of course," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. "What do you have in mind?"


    "I can''t tell you. You''ll have to get ready and see for yourself."


    "We''re going out somewhere?"


    "Yes, we are," he chuckled, noticing my curiosity, and gave me a tender peck on the lips. "Now get ready, sweetheart."

 Chapter 36 Rendezvous In Secrecy

    Chapter 36 Rendezvous In Secrecy


    Evelyn


    "Whoa, is this yours?" I asked, my eyes locked onto the sleek motor yacht resting gracefully at the marina. It was beautiful. Having ventured on numerous yacht tours due to my father''s unwavering affection for coastal areas, I thought I had seen it all. But this vessel was a real beauty. "No, it''s not mine. If you want to see mine, you''ll have to apany me to Italy," he replied, his fingers intertwining with mine as he guided me aboard, "However, for tonight, it belongs to us. I''ve arranged for its booking."


    "Wow, it''s absolutely stunning," I marveled, stepping inside, "I''ve nevere across anything quite this beautiful."


    "Hey, my yachts are even better," he chuckled, walking towards the bridge, "This was the closest match I could find here."


    "Sure thing," I rolled my eyes, trying to get on his nerves as usual, "You talk a big game. I bet your taste isn''t that great."


    "Careful now, youngdy," he said with a sudden change in tone, grabbing my jaw and gently pressing me against the wall. His eyes held a challenge, but there was a hint of amusement as well, like he knew exactly what I was up to, yet opted for the chance to intimidate me. Holy shit!


    His other hand reached out, fingers toying with the hem of my top, "You should already know how good my taste is," he whispered, his lips brushing against my earlobe. "Don''t you see yourself in the mirror? What a shame!"


    My heart raced, and a subtle blush warmed my cheeks as I tried to stifle a smile, "I''m not falling for your tricks. You can save them for someone else." He chuckled softly, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Oh, but you''ve already fallen, my love. In fact, it happened a long time ago."


    I parted my lips, intending to respond, but, unfortunately, no words emerged.


    "What? Cat got your tongue?" He grinned, leaning in to pepper my face with kisses. His lips danced from my cheeks to my chin and then my nose. "Hey, cut it out."


    "Why? Is someone ticklish?"


    "No, I''m not."


    "Yes, you are," A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes as he challenged me, a knowing smile ying on his lips. He leaned in again, this time trailing kisses down my throat.


    A gasp escaped my lips as my breath quickened. He held me closer, teasing and yfully nipping at my skin, leaving his marks behind.


    "We''re going to bete..." I managed to breathe out, my voice tinged with a mix of urgency and reluctance. "You mentioned it''s a long journey."


    I could feel his reluctance to stop, but eventually, he relented, "Unfortunately, you''re right," he sighed, his nose tracing a gentle path along my cheek, "We have to return early, or else your dad will go crazy, and now that your mother''s here, she''ll be concerned too."


    Suddenly a thought hit my mind at the mention of my mother.


    That day when she came....Jacob told me a story- one that had quite a different narrative than today''s one


    "Wait...I have something to ask you,"


    "What is it?"


    "I am sorry to ask, but that day, when my mother arrived and lost my shit. You told me a story- your mum died the day you were born," I began, "And today you said something different, I can for sure say that, today''s one wasn''t a lie but-" I left my words hanging in the air and saw him pressing his lips together as if suppress aughter.


    "You lied to me back then?!" My eyes widened in disbelief.


    "Well... it wasn''t exactly a lie. My emotions were genuine," he responded, clearing his throat and nervously scratching the back of his neck. "I just wanted to uplift your spirits."


    Unbelievable. I can''t believe this man...


    "Jacob... you..."


    "We are gettingte, Evelyn," he hastily moved to start the yacht''s engine, "We can talk about thister."


    "Oh hell no, we are talking about now, " And I followed him.


    ***


    Well, it didn''t take me long enough to forgive Jacob for his stupid lies. We had made up pretty quickly, perhaps within five minutes we wereughing once again.


    "Wow!" My eyes fixed on the ind in sheer awe. "It''s incredibly beautiful."


    The stars adorned the sky above it like scattered glitter, casting a mesmerizing glow. The weather was remarkably pleasant, with gentle breezes caressing my skin as if in a delicate embrace. The moon hung in the sky like a polished silver te¡ª This was the first time I had been so fascinated by it.


    Damn! This feels so different, almost as if something within me has shifted. Was it the serene nature or was it just Jacob? Perhaps, it was just him¡ª The magic at the moment.


    "I''m d you like it," he spoke from behind me, his arms enveloping me as he rested his chin on my shoulder.


    "How did you discover this one? It seems more secluded than the others nearby," I inquired, stealing a nce at him.


    "I''m acquainted with this spot because, hopefully within the next three months, it will belong to me."


    "Oh..wait, what?" My jaw practically hit the floor.


    "You heard me," he chuckled, "This ind has been a long-term project of mine, and it''s actually personal. It''s not just another real estate venture; The first time when I saw this ind, I just knew this had to be mine."


    Suppressing my grin I pivoted to face him. Slowly, I lifted my arms, encircling my hands around his neck, "I can understand you, Jacob. There was a moment in my life when I experienced a simr sentiment."


    A hint of confusion creased his brow, but he couldn''t help but smile as he noticed the yful glint in my eyes, a glint I made no effort to conceal. "And what might you mean by that, youngdy?"


    It was impossible to contain the smile that now spread across my lips.


    "Well, you see," I began, tracing my index fingerzily along the side of his face before trailing downward, reaching his chest where I pressed my hand, there''s a man, an Italian man who also happens to be my dad''s best friend, unfortunately. The same feeling you have about this ind, I can confidently say that I share it with you, because the moment I saw him..." A smile broke free, unable to be restrained any longer, "I just knew he had to be mine."


    "Is that so?" His smile was evident as he drew me closer, his hands finding their ce around my waist, effectively closing the gap between us, "Perhaps, I know this mysterious man?"


    "Oh, absolutely not," I shook my head, "That ''old thing'' tends to keep to himself, especially around neers."


    "Ah, so now I''m an ''old thing,'' am I?" He raised an eyebrow, leaning in closer to my face, "Seems like you''re getting out of bounds, youngdy. I wonder how I should handle you."


    "Well, old things should be addressed appropriately, right? You could easily blend in with the ancient Egyptians," a softugh escaped my lips, "Yet here you are, taking advantage of an innocent flower like me. You''re quite the heartless viin, an old one at that."


    "Innocent, you say?" He looked at me, feigning innocence himself, as his eyes widened, "And here I am, the cruel old man?" His lips twitched as if fighting a grin, and then he let out a sigh, "Evelyn Fernandez, it seems you need a lesson."


    "Well... that was a joke," I raised my hands in surrender, knowing that his unpredictability might not bode well for me.


    "It hardly matters now," his voice deepened, a yful glint dancing in his eyes, "An old thing, huh? Let me show you just what this ''old thing'' can do." With caution, I started backing away.


    Why do I always do this myself?


    "Jacob, I was just kidding about the-," my words were cut off as I watched him begin to advance. His hands hinted at a tickling assault, or more likely, his probable intention to propel me into the nearby pool.


    Instinctively, I bolted.


    "Evelyn, wait!"


    "No way, I know you''re nning to toss me into the pool," I sprinted past him, his fingers nearly brushing my side as he attempted to catch me. "Oh, you catch on quickly," hisughter echoed as I felt his presence hot on my heels.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Damn it! With those long legs of his, he''d have me defeated in no time, and it wouldn''t take more than a few minutes. My surrender was imminent. "This isn''t fair! You have long legs!" I protested as I found myself in the bedroom, trying to evade his imminent grasp. He seemed to relish the chase, like a lion closing in on its prey.


    "So what? You have a big beautiful butt, did Iin?" He seemingly missed the point entirely.


    "Hey, that''spletely different," I stammered, my cheeks burning bright. In a fit of embarrassment, I hurled a pillow in his direction before darting to the other side of the room, seeking refuge behind the floor-length curtains, "I meant you have an unfair advantage with those long legs of yours!"


    He chuckled, undeterred, and continued his relentless pursuit. He almost managed to catch my hand, but I skillfully evaded his grasp. "You have never yed fair anyway. So, how about you experience a taste of your own medicine?"


    "No, I don''t want to get wet," Myughter mingled with his as I did my best to elude his yful attack. There was just...an exhrating sense of liberation in our chase.


    We transformed into carefree


    children, frolicking in an open field,


    el.m


    where the concept of winning or losing held no significance. It was just the moment- this very moment. Here we were, Jacob and I, amidst the expanse of the stunning


    azure sea. It felt like a dream realized, a scene from my heart''s deepest desires.


    None couldpare to him; he was the reason I longed to open my eyes every time I closed them.


    "You probably should have considered that earlier, don''t you think?" His voice held a hint of amusement as our yful struggle continued. He sought


    to capture me, while I fought to evade his grasp. "And by the way, I''ll get you wet either one way or another. The night is still young."


    My cheeks zed crimson, and before I could respond, his grip on my arms tightened.


    "Hah, caught you."


    Desperately, I attempted to wriggle free, a giggle bubbling forth, "No way, I''m not about to let you win."


    "I''ve already won," As he drew me toward him, my bnce faltered, and the oue was inevitable.


    Both of us tumbled to the floor, with Jacob cushioning my fall, his arms still encircling me. White sheer curtains cascaded around us like a veil.


    "Ouch," he groaned quietly.


    "Are you okay?" I lifted myself slightly to get a better look at him.


    Jacob froze in ce, our eyes locking in a charged moment. I could see him swallow audibly, looking at me in awe. His right hand settled around my waist while the other tenderly traced my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine.


    "Hurt? No, I feel like I''m floating on clouds," he let out a soft, husky chuckle. "Do you realize how fucking stunning you are, Evelyn? I''m willing to bet you don''t." His eyes flickered to my lips, his thumb brushing over them, igniting a fiery sensation within me.


    "Um, I guess you can forget about that punishment then?" I nervously nibbled on my bottom lip, and for a moment, I swore I heard a low growl


    emanate from his chest.


    Wow! That''s quite interesting,


    "I suppose I can," a smirk curled at


    the edge of his lips, "But I''m afraid, for what I have in mind next, you might need to be a bit... wet. Or else..." With a swift movement, he whisked the curtain away from us


    and flipped us, causing a gasp to slip past my lips, "I have a feeling you''ll not find the experience as interesting."


    "Jacob..." I blushed, attempting to avert my gaze, but his grip on my jaw was firm, locking our eyes once again. Desire zed in his intense blue


    gaze, stronger and more consuming than I had ever witnessed before.


    "Evelyn, I want you on that bed. Right now."

 Chapter 37 Crimson Desires

    Chapter 37 Crimson Desires


    Evelyn


    He trailed kisses along my neck as I found settled on hisp, my legs straddling him as he took full advantage of the position. His mouth moved in all sorts of motions. With each move, he made it impossibly hard for me to sit still; My hands fisting his shirt begged for more¡ª more ess to his body just like he had to mine.


    A softugh escaped my lips, barely audible, "So, was this your grand n, Mr. Adriano? Bringing me here to take advantage of me?"


    "I can take advantage of you, anywhere I want, youngdy," Hisughter resonated, a deep and enchanting sound that sent ripples of pleasure down my spine, a testament to the effect he had over me.


    God, I hated it, and hell, I loved it at the same time.


    "Overconfident, aren''t we?"


    His gaze locked onto mine, a fire burning within his eyes, as his fingers gently caressed my neck, before they wrapped around my throat, eliciting an involuntary gasp from me.


    "What if I say yes?" His voice was a husky whisper, his lips teasingly brushing against mine, leaving me longing for more.


    Fuck!R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "What if I say that, I know I can take you anytime I want and you won''t evenin?" He slipped his hand inside my shorts, touching my sensitive folds begging for his attention, and then...he teased my clit, circling his finger around it yet not giving me what I wanted.


    "What if I told you that I am aware of your yearnings? I sense the depths of your desires, the things you want, what sets your soul aze, what you crave, and how you ache for nobody but me to be the one that fulfills them?" He kept going, a soft gasp escaped my throat, I closed my eyes shut, biting down my bottom lip to stop the moan that ached to escape, "And even now..... Evelyn Fernandez, you are, dying from within, wanting me to just stop it already and fuck you," He chuckled, tracing his nose against the skin on my neck, taking in my scent.


    I shivered under his touch. His warm breathing triggered my nervous system, my mind went nuts and...hell, he was absolutely fucking right.


    He rubbed my pussy, slowly andnguidly, teasing me and making me lose my calm every time he added a bit more pressure. My hips shook, every time he traced a new spot, teasing the sensitive area already dripping wet for him.


    "Is possessing intimate knowledge about someone that remains hidden from all others an exhibition of overconfidence? Is that the case?"He leaned in closer, his warm breath caressing my ear, his deep voice stroking the mes of my desires. Shit.


    "If it is, well then, call me overconfident because I''m just getting started," His teeth grazed my earlobe, his hand continuing its tantalising motion, " You see, I know how to worship an art, and god, I may very well be an artist in due time," His breath danced across my lips, finally coaxing me to open my eyes.


    "Can I fuck you now, Evelyn?" He asked, a grin taking over his lips. It was no secret he knew that I was not going to say no. He could see it in my eyes.


    "Fuck, yes," And I pulled him for a kiss.


    Smashing our lips together, with a deft movement, he reversed our positions. I found myself on the bed, on my back, trapped underneath him as he plundered my mouth with hunger. His skilled hands swiftly removed my top, followed by the effortless unsping of my bra.


    He moulded my breast in his hand, pulling me into yet another fervent kiss.


    My back arched as he pinched my nipple.


    I gasped into his mouth, and he continued.


    "Please..." a wail finally managed its way out.


    "You and I both want me inside your tight cunt, Evelyn."


    "Then show me what you got, Jacob," I whispered, my gaze fixed on him- God, he was utterly mesmerising. Fucking gorgeous!


    He was the sort of man you''d only encounter in novels. And oh my, the delight of witnessing this masterpiece firsthand; especially when the masterpiece was there, reeking of your own essence, willing to worship you and fuck you as if there was no tomorrow-Lord, forgive me, but if this isn''t heaven I don''t know what is.


    "I will, Evelyn. Fuck, I will," He smoothly removed my shorts with a single, deliberate motion, and my panties soon followed suit, leaving me entirely exposed to his eager gaze.


    He gazed at me, head to toe, for a very long moment, "Hell, you are beautiful."


    My cheeks flushed crimson, no words escaping me, yet my hands acted on their own ord, finding his shirt and unfastening its buttons. He allowed it, a quiet curiosity gleaming in his eyes.


    As the fabric slid off his shoulders, exposing the chiseled contours of his body, I was entranced, unable to look away.


    I will never get tired of this view.


    Drawing closer, I pressed my lips against his abdomen before trailing up to his jawline, my fingers tracing the firm ridges of his muscles.


    "You''re quite something, Evelyn," he murmured, fingers curling into my hair, forcing my gaze to meet his before he captured my lips in another searing kiss.


    Desires had a noose around my throat. I struggled to distinguish whether it was my own volition or the sheer force of lust driving me. One thing was certain I would never feel like this for anyone.


    He pushed me down the bed once again. As his eyes roamed over my exposed form, a newfound intensity burned within them and this time finding me all bare, he surely found a new speed alongside it.


    But oh my, what he did next waspletely unexpected-Lowering down, his lips were on my pussy hot and heavy and the next moment, he trailed a heated path will his tongue, starting from my folds, gliding sensuously over my navel and continued upward till he reached my jaw.


    "Oh god," I gasped for air.


    Without a warning, he flipped me and kissed my shoulder, moving all the way down to my butt, squeezing them, and kissing down until his tongue once againnded between my folds.


    "Ah.." I buried my face into the pillow, tears gathering in my eyes.


    "Fuck, you smell heavenly," He inhaled me there, causing shivers to flood my veins, "You are indeed heaven."


    And he dove in once again, from kissing to sucking, nibbling, and biting- he did everything possible to get me on the edge and he seeded. Within moments, I reached my release, crying out loud.


    He licked every drop of what I''d offered.


    Just the moment, my body after the release, was reaching its calm, Jacob''s tongue did its magic. As he licked, from my butthole to all the way to the top, stopping right behind my ear, where he left open-mouthed kisses that fuelled the desires once again- I lost it, all over. Again.


    I turned around, pulling him for a


    ???


    kiss, before lunbuckled his belt, pulling down his pants and briefs. His daunting length, sprung free, causing a sense of nervousness to flood my mind. It wasn''t as if this was the first time I was seeing him- It had certainly fit perfectly fine,st night.


    Sitting down against the headboard, he pulled me on hisp, the position made his length stay right between us, dangerously close to my aching


    core.


    "Ride me, Evelyn" He spoke, guiding my hand to his cock.


    Fuck!


    "I have never..."


    "You don''t need to tell me," he caressed my cheek, "I know. Don''t worry."


    Apparently, that was all I needed. I slowly guided his length to my entrance, raising myself using the help of the headboard of the bed behind Jacob, and then without a warning, I came down on him, overflowing with length, taking him all in, deep.


    He groaned, his hands cupped my butt, nails partially digging inside my skin.


    My god, this feels so good.


    My walls squeezed around his length, weing him inside. I threw my head backward, slowly rocking my hips, moving up and down, setting a rhythm that drove both of us insane.


    "You are so fucking tight, Evelyn," He buried his nose into my neck, sucking my nipple into his warm mouth, triggering a nerve, instantly a short orgasm washed over me, leaving me wanting for more.


    I continued, increasing my speed, my hands now settled on his broad shoulders. The sounds of our skin meeting filled the room, mingling with my gasps, screams, and cries. The waves of pleasure kept washing over me, like a cascade of mini orgasms. It felt as if I had unlocked a new version of my body, and Jacob held the key all along. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Lost in the throes of our passionate encounter, we continued, time slipping away unnoticed. The impending release grew more intense, and we both surrendered to the intoxicating ecstasy.


    Soon, Jacob took the lead, his


    rhythm bing the driving force. He plunged into me, each thrust pushing us deeper into euphoria. bit down on his shoulder, muffling my moans, but then I realized there was no need to hold back-no one would hear us. It was just the two of us on this yacht, adrift in the middle of the vast ocean


    And soon, I came apart, my body unraveling in waves of pleasure. The intensity of my release hit me like a tsunami, a reminder of the energy I had expended. Jacob followed suit, his essence merging with mine.


    Drained, I copsed onto him, nuzzling my face into the curve of his neck. His scent enveloped me, providingfort amidst the aftermath. "That was..." My words faltered as I struggled to catch my breath.


    "Amazing," he finished my sentence, his fingers sweeping strands of hair from my face before he kissed me tenderly.


    However, I sensed him stirring awake inside of me once again.


    "I''m hard again," he confessed, lust smoldering in his gaze.


    "Yeah, I know, and I don''t think I have anyints," I whispered, leaning in to capture his lips with mine.

 Chapter 38 Moonlit Confession

    Chapter 38 Moonlit Confession


    Evelyn


    I gently traced my fingers along his jawline, careful not to disturb his peaceful slumber. He appeared breathtakingly beautiful, an unconventional sort of magnificence that brought me tranquillity instead of the usual racing heartbeats.


    After numerous times of literally fucking the shit out of each other that left us both physically spent, we had sumbed to sleep a few hours ago. But my rest had been short-lived. Perhaps fate or maybe god himself willed me to witness this scene, granting me the privilege of marvelling at its creation and seizing the opportunity for himself to brag about it.


    Indeed I could give him the credit. Jacob was, in my eyes, wless.


    I brushed aside a lock of his chestnut-brown hair that had fallen onto his forehead. The colourplemented his skin tone seamlessly, radiating a subtle shine. I could have easily spent the entire night just observing him. The idea wasn''t all that bad, considering sleep had eluded me. Fair enough, isn''t it?


    "A grown man who sleeps like a baby," I murmured softly, ensuring my voice remained barely audible. My gaze remained fixed on him; hey on his side, facing me, while Iy on my stomach. Adorable.


    My fingers tingled with the desire to trace his features-his defined cheekbones, the contour of his nose, his smooth forehead, the tempting curve of his lips, and the rosy hue of his cheeks. But I refrained. I couldn''t bear the thought of rousing him from his serene rest. Who would, really? It was an absolute sacrilege to disturb him at this moment. Someone had to be an absolute bitch to do so, and I often had been that bitch-Yet, it was different with Jacob-only with him.


    Suppressing my impulses, I managed to sit up, even though the urge to shower his face with kisses was a struggle.


    How could someone always look so damn tempting? Lord, have mercy.


    I threw off the duvet, trying to get up and out of bed. But I couldn''t tear my eyes away from him.


    Just one quick kiss. Then I''ll go.


    I gave in, leaned over, and nted a soft kiss on his lips. I had to make sure I didn''t get too into it and wake him up. I smiled, pulled away, and got out of bed.


    I felt like an idiot for falling in love with this man. But what can you do? The heart wants what it wants, it could hardly bother giving a single fuck about what''s right and wrong.


    I walked out of the room, putting on Jacob''s shirt as I went, and stood by the hatch. Damn, what a view.


    Even though the cold winds felt sharp and bitter against my skin, making me shiver, and a part of me wanted to crawl back into the warm bed next to Jacob, I toughed it out because the sky was just too amazing to miss. I could handle a bit more.


    I gripped the cold metal railings, a shiver running down my spine, and exhaled a soft sigh.


    Thoughts raced through my mind, loud and clear.


    These moments were something else. When Jacob was around, I didn''t give a damn about the world. But it was all going to end soon. Once my dad''s marriage is done, he''d go his way and I''d, unfortunately, even though it''d deeply hurt me, have to go mine.


    Damn, they were right-good moments don''t stick around for long.


    Why did he have to be my dad''s best friend out of all the people in the world?


    Another sigh escaped my lips, and I found myself rubbing my arms to dispel the coldness the winds were etching into my skin. Deep down, though I didn''t want to admit it, I was seeking a bit offort, a promise that I''d find a way to make thisst as long as possible.


    Forbidden things alwayse at a price, no matter how enticing they might be.


    I delved into my thoughts, exploring corners that usually remained locked when I was with Jacob. But tonight, those corners were wide open, forcing me to confront reality, pulling me out of this trance that perhaps one in his right mind would call delusion instead.


    A momentter, the chilly winds were reced by a pair of arms enveloping me, securing me close until my back met something solid. Warmth radiated from his body, crawling into mine from over the fabric, slowly, his scent filled the air, the one that this shirt had too, however not enough to be sufficient for one who had already grown fond of drowning in it.


    "Hey, baby," his husky voice sent a jolt through me.


    I shivered at the sound, my grip on the railing loosening as my hands settled on top of his, resting on my waist.


    "Why are you awake? I tried not to wake you up," I whispered, leaning into his touch. God, I missed him. Yes, I know it had only been, barely ten minutes but trust me, those felt so damn long.


    "I was missing your touch," he replied, lowering his head to kiss my neck. "For a moment, I freaked out when I woke up and didn''t find you beside me."


    A soft chuckle escaped me. I raised my hand, caressing his jaw. "So, Mr. Adriano is starting to get used to me?"


    "Oh, you have no idea," he sighed, his nose nestled against my neck, "I think I''m bing obsessed, bordering on insanity."


    A smile tugged at my lips. A strange warmth blossomed in my chest as I pressed a kiss to his temple. "Well, now you know what it feels like to be obsessed with someone. Wee to the club."


    "You and I aren''t the same, Evelyn. I might end up wrecking everything just to make you mine, and the crazy part is, I might not even regret it. I might not regret any of the damage I cause to rtionships in the process," his voice dropped, his words heavy, echoing the same questions that haunted me, "But here''s the thing I don''t want to. I don''t want to ruin anything, and I don''t want to let this go. It''s confusing as hell, but it feels so damn right." He tightened his hold on me, as if to shield me from the world.


    "Let''s not overthink it right now, okay?" I turned to him, my hands sliding around his neck, pulling him closer. "We''ll figure it out. Everything will be okay."


    "You''re right," he breathed, leaning into my touch. I could feel his heart racing, its rhythm in sync with mine, as if it was always meant to be.


    A few moments passed just in silence; none of us spoke a word. The silence felt peaceful. With him, and this ocean, I felt free like these cold winds and I pondered, whether, if I were to sumb and get swept away like them, forced to a new destination, or I''d get to stay here forever.


    Breaking the silence, Jacob''s voice echoed, shattering the walls that had enclosed us, leaving it all crumbling at our feet.


    "You''re quite the swimmer, Evelyn, aren''t you?" he asked, a mischievous smile ying on his lips as he nced at the ocean. Oh, no way. He can''t be serious-absolutely not.


    "Jacob, that''s a terrible idea," I protested, urgency in my voice.


    "Nothing''s a terrible idea when you''re by the ocean," he responded, his grin widening, and my senses went on high alert.


    "I am not going to go along with this crazy idea, Jacob. I won''t jump."


    "And why''s that?" He arched an eyebrow, his green eyes sparkling under the moonlight, making it hard for me to hold my ground.


    Fuck, he looked handsome Shit, Evelyn, just for once, act sensible.


    "Because the water is freezing cold, for God''s sake. We''ll either freeze or get swept away by the waves. I''m not risking it."


    "I''ll keep you warm," he whispered, his voice steady as his lips brushed against mine, momentarily weakening my resolve, "And believe me, no waves are going to take us away. We''ve taken bigger risks before, Evelyn. You know that."


    Not a single nerve in my body, not even a small hair strand, was up for partnering in this reckless n.


    "No chance, it''s not the same," I insisted, attempting to step back. He was out of his mind.


    "Come on, Evelyn. Let''s be a little wild tonight," he wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me closer as he edged us toward the edge, "You jump, I jump, remember?" He chuckled.


    "This isn''t some Titanic shit, Jacob. It''s just in crazy!" I struggled to break free, but his grip was firm.


    "One. Two..."


    "Fuck! This is beyond insane. Jacob, no!"


    "Three."


    In the blink of an eye, we were plummeting straight off the yacht and into the deep sea. The water enveloped me, its icy grip threatening to numb my entire body in seconds. Breaking the surface, I gasped for air-holy shit, this was beyond absurd. The cold water was a near-painful shock against my skin, yet it oddly induced a sense of calmness.


    Jacob emerged beside me momentster, his arms encircling me and pulling me close. The moon climbed higher in the sky, casting a soft glow on


    his face. I could cherish this view, even risk my life for it, a thousand times over.


    "I told you I''d keep you warm," he said, his breath ragged, though not nearly as much as mine¡ªmyposure was long gone.


    "This is insane," a chuckle escaped my lips, my words betraying a mixture of astonishment and exhration.


    "I know... but you see, I''m a fan of crazy things," he brushed my hair away from my face. Even though I was already shivering, his touch sent another shiver down my spine, enveloping my body and veins in its embrace.


    His wet hair clung to his forehead, and water droplets traced their way down his skin. His tongue darted out, lightly moistening his bottom lip. Desire surged within me, igniting my body, my thoughts, my very being. It held me captive, and I had no intention of breaking free.


    I cupped his face in my hands, my


    intent clear. Without hesitation, I pulled him into a kiss. He drew me close, our bodies melding together, fitting seamlessly, and suddenly, the coldness ceased to exist. Instead, warmth enveloped us-a beautiful warmth that blossomed deep within my chest. In that warmth, a garden grew. Cherry blossoms, red roses, and the calming scent ofvender. Peace settled within me.


    We broke the kiss after what felt like an eternity, our eyes locking onto each other.


    I felt brave, and more courageous than ever before. Ready to spill what I''d been, deep down, hesitating to reveal all these days.


    "There''s something I want to tell you, Jacob," I whispered. His arms held me just as securely as before, not giving an inch. Yet, a glint sparkled in his eyes, as though he could discern something in mine. I wasn''t certain if he truly could, but I had been an open book while he was shrouded in mystery. "Go ahead," he encouraged, his green orbs unwavering, locked onto me with unwavering intensity.


    I hesitated, the words tangling in my throat, forming a web of hesitation. I knew that if I let this moment pass, I might never find the courage again.


    "I...I love you, Jacob," I finally confessed, my words trembling as they tumbled out. A wave of relief washed over me as I finally uttered the truth, "Yes, I do. Truly, deeply, and fucking hopelessly. I am so madly in love with you, Jacob..... I love you."


    He remained silent, his gaze stillContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    locked on me, though his emotions remained hidden. For a moment, doubt stirred in my mind at his quietude, but it all dissolved when a smile curved his lips, and he drew me even closer. One of his hands cradled the back of my head as he brought our faces together. His warm breath ghosted over my face, raising goosebumps on my skin.


    "I love you too, Evelyn Fernandez," his voice deepened, the intensity in his eyes burning even brighter as he spoke. "And let me tell you something: I


    n on loving you for a very, very long time."


    Then, he made our lips meet again,

 Chapter 39 Painting Memories

    Chapter 39 Painting Memories


    Evelyn


    I slowly climbed up the stairs, taking deliberate steps to avoid making any noise. It almost felt as if I were on a mission to take down some motherfucking mafias, armed with a gun. Perhaps, if I had a real one in my hand, I might have transformed into a brave little soldier, with my muscr aplice trailing behind me. This almost felt like a thrilling movie, yet simultaneously, I was fucking stressed. Thest thing I wanted was to get caught.


    A hushedughter echoed through the hall, causing my gaze to snap back and focus on Jacob, standing beside me.


    "Jacob, be fucking quiet. If someone happens to find us now, it''s over," I whisper yelled at him, disbelief in my eyes. He appeared to find the situation amusing. The clock showed it was nearly 6:00 in the morning. Judging by the mansion''s silence, I knew that all the guests, including my father and ra-who both slept bulls-were fast asleep. Not gonna lie, asionally, I found myself doing the same.


    "Nobody''s going to find us, Evelyn. It''s absurd to climb up the stairs at this speed-you look like a tortoise right now."


    "Hey, that''s insulting," I retorted, momentarily forgetting that we were in the middle of a crisis right now-a bad one.


    I cringed at my own voice as it echoed, causing my eyes to widen, and my hand automatically flew to sp over my mouth.


    "Now, who''s being loud? Me or you?" he asked, amusement shining in his eyes. Of course, he was enjoying this situation-a whole lot.


    "It''s..." I lowered my voice, realising I was being loud once again, "It''s your fault. You shouldn''t have called me that."


    "Called you what? A tortoise?" he teased.


    "Fuck you!" I red at him and made a move to storm up the stairs, for a moment forgetting about the fact that I was actually the one insisting on being quiet to avoid prying eyes.


    He seized my wrist, pulling me towards him with a swift jerk. My back met his chest, a soft gasp escaping my lips. Leaning in, he brought his lips close to my ear, a suggestive smirk ying on his tempting lips. Even though I couldn''t see his expression cause he''d left me no options, I could still bet that his smirk was as irresistibly sexy as ever.


    "Well... I supposest night wasn''t enough then?" he began, brushing my hair aside, "So, shall I satisfy your desires again, baby?" His hot breath grazed my skin, and the hair on my neck stood up, sharp as needles.


    God, if I don''t stop him right now, I doubt I''d have the willpower to in the next few seconds.


    "Jacob," I blushed red, pushing against his chest and stepping away, "You are such a¡ª"


    "Pervert? I don''t mind being called a pervert as long as I get to have you all to myself," he added, looking deadly serious with his words as he once again moved to grab my hand and pull me towards him, "You are all mine."


    "No way," a giggle involuntarily escaped my lips as I moved out of his reach.


    Why couldn''t seem to stop smiling when I was with him?


    "Was that a no? Are you saying that you are not mine?" he arched an eyebrow. Well... It was definitely easy to get on his nerves.


    "Yup," I emphasised, popping the ''p''.


    "You are so done," and then he lunged after me. Before I could even process it, I found myself ensnared in his muscr arms, and the very next moment, he hoisted me over his shoulder and headed up the stairs.


    "What the hell? Put me down, Jacob!" I had barely registered any of his movements. Hell, he sure was the devil in disguise.


    "That will only happen after I get you to my room," he spoke nonchntly, carrying me as if I weighed nothing, "Besides, I already enjoy this view a little too much." I could most certainly feel his gaze on my ass. And I hated the fact that I didn''t hate it even a little bit.


    I blushed red, thank God he couldn''t see me. "It''s my dad''s mansion. Here, what I say goes!" I kept my voice firm.


    "Not with me, sweetheart," he chuckled, the deep sound alone capable of swaying my decisions.


    "It has to," I protested, throwing my hands up in exasperation.


    "Well, the answer''s still no. And if you''re nning to stick to that foolish logic, just to remind you, I''ve known him even before you were born. So...that gives me quite a privilege, doesn''t it?"


    "No, it doesn''t," by now, I hadpletely forgotten that we were in the hall, practically shouting like a pair of mad dogs, "And besides that, we still haven''t determined your punishment for that ''great grandfather'' lie. You made a fool of me."


    "Hey, I told you it''s a true story. I heard it in one of those shows. Motivational and shit."


    The audacity of this man to act so clueless.


    "Still, it was a lie!"


    "It doesn''t matter," he brushed it off, carrying me towards his room and unlocking it with his free hand.


    "Even if it does, I don''t care," he walked into the room, kicking the door shut, "And if you want to punish me so bad, then suffocate me by sitting on my face, I''m always open for those types of punishments."


    Argh! This careless horny thing!Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "You fucking.....!" I couldn''t finish my sentence as I felt myself being tossed onto the bed. A gasp slipped past my lips, and my eyes widened. I red at him almost instantly as I propped myself up on my elbows.


    "You asshole, I will-" Once again, my intended words were left unfinished as he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine, hot and heavy. Without giving me a chance to adjust to his speed, he dove in, duelling his tongue with mine, kissing my lips with hunger. It wasn''t merely kissing; he was eating me.


    One by one, all of my restraints broke free with just one touch. I found my lower half trapped between his knees as he moved up, kissing me and pressing me into the bed. He made sure I didn''t get a chance to escape, even though he was fully aware that I wouldn''t.


    Okay. I was no longer pissed.


    "God! I love you," he breathed between kisses before trailing his lips down my neck.


    I gasped for air, my hands flew to clutch onto his hair. His teeth grazed my skin, leaving his marks and giving me quite a task to hide them-covering those hickeys took a lot of effort when there were so many of them!


    "I love you so fucking much," he murmured, kissing me up and down, changing his path repeatedly, only to return to the corner of my mouth or my awaiting lips.


    "Say that again," I whispered, pulling his face closer to mine, his lips wet and glistening.


    "I love you," he pressed his lips to mine once again. This time, with more force and a newfound intensity, a new fire ignited.


    Those three words felt like a melody, especiallying from the man of my dreams, the source of all my corrupted thoughts and sinful desires. The very reason my heart had ever raced so fast.


    We parted, my eyes locked with his, "I love you more than you can ever imagine, Jacob. You''re the only man I''ve ever loved, and perhaps, you''re thest too," I pressed my forehead against his, my heart racing, "But...there''s something I need to ask you. I tried not to, but I just need to hear it from your mouth."


    "What is it, Evelyn?" he asked, without any hesitation.


    "Do you still have feelings for Chloe?" The question itself felt bitter on my tongue. God,@didn''t want to ask, but the thought wouldn''t leave my mind. She was undeniably attractive, elegant and carried an air of


    el.ne


    maturity that set her apart ind


    most other women. Naturally, a man might find himself attracted to her. Given the history between Jacob and her, I couldn''t simply brush aside my concerns, especially with her being here now.


    His eyes softened, "No, Evelyn. I don''t," he confessed, his hand moving to caress my cheek, "That chapter ended a long time ago. Ang if there''s anything I carry from that rtionship, it''s regret. Too much of it. I feel nothing for her; she''s just a stranger to me, if I put the bad memories aside. You don''t need to worry about her, okay? You are enough. More than enough." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Of course, he''d read my eyes. He knew what doubts were haunting me.


    "Okay," a smile spread across my lips. His words were enough; I didn''t need any further reassurance. Without wasting another moment, I slipped my hands into his silky smooth hair and pulled him in for a kiss.


    He soon followed, kissing me back, but I needed him closer. Skin to skin.


    Hooking my fingers around his thin gold chain around his neck, I pulled him nearer. I heard him chuckle in the midst of the kiss and lean further, allowing me ess to slip my hands into his shirt.


    Just as I was finally about to unbutton his shirt, a ringing sound shattered the atmosphere of the room. It wasn''t mine because I always put my phone on silent.


    I saw Jacob looking at his nightstand, his phone shing with a caller ID I hadn''t noticed until I turned my head-Dad.


    Oh shit!


    "Pick it up," I urged, sitting up straight hastily, "Quick,e on."


    God, I hoped my dad wasn''t standing right outside his door. That would be a disaster. I wasn''t going to resort to some half-baked idea like hiding in


    the bathroom. Yes, I preferred climbing up the stairs, but this chickenshit? No. Call me a hypocrite, I don''t care.


    "Do I really have to?" He looked thoroughly uninterested, "I can call him backter, can''t I?"


    "Jacob, be good. Just answer the call," I ordered.


    "Put it on speaker," I mouthed to him. He gave me a suspicious look beforeplying with my request. Who knew what was going on in this man''s


    mind, and who knew what my father was about to say?


    "Fine," Sighing in defeat, he got off the bed and picked up the call.


    Did he find both of us missing and call because of it? Oh no! This would be so bad.


    "Hello," Jacob spoke.


    "Hey buddy, are you in the mansion or..."


    "I didn''t leave, Samuel," he sighed, "Don''t worry."


    "I know you didn''t. I just checked your car in the garage," Dad said. I could tell he was hesitating to speak, which meant he didn''t know about my and


    Jacob''s escapade.


    "You didn''t need to do that, Samuel. You could have just asked me."


    "Ask you? As if you''re very willing to talk to me," as expected, Dad scoffed, "Look, I really didn''t know that Chloe wasing. Why would fucking invite her, for fuck''s sake?


    know about the shit she put you through. Remember, I was the one who always advised you to break things off with her. So why the hell do you think I''d purposely invite her? Trust me, I don''t want her here as much as you."


    "Okay, okay, calm down. I understand," Jacob let out a small chuckle. A smile formed on my lips as I watched their banter, "I was pissed and I took it


    out on you. I''m sorry, mate. We''re cool, okay?"


    "You''re not lying, are you? Are you just saying this to get the chance to beat me up like the old times?" The caution in Dad''s voice almost made meugh, but I covered my mouth with the back of my hand to suppress it.


    "Of course not, Samuel," Jacob looked embarrassed, probably because I was here and Dad was partially exposing his tactics, "What kind of man do you think I am? I''ve changed, okay?"


    "Well, it doesn''t seem like it," Dad taunted, "Anyways, if we''re cool, thene downstairs and have a drink with me."


    "At this hour?"


    "Don''t act like you never drink at this hour. You could drink at any time and circumstances," Dadughed, "I vaguely remember you are that guy, who


    in the early morning, drunk two bottles of vodka andter ended up vomiting all the way back to our dorm. We even had to pay the driver extra cash because of your mess. God, you had nearly pissed in your fucking pants¡ª"


    "Enough, okay, fine. I''ming." Alerted, Jacob frantically ended the call and stood up. A nervous, almost embarrassed smile crossed his face as he


    nced at me, "I''ll be back after catching up with Samuel, okay?"


    Lord, his cheeks were red.


    I managed to hold back myughter, "Okay."


    Without wasting a moment, he practically bolted out of the room, probably finding it the best way to hide his embarrassment.

 Chapter 40 Shared Secrets

    Chapter 40 Shared Secrets


    Jacob


    "Hey, man," I strolled over to Samuel, spotting him perched at the bar, the half-empty beer bottle indicating that this guy didn''t bother waiting for me before taking his share. But what could I say? This was so typical of Samuel; he''d always do what he wanted and think about the consequencester. "Well, good to see you," he said, his demeanour had returned to normal now that he knew I wasn''t mad at him anymore. However, a hint of caution lingered in his eyes as he nced at my hands, as if checking for any hidden weapons. There was a time when I had used a kitchen spoon to beat him up, leaving some significant scars that took days to fade. Of course, he hadn''t let that slide. He returned the favour, with interest.


    "Why all dressed up?" he asked, handing me a beer bottle. "Went somewhere?"


    "Yeah, just went for a walk," I shrugged it off, finding it the easiest excuse to conjure. In reality, my mind was consumed with thoughts of undressing Evelyn, piece by piece-watching each article of clothing slide off her smooth skin. The parting of her lips, the emotions ying in her eyes, and the melodious sound of her moans-it was better than any damn music in this world.


    Holy, how creamy her thighs are, how gracefully her fingrtips dance on my skin and how fucking beautiful she looks when her head falls backwards while her walls clench when I''m inside her. Fuck.


    I was truly astounded by how God had created something so spectacr. She was unlike anything else... something utterly different.


    Oh God, I was long gone,pletely in love with her- I didn''t care if it meant my damnation.


    "Hello?" Samuel''s hand waving in front of my face snapped me out of my daze.


    "Oh, yeah?" I cleared my throat, shifting in my seat. "What were you asking?"


    To my question, a frown etched itself onto his face; suspicion lingered in his eyes. "I was asking why you''re all dressed up for a simple walk? That''s not you. You''re the kind of person who''d walk around butt naked. Truly shameless."


    "Are you really giving me grief just because I ignored you yesterday?"


    "Well, nope," he enunciated, the ''p'' popping- no wonder where did my Evelyn learn this popping thing from. A family inheritance of a bad habit, indeed.


    "I was just speaking the truth, Jacob," he continued, "The whole Italian legacy, culture, and gentlemanly habits-you''re miles away from them. You''re like some strange, scantily d pimp."


    Maybe, I could reconsider and actually beat him up.


    "I might let this slide, but I need you to exin that crap you were spewing on the phone. What the hell was that?"


    "Hey, it''s not like I was lying. That was the truth¡ªYou know I''m not one to lie," he said proudly, taking a sip from his bottle.


    "Yeah, sure, because people who never lie always tell their daughter they were a straight-A student who never failed a subject."


    Samuel choked on his beer, his eyes widening as he coughed. Instantly, a shade of red that rivalled a sunset covered his face. "Sorry?"


    "Don''t act like you didn''t hear me," I added casually, "I can''t help but wonder how many other secrets you''ve been hiding from your daughter. Maybe I should start spilling those."


    "Hey, hey, hey," Samuel''s alert expression amused me. He always turned into a puppy whenever Evelyn was involved, "Don''t spill the beans, okay? She doesn''t need to find out."


    "I might, if you keep tarnishing my reputation like that on the phone."


    "Alright, I''ll stop. And it''s not like you were with some " Samuel halted, realisation dawning on him. "Wait, you were with someone?"


    Oh no...


    One thing I despised about him¡ªhis brain always kicked into gear when it shouldn''t.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "Well, it''s not like that¡ª" I cleared my throat, attempting to dismiss it.


    "You''re seeing someone. Come on, spill, who are you fucking?"


    Shit. Hearing it from him didn''t sound quite as appealing. I guess we need to stop having one of these heart-to-heart buddy talks especially cause it has Evelyn involved.


    "Samuel, seriously, you shouldn''t talk like that," I cringed, trying to shake off the difort.


    "Oh,e on, don''t y the saint now. Who is she? Is she a looker?" He persisted, "I know your taste in women is impable. But I bet you''re not getting all serious just yet. So, who''s the girl? Just a quick fuck? There''s no shortage of women around here. Gloria? Tiffany? Elise?"


    "No, I''m not into married women, you know that," I tsked, taking a sip of my beer.


    "Married women are often the safest bet. I stuck with married ones until I found my love, ra. God she''s an absolute beauty," Samuel''s eyes seemed to ze over for a moment, lost in his own thoughts, "Oh, why am I even sharing my story? I''m supposed to be prying into yours. So, spill the beans, is it Chloe?"


    "Fuck man, why would I go back to her? She''s already messed up my life enough," I scoffed, frustration creeping into my voice, "She''s thest person I want to deal with. But thanks to you, I have to put up with her presence again. Great."


    "I''ve said I''m sorry, okay? Forget about it. She''s just a guest," Samuel patted my back reassuringly. "But if it''s not Chloe, then who is it?"


    I wish I could tell you, buddy.


    "I''ll fill you inter; I''m just not ready to talk about it now."


    "Come on, buddy. When have we ever kept secrets?"


    Well, that''s precisely the problem. This time there is a secret. Not a good one, indeed.


    "It''s not exactly a secret, I just want to keep it to myself until I''m ready."


    "So, you''re serious about her?" He asked, a grin spreading across his face.


    Unintentionally, a smile mirrored his on my face. "Yeah, I think I am."


    It had been a while


    since I''d felt this


    way-being in love. And now that I


    was experiencing it again, with


    someone who was unknowinglet


    tending to all the wounds from my past it felt incredible. Simply incredible to feel alive. Content


    belongs to


    "Wow, that''s some news," Samuel eximed, a chuckle escaping him, "I''m excited to meet her. I hope she''s everything you need. It''s really nice to see that spark back in your eyes."


    Of course, he had noticed the change.


    "You''re not questioning if I''m good for her..." the words slipped out, guilt crawling into my chest, "Why?"


    A smile yed on his lips as he patted my back and rose, "Because I know you will be. And I''m not saying this just because you''re my best buddy. It''s because you know how to treat a woman right, Jacob. You''re a good man."


    I couldn''t quite exin it, but his words lifted a weight that had settled deep within me. It was as if his assurance had an inexplicable power.


    "Moreover, we all have seen it. Who could love better than Jacob Adriano?" He chuckled, and with that he headed for the exit.


    I couldn''t quite fathom why, but his sentence managed to lift the heavy weight that had been clinging to my chest. It just did.


    Evelyn


    Wrapping the robe around my body,


    I stepped out of the shower. I had returned to my room about half an¡Á


    hour ago following the fitting session for Dad and ra''s wedding outfits. ra looked absolutely radiant, and my dad? He had always been a dashing hero. They both appeared stunning together.


    Despite the fatigue that clung to me throughout the entire affair, Jacob and I had managed to steal away for multiple sessions of lovemaking-sessions that still felt insufficient for both him and me. But responsibilities had their own


    demands, and they needed to be met promptly. Just like this shower I


    was taking now.


    In my mind, I was already contemting the idea of heading back to Jacob''s room, or perhaps inviting him over here.


    As I towel-dried my hair, a message notification chimed on my phone.


    "Your dad''s bothering me."


    A smile stretched across my lips.


    "About what?" I texted back.


    "He wants a bro night."


    Dad was adorable.


    "Well, why not indulge him? He deserves a bit of your attention and love, doesn''t he?


    "But right now, all I want to do is to fuck you. Raw."


    My cheeks turned a fiery shade of red, and my hand instinctively flew to my mouth to suppress a gasp. I had to blink twice just to confirm that I was


    reading this right.


    This man had absolutely no shame.


    "You can sneak inte at night. The door''s always unlocked, you know. Besides, I''m pretty sure Dad''s going to conk out faster than a log. You can trust me on this," I finally managed to type back.Gosh.


    "Fine. I''m putting my trust in you, but if this n goes haywire, you''re going to face the consequences, Miss."


    "I''ll be eagerly waiting, Sir."


    And I put my phone aside, focusing on drying my hair cause if I didn''t, along with my drenched hair, I''d for sure get wet somewhere else as well.


    A few seconds psed before a knock on my door broke the silence.


    "Who is it?"


    "It''s me," my mother''s voice sounded from the other side.


    Strangely, I didn''t feel irritated. Maybe, deep down, I did want to talk to her all this time, but my pride had kept me from admitting it. A gentle smile


    curved on my lips, and I opened the door.


    "Hey, mo¡ª" Just as I was about to greet her with a smile, perhaps even offer a potential hug, she beat me to it.


    "Chloe saw you and Jacob in the hallway. We need to have a talk."

 Chapter 41 To Confront Or Not

    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 exin, Evelyn?" Mom asked.


    "I''m not sure what kind of exnation 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 shed across her face, "Incredible. Look at you- You are not even trying to deny it."


    "Why should I? I haven''tmitted a crime that requires denial. I love him. That''s all the exnation 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 youpletely out of your mind, Evelyn?" As expected, she followed me, "He''s your dad''s friend, much, much older than you, andpletely unsuitable for you," her voice grew louder, "What the hell do you even know about him that you''re iming 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 rtionship advice, especially from you. Like,e 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 regrettingter.


    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¡ª"


    "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 whoes second, it''s ra. 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 nt 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 alles 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?"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    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 orter. 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 rtionships 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 me?"


    shattered, and everything re


    "Momentary me?" I scoffed, "You im 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 rtionships 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.

 Chapter 42 Clash

    Chapter 42 sh


    Evelyn


    "God, did that bitch really do that?!" Jennie''s eyes widened in disbelief as she bit her nails. "No way. You are screwed."


    "I know, but I don''t care. I can''t let go of Jacob," I ran my fingers through my hair, pacing back and forth on the balcony. Fuck, I was going crazy. "Hey, listen to me. Instead of trying to fight it with your mom, why don''t you try to persuade her? She might end up keeping it to herself," Nancy suggested, hurriedly.


    "Oh, her? I''d rather die," Iughed bitterly. There was no humor in my voice. "She has never understood me, and she never will. All she sees is the way I act, but never the reason. She''ll end up putting the me on me and start another war. Which, to be honest, I really don''t want right now. I''m already fucked up enough."


    "Have you told Jacob yet?" Mason asked, as always zeroing in on that one question. God, I hated even thinking about it.


    "No, definitely not. I can''t tell him," I frantically replied. "He won''t take it lightly, and the wedding''s only four days away. I can''t risk it. It''s a special day for Dad and ra-I can''t ruin it for them. Not at any cost."


    "I''m sure he''ll feel the same way. You should at least let him know about it," he suggested, and for once, he sounded serious and understanding instead of mocking me for my problems. "Maybe, after your dad''s wedding, you all can talk it out. We can help, although our opinion might not matter as much to Samuel because he sees us as miscreants, just like you. But we can at least try."


    "I''m actually afraid. I know how much this friendship means to Jacob and Dad. Jacob has already taken a risk by taking it this far with me, and of course, I''ve provoked him quite enough. I''ll never be able to forgive myself if they lose it because of me."


    "Hey, Evelyn," Nancy came beside me, rubbing my arms in a soothing motion. "It''s okay. Don''t overthink it. You two haven''tmitted a crime. It''s okay to fall in love. Take your time; things will sort themselves out. But first, get a hold of yourself and try to talk with your mom and Jacob. You can''t hide it from him; it''ll only make things worse."


    "I think you''re right," I nodded, exhaling a sigh. "I can only hope that everything will fall back into ce, because I... I really can''t lose that man."


    "Aww, look at you, stupid little bitch, so in love," Mason''s switch finally flipped, and he was back to his normal self. "Come here, let me give you a hug."


    "Move away."


    He didn''t listen; instead, he pulled me into a bear hug. His strangely huge physiquepletely enveloped me, "It''s not often that I offer you love, so while I''m giving it, just ept it, okay?"


    "You seem like you''re selling a business idea," Jennieughed. "Wait, I''ming too." She joined the hug with a jump.


    "Me too!" It wasn''t long before Nancy joined in as well.


    ***


    It was evening, nearly dusk.


    I didn''t know what to do. My friends were passed out,pletely drunk. ra was engrossed in watching a rom movie, something that held no interest for me. And my mom? God only knew what she was up to, perhaps with her boyfriend. I knew she hadn''t had the chance to talk to Dad yet because he was out with Jacob.


    But I had a feeling she would surely try once he got here. That was so her. She must want to prove her point, as always.


    As I reached the swimming area, wandering around, my eyes unfortunatelynded on thest person I wished to see at that moment. The bitch herself Chloe. She sat there at the edge of the pool, her feet submerged in the water, a look of peace radiating on her face that made me want to kick her into the pool.


    Or maybe I really should? After what she had done, she deserved it.


    I could just kill her right now. It was a piece of cake judging by how petite she was.


    However, before I could finalize my decision, she spoke up, her eyes fixed on the pool, swaying her legs. "What''s up, Evelyn? All good?"


    I struggled to control my rage, clenching my fists to my sides.


    God, hold me back. Please, for once.


    "What the hell do you think you''re doing, telling my mom about me and Jacob?" I seethed.


    She turned to me, a smug smile on her face. "What do you think? Do I look like a homewrecker?" She chuckled. "Of course not, there''s no future for you with him because he''ll never be yours. I am saving you by silently taking away what''s mine."


    The audacity! Argh!


    "Yours? Or yours to torment?" I shot back, chuckling bitterly, "You fucking hurt him, Chloe. You, stupid, disgusting piece of a woman, broke his heart, and now you''re back with some stupid scheme of yours! And seriously? You''re telling me you have a future with him? The one he straight-up rejected when he arrived. Impressive," I chuckled bitterly, "You''ve got some nerve, Chloe. Don''t forget, right now, you''re at my dad''s house, and I can kick a low-life like you out at any moment." R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "And what reason are you nning to give your dad?" She stood up, taking her ss with her. Her unnervingly calm demeanor made me wonder how much more evil lurked within her because what I could see on the surface already made me want to retch, "Tell him that you''re secretly having an affair with his best friend, and I identally caught sight?" She walked closer to me, standing right beside me.


    My hand itched to p her across the face. The satisfaction of doing it repeatedly until she was beaten blue shed through my mind.


    "Or would you say that you fear I mighte between you and Jacob?" She whispered into my ear, "I can do that. It''ll be very easy, Evelyn. I''m just showing you mercy."


    "Mercy? Now I see why Jacob thinks he should have never fucked you in the first ce!" I said, incredulously, "You''re a total piece of garbage." "What the hell do you mean?" A look of disbelief crossed her face.


    Okay, so that was her weak spot-incapable of believing someone could get over her. I should have figured it out earlier.


    "You still haven''t seen it, sweetheart? Oh, I feel so sorry for you," I mimicked a sympathetic voice, looking at her with pity. "You''re just his regret, something he wants to wipe off. He''s already told me about the crap you put him through, and trust me, you''re thest threat I''d even consider caring about. Take a break."


    As I turned to walk away, she couldn''t resist opening her mouth again, "Do you really think he''s in love with you? I don''t think so. Maybe for him, you''re just a rebound-something to help him forget his past traumas. Sure, you''re young and entertaining, but how do you know he''s not just using you?"


    This fucking bitch.


    "I can''t believe you really thought this would work on me," I chuckled, turning my gaze back to her, "Sorry to break it to you, Chloe, but it''s not going to. He''s not going to do to me what you did to him. A man like him knows better than that. Besides, think he already sees through all the ''friendship shit'' you''d offer to crawl your way back into his life. That''s why he''s not even ncing at you, because he knows you well enough and how messed up you are from within. He doesn''t have time for you. You''re in the past, and that''s where you''ll stay. Forever." Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    "That''s your misconception, Evelyn. Jacob will soon be back with me because what you two have has no future. He needs stability, not more problems."


    "And you''re thest person he''d seek


    stability from because you''re the one who tore it all apart, in the first ce," I spat, taking a few steps closer to her. "Now, listen to me very carefully, you piece of shit. I might be young and naive, but I''m not naive enough to not see through bitches like you. If you dare to ruin his life for your petty ego once again, I''m going to make your life hell in ways you can''t even imagine. Just stay away from him and me."


    "For a girl your age, you have a big mouth," she muttered, her jaw clenched. "I see Samuel has taught you no manners. Danica should have been there; at least that way you wouldn''t be so-"


    That was it. She had crossed the line, hitting the only spot she shouldn''t have touched.


    To prevent myself from striking her, I snatched the ss from her hand and sshed the wine in her face.


    She gasped, instantly stepping back. "What the hell!" Her eyes zed with anger.


    What an idiot! As if that pumpkin face would scare me.


    "You talk about my life again, and next time it won''t be a ss," I hissed, "And trust me, Chloe, I''ve pped enough bullies in my twenty years of life


    to leave marks on that face of yours that will take days to fade. So, next time, choose your words wisely, and don''t speak about my mom and dad. Their names don''t sound gooding from someone as low-level as you."


    With that, I stormed out of the ce, heading inside the mansion.


    "Fucking bitch," I muttered as I climbed the stairs, my legs moving rapidly. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of my mother''s boyfriend, Jack, who seemed to have witnessed everything. But once again, I ignored my surroundings and headed straight to my room.


    God, this whole situation was driving me insane. I couldn''t even breathe.


    I opened the door to my room, stepped inside, and turned on the lights. Surprisingly, the only good thing that happened all day was seeing Jacob, standing beside my book rack in the corner of the room, where the moonlight found its way.


    Oh, my heart......


    His eyes snapped to me as the lights turned on, "Do you really read all these books? They''re... so many."


    Without a second thought, I strode over to him, grabbed him by the cor, and pressed my lips against his.

 Chapter 43 Colours Of Love

    Chapter 43 Colours Of Love


    Evelyn


    Finally. Finally something good.


    He kissed me back instantly, his hands snaking around me, pulling me closer. Our bodies pressed against each other, and his warmth seeped into my skin, recing the icy cold with a warm fluttering sensation. I no longer felt as though I were on the verge of breaking apart.


    Amidst all the chaos, he was my sanctuary.


    As we broke the kiss and pulled away, he spoke with a smile ying at his lips, "Well, if I had known you were missing me this much, I might have considered slipping some sleeping pills into your dad''s drink," he brushed my hair strands away from my face, tracing his thumb over my flushed cheeks, "Your cheeks are flushed. Did you just run?"


    "Practically, yes," I exhaled. "Your ex is a bitch."


    "What did she do?" he asked, his expression cautious, "Did she say something to you?"


    Well....No! I couldn''t tell him the truth, not now. It just didn''t feel right.


    "Um, not really," I shrugged it off, "I just don''t like seeing her around."


    "Are you hiding something from me, Evelyn?"


    "No, Jacob. I just saw her out there by the pool, and I hurried back here to ensure I didn''t end up losing my temper with her," I fabricated a lie with practised ease, "That''s all it is, I promise. Trust me."


    "God, you scared me, Evelyn," he admitted. "Just ignore her, okay? She''s not worth the trouble," Breathing a sigh of relief, he pressed his lips against my forehead, "I don''t want you to get hurt by anything she might end up saying. She''s never careful with her words."


    Of course, she isn''t. Nor is she careful with the people in her life. Or else, who in their right mind would ever let go of a man like Jacob? That person would have to be an absolute idiot, and that''s Chloe.


    "I''ll steer clear of her, but if she ever dares to hurt you again, I swear to God, I''ll¡ª"


    Jacob didn''t let me finish my sentence. He silenced me by pressing his finger against my lips. "No more talking about someone who doesn''t matter. Besides, she won''t get a chance to worm her way back into my life, so there''s no way for her to hurt me."


    "But-"


    "Evelyn, be good ande with me." He grabbed my hand and began to lead me out of my room.


    "What? Where are we going?"


    "Somewhere."


    "Jacob, don''t beat around the bush. Where are the fuck are we going?"


    "Youngdy, if you curse again, we might have to stop right here in the middle and do something about that mouth of yours-maybe filling it would be the best way to keep you quiet." His threat sent a shiver down my spine, and well, I couldn''t say I''d mind it too much. "So, if you''d like to avoid that now, I suggest you stop cursing."


    "You''re such a dog!"


    "And you''re my favourite treat," he chuckled, utterly unfazed by my words. Without warning, he picked me up just like he did in the morning, throwing me over his shoulder as if I were a sack of potatoes.


    "What the "


    "Watch your mouth, Evelyn," he seemed to enjoy this a bit too much.


    "You need to break this habit of yours! You can''t just pick me up like this whenever you feel like it. I''m not a bag of potatoes."


    "Of course, you''re not. Just look at you. Who would ever call you that?" His words made me blush crimson.


    Come on, Evelyn, don''t let his charm get to you this time.


    "You can''t escape the consequences by giving me a flimsypliment!"


    "You''re always so fiery. Your temper..it''s just like your father''s," heughed. "You know, it''s amusing when someone so small like you gets angry." "Excuse me, I am not small!"


    "Okay," hisughter clearly indicated that he didn''t believe me.


    However, before I could speak again, I found myself gently ced back on the ground. My feet touched the cold floor, and a soft gasp escaped my lips. The room''s lighting was dim, with nothing but emptiness behind Jacob.


    And behind me? I did not know what he had prepared until he turned me around by the shoulders, "There we go."


    My brows shot up in astonishment, and my lips parted in awe-before me,y a canvas, paints, and brushes-the very tools I had abandoned the day I gave up on my dreams.


    "I suppose this room was originally intended for your dad''s peculiar hobby, which asionally resurfaces-ying the piano. However, he never got around to buying one for this ce; he just had the room made," Jacob chuckled. "So, I decided to put it to good use."


    "Jacob...this," My words trembled, and I couldn''t quite understand why I was suddenly so emotional. Perhaps it was because these paints, this canvas, and these brushes were once the instruments through which I painted my shattered dreams¡ªa new home with Mom and Dad, my birthday celebrations with them, family games, and ultimately, the simple joy of having a family.


    Fuck. I was too old to be crying about this now.


    "I know," he said, making me look at him, cupping my face in his hands. "I know it''s been hard for you, but as far as I remember, you''ve always been a wonderful artist, Evelyn. You used to create wless portraits at the age of six, and if I remember correctly, even though you believe you haven''t painted in years, I''ve seen a few of your paintings in your room-ones that were absolutely gorgeous."


    His words brought back


    memories¡ªyes, I had indeed painted


    quite a few times even after their divorce, but none of those works


    looked beautiful to me. Every stro of the brush led me back to memories I had shared in family court, witnessing them divide my life into two parts with joint custody. Fortunately, I got to stay with just one parent instead of being shuttled back and forth every six months.


    My mother may not have respected the family we had, but she had respected my choice.


    He wiped away tears that I hadn''tContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    realised had escaped until now, "So, do you believe that broken dreams can create new ones?" he asked, "Because do. It happened when I took the first step toward my new family. When I saw my sister happy, when made new friends. It''s always about those first steps. It''s never about the destination, because those steps will always lead you somewhere beautiful-just like the steps I''ve taken in my life led me to you. And I am so fucking grateful to have taken those steps and reached you, my best destination."


    "Look at you, aren''t you the charmer?" A smile broke across my face.


    He smiled back, "Well, if you say so. I won''t deny it." Pulling me closer, he brushed his nose against mine, "So, what do you think we''re going to paint


    today?"


    "It depends on how much my assistant can help."


    "Well, you''d better not underestimate me, because I actually have an art degree. I used to enjoy painting as a kid," he grinned. "But then, I started seeing masterpieces in the form of women, so that hobby slowly faded away."


    My expression dropped, "Then go and bring those women to paint, you Asshole!" I pushed at his chest and made a move to get away from him. "Wait-wait," he stopped me, trapping me in his strong arms, "I was just kidding, baby."


    Well-built jerk.


    "That didn''t sound like a joke, jerk!"


    "So, the temper always res up at your nose, huh?" he chuckled. "I see it now."


    It was nearly impossible for me to stay mad at him. Any genuine anger I felt would always dissipate within a few seconds, as if there were some absolute sorcery he''d cast over me.


    "You''re at fault. You always say things you shouldn''t."


    "Maybe because I like the way these cheeks turn red," he smiled, cing kisses on my cheek before moving to my neck. A soft gasp slipped past my lips as he grazed his teeth against my skin-his touch felt so fucking good, "Or maybe, I love the way these beautiful sounds slip past these tempting lips," moving his mouth closer to mine, he took my bottom lip between his teeth.


    Well, now I was unsure whether we were here to paint or fuck.


    "Now tell me, is it my fault?" He whispered, pulling me closer. "I''d say it''s yours, because you''re the reason


    I can''t keep my hands to myself. Hell, Evelyn, if it weren''t just me, you would have sent an entire


    generation of men to hell," heel.g


    out


    a deep, throaty chuckle, "You''re too good to be true, but thank goodness you are real, and I''m thrilled that


    you''re mine. I feel absolutely enchanted every time Iy my eyes on you, knowing that you''re mine."


    He knew how to leave me speechless, and he did it every fucking time. I hated it, but there was nothing I could do to resist him. I was consumed by


    him. Addicted. Totally willing to let this addiction be my ruin and not give a damn.


    "Are we going to paint or..." My stuttering paused as I saw the smirk curling at the corner of his lips, instantly sending my mind into a frenzy.


    Fuck.


    "We can do both if you want," he grinned, his finger tracing small circles on my lower back, sending shivers down my body. "What do you say? Do you want to do both?"


    Don''t stutter, Evelyn. Don''t. Stutter.


    "W-what?"


    Shit!


    "You know, for someone who came on so strong, it''s surprising that you get shy so easily," he chuckled, now tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear with his free hand, "What am I gonna do with you, Evelyn?"


    "How can you do both? You need to have focus in order to paint..." I asked, my words stumbling once again.


    "Who said you can''t have focus and pleasure at the same time?" He traced my bottom lip with his thumb; it was still a bit red from his bite. "You can have both at the same time, Evelyn. Do you want to see how?"


    There was no doubt that Jacob had something wicked on his mind. His confidence made it ringly obvious, and from what I''d learned about him until now, I knew he would either make me either beg or scream... or perhaps even both.


    I nervously bit down on my bottom lip, unable to figure out what to say. Of course, I could simply say ''yes'' or maybe ''no,'' but I absolutely didn''t want


    to. Yet, something about Jacob''s gaze made me freeze. It left me caught somewhere between the curve of his lips and the intensity of his eyes.


    "I need an answer, Evelyn," he grabbed my jaw, tilting my face to directly meet his gaze, "And I think biting that lip is my job."


    Lord, forgive me.


    "If I say yes, are we going to both make love and paint?"


    Okay. I was feeling stupid and confused.


    "No, Evelyn. We aren''t going to make love today," He leaned closer to my lips, whispering against them, "We will fuck. Hard."


    God knew how he could make everything sound so damn tempting and exciting, but the fact was he did. He just did!


    "Then, fuck me, Jacob," I finally got the courage to utter the next words, even though they were barely above a whisper. However, I knew that was


    enough to stir awake the beast within.

 Chapter 44 Painting Pleasure

    Chapter 44 Painting Pleasure


    Evelyn


    "What do you have in mind?" He gently pulled my top over my head, his fingers brushing against my shoulders, quickening my heartbeat. It was nearly impossible for me to divert my gaze from him; there was something enchanting about him that held my attention captive.


    "You mean what I want to paint?" I asked, hesitating.


    Honestly, I had no clue what he meant. As he had mentioned, we were going to explore both, and I couldn''t discern which he was referring to at this moment. All I could think about were things too intense to be rted to painting.


    A deep, masculine chuckle escaped his lips, and he suppressed a grin, "Yes, Evelyn. Tell me what''s on your mind; what moment do you want toy on this canvas?" He turned me around to face the nk canvas.


    As I began to lose myself in thought, struggling to decide where to begin, he had a knack for further distracting my mind. Crouching down behind me, he gradually lowered my shorts.


    A soft gasp escaped my lips, and I was on the verge of turning around, but he held me firmly, his hands settling back on my hips, ¡°Decide what you want to paint, Evelyn."


    God, damn it! How in the world was I supposed to make a decision like this? All I could think about was him and sex. He showed no signs of relenting. If only I had the faintest idea of what he had in mind!


    "I haven''t... haven''t painted in a while. I''m not sure what I want to create," I admitted, my voice trembling. My palms were sweaty, and goosebumps covered my skin, every inch of it. Feeling Jacob''s lips curling into a smirk whilst he traced his nose along the back of my thigh, said it well- he was well aware of my nervousness but then again, that was exactly what he wanted.


    He liked making me nervous, and he clearly enjoyed these reactions. In fact, he seemed to revel in them.


    "Paint your desires," he suggested, his words sending shockwaves to my core. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, "I know you have many. So, paint one that you live for." And this time he pulled down my panties.


    "Jacob..."


    "Shh...." He came up, his nimble fingers unhooking my bra and sliding down thest piece of clothing from my body, "Focus, Evelyn. Focus."


    How am I supposed to concentrate with him whispering my name like that? My heart raced, thudding loudly in my chest, threatening to give away my inner turmoil.


    His lips gently brushed against my neck, trailing a path down to my corbone and shoulder, slow enough to leave me trembling.


    I closed my eyes shut, my breathing quivering as his lips continued their mesmerizing dance, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within me. His hands cupped my breasts, and his index finger traced a path around my nipple, leaving a strange sensation gathering at my core.


    "What do you desire, Evelyn?" His warm breath grazed the sensitive spot behind my ear; a rush of warmth flooded between my legs.


    The answer was clear, but it was difficult to admit. It was hard to stand my ground, to say his name, even though we both knew the truth. Yes! We both knew it, so why was it so difficult?


    Drawing in a deep breath, I bent down slowly to retrieve the brush and paint palette. I caught the faint sound of him cursing under his breath.


    I couldn''t help but wonder how long any of us would maintain our focus on this painting endeavor.


    As I straightened up, he slipped his arms around me, pulling me close. The closeness sent my mind spinning, but I had to paint-that''s what we had decided. Paint and fuck.


    "Burnt Umber?" he asked, his lips grazing my earlobe. My breath caught instantly.


    Oh, my...


    "Yeah," I replied hesitantly, trying topose myself. "That will do."


    Of course, he noticed the change in my breathing. In fact, he seemed to be paying attention to every detail, and he was clearly enjoying it. "Okay," he said as he grabbed the tube and squeezed the paint onto the palette, "Any other colours?"


    Oh, hell, there were plenty of them.


    Fuck! Pull yourself together, Evelyn!


    "Just the basics," I murmured, my words barely audible even to myself.


    "The basics," he echoed, "Understood."


    I wanted to ask him to stop speaking in that tone, but my goodness, his deep voice sounded too enticing. I had never engaged in hushed whispers with anyone before, and if not for today, I wouldn''t have known that whispers could ignite so much fire, with colours so vivid.


    Suddenly, I felt something cold touching my chest. I nearly flinched at the unexpected sensation. However, as my eyes travelled downward, I discovered Jacob''s left hand smearing the Burnt Umber colour on my chest. His fingers moved tantalisingly, brushing across my skin as though they were painting strokes.


    "You can create your art, and I can create mine," he whispered into my ear. I could have sworn that I nearly came apart at that moment. There was something about this moment and his touch that was intoxicating. I had always struggled to maintain myposure around him, but today was different. Everything went beyond control.


    He was both mending and unravelling me simultaneously. It didn''t make sense, but that''s precisely what was wrong with me-my words couldn''t capture it, but the emotions were simply indescribable.


    He poured the other colors onto the palette-red, yellow, and blue.


    "White. I need white too," I uttered, My throat felt dry as a desert.


    "Oh, my bad."


    Wait! Why did it not sound genuine? Did he intentionally neglect the white one? I couldn''t find a logical answer until my eyes spotted the paint tube on the floor.


    Well...


    Before I could muster a response, Jacob was already bending down, grabbing the tube. Slowly and slyly, as he began to stand up, he traced a path between my thighs with his right hand.


    gasped and pressed my thighs together, but he advanced regardless. His handnded on my wet heat, and as he straightened up, he pulled me closer with that grip. My back collided against his front, and I blinked, looking at him with my lips parted in astonishment.


    "If I were an artist, I would make you


    my canvas," he growled, barely in control as he pressed his nose against my neck. Using his free hand, he dipped his fingers into the paint palette, and this time, his fingertips danced over my belly, descending until they reached my


    lower abdomen.


    A moan escaped my lips as his fingers brushed against my clit. I couldn''t even clench my thighs at this point because his hand was right between them.


    "Paint, Evelyn," he chuckled, his colored hand reaching to wrap his fingers around my throat.


    The position was scandalous, but both of us were no strangers to scandal.


    With trembling hands, I dipped the brush into the paint, creating the outlines of the man who now had his hand between my thighs.


    I had just made a few strokes on the


    canvas when Jacob decided to


    intensify my turmoil by slipping his fingers inside me. Slowly, they


    began to move in and out of ma


    creating a slow, tormenting rhythm that drove me wild. The position allowed him to maintain constant pressure on my clit.


    Fuck it!


    "Oh my..." I threw my head back onto his shoulder, and the art supplies almost slipped from my hands.


    "What are you painting, baby?" He asked, biting my earlobe. "What is it that you desire?"


    "You..." I breathed out, barely able to speak. "It''s you."


    His body froze at my response. He fell silent for a few seconds before he spoke up, "Then paint me. I''m waiting to see what image of me you have in mind."


    "I have many...too many to even finish painting in one lifetime," my words trembled, ending in a quiet gasp as he curled his fingers inside me. "But I''ll paint one that I always want to remember."


    "And what is that?"


    "You''ll have to wait to find out, and... I have to at least finish the painting, right?"


    Of course, he understood the meaning behind my words. It was my way of asking him to go easy because it was utterly impossible for me to paint with him stimting me like this.


    "I''m sure you''d be able to finish the painting like this, Evelyn. Your body can handle much more than you know," a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "So, don''t worry."


    So, that was a ''no''. He had no intention of going easy on me.


    Biting down on my bottom lip, I began once again. But Jacob, having his own twisted ways of taking my breath away, hit some sensitive spots inside and grazed his teeth on my shoulder. The faster I worked,


    the harder he went on me. Each paint stroke was rewarded with something unexpected.


    "You''re gonna kill me today," I breathed out, my hands shaking and barely able to hold onto the paintbrush and palette.


    "No, baby, I''m gonna make you feel alive," he brushed his lips on my jaw, his fingers speeding up, my hips jerked, legs trembled, and eyes closed


    shut.


    I was already close.


    "Paint if you want toe, Evie."


    Holy. This was the first time he ever used that nickname!


    Before I even knew it, I was, once again, mixing andying colors on the canvas. The eyes-I could already see Jacob''s glimpse in them, and damn! It was even harder not toe apart then and there.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    A few more seconds passed, and Jacob''s fingers sped up. He rubbed my clit with his thumb, earning a loud moan from me.


    I gripped the brush tighter, almost failing to keep my bnce. If it weren''t for his hands holding me, I would have fallen on the ground, straight on my


    face.


    "Jacob, stop..." I clenched my thighs together, unable to take it anymore.


    "But you don''t want me to stop," he let out a throatyugh, his chest vibrating against my back.


    Of course, I didn''t. I wanted a release, but at the same time, I didn''t know how long I could take it.


    "Let me hear your sweet sounds, Evie," he whispered, pinching my nipple between his fingers. "Come for me."


    Before I knew it, my walls squeezed around his fingers, my hips jerked, and I screamed his name as I came apart, "Jacob!"


    Holy shit! He definitely knew how to control my body.


    "Oh my god..." I breathed out a sigh, leaning against Jacob who now, lifting his fingers, sucked them into his mouth.


    "I will never get tired of this taste," he murmured before kissing me, and I kissed him back, our tongues dueling in a fiery kiss. The kiss quickly heated


    up, and Jacob turned me around, pulling my naked body as close as possible.


    A secondter, he lifted me by my thighs, his hands squeezing my butt, causing me to gasp into the kiss.


    "We still have a painting to finish, don''t we?" I asked as we broke the kiss.


    Lust had his eyes shaded under its dark shadows. I could see the intense desire burning in them.


    "Maybe it can wait for an hour," he looked at me with hunger.


    "Okay," and I made our lips meet once again.

 Chapter 45 Love In The Shadows

    Chapter 45 Love In The Shadows


    Jacob


    As Iid her on the cold floor, a soft gasp escaped her beautiful lips. She looked incredibly alluring beneath me, her curves tantalizing and tempting. She awakened the primal instincts within me, without even trying to. I just wanted to bite her all over and leave my marks on her that''d take days to fade.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Hovering over her, I couldn''t help but look at her with awe.


    She was exceptional in every way. She had her own magic- Her eyes, lips, curves, the scent of her hair, the radiance of her skin, even her gait and the way she spoke were all imbued with a unique charm.


    How could someone be so perfect? Everything about her felt like heaven. She was breathtaking. Absolutely fucking gorgeous.


    "You are so fucking beautiful, Evelyn," I murmured, kissing her knees and thighs. My hands caressed her bare skin, which felt as smooth as a flower. Her scent was intoxicating, and her gaze ignited a fire within me. It was a fire that could consume both of us, and I doubted either of us would mind.


    Her graceful curves fit perfectly in my hands, as if she had always been meant to be mine. Having her beneath me, especially with that look in her eyes, could make me climax just from the sight of her, without any need for physical contact. She wouldn''t even have to touch me because I was already far too doomed.


    The anticipation was excruciating, with her so close yet just out of reach. I just wanted to fuck her right now, so hard, but I also wanted to worship her, to adore the divine form that seemed to have descended from the heavens into my arms.


    I kissed down her inner thighs. She was already dripping wet. Unable to hold back, I gently held her milky thighs and kissed her pussy.


    A soft sound of pleasure escaped her lips, and her back arched. She held onto my hair with her hands, her fingers gently brushing against my scalp, sending shivers down my spine, sparks under my skin and fireworks in my veins.


    Damn! She tasted heavenly.


    "I could do this forever," I whispered, nuzzling her inner thighs before before I plunged my tongue into her tight entrance


    "Jacob," she moaned, holding my hair tighter as her back arched, granting me better ess.


    Fuck! She already tasted too good and top of that having her beneath me like this...all of it felt too good. Her very essence seemed to tempt me beyond my self-control. Like a sin.


    But I was already a sinner and if this was the final stroke for me to be thrown into hell, I''d dly step into it.


    She was perfect, even down here. Everything about her was beyond perfection. I had been with too many women before that I couldn''t even count now, but she was exceptional, one in a million and I would give up everything I had, my entire life, everything I have achieved, just to be with her like this, here on this spot, again and again.


    Who would choose anything else when heaven was right here? Even the devil would trade ces to experience such bliss.


    I ate her. Sucking and kissing her pussy and everytime I found that special spot, her hips responded, rewarding me with another beautiful sound. She felt incredible against my lips and tasted sweet on my tongue. There was something about her that made me never want to stop.


    Hell, I was undeniably in love with her. Doomed.


    "I wonder how many times I can make youe," I murmured against her folds. I could already tell she was close, the way her walls had clenched around my tonguest time, it was evident, a few more seconds are what it''d take to make here all apart, "And how much this sexy body of yours can take, Evelyn."


    As I continued licking her there, slit to clit, another soft moan escaped her lips. She struggled to maintainposure, her smooth milky legs and hands trembling in response: Her breath came in pants, and sweat glistened on her forehead, forming delicate beads that trailed down to her navel.


    She was so fucking sexy.


    "You know, right now, I want nothing more than to just fuck you,"


    speaking, I kissed her there, grazing my teeth on her clit; her back arched in response and she whimpered, writhing in pleasure, "But, I can''t seem to stop worshipping you.. want to let you know, each and every day, that you are a fucking


    ????


    love


    masterpiece," I thrust my tongue into her entrance, her eyes rolled shut, and a cry slipped past her lips; I licked her up and down, before speaking against her soft pussy, "And I want you to fucking know that I am here for the rest of my life to let you know that you deserve to be worshipped, just like this, not less in any manner."


    This time, as I sucked her folds into my mouth, she screamed, yet another sound that was like a melody to my ears, and she came apart,pletely. Her sweet taste hit my tongue, rolling over my taste buds.


    Damn. I could actually do this all night long.


    I licked her clean, resisting the urge to dive into her once again. The sight of her alone was incredibly erotic. It heightened my desires, causing me to lose myposure and sanity, pushing me further into the depths of her. So deep that I might never resurface again.


    "God, I love you," I whispered as I leaned in to kiss her lips.


    She kissed me back, her touch softer than mine as her hands rested on my shirt, pulling me closer.


    After we broke the kiss, Evelyn sat up, her hands reaching to unbutton my shirt. I was on my knees, which made her appear rtively small as she sat. Well, she was indeed petite and cute, like a doll.


    A smile curled at the corner of my lips as I watched her. She seemed nervous, evident from the tremor in her breathing and the slight trembling of her soft hands. It


    astonished me how different


    could be at times. She had many facets-sometimes she was shy, other times too bold, and


    asionally even hot-tempered. I doubted if I disliked any of it. She was endearing and, on top of that, breathtakingly gorgeous.


    As she slid my shirt off my body, I noticed her breathing quicken. It wasn''t the first time I had elicited this kind of reaction from her, so it was strange that she responded like this every time, but I couldn''t deny that I loved it.


    "Your skin is beautiful," she whispered, tracing her hands across my abs and chest. Before I could react, she leaned down to kiss my torso, her lips leaving soft kisses all over, each touch lingering and unforgettable.


    I watched her every movement with rapt attention.


    I was already on the verge of losing control. I wanted her. Skin against skin. Lips against lips. I craved the feel of every curve of her body melding with mine. I yearned to experience every inch of her.


    She kissed my chest before moving lower until she reached my waistband. With grace, she smoothly slid down my trousers, followed by my briefs. I helped her remove them from me.


    Her cheek flushed red watching me; her eyes stared at my length as if this was the first time she saw me naked.


    "You are adorable," I let out a soft chuckle, before grabbing her jaw and pulling her in a kiss. Without breaking the kiss, Iid her down, gently parting her thighs which she allowed me without any hesitation, pulling me even closer.


    And then, positioning myself at her entrance, I thrust inside her, all in one go.


    She gasped into the kiss, her nails almost digging into my skin in shock.


    "Sorry baby," I murmured, pulling myself out of her before sliding back inside her again, this time slowly, "I couldn''t hold myself back."

 Chapter 46 Love In The Light

    Chapter 46 Love In The Light


    Jacob


    She arched her back, moving in perfect sync with my rhythm, with every thrust taking me deeper into her. Her walls tightened around me, making it increasingly difficult to maintainposure. Fuck, I could barely control myself.


    I picked up the pace, gripping her hips firmly to steady her. My lips found her neck, and I trailed kisses down her body, reaching her nipple where I grazed my teeth, this caused her to gasp with pleasure. Her eyes almost rolled to the back of her head.


    What a sight!


    Every delicate motion she made had me spellbound. I wished she could see herself from my perspective; bet, she would be just as amazed.


    "You know," I whispered as I leaned in closer, my weight supported by my hands, "Sometimes, I thank myself that I didn''t let boundaries and morals hold me back," I looked at her, her body trembled and she moaned softly in response, her eyes locked on mine as I continued to thrust, drawing out seductive sounds from her, "Because, if I had chosen to not give into the temptation that day in the pool, I''d have lost this chance for life. And that would have been my biggest regret."


    "I wouldn''t have allowed it. I couldn''t have let you slip away, not when I knew what I was missing," She spoke against my lips, darting her tongue out and licking my bottom lip; the very next moment she squeezed her walls around me, "I got the devil out of his den."


    Shit!


    I felt my dick twitch at her move, a groan leaving my mouth. She knew exactly what she was doing to me. She seemed acutely aware of the effect she had on me, and it was driving me wild.


    "You confuse me," I said with a low growl, my hand gently holding her throat as our lips brushed, "Sometimes, I can''t decide whether tobel you as innocent or evil. Your looks exude innocence, but your actions say something else."


    I eased my pace, taking my time to explore her, my free hand stimted her clit. I was intimately familiar with her spots, and I knew how to drive her to the edge. She writhed beneath me, her hips jerked, her attempts to escape my touch futile. With her throat under my gentle grasp, I could sense the pulsating of her nerves and the rapid beat of her heart.


    I could easily break her calm and the best part yet she wouldn''t even stop me.


    "Jacob, please," she whimpered, biting her lip, her captivating eyes locking onto mine.


    Darn it! I wished to keep this going on for much longer but if she kept looking at me like this, I would end up giving up too soon.


    "Are you nning to tease me further, baby?" I asked, maintaining the deliberate pace. As much as I yearned to let go, set the pace, and fuck her


    hard, I believed my little vixen needed a lesson in restraint. Otherwise, she''d have me at her mercy every time she desired.


    Evelyn offered no response, her eyes suggesting that she relished the torment she inflicted upon me. Asking her such a question was akin to seeking a sacrifice, but I knew that even if she agreed toply, she might just as easily change her mind, as was her way.


    God, what was I going to do with her? This woman was pushing me to my limits.


    "Answer me, Evie," I gently nibbled her lip, causing her to close her eyes.


    "Okay, I won''t," she exhaled, her desire evident. Denying her release when she was on the brink always heightened her anticipation.


    "Are you sure about your answer?" I raised an eyebrow, kissing the corner of her mouth before thrusting deeply into her. Fuck, She felt incredible. "Yes, God," she moaned, "Yes!"


    Okay! That''s enough, I guess.


    Without a word, I slipped my hand around her waist, flipped her onto her knees, and entered her from behind, filling herpletely.


    She clutched my arm around her neck, a sexy gasp escaping her lips as I went all the way in.


    Holy shit! I could stay buried in her for the rest of my life; that''s how incredible she felt.


    "I could fuck you all night, Evelyn," I whispered as I inhaled the scent of her delicate neck, "I know I''ve said it a thousand times, but I''ll never get tired of you. Never."


    I thrust into her from behind, her grip on me tight as she leaned against my shoulder releasing delightful sounds with each powerful thrust. Unbeknownst to her, each of those intoxicating moans brought me closer to my climax-such was the power she held over me. With every thrust, her inner muscles gripped me, and she was incredibly wet-utterly intoxicating. Fucking good to fuck.


    Words could hardly convey how perfectly sheplemented me in every way.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "Jacob, I''m close..." she whimpered, her hips trembling, her knees growing weak.


    "Me too, Evie," I groaned, my entire being consumed by her. It felt as if someone filled my veins with moltenva, and that someone was the woman in my arms- Evelyno Fernandez.


    Before long, she came apart, screaming my name without concern for anyone who might hear us. My release followed swiftly, and I emptied myself inside her.


    She rested against me, catching her breath while I remained buried within her. Neither of us minded, because I knew what was our n next-well, technically, it was my n.


    She turned her head to look at me, asking, "So, are we going to paint again?"


    Oh, my naive Evelyn...


    "Did you truly believe we''d stop after just one round?" I asked, a hoarse chuckle slipping past my lips.


    "W-What?" Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, her lips parting.


    Absolutely adorable!


    "We will paint, but not now," I said, sliding my hands down and slowly repositioning her on all fours. A soft gasp escaped her lips, and perhaps she finally realized that I was hard again.


    "As I mentioned," I leaned in, a self-assured smile ying on my lips, "I''m going to fuck you, Evelyn, and this time, I am not going easy. So, get ready."


    And...I felt her body shiver. This was going to be fun.

 Chapter 47 When Time Stood Still

    Chapter 47 When Time Stood Still


    Evelyn


    Jacob Adriano was strange enigmatic and weird, to be precise. Why did I suddenly arrive at this conclusion? Well, the reason isn''t akin to a lengthy exnation or a solution as explosive as an atom bomb. It was rather simple. Extremely simple, actually. It all boiled down to him cing the me squarely on me for our failure toplete the painting the previous night. Yes, this Italian man truly believed that it was my fault. Ironic, right?


    "I still can''t believe you''re unwilling to change your statement," I remarked incredulously. His unwavering determination grated on my nerves. I had a conflicting urge to either punch him in the face or kiss him.


    Ugh! I despised the fact that he was so fucking handsome!


    "Why should I change my words? The me lies with you. You''re the reason we wasted the entire night. It''s entirely your fault," he casually strolled over to the painting supplies, handing me a set of brushes. "Come on, we need to paint."


    My jaw nearly hit the floor. The audacity!


    "Hey, you''re the one who couldn''t keep his dick to yourself," I snapped, shooting him a piercing re. "Don''t try to pin it on me!"


    I saw a smirk forming on his lips, and I couldn''t believe he found it amusing. What a jerk!


    "That was your doing. You shouldn''t have looked so irresistibly sexy and seductive," he dered, his tone unwavering. "I was an innocent man before you came along, Evelyn. You''ve corrupted me."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    This time, my jaw actually dropped to the floor.


    He couldn''t be serious right now!


    "What? An innocent man?" I dropped the brushes and strode to his side, resting my hands on my hips, "What did you just say?!"


    "You heard me right. I was a very religious man before you," he dered, looking smug. "But you, being the devil, diverted my path, and now..."


    "You fucking liar!" I yanked at his ear, and he groaned in pain, "Religious? That term doesn''t evene close to describing you."


    "Ouch, Evelyn, that hurts," he protested, attempting to pull away from my grasp, but I held on even tighter.


    "As it should. First, you me me for us losing the night and not finishing the painting, and now you dere yourself a saint and me the devil? You need a lesson."


    "Fine, fine. I''m sorry," he conceded, hurriedly, sounding almost like a scolded child, "Now, let go of my ear."


    A smile threatened to surface on my face, but I suppressed it, "First, I want a proper apology."


    "What? No."


    "Excuse me?!" I twisted his ear, and he groaned in pain again.


    "Fuck, fine! I''m sorry."


    "That''s more like it, good boy," I said, shing him a grin and releasing his ear.


    "That was..." he searched for the right word while he rubbed his red ear, "barbaric."


    "Oh, really? Thank you," I picked up the brushes and moved closer to the canvas, which was now ced before my vanity. Well, we had moved to my room after sessfully wasting the entire night. The mey with Jacob, but despite my attempts to steer the conversation toward painting, he seemed more interested in sex.


    The result? A sessfully wasted the night and an unfinished portrait.


    "Look at you, not a hint of remorse," he said, his disbelief now apparent.


    A chuckle slipped past my lips as I observed him. "Come here, you big baby. Let me make up for my mistake."


    "How?" He seemed suspicious.


    "I''ll show you, but first, you need toe here."


    Without further argument, he walked closer to me, a persistent frown still etched between his brows. Gosh, he could be really cute sometimes.


    I couldn''t suppress my smile any longer, and he seemed to notice it, giving me a suspicious look. "What?"


    "Nothing," I replied, closing thest bit of distance between us. I slipped my arms around his neck and tiptoed to reach his level as I leaned closer to his face. "Tell me, what can I do to make up for my... what did you call it? Oh yeah," I concluded with a soft chuckle, "barbaric act. What do I need to do to make it up to you?"


    His frown disappeared as his arms encircled me, pulling me closer. Our chests pressed together, and the warmth of his skin effortlessly transferred to mine through the fragile fabric of his shirt-I was already developing a fondness for his clothes.


    "Well..." he began, a smile spreading across his lips, his voice deepening, "It''s up to you, isn''t it? What do you think will make me forget it?" Suppressing my smile, I leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth before speaking, "Will this be enough?"


    He tsked and shook his head, "Too little."


    Slowly, I moved to the other corner of his mouth and ced a lingering kiss there. "Now?"


    "Still not enough."


    This time, I kissed the bridge of his nose. "Still not enough?"


    "Yes, not enough," he sighed, shaking his head with mock disappointment.


    At this point, I had to hold back a giggle. This man was certainly something else.


    "How about this?" I moved in and nted a tender kiss on his forehead.


    I felt his body rx at this point, a soft sigh escaping his lips.


    "Enough?"


    "Almost," he replied, his gaze soft.


    "Almost?" I asked softly, before finally leaning closer to his lips, "I think I know how to make it ''enough''," I whispered against them.


    "What are you waiting for then?" he asked, his voice husky.


    "Nothing," I murmured before pressing my lips against his. Our eyes closed simultaneously. Perhaps the sensation of each other''s lips was just too good for us. Well, it certainly was.


    You''re a lucky woman, Evelyn. Incredibly lucky!


    I kissed him, and he let me slide my tongue into his mouth, taking it slow. With each caress of his lips and tongue, he left a tantalizing sensation all over me, sparks shooting through my veins. Butterflies erupted in my stomach.


    I was so in love. I had never thought it was possible to be in love like this, but this man had proven me wrong. I wasn''t sure if I should thank him or me him.


    Moments passed, and he took the


    lead. We were nearly out of breath, but neither of us was willing to break the kiss; it just felt too good. He kissed me deeply, devouring me, my mouth, sucking and biting on my lips until we finally parted. He rested his forehead against mine, both of us breathing heavily.


    "Did I make it right?" I asked, a smile breaking across my lips.


    "So damn right," he chuckled before nting a quick peck on my lips. "God, I love you so much."


    "I love you too," I nuzzled his nose before finally letting go of him and turning around. "Now, let''s get back to the painting, Mr. Adriano because I know if we don''t start right now," we''ll end up wasting the morning as well, andter, you''ll me me


    again."


    He slipped his arms around me from behind. "What if I take the me this time?" his tone suggestive.


    "But the painting needs to be finished, doesn''t it?" Iughed as I grabbed the palette, "I''m afraid you''ll have to keep your hands to yourself this time, Jacob."


    "It''ll be quick," he mumbled as he buried his head into my neck, pulling me closer.


    This man...


    "Still, it''s a no. No sex before this painting''s finished."


    "That''s my portrait, and I want it to be finishedter," he kissed my shoulder, his hands moving to cup my butt.


    With the back of my paintbrush, I gently swatted his head.


    "What the heck?!"


    "It''s your portrait, but I''m the one painting it, so you have got no say in this," I asserted, "Now go and sit in the corner until I finish."


    "This is not fair."


    "Well, it is fair. What''s not fair is your


    dick. How can you be so horny all the time, huh?" I chuckled before resuming my painting. The lines were almost perfect; I just needed to match his contours and skin tone for my sleeping beauty. I was sure he hadn''t figured out yet that this was a depiction of him sleeping like a kid.


    "Evelyn,e on."


    "Nope. Now, either you go to the corner or I throw you out of my room."


    I could tell he was about to argue again when suddenly, the sound of his phone ringing pierced the room''s silence.


    Confusion spread across his face; nevertheless, he walked over and picked up his phone.


    "Why is your dad calling me now?" he asked me, a puzzled expression on his face.


    "How would I know, dummy? I''ve been with you all night long."


    "Oh yeah, right." He finally picked up the phone. Before Jacob could even say ''hello,'' Dad''s voice sounded from the other side. I couldn''t hear what he said, but it seemed more like a demand- I knew that tone.


    "What? No. I have no interest in your stupid shopping crap! I don''t want to see what you''ve purchased!" Jacob barked.


    Ah, so that''s the issue...


    "No, Samuel. You''re annoying the hell out of me right now. Just go and check those things by yourself. Leave me alone!"


    Knowing Dad, I knew the end result-Jacob would have to agree with his demands, or else he''d be forced toply.


    "Don''t emotionally ckmail me. I also helped you out during college years, and you can''t use those excuses to get me involved in your stupid ns!" Their argument continued for a few more minutes until I began to see signs of defeat on Jacob''s face.


    "Okay, okay, fine! I''ming!" And he hung up the call.


    "What happened? Did Dad get to you again?" It was hard not tough when I looked at the expression on his face.


    "Samuel bought clothes for himself, and he wants me to check them first. Like, what the heck?! Are we five?"


    "Maybe," Iughed. "Now go, or else he''ll show up in your room with all those shopping bags."


    "Trust me, your dad''s getting weirder every day."


    "Hey, it could just be nerves. He''s getting married after so long. I think that''s why he''s acting this way. Make sure he doesn''t get cold feet," I chuckled.


    "Go, be a good friend."


    "I''d rather be a bad friend and fuck you now," he said as he walked closer to me.


    "Jacob!"


    "Rx, I just want a kiss." He rolled his eyes and pulled me close, nting a kiss on my lips, and then another. "I''ll be back soon. Don''t go anywhere.''


    "Okay." A smile spread across my lips, and I returned the kiss.


    And then he walked out of the room.


    The smile never faded from my face as I continued painting. Painting him wasn''t hard at all, as his image was always vivid in my mind, down to every


    little detail.


    Time seemed to pass effortlessly, easily crossing ten minutes and more in an instant, and then there was a sudden knock at the door.


    Must be... No, Jacob wouldn''t knock on the door.


    Setting the brushes aside, I walked to the door and opened it. To my surprise, a very unexpected face greeted my view¡ªmy mother.


    "Well, what is it this time?" I asked.

 Chapter 48 Wounds And Words

    Chapter 48 Wounds And Words


    Evelyn


    "It''s better if we talk inside," she suggested; the look on her face hinted at a revtion, and possibly a barrage of lectures. I had no idea what was going through her mind, but the closest assumption I could muster was that her boyfriend, who''d seen mest night during the entire incident with Chloe, had spilled the beans.


    "Well, of course. I know you have a lot to say. Come in." I stepped aside to let her enter, and she walked inside. I shut the door.


    "Tell me what you have to say; I have work to do." I spoke up, walking past her and sitting on the bed.


    "Is that...is that Jacob''s portrait, Evelyn?" She nced at the painting before shifting her gaze to me, her voice filled with disbelief and disappointment, "And what are you wearing? His shirt?"


    "Yeah, so?"


    "Is this how you''re rediscovering your passion, huh? Is this what you n to do?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest.


    God, I already despised this conversation.


    "Well, I don''t see anything wrong with it. I''m painting the man I love, while you, my mother, pushed your own daughter''s dreams aside because of your selfishness," I shrugged, nonchntly.


    "The man you love? Are you out of your mind, Evelyn?! He''s your father''s friend. You can''t love him. There can be nothing between you two that willst long. It''s simply wrong. What the hell are you thinking? Making him the reason why you''ve picked up your brushes after years? You''re ruining everything for yourself! You''ll be the one who ends up getting hurt in this!"


    "Enough, Mom," I stood up, barely able to maintain my calm, "Tell me, what exactly have I done wrong if I''ve found my passion again because of a man who cares for me, who fulfils my wishes, heals the wounds from my past, makes me happy, and encourages me to pursue my dreams? Most importantly, he loves me. Tell me, what''s wrong with wanting to be with him?"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "What''s wrong? Can''t you see that everything you two have is wrong! Beyond wrong," she raised her voice, appearing angry. Well, I couldn''t care less about that. "You don''t love him, Evelyn. It''s just a momentary attraction. When it fades, you''ll regret the damage you''ve done. So, take a step back before it''s toote!"


    Okay, that was enough.


    "Who the hell are you to dictate whether I love him or not? It''s my life, Mom. You don''t get to control it. In fact, no one does. And why do you think everyone will experience that momentary attraction you had with Dad? Not everyone is like you. Your attraction faded, and when Dad''s pockets went empty, you packed your bags and left. But I am not like you! I will never be someone like you!"


    "Evelyn!" She raised her hand, and I flinched, my eyebrows rising as I looked at her hand.


    Wow. This was the only thing left for her to do. After everything she''d done, this was thest resort-hitting me.


    She seemed to realize what she was about to do and quickly moved her hand away, hesitation seeping into her gaze, cracks bing evident in her demeanor.


    "No, no. Why did you stop? I guess this is the only thing left for you to do. So, why don''t you just raise your hand and p me? Complete the cycle,e on!" My words trembled, "What are you thinking? Just do it!"


    Don''t cry, Evelyn. She doesn''t deserve your tears.


    "Evelyn, listen...."


    "No, you listen to me, Mom! I love that man. I love Jacob to the point where I would fucking die for him. I don''t care what anyone else thinks of me or what the consequences of this forbidden rtionship might be. All I care about is that I want to be with him. I can''t imagine my life without him," I spoke up, struggling to hold back my sobs, "So, I beg you. Please don''t ruin this for me. Please, for once, think about what I want instead of what you think is right. It might bruise your ego, but it would spare me a lot of pain and heartache."


    "Evelyn... Why can''t you understand? He''s not right for you," she sighed, her gaze softening as she watched my eyes fill with unshed tears, "I''m saying this for your own good, not for mine. Do you think everything I do is bad for you? I don''t want you to end up heartbroken because, in the end, you and Jacob, you two will have to be separated. It''s going to end badly. Jacob loves Chloe, and she loves him. Coming between the two of them will only hurt you."


    Coming between the two of them? She''d lost her fucking mind.


    "What are you talking about? Are youpletely oblivious to the things that woman put him through, or are you just pretending? She doesn''t love him. She only wants him back because that''s what she


    does-brings him back, satisfies her ego, and then she''s done, back to her old ways," I spat, "And Jacob? No, he doesn''t love her. She''s just his regret. He regrets everything he ever had with her. Don''t tell me you want to bring Chloe back into his life just because she shed some fake tears. Don''t be the noble woman and ruin your own daughter''s happiness if you truly care for me!"


    "Evelyn, I''m not on a mission to help them get back together, but it might eventually happen. I''ve seen it all during their college years-Chloe and Jacob, no matter what, always find their way back to each other. It''s theirplicated rtionship. know it''s toxic, but it is what it is, and there''s nothing I or anyone else can do," I didn''t want to take her words seriously, but they weighed heavily on my heart. "And today, I came here because I heard about the incident between you and Chloe through-"


    "Oh, of course, your boyfriend told you, didn''t he?"


    "What? No. Jack didn''t tell me anything, Evelyn. In fact, he wanted to stop me froming here and talking about this with you," she said. "Chloe is the one who told me about it. And it''s wrong, you shouldn''t have hit her. It''s¡ª"


    "Hit her? Is that what that woman told you?" I looked at her in disbelief, "I didn''t freaking hit her! She was talking shit about me and crossing the line, and all I did was throw the wine at her face, nothing else! I can''t believe you came here to argue with me, believing her words!"


    "It doesn''t matter what you did, and I''m not here to argue with you. I''m just here to tell you not to get involved in the mess of Jacob and Chloe''s life. Just stop it already. I don''t want to see you getting hurt."


    "Well, I think if you don''t want me to get hurt, the best thing you can do for now is leave, Mom. I don''t want to talk about any of this."


    "Evelyn, you can''t just keep running away from reality. You have to understand what is wrong for you!"


    "Jacob makes me happy, and I think my whole life, I just wanted to be happy. So, I will not let go of Jacob, no matter how much havoc it brings into my life. That''s the only thing you should know, Mom," I dered firmly. "Now, please leave."


    "Fine, if you''ve already made your


    decision, then so be it. But listen to me very carefully, Evelyn, you are my daughter, and no matter how much you try to deny it, that''s never going to change. I will always be your mother, and I will do everything I can to prevent you from getting hurt," with that, she stormed out of the room.


    The door closed shut, silence enveloped the room once again, and a few tears slid down my cheeks.


    Her words kept echoing inside my head. They wouldn''t stop; they only increased the turmoil within me.


    "Calm down. Nothing''s ruined yet," I breathed out, trying to get my frantic heartbeats under control.


    But damn it, it wouldn''t help.


    I paced back and forth in the room; time passed slowly andnguidly. The silence weighed heavily on me, pushing me down into the ground. I


    couldn''t think straight.


    This was so messed up.


    I looked at the clock; it had been nearly half an hour, and Jacob should have been back by now.


    Unable to restrain myself, I grabbed my phone and sent him a text.


    "Where are you?"


    No response came for the first few minutes, but then I received a text.


    "In my room."


    I didn''t care to text him again or ask him why he was in his room instead of mine. I simply walked out of my room and headed for his.

 Chapter 49 Hearts On The Fence

    Chapter 49 Hearts On The Fence


    Evelyn


    As I walked to his room, avoiding the nces of a few other guests along the way, my mind couldn''t help but dwell on the hurtful words my mother had cruelly spat at me, all in the name of "doing what''s best for me." Unbelievable, she was! She had wounded me with her words, questioned the authenticity of my feelings for Jacob, and yet clung to her im that she cared for me.


    She didn''t care, not even the slightest bit. If she had, she would have at least tried to understand me.


    I mean, seriously, she...used me ofing between Jacob and that Chloe, as if she hadn''t already hurt me enough. Of all the wounds she had inflicted on me since childhood, this was the worst, and I would forever remember it.


    I didn''t bother knocking on Jacob''s door; instead, I walked right in. My eyes searched for him until I spotted him sitting at the edge of the bed, his head hanging low as he stared at his hands. His phoney by his side, the message to me still open on the screen.


    Something didn''t feel right already.


    Dread crawled up my insides. Did my mother say something to him as well? Oh no...


    "Why...why didn''t you get back to my room?" I asked, my breaths quick and shallow.


    He didn''t answer me at first, nor did he move his gaze to me, instead he offered me silence for the first few seconds before he finally settled his gaze


    on me.


    Why was he not answering me?!


    My heart beat loudly, and the restlessness within me kept increasing. I dreaded so many things; my fears gnawed at me from within, my hands trembled, and I was on the verge of breaking down. Thest thing I wanted was to cry before he even said a word.


    "Why didn''t you tell me that Danica knows about us?"


    Great! So my mom ruined it for me. She did the one thing I asked her not to.


    "Jacob, I-I...." I hesitated to speak. What was I supposed to tell him? The truth? That I was afraid he''d pull away? It wouldn''t please him; in fact, it would only reveal my insecurities, and that''s thest thing I wanted him to see.


    "Why is it that I found out about this from Chloe and not from you?"


    Wait...


    So Mom didn''t tell him. Chloe did?


    "You talked to Chloe?" My words trembled, and a sudden, sharp pain pierced my chest. I couldn''t quite exin it, but it just hurt, and it hurt badly. "Right now, it''s not your turn to question me, Evelyn," he spoke, his voice a bit harsh, "Just answer the damn question."


    I looked at him in stupor, and opened my mouth to say something, but for some reason, not a word came out. What was wrong with me? Why couldn''t I just speak instead of feeling a bunch of sobs trying to break their way through?


    I had never been like this. Then what the heck was going on with me today?


    "It happened yesterday only," I finally managed to say, my voice trembling, "I didn''t know how to tell you."


    "Didn''t know how to tell me?" He looked at me in disbelief, as if he couldn''t believe what he was hearing, "It was a simple thing to say, Evelyn. You just needed to tell me that Danica talked to you about it, and that would have been it. Mind telling me what mind-blowing n you had in your mind by keeping it to yourself?" He stood up and walked over to me. "Tell me, Evelyn, what''s the brilliant n you had in mind?"


    "Jacob, I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid that you''d react differently," I admitted, tears threatening to escape, "And don''t get fucking mad at me. I''m just as stressed as you are right now, even more so! It''s not my fault that Mom found out about us. It''s your ex-girlfriend who saw us in the hall and told her. So if you want to me anyone, me her, not me!"


    He let out a frustrated sigh. "Evelyn, I''m not ming you. But instead of keeping it to yourself, you could have told me about it. And about Chloe, why did you hit her? Raising your hand at someone is not a solution. I thought you knew better than that."


    "Hit her? She told you a lie, and you fucking believed her?!" I finally snapped, all my stress and turmoil breaking through in rage, "What''s wrong with you, Jacob? If shees to you again and says that I did some stupid shit, you''d blindly believe her? Do you still trust her that much?!"


    "I...I..." Jacob, till now,posed and collected, found himself struggling to respond, "It''s not like what you think."


    "Of course, it''s what I think. You still blindly believe her, god!" Myugh was edged with bitterness as I raked my fingers through my disheveled hair, my frustration pouring out in waves, "I knew I was going to say things I didn''t want to, but it was beyond my control, "Are you even sure that you''re not


    in love with her deep down and not nning to go back to her? Because to me, it seems like it."


    "You''re way off base, Evelyn. Why do you think I''d go back to her? She''s a nobody!"


    "Yeah, a nobody whose words got


    you to doubt me," I shot back, "Just one word from her, and you''re out here interrogating me as if I''vemitted a crime! Your ex was talking shit about you, me, and everyone else. It was her fault that she decided to tell my mother, what she saw. And all I did was throw wine at her face to get her filthy mouth shut! If that looks like hitting her to you, then yes, I hit her, alright? I''m the immature woman here. If you don''t like me, then go back to your damn ex. I''m done exining things to everybody!" I turned around to leave, but he stopped me by grabbing my hand as he sought to bridge the widening gap between us.


    "Evelyn, stop."


    "No," I snatched my wrist from his grasp. "You don''t even trust me. All you care about is what your damn ex tells you didn''t tell you any of it because didn''t want you to be as stressed as I am, and to be honest, I was equally afraid. I didn''t want you to back away because I love you, have


    Jacob. I didn''t want whegou,


    between us to end. Sorry, maybe it''s my fault that I care too much. I''m extremely sorry, Mr. Jacob Adriano. My sincere apology to you and your


    dear ex."


    I wiped away a stray tear that finally escaped my control, my frustration and sorrowid bare for him to see.


    I swear to God I''m gouging out my eyes if these tears don''t stop.


    "Hey, hey-hey, I''m sorry, okay? I overreacted, I am sorry," He suddenly pulled me into his arms, "I shouldn''t have spoken to you that way, but trust me, the reason wasn''t Chloe. I just didn''t want you to get dragged into the mess she could create. That was my only intention."


    "Let go of me, Jacob," I tried to get away from his embrace, but he only pulled me closer, reluctant to let me go.


    "I am sorry, baby," He murmured, kissing my temple, "I am really sorry. I didn''t want to hurt you. It''s just that I got mad because I found out about our personal news from someone else, and that person being Chloe made it even worse. She doesn''t matter to me, nor do I n to go back to her. All I care about is you."


    I didn''t want to cry. Damn it, I didn''t even want to be near him at this point. But every fiber of my body spoke otherwise.


    Soon, a sob broke through myR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    throat, and I pulled away from him,


    "I... I''ve fought with my mom out


    there because I want to be with you. I said things to her that I hadn''t said until this day, and I''m ready to give,


    you


    elitet


    up everything for you. And you... snap at me for that woman!" I pushed at his chest, hitting him, "Evenst night, I didn''t behave rudely with you, even though I was under a lot of stress. And even today, even after I just had an argument with my mother, I still came running to you, just because I wanted to spend time with you and forget about everything else. And you... you started an argument with me because of what your ex said," I hupped, hitting him again and again, "You are such a jerk! An asshole!"


    He grabbed my hands, and once again, he pulled me close in his embrace, "I know I''m an asshole. I''m sorry. I didn''t want to make you feel like that. I just... I just lose it sometimes, and talking with Chloe never puts me at ease. I am sorry I acted like a jerk," he hugged me tightly, cing kisses on my face and forehead, "I promise this won''t happen again. Please don''t cry."


    "You don''t care about me; all you care about is that fucking bitch!" I sobbed, unknowingly clutching onto his T-shirt.


    "You know that''s not true, Evelyn. I only care about you and no one else," He sighed, cupping my face in his hands and wiping my tears with his thumbs, "I love you. More than you can even think of. I indeed overreacted, but trust me, my intention was not to hurt you. I am sorry." He leaned in, pecking my lips, "This won''t happen again, baby. I promise."


    God, I wished I could stay mad at him for longer, but he was making it hard for me.


    "You shouted at me..." I sniffled, more tears rolling down my cheeks.


    "Baby, I did not shout at you. I just talked to you a bit loudly, but I am sorry if I scared you," He murmured, wiping my tears again and kissing my


    eyelids, "Can you forgive me this one time?"


    "I don''t want to," I shook my head.


    "I know, but will you?" He asked, his gaze soft, "Please?"


    Say no, Evelyn. Say no.


    "Okay," I found myself nodding, contrary to what my mind told me to do, "Just this one time, but if you do this again, we are done."


    "I won''t do it ever again," he pulled me into a hug, kissing me on the lips, once, twice, and then thrice, "I love you."


    "I love you too," I whispered, burying my face into his chest. His scent calmed my nerves, helping me forget my troubled thoughts. Fuck I hated to admit it¡ªNo matter what had happened, in Jacob''s arms, I always found peace.

 Chapter 50 A Deal Of Mercy

    Chapter 50 A Deal Of Mercy


    Evelyn


    Jacob tenderly traced his fingers along my cheek, gently moving down to my neck, and asionally cing pecks on my lips and cheeks. I listened in silence to his heartbeat, finding something intriguing about it. Another detail that captivated me was thework of delicate blue veins on his hands, extending gracefully from his wrists.


    And the best part was his cologne that till now was buried deep in my system.


    He brushed away the stray strands of hair that had fallen across my face, then caressed my cheek and nted a lingering kiss on my forehead. "What''s your n now?" I asked, even though we hadn''t discussed it yet. I knew one of us needed to broach the subject, "Should we both talk to my mother?"


    "For now, let''s not do anything. We''ll wait until Danica brings it up; I''ll handle the matter," he assured me, offering a soft smile. "You don''t need to worry about it, okay?"


    "But I don''t want you to face it alone. Let''s go talk to her together," I suggested, nuzzling his neck. "Sounds good?"


    "Alright," he nodded with a smile, "but only after the wedding is over. I know you don''t want to spoil it for Samuel and ra, and neither do I. Let''s wait until then."


    I hummed in response, and hugged him, once again listening to his heartbeats.


    A few secondster, I finally voiced the question that had been nagging at me from the start.


    "You won''t leave me, will you?"


    He pulled away to look at me, surprise registering on his face, "Wait, what? What makes you say that?"


    "I just...I just felt like I should ask," I admitted hesitantly. "I don''t want to lose you."


    "Hey, I''m never leaving you," he assured me softly. "I love you, Evelyn, and only an absolute idiot would leave someone they love."


    "What if you turn out to be an idiot?"


    "Trust me, I''m not an idiot," he chuckled. "You can have some faith in me."


    "Promise me you won''t leave me."


    He let out a sigh before drawing me closer. Surprisingly, I found myselfnding on top of him. Before I could protest, he spoke again as a gasp slipped past my lips. "I promise, I''ll never leave you, Evelyn. No matter what."


    A smile finally made its way on my lips, "Okay." I leaned in and nted a chaste kiss on his lips, attempting to get off of him, but he resisted. "Jacob, you''ll get hurt. I''m not that lightweight."


    "Trust me, you''re not as heavy as you think, baby. You''re as light as a feather. Maybe even as light as the smallest free weights at the gym," he grinned.


    Now that was offending!


    "Hey, how dare youpare me to gym equipment?!"


    "Oh, did I? I''m so sorry." He seized the opportunity to shower me with a bunch of kisses all over my face.


    "Stop it!" A giggle slipped past my lips.


    "What can I do? You''re too beautiful." He murmured, nuzzling my nose. "I could kiss you all day long."


    "Silly." I traced my fingers along his jaw before speaking again. "By the way, how did Dad''s fashion session go?"


    "Well, of course, it went great for him." He groaned, as if recalling it annoyed him. "I swear, Evelyn, mentally Samuel is aging backward."


    "s! You have to deal with it. He''s your best friend after all."


    "Yeah, my bad luck! Anyways, he didn''t tell you about today''s party yet, did he?"


    "Party? There was no such n."


    "Yeah, but your dad made it upst minute because he needs to take his mind off things and clear his thoughts. He''s really nervous for someone who has already dealt with a marriage," he said, shaking his head and chuckling.


    "Worth mentioning ¡ª a failed marriage. He''s afraid because he fears everything will change after marriage. But I don''t think there''s anything to worry about, though. ra''s good for him; she''ll get him in line," I said, plucking an eysh from his cheek. "Hey, you''ve got a wish."


    "What?"


    "You have a fallen eysh, dummy." I carefully ced the eysh on the back of my hand. "Make a wish and blow it."


    "Evelyn, that''s so stu-" He was about to start his nonsense with one of his usualments, but my re made him swallow everything.


    "Okay, fine. I''ll make a wish." He relented, eventually blowing the eysh.


    "Tell me, what did you wish for?" I asked, unable to hide my excitement.


    "I might be too old for this, but I know this stuff: if you tell what your wish was, it doesn''te true, and I can''t risk it."


    As much as I wanted to pester him, he was right. I was unfair, but not unfair enough to force him to reveal his wish. "Okay, fine. But you have to let me know when ites true."


    "You''ll know when ites true." He let out a soft chuckle and ced a gentle kiss on my lips.


    ***


    "You look too stunning in red. I am afraid that I''d like to see you in this too much," he said from behind me, casually rolling up his sleeves. God, I loved how effortlessly attractive he looked in his simple attire.


    "Is that a problem?"


    "Not for me," he replied with a mischievous smile, "but perhaps for you."


    I furrowed my brow, my voice tinged with confusion. "Why?"


    His steps closed the distance between us, his hand gently sliding between my thighs, taking advantage of the high cut of my dress. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his handnded on my pussy, and I instinctively tried to bring my legs closer together. "You wouldn''t want to feel sore down here all the time, would you?"


    I nervously bit my bottom lip, "We have a party to attend, Jacob."


    "Well, Evelyn, I did ask you a question. Yes or no?" He leaned in closer, his lips grazing my neck.


    I let out a sharp breath, torn between the desire to speak the words that had been burning in my throat and the fear of what they might unleash. After a moment''s struggle, I surrendered.


    "Well, I suppose I might not exactly hate it."


    I felt his lip curving into a smirk against my skin.


    Weird sensations erupted in my abdomen-butterflies. Goosebumps prickled my skin, and my knees quivered with anticipation. Though t hadn''t looked at him, I knew he must have looked panty-dropping hot with that smirk on his face. Jacob Adriano had his own charms, never fading and forever effective, mostly for me, however, I did not doubt that other women felt the same way.


    "Is that so?" His fingers began tracing delicate patterns on my inner thighs, each touch deliberate and enticing, jerking an involuntary response from me with every stroke. "So, you are saying that I am allowed to make you cum here, all over my hand with the privilege of having you stand still the


    whole time?


    Shit! I doubted I could stand still with his hands on me. I was damn sure, he knew it too.


    "Maybe," my voice was rushed,ced with both uncertainty and growing anticipation.


    He chuckled, the sound of it alone enough to make me dripping wet though I already was wet. Soaked through my panties.


    "Maybe," he hummed, his lips descending to nt a tantalizing kiss just below my earlobe, his touch setting my core aze and sending waves of desire rippling through my body. "Shall we find out just how long you can hold out?"


    "Wait, I-I..." The rest remained unfinished as his handnded on my bare heat. His index finger flicked on my clit, his middle one, sliding down, on my entrance, rubbing my slit and coating it with my juices.


    "You are already wet, baby," A growl emanated from his chest, vibrating against my back, the feel itself having its own charm as I felt myself getting even wetter. Without dy, he rubbed my pussy, starting with a gentle, teasing touch that gradually built into a rhythm, causing my hips to quiver in response to the intense pleasure.


    I moaned, almost throwing my head back as I pushed myself against him. I was going insane. Already.


    Part of me wanted to resist, to


    clench my thighs together and beg


    him to stop, but a stronger, more primal part of me craved his touch The pleasure was intense, and overwhelming, and his hands possessed an inexplicable enchantment - capable of both


    Vel.neN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    shattering me and piecing me back


    together in a single, electrifying moment.


    "You are so fucking sexy when you make those sounds, Evelyn..." My name rolled off his tongue like silk, almost making me reach my climax, "Let me hear you sing. Now moan for me."


    His fingers curled inside, hitting a certain spot, and this time I almost saw stars behind my eyelids that were already brimming with tears.


    "Jacob," His name slipped past my lips on its own, my hands pressed against the wall trying to find some sort of stability amidst this chaos of


    sensations.


    "You are so tight," He hisses, pushing his fingers deeper, "You have no idea how hard I want to fuck you right now."


    Even his words were a turn-on for me. With him, I couldn''t care less about my dignity; To hell with my sanity too. He made me feel wild, and intense, chase the thrill, and get lost in the waves of desire not caring whether they burned me, or ate me alive.


    "My god," I cried out, his hand speeded up, and his eyes focused on me, noticing every move and hearing all the shameless noises I made with intrigue. Soon enough, I came hard, spasming all over his hand.


    "Holy shit," I was breathing out, panting, still overwhelmed by the effects of the aftershock. Hadn''t it been Jacob''s hands holding me, I would have fallen straight on the floor, on my face. With my legs trembling and my wetness sliding down my thighs, I just knew it would have been the case.


    He turned me around, my back now pressing against the wall, as his body pressed into mine, scandalously close. But then again, who cared about scandals? We''d already surpassed the levels.


    Grabbing my jaw he looked at me, his eyes were burning with desire, mes that threatened to break me apart.


    And slowly he raised his fingers to his mouth, licking my juices off of them.


    Oh my god! This felt so fucking sinful yet so right.


    Before I could anticipate his next move, he firmly grasped the nape of my neck, drawing me close, and our lips collided in a fervent kiss. The taste of my own release lingered on our tongues, but I weed it, knowing there was nothing he could do that I wouldn''t desire.


    Breaking the kiss, he locked eyes with mine once more. "You''ll only be able to leave this room to attend the party if I have your word that tonight, you''d be at my mercy. Do I have a yes, Evelyn?" He raised an eyebrow, a grin ying at the corners of his lips.


    A blush threatened to overtake my cheeks, but instead, I found myself leaning closer to him, a smile tugging at my lips. I whispered near his mouth,


    "Yes, Mr. Adriano. You can have me at your mercy for as long as you desire."


    "That''s my girl," he murmured and pressed his lips to mine again.

 Chapter 51 Pre-wedding Jitters

    Chapter 51 Pre-wedding Jitters


    Evelyn


    The music enveloped us, a cacophony of sound as people bustled about, dancing, and indulging in the evening''s drinks. I must admit, my dad had an extraordinary circle of acquaintances, though some might argue they were closer to being outright lunatics. The guest list for the wedding seemed to be expanding by the day, partly due to ra and me.


    However, my current concern wasn''t the growing number of guests; it was my dad, who appeared to be drowning in a sea of distress.


    A damsel in distress-what''s the male version of that? I couldn''t say for sure, but I could Google itter.


    "I can''t believe you''re nervous," I said, pretending to be disappointed. "This isn''t your first time tying the knot."


    "Hey, just because I''ve been married once before doesn''t mean I have no right to feel nervous now. Stop giving me that look!" He downed another shot of tequ. "I might be getting married for the second time, but it''s still marriage. The feeling remains the same."


    "So what? Are you going to get cold feet, and I''ll have to snap you out of it?" Jacob raised an eyebrow, leaning against the bar. His judgmental stare and incredulous expression made it clear that he found the idea ridiculous, "I''m not buying your reasons. You better show up at the venue."


    "Of course, I''ll show up. I love her, and I haven''te all this way for nothing. I want to spend my life with her," he spoke up, his eyes darting between us, his expression a mixture of determination and the jitters. He stood there, in the midst of it all, with me and Jacob on each side, downing liquors as if he were a character in a movie a typical clich¨¦ of a nervous groom, "I''m just afraid that things might take a nosedive after the wedding. You see, right now, ra and I are perfect. Absolutely wless. Yes, we have our disagreements, but we always make up. But what if that changes after marriage? What if we drift apart, and things go downhill?" His words softened my gaze.


    I knew exactly what he was getting at he feared another failed marriage. How could he not, after the heartbreak of the first one?


    Jacob and I exchanged nces before I spoke, "Dad, nothing is going to go wrong. Trust me. I understand your nerves, but you have to understand that you and ra found each other in the darkest of times. From here on out, everything will only get brighter. She loves you, ws and all, and I know you feel the same way. So, why worry when you''re ready to weather any storm together?"


    Dad blinked twice upon hearing me as if he couldn''t quite believe what he had just heard. As expected, he responded with his usual touch of


    nonsense.


    "When did you be so sensible?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.


    There he went, steering the conversation in apletely different direction. I can''t believe him!


    Jacob burst intoughter but quickly stifled it, pursing his lips and turning his gaze away. No doubt, he and I would have a conversation about thister.


    "I''m pouring my heart out here, and that''s your response?" I said, my jaw tight with frustration.


    "Well, sorry," he shrugged, unruffled. "It''s just the first thing that popped into my head when you started talking."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "Dad! Please, be serious. We''re having an important discussion here!"


    "Fine, I''m sorry," he sighed, relenting. "But no matter what you guys say, I still have doubts about this marriage. I mean, ra and I could stay like this, happy and uplicated. That way, things wouldn''t go wrong... again," he added, thest part almost as an afterthought.


    "Dad, both of you made the decision to get married," I reminded him. "You have to move on. Mom has moved on; she''s not letting the burdens of her past rtionship ruin her present. Why are you fixating on the things that could go wrong?"


    "Maybe because I don''t want another failed marriage?"


    "Well, that''s no secret, but that''s not what I was asking."


    Just as Dad was about to respond, Jacob stepped in. "Hey, Samuel. Listen to me."


    Dad turned his gaze toward Jacob, who continued, "Just answer this one question: Do you love her or not?"


    "Dude, is that even a question to ask?" Dad looked at him incredulously.


    "Just answer me, do you love her or not?"


    What is he up to? Well, let''s see.


    "Of course, I do, man. I love her more than I''ve ever loved anyone before."


    "And you know she wants this marriage, right? You know it would make her happier to have a ring on her finger and be by your side rather than just standing beside you, right?"


    A sigh escaped my dad''s lips, and his gaze softened as he looked at ra, who was engaged in conversation with some guests in the distance. She caught his eye and shed him a small smile. His response flowed naturally, "Yes, it would make her happier than anything else in this world."


    They were already melting my heart. If this conversation didn''t convince him, I''d drag Dad''s arse to the wedding venue myself.


    "Then what''s the first thing you do for the one you love?" Jacob asked, a smile spreading across his lips.


    Dad fell silent for a few seconds before a smile finally broke on his face, "You make them happy."


    "Then, you know what to do. Make


    her happy and go for it, buddy. The mistakes of the past can''t be undone. You and Danica were young, naive, and still figuring yourselves out. Mistakes often


    happen at that age, but now you


    §Ü§Ý§à§ã§ä§ß§à


    sure


    know who you are, Samuel. I''m she brings out the best in you, and you should do the same for her. So, let go of your concerns and go for it." He patted Dad on the back and handed him a shot. "This should be thest one for the night. Go to her; I''m sure she can sense your nervousness and is probably freaking out inside." Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    "Oh, of course, she does," Dad chuckled. "She''s asked me twice already."


    "Then what the fuck are you still doing here? Just go!" I looked at him wide-eyed. "Jacob''s right, you know that."


    "Okay, I''m going," Dad said, getting off the stool and quickly downing the shot. "But you, I don''t want even a drop of alcohol in your system. You are not allowed to drink."


    For once, I didn''t argue with Dad. Instead, a smile found its way to my lips. "Okay. Now go."


    "I''ve got your word, youngdy. Do not cheat," he warned before walking away, heading toward ra. I watched as he approached her and whispered something into her ear, causing a radiant smile to break across her face.


    God, they were adorable!


    "You never smile at me that way," Jacob''s voice came after a few seconds, causing my attention to shift and settle on him.


    "What?"


    "You heard it correct. I''ve never caught you looking at me that way. So does that mean I have less of a ce in your heart?"


    It wasn''t difficult to see that he was trying to tease me, though he did make an effort to sound serious, so I''d give him that.


    "What do you think?" I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "It could be that I''m just pretending and taking advantage of you, couldn''t it? I''d say the chances aren''t so slim."


    A flicker of something new crossed his face, the green irises sparking though they failed to hide the surprise beneath them. But then a smile curled at the corner of his lips, a sexy one indeed.


    "Someone taking advantage wouldn''t care so much," he leaned closer, seemingly oblivious to the few nces we garnered, "And your eyes, Evelyn... they say a lot more than you do."


    Damn, he certainly knew how to maintain hisposure and exude confidence at all times. There was something irresistibly attractive about that confidence, and even more intriguing was how he managed to see things as they truly were.


    "You are... quite something."


    "Say something I don''t know, baby,"


    he chuckled dryly before taking a sip of his drink. He shifted his gaze away, appearing so casual yet undeniably sexy, making me yearn to drag him away, to my room and fuck him. The mere thought of our deal tonight was enough to send a wave of heat coursing through me.


    "Maybe I will.....tonight,¡± I shrugged, a smirk ying on my lips as I watched him pause, his eyes fixed on me.


    "I''m starting to think you have a thing for keeping me on the edge," his voice was dry,posed, and controlled, but it revealed the intense desire that simmered beneath the surface. Simultaneously, it hinted at the intentions he might have already formed in his mind for tonight. "It won''t end well for you every time."


    "Trust me, I''m aware of that. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I''d like to join my friends," I winked at him, grabbing my drink and waving in his direction before walking away. I headed over to Nancy and Mason, who were at the bar on the other side of the hall.


    God, I swear, I could feel his intense gaze burning holes into my skin the entire time.

 Chapter 52 Unveiling Resentments

    Chapter 52 Unveiling Resentments


    Jacob


    I watched her as she conversed with her friends, the smile on her face never fading. It asionally broadened with a subtle twitch at the corner of her lips, as if she could sense my gaze fixed on her the entire time. And, truth be told, she could. Evelyn was incredibly observant though she didn''t know that I had mentally captured every aspect of her from the very first day I arrived here to attend Samuel''s wedding. She remained oblivious to how I had lost most of my self-control that very morning when I unexpectedly found her in the kitchen, wearing a little top and shorts that perfectly showcased her sexy body.


    Who would have thought that this was the same Evelyn I had known years ago?


    Back then, she had been quite shy around me, always quiet, except for those nights when she''d sneak wine from the kitchen cabs and retreat to her safe haven-her room. In the midst of her liquor-induced intoxication, she would often do wild things that were entirely contrary to her usual nature. I couldn''t deny that the sound of my name falling from her lips used to make my heart skip a beat, just as it did now.


    But she had been underage then,pletely naive and incapable of making decisions for herself. That was the sole reason I hadn''t acted on my desires. I couldn''t deny, though, that if she had been the same age as she was today, instead of suppressing my desires and the beast lurking beneath my skin, I would have barged into her room and ravished her. Every inch of her.


    Suppressing one''s true desires is always a tough battle, and for me, Evelyn is at the core of everything I crave-my carnal desires, my obsession, and everything my heart longs for.


    My eyes traced a path from her slender neck down to her waist, where her dress clung to her like a second skin. I could discern the effort she had put into concealing the love bites on her neck and cleavage, and she had done an excellent job at it. I wouldn''t have been able to guess where those marks had adorned her skin if I hadn''t been the one creating them on her soft, delicate canvas.


    Perhaps I should have left more marks. I couldn''t pinpoint why I was feeling this way, but maybe it was a twisted desire to stake a im. To let everyone know she was mine, and no one was allowed to touch her except for me.


    I had never been this possessive, but she held the power to awaken emotions I had never experienced before.


    While I was absorbed in taking in every detail of Evelyn''s presence, even though I had already done so countless times, a familiar woman approached me. She leaned against the bar, upying the spot where Evelyn had stood moments ago.


    "Hey," she shed me a small smile.


    "What do you want now, Chloe?" I couldn''t hide my annoyance. For fuck''s sake! She was blocking my view of Evelyn,


    She seemed taken aback before stammering, "I saw you standing here all alone, and I thought we could talk."


    "Well, I don''t want to talk to you. I believe I made that clear this morning, didn''t I?"


    "I can''t believe you''re still taking her side," she scoffed. "I told you what happened, Jacob. She raised her hand at me, yet¡ª"


    "I''m done with your lies, Chloe. So just shut the hell up," I snapped through gritted teeth, my jaw clenched. If this had been my party, I would have thrown her out right then, "Evelyn didn''t hit you, so why don''t you keep these lies to yourself? You''ve had your chance to create problems between her and me this time; it''s over. It''s time for you to finally leave behind your twisted ways and start working on yourself.


    Her lips parted, and her brows shot up in surprise. Clearly, she hadn''t expected me to reject her so outrightly. s, She and her struggle to believe the world revolved around her!R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "Excuse me? Jacob, I''m not trying toe between you and Evelyn because I simply know there''s no future for you two. Have you forgotten the fact that she''s Samuel''s daughter? What are you even thinking, love? You''re ruining things for both of you. Please don''t do this to yourself."


    There she went, showcasing her impressive acting skills to make it seem like she cared.


    But in reality, she couldn''t care less.


    "Love? Sorry, are you referring to me?" I chuckled dryly, she was absurd, "Please, Chloe, stop the act already. It''s getting embarrassing. I suggest you stop if you don''t want to lose thest shreds of dignity you might still possess somewhere deep within you."


    The expression on her face hardened, and I was all too familiar with that look. After all, I had spent years with her, enduring her horrendous personality and somehow surviving it.


    "What''s wrong with you, Jacob? You weren''t like this-careless and oblivious. You used to be smarter than what I see in you today. What''s actually going on with you?"


    Of course I won''t look smart to her anymore! God, she has no limits!


    "I''ll tell you, it''s simple," I replied, casually taking a sip of my drink as I gazed at the people on the dance floor. She kept her stare locked on me. "Back then, I seemed smart to you because used to give a fuck. Now, I may appear foolish and unaware because I don''t. I couldn''t I care less about what you think want, or do, Chloe. You and I are over, and that happened a long time ago. You couldn''t move on because you have this sick need to have people constantly orbiting around you. You want to surround yourself with people who are obsessed with everything you do, even the worst things. I used to be that guy, but not anymore. So, you should either find another puppet or work on improving yourself. There are plenty of good psychologists avable these days, and I''m sure you could benefit from some help." I shed her a smile.


    This time, I actually saw a glimmer of rage in her eyes.


    She stayed silent for a moment, observing me before finally opening her mouth to respond.


    "What do you really think of yourself,


    el


    Jacob? Do you honestly believe I need to try so hard toe between the two of you? Let me tell you, I don''t even need toe between the two of you," she said, crossing her arms over her chest, her gaze challenging. And there it was-the beginning of her toxic n. Again, it was simple: break it if you can''t take it. Because, at the end of the day, you''re going to get tired again, and then you''ll want the stability only I can offer. She''s not right for you, nor are you right for her. You''ll end up destroying everything-the friendship between you and Samuel, Evelyn''s life, and yes, even yours, although we can''t say yours is in a very good ce right now. No one can give you what you desire, Jacob. It was me, and it will always be me. You''ll have toe back to me, no matter how far you run."


    "So, you still haven''t improved at acting, huh?" I chuckled, looking at her. It was almostughable how I had once loved a woman like her, and what I had put up with for all those years; "It''s a shame you couldn''t maintain that new facade even for a week. You know what? I pity you. You''re so desperate for attention that you change your facade every time you encounter someone new. But in the end, you can''t escape who you truly are. You''re what you are, Chloe-a fake, disrespectful, selfish human being who only knows how to use other people. That''s all you''ll ever be to me. So, before I actually ask Samuel to tell you to leave." Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    I could tell that the insult hit her, and it affected her quite a bit. Clearly, she had thought she could manipte me into being with her again, and it frustrated her to see that I had moved on. But did I care?Fuck, no.


    If she wants to go to hell, she can go right ahead.


    "You''ll regret this," she said, her voice dripping with confidence, as it always had, "Trust me, you''ll have to grovel your way back to me because you''re nothing without me, Jacob. You''ll soon get tired and¡ª"


    "I won''t get tired, Chloe, because unlike you, Evelyn doesn''t suck the life out of me with her sick ways. And certainly, I don''t need the same woman back in my life who cheated on me with ten different guys. Trust me, no one wants that," I retorted, looking at her with a dispassionate expression, ¡°So, stay away from me and Evelyn for as long as you can because nothing''s going to change between us."


    She stared at me for a few more moments before finally turning on her heels and storming away.


    As I watched her walk away, I couldn''t help but release a sigh of relief. If she had dragged the conversation on any longer, I wasn''t sure I could have restrained myself from causing a scene.


    Just as I was about to shift my attention back to my Evelyn to see what she was up to, I noticed Danica, who seemed to have witnessed everything between Chloe and me. She was standing a bit further away, leaning against a pir. It was clear from her gaze that she had a lot on her mind.


    Danica then approached me, her expression serious.


    Well, I figured this was inevitable. I hadn''t nned on avoiding this conversation for long anyway.


    "We need to talk," she said as she stood before me.


    "Yeah, I know. Let''s go upstairs. There are too many people around here, and I don''t want to create a scene."

 Chapter 53 Turbulent Waters

    Chapter 53 Turbulent Waters


    Evelyn


    I could feel it the entire time-his gaze, unwavering and fixed on me. He looked at me with a total disregard for anyone who might notice, and I didn''t know why, but I found it incredibly thrilling. There was something intriguing about it, perhaps not as intense as butterflies and fireworks, but enough to leave a tantalizing trail of sparks all over my skin, everywhere his blue irises touched. The feeling was indescribable.


    I knew him all too well not to notice his eyes on me. He was like one of those books that initially seemed impossible to understand or get through because of their unique traits and storyline, but eventually became your absolute favourite once you got a grasp of them. For me, I had already read halfway through, and I intended to finish the rest of it in this lifetime.


    "Dude, your man is still looking at you," Nancy remarked, astonishment gleaming in her eyes, "You''ve smitten him, haven''t you? What did you do? Are you giving him a blowjob every single day?"


    A chuckle escaped my lips, "Shut up, Nancy. Someone will overhear your nonsense."


    I did want to look at Jacob at this point, but I resisted the urge. I knew that if I did, I might end up going back to him, and the end result would be us leaving this party to start our own in my room, or perhaps his, whichever would be more convenient.


    "Sorry, but that doesn''t sound like nonsense to me either. She''s right, what have you done to him? He seems like he''s going to leave that bar and jump on you right in the middle of all these people," Mason added, "Did you perform some sort of ck magic on him?"


    "Oh you morons," Jennie walked over to us, fixing her dress, she indeed made out with someone, there was no question, "It''s no ckmagic, it''s her pussy. Men love it when it''s good and in Evelyn''s case, it''s all Jacob has ever needed in his life." She was seemingly aware of our conversation with her unconventional skill of reading people''s lips and faces,


    This conversation was about to turn fucking unholy. But I didn''t have any right to say anything, did I? Because what Jacob and I were doing was nowhere near holy.


    "Oh yeah, you''re right. When I used to be with girls, I enjoyed it when she was tight. Kinda same like good arses," Mason said, scratching his jaw thoughtfully, seemingly interested in continuing the conversation, his expression alike ones that people usually had whilst discussing business ideas, "And they liked it when the dick is big, so Evelyn," he shifted his gaze to me, "Are you so crazy about Jacob because he has a big dick?"


    I couldn''t believe he had just said that. Lord, he could be so brazen sometimes.


    "Mason! Shut up!"


    "Don''t shut him up," Nancy pinched my arm, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, "Tell me, is it his dick you''re after?" Before I could snap, Jennie intervened, "Of course she is. And even if that''s not the case, there''s no way to deny that it helps."


    "God, I hate you guys so much."


    They burst intoughter, thoroughly enjoying pulling my leg. Nancy added, "Oh,e on, Evie. You know no matter how much you deny it, it makes it easier to like him even more when he fucks you better."


    "I can''t believe you! You horny motherfuckers, I''m not after his dick, alright? It''s him who I love, all of him as a whole. Not for a specific body part and stuff, not even his libido. So, shut up!" I could already feel my cheeks burning red-they were truly shameless.


    "Even if you love him as a whole, his dick, or so you say, his libido, doesn''t fall behind. It''s a part of him, right?" Mason raised an eyebrow, stifling hisughter as he tried to sound serious enough to embarrass me.


    "Enough, guys! This is "


    "Hey, guys, quiet. Evelyn, look at that," Jennie spoke up, a frown settling between her brows as she examined something in the distance. "Isn''t that Jacob''s ex? That Chloe whore?"


    My gaze snapped to the sight, and the scene unfolded before my eyes. Chloe was leaning against the bar, standing beside Jacob with a drink in her hand¡ªthe exact same colored rose wine I''d thrown in her face that evening at the poolside and might do again today if things took a turn for the


    worse.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    What the fuck was she doing?


    My fists automatically clenched at my sides. "I''m going to kill that bitch tonight." The moment I was about to stride towards them, Mason grabbed my hand, halting my movement.


    "Calm down, Evelyn. Trust me, you''ll regret creating a scene after this."


    "You don''t know how much that bitch is trying toe between the two of us, Mason. She''s grabbing onto every chance she can get. I''ve already told you what she''s done today, haven''t I?" I was fuming, my nails itching to w at her face and pluck all the hair out of her scalp. She''d look perfect when bald.


    "Look at me, Evie," Nancy turned me to face her. "Take deep breaths. Slowly, inhale and exhale," she motioned her hands in a lowering motion.


    "Yeah... re-rx," Jennie said, already seeming to regret her decision to show me the scene. Mason was ring at her, making it even more ringly obvious.


    "Rx?" I scoffed. "Whenever I see that bitch, all I want to do is to kill her. Argh, I want to p the shit out of her already."


    "Have faith in your man at least. He''s not going to give in. Do you trust him or not?" Mason spoke, "She cheated on him. Thest thing a sensible man like him would do is get back with her."


    I let out a frustrated sigh, attempting


    to regain myposure, but my nerves continued to elude me. Despite my best efforts, I couldn''t shake off the intrusive thoughts that consumed me, each one more


    disturbing than thest-I''d cut that bitch into tiny pieces. Delightfully!


    My gaze darted toward them again, this time catching a glimpse of a smile ying on Jacob''s lips as he conversed with Chloe.


    Okay, he''s in for an hour-long argument.


    Call me immature, but I couldn''t care less about appearing childish at that moment. Chloe was thest person in the world Jacob should be smiling at, considering everything she''d put him through.


    I couldn''t tear my gaze away from


    sight even though I was trying my best to keep myposure. Unfortunately, it didn''t help even the bare minimum. Each passing moment stretched into what felt like an eternity. My mind was consumed by a single, relentless thought: the burning desire to whisk that troublesome bitch away from


    Jacob''s presence, as far as the ends


    of the Earth if necessary. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Evelyn, don''t stare like that. It makes you look like you''re about to kill both of them," Jennie cooed.


    "Well, I might," I shrugged, shifting my gaze back to them, my breathing heavy and jaw clenched. "First, I''ll kill that Chloe, and next, it''ll be Jacob, and for him, it''ll be a very slow and painful death!"


    "Evelyn, calm down!" Mason urged.


    "Fuck, I can''t. I need to get to him, let me go."


    "No, you can''t. You will only go there once that Chloe leaves," Nancy dered firmly.


    "No way. I need to teach that bitch a lesson. She''s been getting on my nerves ever since she came here. Fucking shameless, stupid, annoying, cock- sucker bitch!"


    "If you teach her a lesson right now,


    in the middle of all these people, it''d end up being a lesson for you for your whole lifetime," Nancy said, sounding serious. "Chloe won''t dose anything, but if you end up screwing up the night for your dad and ra, you''d be the one carrying the regret."


    Her words hit me hard. I hated that she was right, but she was. In fact, she was more than just right. I would absolutely regret it if I ruined things for my dad and ra, especially for a woman like that bitch.


    I guess I have to keep the vicious woman in me suppressed beneath my skin until Chloe leaves.


    A few seconds passed, and I exhaled a low breath, "Fine. I will talk to him once that bitch leaves."


    "Thank god," Mason let out a sigh of relief. "Now, please, stay quiet and enjoy a drink with us. Your man is right in front of you anyway; no one''s going


    to steal him."


    "Yeah, he''s right," Nancy quipped, grabbing a hold of me and attempting to drag me with her, "Take a chill pill. Come, let''s get some shots."


    "Ahem...guys," Nancy intervened, hesitantly, "I think we have got a problem."


    I followed her gaze, fixated on the now-empty spot where Jacob and Chloe previously stood.


    My brows rose, and my jaw almost dropped to the floor.


    What the damn hell!


    "Oh no," Nancy said underneath her breath, though my ears didn''t miss it. My body had steered into a whole different mode.


    Calm down, Evelyn. You can''t screw up.


    "Um, he must have gone to the bathroom. Shall we drink?" Mason, finding no other way to divert the conversation, tucked his hands into his pocket


    and let out, his awkward voice failing to have any effect on me.


    "Fuck the drink!" I took off without another moment of hesitation.


    I mightmit murder tonight. One, if given other circumstances, two.

 Chapter 54 A Startling Turn

    Chapter 54 A Startling Turn


    Evelyn


    Unbelievable! Both Chloe and Jacob were nowhere to be seen.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    I was already freaking out. It wasn''t as if I didn''t trust Jacob, but the truth was that I didn''t trust Chloe. However, I fully believed in her ability to manipte. Even her face said that she was a twisted, maniptive, filthy and fucked-up bitch.


    What if she ends up creating a distance between me and Jacob? She could, it was not an impossible task for her, given that she and Jacob had been in a rtionship for years. It was natural that Jacob would have a soft spot for her, I wouldn''t me him for that, but... I didn''t want to lose him. That was the only reason I was freaking out.


    Thest thing I wanted was to find him and Chloe locked up in a room - yes, I feared it. I absolutely feared it no matter how much I trusted Jacob. But he wouldn''t cheat on me, would he?


    God, this is driving me insane.


    Being disappointed with not finding them on the entire first floor, I headed up the stairs.


    I swear to god, if I ended up finding Chloe with him, I would burn her alive. As for Jacob, I didn''t know what I''d say. I could only hope he wouldn''t end up disappointing me.


    But hopes always get broken, don''t they?¡ª Fuck. I needed to stop thinking and just look for him. Thest thing I wanted to do was to act like an immature bitch ande to a conclusion before even confronting him or simply asking him about the real situation.


    I didn''t want to be one of those stupid women. But my emotions...they were already making a mess.


    My eyes searched everywhere around the corridor, the hall, the vacant areas, and rooms that I took the privilege to peek in until a sudden voice called my name.


    "Hey, Evelyn."


    I turned around to see my mom''s boyfriend walking over to me. "Have you seen your mom anywhere by chance?" he asked.


    "Um...no," I shook my head.


    Did she disappear without telling him? It wouldn''t be unlike her.


    "Well, she was with me until I had to attend a call, but then, I can''t find her anywhere," the guy looked pretty confused. It seemed like he wasn''t used to staying away from my mother, which was a good thing in some ways it meant she was treating him right, unlike how she had treated my dad. "She has never done this before."


    "Maybe you can call her?"


    "I did, but she''s not picking up."


    Shit, I wanted to end this conversation as soon as I could. I had a task to do.


    "You can go downstairs and search for her, maybe even check your room? She could be touching up her make-up, you know. She doesn''t prefer looking bad," I said, trying to extricate myself from the conversation, "Please, excuse me, I am a bit busy." I attempted to walk away.


    "Evelyn, wait a moment please."


    Argh! My mother''s boyfriend was equally annoying as her.


    I turned around, barely able to maintain aposed and normal expression, however, I didn''t seed quite as much. I was rather disappointed with my own acting skills. "What is it, Jack?"


    "About your mom...well," he


    hesitated for a second before


    opening his mouth, "I''d like to


    apologize for what your mom said to


    you the other day. I don''t know exactly what she said to you, but l know she was pissed and she might have crossed the line. I am trying to talk to her, and she won''t breathe a word to Samuel or anyone. Please don''t misunderstand her. She''s only trying to protect you, and she may have ended up hurting you in the process. Maybe it''ll take some time for her to ept it and respect your opinions; it''s just those motherly instincts. Just spare her some time, everything will be alright."


    Well, my mom hasn''t chosen a bad guy at least. I can already tell he loves her.


    "Thank you, Jack," I shed him a soft smile, feeling a bit guilty for being so dismissive previously, "It''s just... it''s aplicated situation. Thank you for not telling her anything despite seeing the poolside incident. I really appreciate it."


    "You don''t need to thank me, Evelyn. I just did what was right," He smiled back, "I hope you can solve things sooner and choose what''s wise. It''s your decision, and I don''t think you should be influenced by anyone. Do what makes you happy; I am sure your mom, Samuel, everyone else wants that too."


    Oh, how I wished my mom would have been as understanding as her boyfriend. If only she could respect my choices instead of questioning them! "Thanks again," this time, my smile was genuine.


    "You''re wee. So, I''ll get going then. I need to find your mom. Can''t afford her being drunk and tipsy," he chuckled before walking away. As he disappeared from view, a realization washed over me.


    Fuck! I needed to find Jacob.


    My legs sprang into action, and once


    again, I began my quest to locate


    e


    him. I couldn''t deny that with each passing second, the fear of losing control was reaching its peak. At some point, I even debated whether or not to search for him and Chloe because I didn''t want to witness something I wasn''t prepared for.


    Would he really do something like that? No, he would never. He loved me. He didn''t just say it; he made me feel loved. How could someone make another person feel that way if they didn''t truly love them?


    No. He wouldn''t engage with that woman. He had told me she meant nothing to him, just a part of his past filled with regret.


    My thoughts grew louder and more persistent as I continued searching. I peered into several rooms, most of them empty, with guests downstairs enjoying the music and alcohol. The faint sound of the party below only served to amplify my racing thoughts, despite my longing for some peace.


    I had harbored high hopes when I first opened the door to his room, but s, he was nowhere to be found. There was no trace of him, not even a lingering hint of his cologne in the air that might have suggested he had been in his room recently.


    With a heavy sigh, I closed the door and made my way out, heading back to my own room. I needed to take a moment to rx and, most importantly, retrieve my phone. Calling him was the only remaining option.


    As I approached my room and opened the door, a gasp escaped my lips as I saw a tall figure standing on my balcony, surrounded by the darkness of an unlit room. It was Jacob, without a doubt. I didn''t need any further confirmation, even though I could only see his back. The lingering scent of his cologne filling my room was more than enough assurance.


    It was him, and him alone. No Chloe in sight.


    Thank god.....


    "What are you doing here? I was searching for you everywhere," I said, a wave of relief washing over me as I approached him. Slipping my arms around him, I hugged him from behind, resting my cheek against his solid back.


    He remained silent for a while, and I could sense the faint scent of smoke on him, with ashes on the floor confirming that he had been smoking.


    A full minute passed, and still, he didn''t reply. There was a calm,posed, and unruffled air about him, but it was clear that something was on his mind. Had he had an argument with that woman? It seemed possible. Or perhaps something she had said had made him reconsider his decision?


    This time...A sense of dread crept over me.


    Just as I was about to speak again, he finally broke the silence. "Maybe you were right, Evelyn," He exhaled as he lit up another cigarette, "I still love


    Chloe."


    My grip around him loosened on its own, and I felt my entire worlde to a standstill.

 Chapter 55 Broken Hearts

    Chapter 55 Broken Hearts


    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 gazended 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 soposed 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 sce in the expanse of the sky,pletely 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, stillposed 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 fullyprehended 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"


    "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 copsing right before my eyes and I could do nothing.


    "Answer the damn question, Jacob!" I yelled, seizing his cor 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 reced 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!


    Rage surged through the cracks he''d created with his words. "What do you fucking think of me, Jacob? Someone you can use and discard whenever it suits you?" My jaw clenched as I continued, my voice resolute. "I''m not some cheap fling you can exploit to erase your ex-lover and then toss aside like a used tissue. I am a person with emotions, not an object! And you have no right to treat me this way!"


    "I never called you an object, Evelyn. Those are your words."


    "Words that you''ve pushed me to say," I shot back, my anger boiling over, "Your cruel denials of everything we''ve shared, your sudden desire to crawl back to your fucking ex, the same woman you called a nobody, countless


    times you''re the one who''s de


    me to this point," I spat out bitterly. "If you knew you couldn''t get over your ex, then why the hell did you let things go this far? Why did you give in? Or was it all just about fucking a virgin? Your ex wasn''t one when you were together, was she? So you decided to enjoy yourself with me and now n to return to her? Is that what you wanted the whole time?!" Tears streamed down my cheeks, a testament to the raw pain coursing through me. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Evelyn, it''s not like that at all," he tried to break free from my grip, avoiding my gaze.


    "Then what the hell is it, Jacob?" I demanded, my voice quivering. I didn''t want to cry, but he had torn me apart with his words, and there was no turning back. The damage had been done, irreparably, "Why did you make me believe you loved me? Why did you treat me like I was your whole world, just as you were mine? Why did you make me feel like that and make those promises if you never loved me? Why did you do this to me?!" "I tried to love you. I gave it my best shot, but I ended up failing," Jacob confessed, his voice devoid of any emotion, his eyes cold and distant, fuck, how had I never felt that there was a side to him that was this cruel, "This isn''t how I wanted it to be, but feelings aren''t something I can control. It wouldn''t be fair to keep lying to you about loving you when it''s not true."


    "Don''t you dare talk to me about what''s fair and not," I snapped, tightening my grip on his cor. I stared into his eyes, making sure he saw the pain and anger in mine, the damage he caused, "You y me all these days, tell me lies, give me promises that you don''t mean, and now you suddenly decide to talk about fair and unfair? Fuck you! The truth is, you used me, and now that you''ve had your fill, you''re going back to your ex. You should be utterly ashamed of yourself," I seethed.


    "Evelyn..."


    "No, don''t say a word," I interrupted


    him, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and sorrow, "You''re so selfish. All you care about is yourself, and here I thought I''d found the love of my life, someone who would stand by me through thick and thin. God, I was so foolish, bitterly chuckled as more tears streamed down my face. "Now, I can''t even recognize the man I loved. It was all a lie. You were ying me this whole time, even when... you promised me you''d never leave me. You promised me this morning...damn, I blindly trusted you," A sob escaped my lips as I finally released my grip on him, stepping away.


    He stared at me in silence, his thoughts shrouded in mystery, much like the impassive expression on his face. I couldn''t tell if there was anything beneath the surface, or if what I was seeing now had been the truth all along.


    I had been so naive not to see it...


    "I''m not leaving you, Evelyn. I''m trying to save you," he finally spoke, his voice suddenly carrying a weight, "Saving you from someone who can never love you with their whole heart, who can''t make the sacrifices or keep you truly happy. In my heart, there will always be a ce for the woman I love. I can only love her, and no one else. Until myst breath, I''ll continue to love her, whether from a distance or up close. She''s the reason my heart beats, and I don''t think I can ever love anyone else."


    I realized then that I didn''t know this side of Jacob. He knew how to break hearts, and he had executed it wlessly, without a single misstep. "So this is it, huh? You''re ying the good guy again?" I offered a mncholic smile, wiping my tears away with the back of my hand, "But you''re not. You''re cruel, selfish, and a messed-up person who kept me around until you got what you wanted. I thought Chloe was the only one to me, but now I''m beginning to doubt everything. Maybe you deserve the way she treated you because it''s what you need. I should have listened to my mother when she said you and Chloe would eventually get back together, but I... God, I''m so foolish," Iughed bitterly.


    Why were the tears not stopping?


    "I''m sorry, Evelyn. I''m sorry for everything," This was the only moment in our entire conversation when his eyes mirrored the words his mouth spoke.


    He appeared genuinely remorseful, but did I care? Not at all. He could go to hell with the so-called love of his life. He had already inflicted enough damage upon me.


    "I fucking loved you, Jacob! Do youContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    hear me?! I loved you-I loved you against all reason, against all odds, against... everyone," I could barely hold myself together. It felt as though I wasn''t facing a person but an impending storm, one that would inevitably destroy me. It was hard to stifle the sobs, even harder to speak. I felt myself withering away from within. "And in return, you shattered my heart. I should have known you''d never love me. But I took the plunge. I should shoulder the me. I should never have let you go beyond that


    casual fling. I should have kept my emotions in check. Thank you for the lesson, Mr. Jacob Adriano.


    You''ve burned a bridge in the cruelest way possible, and congrattions, you have left no traces so no one will ever know."


    I took one final nce at him¡ªthe heartbreak masquerading as love that I had thought wouldst forever-it was almost unbelievable, like a nightmare. I had envisioned an entire lifetime with him. Then, without wasting another moment, I turned away and walked off, suppressing my tears and sobs until I reached my room. And there, finally, I broke down, shattering into countless pieces. The promises he made now felt like empty


    echoes in my mind.


    "He doesn''t want me...he wants her," I whispered to myself, my breathing getting heavier, the sound of it buzzing into my own ears. I felt like everything was slipping away from my hands when in reality it was just a person.


    I crumbled to the floor, sobbing uncontrobly, "I gave you my heart, Jacob, and you shattered it without a second thought. You were my world, and now it''s all gone. How could you do this to me?"


    The room remained silent, offering no sce, and I continued to cry, my heartache echoing in the empty spaces between my broken sobs¨D Jacob Adriano was the greatest mistake of my life, the sole reason for my demolition.

 Chapter 56 Shattered Illusions

    Chapter 56 Shattered Illusions


    Evelyn


    "That damn bastard," Mason muttered under his breath, holding me tightly as my tears soaked his shirt. Jennie hugged me from the side, offering mefort, while Nancy paced back and forth in my room in stress.


    It was 3 AM when they discovered the whole ordeal. Jennie hade to check on me after failing to reach me through numerous phone calls. When she found me curled up in my room on the floor, sobbing uncontrobly, she freaked out and called Mason and Nancy. The truth spilled out from my mouth to prevent the situation from spiraling further out of control.


    "Don''t cry, Evie," Jennie kissed my cheek, "We''ll find you a better guy than him. He didn''t deserve a beautiful girl like you anyway."


    "He said he loves Chloe..." I sobbed, unable to hold back the flood of tears that had consumed me since the incident with Jacob. My eyes and nose were red and swollen, a clear testament to the heartbreak I was enduring. "It hurts, Jennie. It hurts so damn much. I love him..." I buried my face into Mason''s chest, trying in vain to suppress my sobs, but they continued to escape.


    All I could think of were the moments Jacob and I had shared. His smile, the way he held me close, and the way he whispered my name. If it was all a lie, then why did it feel so painfully real when he told me he loved me? That night in that ocean, midst of the gentle waves, with our bodies entwined, our hearts beating in perfect harmony, when he said he loved me... it felt as true as my very soul.


    Those beautiful moments, etched in my memory, how could they be all fake? Were they just cruel tricks my heart had yed on me and made me think they were real?


    "Then let him," Mason seethed with anger, his arms around me pulling me even closer, while Jennie soothingly rubbed my back, "He''s going to regret his choice anyway. She''s toxic, and from what I can see, he''s equally venomous. A damn shithead who can''t appreciate the blessing he had in his messed-up life," Mason growled, "Let him be with that toxic bitch. You just dodged a bullet."


    "But I love him..." I whispered, feeling utterly defeated. "And he said he loved me. But now, it''s like I don''t even recognize him. He''s acting like aplete stranger, even after we''ve shared so many incredible moments. It all feels like a never-ending nightmare."


    "I''ll knock some sense into that motherfucker," Mason muttered under his breath before cing a gentle kiss on my temple. "Consider him a bad memory. There are thousands of guys out there, even better than him."


    But how could anyone be better than him? He was my definition of perfection.


    God, I couldn''t forget Jacob. His scent was lingering in my mind, his touch on my skin, and his kisses on my lips. The thought of losing him forever made my heart stop. I couldn''t grasp onto the situation let alone ept it as reality.


    "I can''t forget him, Mason. I just... can''t."


    Each passing second felt like an eternity, and I couldn''t shake the overwhelming sense of longing for him, missing those nights when we were tangled in my bed.


    I had believed he was mine,pletely and unequivocally.


    "Guys, something doesn''t sit right with me. There''s more to this," Nancy interjected, her brows furrowed in confusion, "What could that woman have possibly said to make Jacob change his mind so abruptly? Nothing seemed amiss even at the party. He was looking at her like he was desperate to be near her. And now, he''s saying somethingpletely different. It just doesn''t add up. Something''s not right, I am telling you."


    "Nothing''s wrong, Nancy. He used me, in and simple. And now that his ex is back, he wants to be with her," I replied, my voice strained. "Fuck, I don''t even know if he was fucking her behind my back; maybe he was. I''m the biggest fool on the pl for letting him use me. I feel disgusted with myself."


    "Why are you trying to find excuses for that bastard''s behavior, Nancy? He messed up, he fucked up everything," Jennie snapped, sitting up to re at her, "What reason could possibly justify breaking someone''s heart like this? There''s no excuse for what he did. And how dare he lead Evie on when he knew he couldn''t get over his damn ex? Ugh! I want to rip him apart."


    "I''m in, let''s do it," Mason chimed in, his anger palpable, "I had high hopes for him, thought he''d treat Evelyn right, but that bastard disappointed me. I could hire some goons and take care of him for a couple of grand."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "You two need to calm down," Nancy intervened. "You can''t make decisions based on anger. We should think this through. Evelyn should talk to himter. I believe there''s more to his sudden change of heart."


    "Or maybe he just fucked that slut while he disappeared from the party and then realized she was a better fuck than me," I blurted out loudly, "That''s why he ran back to her- it''s the only usible exnation."


    "Evie..." Nancy began, but before she could continue, there was a knock on the door, followed by a familiar female voice.


    "Can Ie in, Evie?" It was ra.


    Oh, shit!


    I hastily sat up, wiping my tears away, while Nancy and Jennie''s eyes widened. Mason, on the other hand, seemed more focused on another idea. "Great, she''s here. We can leave Evelyn to her and beat the crap out of that jerk and his so-called love," Mason suggested.


    "Mason, zip it!" Nancy whispered-yelled, and Jennie hurriedly grabbed a tissue to wipe away any trace of my tears.


    "Stay calm, Evelyn. Don''t let her see you cry," she advised.


    I nodded and took a deep breath, attempting to regain myposure. "Come in, ra."


    The door swung open, revealing


    ra, surprise flickering in her eyes


    as she took in the sight of all my friends gathered in my room. "Well...hi, guys. I guess the party isn''t over for all of you." She had changed into pajamas, her makeup was gone, and her hair was neatly


    §Õ§à§Û


    combed¨Dra had always been an organized and neat person. Ever since her rtionship with my dad,


    she had been the one to clean up my messes, whether they were


    problems with dates or simply


    messing up on exams. Content


    belongs to


    I had always confided in her, sharing my secrets and problems. But this was the first time I was keeping something from her, the only mess that had brought me to my knees, and torn me apart, and I had no one to help me in the way I needed. And the worst part was, I didn''t even know how I needed that help.


    "


    "We were just about to leave, beautiful," Mason chimed in with a chuckle. "Evelyn wasn''t feeling too great, so we came over to cheer her up. ra''s concern was evident as she walked over to me, her eyes finally taking in the state of my puffy, tear-stained face. The dim lighting in the room had hidden it from her until now. "What happened?" She asked with a furrowed brow. "Evie, have you been crying?"


    "No, not at all," I tried to brush it off with augh. "It''s just a cold. You know how easily I catch them."


    She sat down beside me, her eyes revealing her disbelief. Momentster, she reached out and wiped away a stray tear from my chin. "Why are you lying to me, Evie?"


    "ra, I''m... I''m not," I struggled to


    speak, my voice quivering. I


    despised the weakness that was creeping up my throat like spiders. didn''t want to feel this vulnerable but dann Jacob Adriano; he had shattered me today without even touching me. He hadughed in my face and crushed all my dreams and hopes underfoot, and the worst part was that it hadn''t taken much effort. Just a few words from his mouth.


    "Evelyn? Answer me," ra''s voice reached my ears, breaking my trance.


    Had she asked me something?


    "Oh, yeah, sorry, did you ask me something, ra?"


    A peculiar look crossed her face. She had undoubtedly sensed that something was wrong with me; she knew me too well not to notice.


    "Well, guys, we''ll give you two some


    space," Nancy spoke up, breaking the ice. "Evelyn, talk to ra, okay? I''m sure it help you feel better." She gave me a knowing nod before-


    leaving the room, followed by


    Jennie, who left after nting a gentle kiss on my cheek, and Mason, who departed after kissing my forehead.


    The door closed, leaving just ra and me. She seemed to have a thousand questions swirling in her mind but held back from uttering a single one.


    I fidgeted with my fingers, feeling as though the weight of the world was pressing me down, forcing me to the ground.


    "Do you have something to tell me, Evelyn?" ra asked softly.


    I wish I could tell you, ra. I wish...


    "Well..." I cleared my throat, tears threatening to well up in my eyes once again. "It''s just that¡ª"


    "Did you and Jacob have an argument?" ra sighed, and this time her question jolted me, making my eyes widen as I looked at her in disbelief.


    Did she... Did she know? No, I must have heard it wrong.


    "W-what?" I stammered.


    "I know, Evelyn," she said, grabbing my hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I know. You don''t need to hide anything from me."


    Okay... now, that was a shocker. And I had no idea what elsey ahead for me, aside from this revtion.

 Chapter 57 Lost In Regrets

    Chapter 57 Lost In Regrets


    Evelyn


    "You...know?" I was bbergasted, too stunned to utter anything other than this one simple question. My mind felt like it had been thrown off the top floor of a hundred-story building-shocking and terrible.


    ra knew...


    Damn it! I hadn''t wanted a single soul to find out before the wedding, and here the bride already knew about my affair with Jacob. What might she think of me? Having an affair with Jacob behind my dad''s back. Shit! Shit! Shit!


    "Yes, Evelyn. I know," she nodded, her voice surprisingly calm, devoid of anger or irritation unlike what I''d expected, "I''ve seen the way you two look at each other, and how genuinely happy you are around him. I had my suspicions from day one, but it was that day at the hall when you abruptly walked away from your conversation with your mom and he followed you that confirmed everything for me I saw both of you at the poolside. I''ve known for a while, Evie. You don''t have to hide anything from me, okay?"


    "ra...I-I..." I didn''t even know what to say. First, I had done something terrible by getting involved with a man who didn''t even love me, and then I had kept it a secret, even from ra. "I''m sorry." I couldn''t bring myself to meet her gaze, my eyes fixed on the ground.


    Her gaze softened, and a sigh escaped her lips. "Hey, Evie, don''t be sorry," she said, her touch gentle as she brushed my hair back and caressed my cheek. Her other hand still held onto mine. "You did nothing wrong, alright? I understand. Things like this happen at a young age. Besides, Jacob''s a good guy. Yes, I won''t deny that there will beplications when your dad finds out, especially given the fact that Jacob''s his best friend and much older than you. But aside from that, I don''t think there''s anything anyone should object to- not everything that seems wrong at first nce is actually wrong," she shed me a small smile. "I understand you, Evelyn. I know you won''t make the wrong choice. I believe in you, and I think you are capable of making your own choices far better than others can for you."


    But I had made the wrong choice. I already had.


    Hell, why did I let myself fall in love with him? What was wrong with me? I was so foolishly in love with him, ready to give up on everything just to have his hand in mine¡ª I''d made him my whole world and he couldn''t even make me a part of his.


    That was it. I couldn''t hold back my sobs anymore. "ra..." I broke down and hugged her. "I made the wrong choice, ra. I made the worst choice of my life."


    "Evie, why are you crying? What happened?" She held me, her hand moving to rest at the back of my head.


    I could tell she was taken aback by my sudden reaction; surely she hadn''t expected me to break down like this. What I could tell even more was that she hadn''t expected what I was about to say next.


    "He dumped me, ra... after everything we''ve shared. All of a sudden, after just one conversation with Chloe at today''s party, he decided to go back to her and pursue a rtionship with her..." I sobbed, and this time I felt ra stiffen in her spot, almost as if she couldn''t believe my words, "He doesn''t love me. He just...doesn''t. I don''t know what I''m supposed to do. Everything was fine this morning, and now he''s shattered everything. The worst part is, it''s not even affecting him. I-I''m...shaking- I still can''t believe he did this to me."


    "What?" She pulled away to look at me, her eyes wide with shock. "He did what?"


    "You heard me, ra. He doesn''t want me anymore. Now, it''s Chloe he wants, so he broke things off with me," I wiped my tears, my breathinging out as pants as I tried to control my emotions. I felt miserable because I was the one at fault¡ªif I hadn''t approached him in the first ce, perhaps none of this would have happened, and I could have been spared from this heartbreak. "What am I going to do, ra? I love him, and I thought he loved me too. He even said he loved me, but now suddenly, he seems like a totally different person, one that I don''t even know. He used me to forget his ex, and now that he realized he can''t, he is set to go back to her. It''s driving me insane."


    "Evelyn, are you sure there''s not any misunderstanding?" She asked, her eyes soft and understanding. "Jacob''s not the kind of guy who would do something like this, especially considering you''re Samuel''s daughter. He''d never want something that could destroy his rtionship with Samuel. Yes, I know he took a risk by getting involved with you, but... he wouldn''t do it. He just wouldn''t, especially given that he ignored Chloe ever since she came here. You''ve seen how he wanted to leave the functions because of her arrival. It''s just so unlikely that he''d do something like this."


    "But he did. All he cares about is that


    woman, despite the fact that she almost ruined his life," I let out, my voice shaking. "And I stupidly believed everything he said, every word. blindly believed him. I tried to fix the mess his ex left in his life, heal the wounds of his youth, and in r¨¦turn, he just stabbed me in the back and decided to go back to the same woman who messed up his life. I still can''t believe how he could do this to me!"


    "Oh, Evie," she sighed, pulling me close into her arms. "Don''t cry, love. Please, don''t cry."


    "I never thought he''d break my heart


    like this," I sniffled, her embrace giving mefort. "You don''t know how much I love him. It hurts, and even more so that he considers alt of this between us worth nothing. I was ready to give up everything for him, and he..." Another sob broke through. Damn it, I didn''t want to cry, but I also didn''t know how to calm my racing heart.


    I could feel this weird feeling of self-loathing crawling up my insides at the thought that when he said those words to me, I almost wanted to beg him to change his mind. But thankfully, I didn''t. Thest thing I wanted was to stoop low in my own eyes.


    "It''s okay, calm down," she cooed, stroking my hair. "Do you want me to talk to him about this?"


    I shook my head. "I don''t want things to escte further. It''s your and Dad''s wedding, and thest thing I want is more problems, let alone be the problem."


    "Evie, look at me..." She tried to tilt my head, but I refused, burying my head into her chest to hide my tears, even though she''d already seen what a mess I was right now. Once she realized I wasn''t going toply, a sigh of defeat escaped her lips.


    She held me there, offering me her sce. "You are not a problem for us, Evie. For me and Samuel, you are everything. All we want is to see you happy, and we are willing to do everything to make you happy, okay?"N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "I know," I nodded, before mustering the strength to continue, "But I don''t want you to clean up my mess this time. Whatever needs to be done should be done by me. I don''t want anything that could ruin the big day for you and Dad. Besides, it''s not worth wasting more time on a man who has clearly made his choice he wants Chloe, so let him be with her."


    "Are you sure?" She asked, concerncing her words. "It''s not a big deal for me to go and talk to him; what he did is wrong, and he should be held responsible for his actions, moreover="


    "No, ra. Don''t talk to him. At some point, I am responsible too. In fact, I am more responsible. It was foolish of me to approach him in the first ce, and...I thought it would be nothing serious, but I ended up;


    developing feelings for him,


    he said he shared the same feelings, I just got my hopes up for no reason," I admitted, hesitating. "So, let''s just pretend it never happened. That way, at least things, even if only from the outside, would be the


    same."


    "Okay," she relented, kissing my temple and soothingly rubbing my back. "Just know that, no matter what, I am always here for you, alright? And promise me you''ll tell me when it bes too much to handle."


    "I Promise," I managed to utter before hesitatingly asking the next question, "Does...Does dad know?"


    "Of course not," She said, and I felt my body rx instantly, in the midst of this turmoil, the worst thing that could ur was Dad learning about me


    and Jacob and I couldn''t afford that, "You don''t have to worry, Evelyn. I won''t breathe a word to Samuel unless you want me to."


    I just managed to nod in response, too tired to even speak anymore and the thoughts only seemed to suck away thest few drops of strength I had even more.


    I knew everything that had happened today was real, so why did all of it still feel like a nightmare?


    Maybe I had taken things too lightly before. I had thought a forbidden rtionship wouldn''t cost me anything, but it ended up ruining me. Jacob had ruined me for other men and left without a trace.

 Chapter 58 Crossed Wires

    Chapter 58 Crossed Wires


    Evelyn


    The morning sun''s despicable rays fell upon my face, rudely rousing me from the only respite I''d found afterst night''s ordeal. With a groan, I reluctantly sat up, though I had absolutely no intention of leaving my room. Even now, I could sense the telltale signs of my anguish-red, swollen eyes and a blotchyplexion, the result of countless tears and emotional turmoil.


    Fuck, men are cruel, especially the ones who effortlessly make you fall in love with them.


    But Jacob hadn''t appeared cruel at first nce...


    "Stop obsessing over the man who dumped you, Evelyn," I muttered to myself, trying hard to maintain myposure-god, this was just the morning, I couldn''t already lose my shit.


    But again, it was a struggle not to let my emotions betray me, for inside, I was a whirlwind of pain and confusion. "You''ve been dumped, face it." I took a deep breath and ran my fingers through my dishevelled hair.


    For a fleeting moment, as I concentrated on my breathing and the warmth of the sun''s rays, my thoughts drifted to a more tranquil ce. It was as if I''d found a brief peace from the storm raging within me, but itsted only a second.


    In the very next moment, memories of Jacob and me in this very bed came crashing back. I could almost feel the warmth of his body, surpassing the sun''s gentle embrace, and the lingering scent of him that clung to my skin. I couldn''t be sure if my senses were deceiving me, but the sensations remained vivid. The rush that surged through my veins when his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and the intoxicating sensation of his lips pressed against mine, flooded my mind once more.


    Fuck. He indeed ruined me for other men- it was impossible to forget him.


    Sighing, I mustered the strength to rise from the bed, my sanity hanging by a thread. Just as I was about to take that reluctant step forward, my gazended on the nightstand. There, a te brimming with pancakes, adorned with a generous drizzle of chocte sauce exactly as I liked it, caught my eye. Next to it sat a ss of water and a small note.


    Leaning in, I snatched the note.


    "Dear Evie, Please don''t skip breakfast. I insist, don''t! I understand you might not want toe downstairs right now, and that''s perfectly okay. Take all the time you need. However, I don''t want you to be too hard on yourself. By the way, your friends put in a lot of effort to prepare your breakfast. Admittedly, we had to dispose of a few burnt pancakes, but Mason, in particr, excelled in making that chocte sauce you love so much. So, out of respect for our hard work, finish your breakfast, or there will be consequences. Or, as your dad would say, ''Your allowance will be severely affected.'' No more for now! Goodbye, and I''ll check in on you during lunchtime, along with your friends."


    Unknowingly a smile crept onto my lips. I couldn''t have been more grateful for having them in my life.


    I reached for the te, letting go of my internal struggle to starve myself.


    To hell with Jacob and that bitch. If love couldn''t hold him, then nothing else could.


    I could move on, couldn''t I?


    Well, to be honest, I didn''t know because as I ate, tears freely ran down my cheeks, but one thing was certain, whether I could move on or not -I had to try.


    ***


    Jacob


    I flicked the finished cigarette away; honestly, I''d lost count of how many I''d smoked by now. Sleep had eluded mepletely throughout the night. All I could remember, and all my eyes could see, were the tears that had filled hers. The pain of betrayal in her voice, and the way she gazed at me as if I were stripping her of everything she held dear. Those tears trickling down her beautiful face... they shattered my heart.


    Fuck. What I was doing to her was wrong, but what choice did I have? Some things were beyond anyone''s control. This was the path I believed needed to be taken, though the doubts surrounding my decisions grew louder with each passing moment.


    Was I making the right choice? I couldn''t say. Normally, I''d seek advice from Samuel when faced with problems, but this time, I couldn''t even do that because I had already messed up royally. Evelyn was thest person in this world I should have gotten involved with, yet she had be the only one I''d fallen deeply for.


    I couldn''t step back, and I couldn''t step forward.


    Damn it! I had promised her I wouldn''t leave her...


    Regret wed its way up my emotional defenses, threatening to break through. It took every ounce of strength to resist the overwhelming urge to rush back to her and pull her in my arms. I knew she was in pain, hurting bad...all because of me.


    The ache in my chest didn''t fade. Her scent still lingered in my mind her smile, the sound of herughter, the intoxicating sensation of her in my arms, close to me- I was going insane.


    Growling in frustration, Inded a punch against the wall. The searing pain in my injured hand seemed to dull the ache, but only slightly. Blood oozed from the fresh wound, and a quiet hiss escaped my lips before Inded another punch and stormed away from the balcony, heading inside the bedroom.


    But as I entered, an unexpected sight greeted my eyes. My fists clenched at my sides, and my jaw tightened when I saw her sitting on my bed, nonchntly holding a first-aid kit on herp.


    "What the hell are you doing here?"


    She shifted her gaze towards me, seemingly unfazed. "Well, I figured you might need this. You don''t have the best control over yourself in these moments," she said calmly, cing the kit beside her. She then pulled out a bottle of disinfectant and a cotton swab, standing up. "Come here, let me tend to your wounds."


    She had to be kidding me!


    "I need you to leave the room, right now, Chloe!" Even the sight of her disgusted me.


    She released a sigh, one that carried more irritation than the usual tones of concern. "What''s wrong with you, huh? Ie here after everything you said to mest night, and you''re still acting like this? Can''t you find it in yourself to be grateful for once?"


    "Grateful?" A cynical chuckle slipped from my lips, ¡°Are you seriously suggesting that now? And who gave you the green light toe here and put on this pretentious act? No one asked you toe, so spare me the performance and scram." I attempted to move past her, but she gripped my hand, halting me.


    "Why this attitude, huh? You don''t


    have Evelyn anymore, and there''s no other reason to keep me at arm''s length. So why are you trying so hard to avoid me? You''ve got no one


    left but me. You''ve already Sharo


    your friendship with Danica because you fucked her daughter behind her back, and now you''re on the edge of screwing up your friendship with Samuel, if Danica decides to spill the beans," she spat. "So, cut the crap and listen to what I say, okay?"


    "I''d rather have no one by my side than a woman like you, Chloe," I yanked my hand away from her grip. "What part of this don''t you understand? You and I are finished. Did you hear me? Finished. So why don''t you just stop tailing me and adding to my problems?"


    "Your problems?" She scoffed before her temper suddenly red, "Damn it!" She screamed, tossing the bottle of disinfectant against the door, making it crash. "What part of this don''t you understand, huh? You and I are meant to be together, can''t you see that? Don''t you see how everything has always pushed us toward each other?"


    "It wasn''t some fucking destiny, Chloe. It was your sick and selfish choices," I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. My rage was barely contained. "So, before I lose control, just get the hell out of here."


    "Do you really expect me to believe that you have no feelings left for me? I can see it in your eyes, Jacob, I can "


    "You never knew how to read my eyes, Chloe! You never did. The only person who could was Evelyn, and she''ll always be the one for me, whether I spend the rest of my life with her or not," I finally lost it. "She will always be the one! I love her. Do you understand?"


    She appeared taken aback by my sudden outburst, disbelief crossing her expression before slowly fading into a vacant look, reced by a strange sense of dismay. "No... No, you don''t," she stammered, her hands trembling, as she walked closer, "You don''t love her. You just don''t!" I could tell her reactions were fueled by the fury simmering beneath the surface. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Yes, I love her, and she''s the only one I love. My feelings for you are long gone. I feel nothing for you," I asserted. "So, leave me and Evelyn alone." "No... no-no," She began to panic, eventually screaming, "You can''t love her, do you understand?" She grabbed my shirt, tearing off a few buttons in the process. "You''re mine. You can''t belong to anyone else! You should only love me, do you fucking get that?"R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "No, I''m not yours, Chloe. Snap out of the delusional world in your head. There''s nothing you can do to take us back to where we were because I simply don''t want to," I struggled to pry her hands away, but she only clung tighter.


    God, if she weren''t a woman.....if only!


    "Please, baby... don''t do this to me," Her voice dropped to a whisper, now sounding like apletely different person, soft-spoken and genuine unlike the real her, "I love you; you know that. Please don''t push me away Her hands travelled upward, pressing herself against me before cupping my face," What have you seen in that Evelyn? Does she obey you, listen to your every word? Is she a better fuck than me? Trust me, I can do it better. I''ll always listen to you," she began kissing my neck, her hands unbuttoning my shirt.


    Enough of this bullshit!


    I firmly grasped her arms, ready to push her away, but at that very moment, as we both froze in ce, the door to my room swung open. I turned toward the doorway, and what I saw was thest thing I had expected-it was Evelyn.


    Oh no...

 Chapter 59 Love Turned Ache

    Chapter 59 Love Turned Ache


    A few moments ago


    EvelynContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    I was dead wrong when I thought I could spend the whole day convincing myself that Jacob didn''t matter anymore. It didn''t work. Well, that n went up in smoke faster than a lit matchstick. Just an hour of soul-searching, and I could tell I was crashing, burning, and falling apart. What stung me the most was that I''d seen iting, but I still let it happen. I knew he had the power to break me in an instant, yet I trusted him and let myself dive in. I never thought he''d hurt me. How foolish of me!


    As I thought about the moments we had shared, my mind raced, my heart ached. The thought of losing him terrified me, even though I''d already lost him. Why did it hurt so much? Especially when I''d already lost him. Why?


    Was it because this was my first heartbreak? Maybe. But in this situation, I felt utterly helpless.


    How could what we had mean nothing to him? How could he act so cold and distant, throwing away all the promises he made to me like yesterday''s news?


    It just didn''t add up. Could one conversation with Chloe really be more important to him than all the love I gave him? I was ready to make him my whole world. Wasn''t that enough for him? How could it not be, and how could a woman who had once torn his life apart be the bee''s knees to him?


    Everything seemed so real and wless until that moment when it all crumbled away...


    This was driving me insane. If it was all a charade, why did it have to feel so achingly incredibly real? When he whispered "I love you," when his lips touched my forehead, and his hand provided sce for my pain, how could every gesture and word cut so deeply?


    Could there be another side to this story that I hadn''t uncovered? Was he using this flimsy excuse to hide something from me?


    "Fuck it, here I am, making excuses for him when he couldn''t even bother to check up on me," I muttered with bitterness as I slipped into the white dress. If anything, that shower had only intensified my inner turmoil; I was on the brink of losing my mind. The amount of time I''d spent reying every moment with Jacob and dissecting what happenedst night was unhealthy.


    What was he hiding, anyway? Apart from that cryptic conversation with Chloe, I struggled to find any reason for his secrecy. But, of course, I had overlooked the most ring truth-he was hiding his true self, a self-centered, cold-hearted opportunist.


    Before the party, everything had been perfectly fine, but a single moment shattered it all...


    No. I refused to cry any longer. I''d shed enough tears, and I wouldn''t let him have any more power over my emotions.


    I ran ab through my slightly damp hair and headed for my bed, hoping to findfort under the familiar duvet and maybe squeeze in another hour of sleep. However, my gaze fell upon the half-finished portrait of him.


    Damn it. It felt like the entire world was conspiring against me.


    I found myself taking a few steps toward the portrait, my fingers delicately reaching out to trace the image, the contours, particrly his hair, which I had painstakingly captured. A strange sensation washed over me, mirroring the exact feeling of running my fingers through his silky locks.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, struggling to maintain myposure, a trembling sigh escaping my lips.


    What had I done to deserve this? What had I done wrong? I had loved him with all my heart, and yet, it hadn''t been enough...


    My thoughts began to converge, focusing on one central point.


    "No, this isn''t right. I shouldn''t even consider talking to him..." I hastily muttered, attempting to shake off the intrusive thoughts.


    But what if there''s something I genuinely don''t know, and he was indeed concealing something? I couldn''t shake this unsettling feeling. It was just too difficult for me to ept that everything we shared meant less to him than his connection with his old me.


    Fuck this!


    Before I could second-guess myself, my feet had already propelled me forward. I found myself walking out of my room and toward his, not having a clue about what I was going to ask. Perhaps seeing him would trigger all the questions in my mind, the ones that had robbed me of my peace.


    ***


    Present


    Betrayal - I had grossly


    underestimated the pain it could


    1 180


    inflict until this very moment when witnessed Jacob and Chloe in thispromising position. With Jacob''s shirt unbuttoned, Chloe''s mouth locked onto his neck, and his hands tightly gripping her arms, there was no need for further scrutiny to decipher the truth.


    God, it was painfully obvious. The disheveled state of Jacob''s hair, their ragged breaths ¨C only aplete fool would attempt to sugarcoat this situation. And I wasn''t about to let my love for him blind me to the harsh reality and let me be that fool.


    As I observed them, I momentarily


    lost my ability to react. It felt as


    though I couldn''t quite grasp the situation the realization that Jacob


    my


    had been fucking Chloe behin Jacob


    back, perhaps throughout the entire time when I, like a naive fool, had done everything to safeguard our connection from harm.


    How could I have known that the greatest damage woulde from the very person I had sought to protect


    My heart had already begun to numb itself. The pain was beyond words, cruel and merciless, threatening to shatter me.


    Jacob hastily pushed Chloe away as he caught sight of me, his eyes widening with realization. But why was he so concerned? After all, he had already cast me aside, hadn''t he? So he could fuck whoever he pleased, and I wouldn''t even have the right to object.


    "Evelyn..." He gazed at me, almost at a loss for words, while Chloe, her gaze now on me, clearly had quite an opinion.


    "Don''t you understand that it''smon courtesy to knock before entering someone''s room?" She crossed her arms over her chest, visibly irritated. Yet, my focus remained steadfastly on Jacob. I didn''t spare a word for Chloe. I was frozen... simply locked in a stare with Jacob, who didn''t look away either.


    So, this was the man hidden beneath that carefully crafted facade all along? Had I fallen in love with nothing more than a mask, oblivious to the hideous being beneath it?


    My hand slipped from the doorknob, and I entered the room slowly. Why was I growing so numb? He tracked my every movement, every step, perhaps attempting to decipher whaty behind my cold expression. However, he didn''t dare to ask, and eventually, I stood before him.


    I scrutinized his features just as I had been from the first day we met, reminiscing about how they had once utterly captivated me, and now, they equally repulsed me. His once mesmerizing green eyes, the ones that used to make my heart skip a beat, now only caused it to ache. I used to see my entire world in his face, even just the night before, but now all I saw was my own destruction - how he had used me to forget his ex, all in the name of love, and then discarded me like some object.


    He disgusted me... everything about him disgusted me.


    "Evelyn..." He began to speak, his voice perfectly working to shatter myst remaining restraints.


    And that was...finally the breaking point. Without a single word spoken, I hoisted my hand and pped him, a fiery sting coursing through my own skin upon contact with his cheek. The sound of it reverberated throughout the room.


    "How could you?" I seethed, my words quivering, my hands trembling with rage, "How could you do this to me?!"


    He remained silent, his expression devoid of guilt or remorse, yet there was something unreadable there. And I didn''t even try to read it.


    "You fucking bitch, how dare you p him?" Chloe snapped, making a threatening move toward me, her raised hand signaling her intent to strike.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, I seized her hand, stopping it in its tracks, and then I delivered the retribution a person like she deserved - a firm p across her face, causing her to stumble backward.


    All I could see was red.

 Chapter 60 The Pain Of Silence

    Chapter 60 The Pain Of Silence


    Evelyn


    "Do not even fucking think about raising your hand at me, Chloe," I warned her through gritted teeth, my eyes locked onto her trembling hand inching toward her cheek. It was as though she couldn''t fathom the p that had justnded on her face. Well, she''d better believe it because I had no qualms about delivering another if she didn''t mind her tongue. "I''ve dealt with enough bullies in my life to handle a lowlife, cheap filthy, woman like you. And believe me, if you dare to step over that line again, I''ll rip that hand right off your body."


    "What... what did you just say?" Chloe''s jaw tightened, her fury evident in the fire that burned in her eyes.


    "Are you deaf or just in stupid? huh? I snapped back. "You can''t hear me, right? Let me show you I can actually make you deaf, today if that''s what you want. It''ll be fun, I promise."


    Before I could advance toward her, a hand shot up, gripping my wrist. It was a touch I knew all too well, one that sent regret surging through my veins. My body still fucking craved Jacob''s touch, despite everything. I hated it. I absolutely hated how every fiber of my being still yearned for him...


    "Evelyn, just don''t do thi-"


    Before he could finish his sentence, I yanked my hand free from his grasp and shoved him hard in the chest, causing him to collide with the wall. Pain, anger, and sorrow swirled within me- I was going insane. I wanted to hurt him, just as he had hurt me with his words. But no matter what I did, it could neverpare to the devastation I felt when I walked in on Jacob and Chloe in that room.


    This man had shattered mepletely. He got me looking so fucking crazy.


    "Do noty a finger on me, Jacob!" I shouted, pressing him further against the wall, though there was no room left. My eyes zed with fury, my breath quivered with rage, "Do you hear me? You have absolutely no fucking right to touch me!" I fought back my tears, refusing to show any vulnerability. "You have no right tomand me, tell me what to do, or evene near me after what you''ve done. You''ve lost that privilege, understand? You''ve destroyed everything. So stay the hell away from me. Got it?!¡±


    "You can''t just raise your hands at someone that''s not the kind of person you are, Evelyn," he sighed, gazing at me as if I should instantly see reason, fuck him! "You are not that person," his soft, maniptive eyes almost swayed me, but I couldn''t let myself be fooled. He was right; I didn''t even recognize myself anymore. But I refused to weaken, not after everything he''d put me through.


    "And what kind of person am I then, huh? The one who let you use her like a fool? Do you actually expect me to keep being that woman, blindly in love and obedient to your every word?" I spat out the words with venom. "Don''t delude yourself, Jacob. You have no idea what I''m capable of, and trust me, if I decide to get violent with your little sidepiece here, I''ll tear her to shreds. I know all you want is to protect her from me, so instead of giving me advice, why don''t you focus on keeping your ''bitch'' in her ownne?"


    He remained silent, and that infuriated me even more. After everything he''d done, his silence was thest thing I was going to tolerate. He had to speak. He had to damn well speak!


    "What, cat got your tongue?" I clenched his shirt, pulling him closer. "Or are you too busy getting off on this situation, waiting for me to leave so you can fuck your little whore to your fill? Because that''s all you care about, right? Sex? Temporary attraction that keeps someone around until you''re bored of them? Or maybe you get off on the pain-maybe it''s something you need to survive, or maybe, just maybe, it''s something you actually deserve!"


    "If you''re so aware that you''re not wanted, why don''t you just leave, for Christ''s sake?" Chloe decided to chime in with her unsolicited opinion.


    I clenched my fists, closed my eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath. One murder, just one, and I was pretty certain my dad could clean up the mess and bail me out.


    Right as I was about to respond, Jacob''s voice cut through the tension, his gaze fixed on Chloe over my shoulder. "Chloe, love... why don''t you go to your room for a moment and let me handle this situation?"


    Love...


    He called her love. God, it stung!


    I didn''t need to look at Chloe to know the confusion etched across her face. She must have anticipated Jacob taking her side and confronting me for pping her. But I knew he wouldn''t dare. He was acutely aware that doing so would jeopardize everything.


    If even a whisper of our affair got out, he''d lose it all his friendship with my dad, his reputation, everything. And Jacob Adriano was nothing if not a coward.


    "O-Okay..." Chloe left without another word, and the door closed softly. The silence returned to the room, but in my mind, the storm raged on, destructive and agonizing-unbearably painful.


    "What did you just call her?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling, tears flowing down my cheeks unbidden.


    "Evelyn, you have to face reality. You can''t keep acting like this-Chloe and I are trying to rebuild our rtionship, and if you keep getting in the way " he began, his voice strained.


    "You heartless bastard," I interrupted, my wordsced with anger and anguish. "Just a day ago, you were telling me you loved me, and now you treat me like a stranger? Do you even have a goddamn heart?" I shouted, choking back my sobs. "Have you even bothered to consider what I''m going through? The hell you''ve put me through? I am fucking dying, Jacob! You are killing me!"


    "I can''t help it, Evelyn. I love her. It''s her I love, not you. What am I supposed to do?" he admitted, his voice filled with reluctance. This man was hesitant to admit his own shame but not when he''d alreadymitted it.


    "Then why did you make me feel like that, you fucking cold-hearted monster?!" A sob wrenched itself from my throat as I mmed my fists against his chest. I stared into his eyes, eyes that had once spoken of love but now seemed like nothing but lies. "Do you even have a heart? Why did you give me all those beautiful moments when they meant nothing to you? Why, Jacob? Why?!"


    He remained silent, perhaps because there were no words to justify his actions.


    "You told me you wanted to forget her, and not for a moment did I doubt your words, Jacob. That''s how much trusted you, because I loved you confessed, my voice ¨¦ quivering with pain. "And I still dot hate toadmit it, but I do, and maybe I always will. But you... how could you break my heart like this? What did I do wrong? All I did was love you withplete honesty and all my heart," I choked out, tears streaming down my face. "Is that my mistake? Is that what I did wrong?" I couldn''t hold back my sobs any longer.


    Even the sight of his face was excruciating. Every time I looked at him, my heart shattered into even smaller fragments than he''d broken it into.


    He took a deep breath, then finally spoke, avoiding my gaze. "There''s no point in discussing this right now. Just consider it all a mistake and move on, okay?"


    "But they were not a mistake for me,


    Jacob! They weren''t!" I eximed, my voice breaking, "I love you, do you not even understand that? Doesn''t it bother you even the tiniest bit to know that you are destroying me? I''m falling apart. I''m not just hurting; it''s like I''m slowly withering away, piece by piece, and you''re the cause of it all. Jacob!" My tears flowed freely, my voice trembling with desperation, "I feel like I''m


    dying! If I never mattered to you then at least, why didn''t you just stop me from believing in a love that was never real?"


    "You can''t hear the truth, Evelyn. That''s the only reason I''m trying to walk away in silence," Jacob muttered.


    "Silence?" I stared at himContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    incredulously, unable to understand


    how could be so fucking cruel, "You rip my heart apart with your cruel words, betray me by fucking your damn ex behind my back while deceiving me, you shatter the rebuild,


    dreams I worked so hard to


    el


    and you break me in the process of taking away everything you once


    gave, and then you have the audacity to call it ''silence''? How can it ever be called silence? Tell me, how can you call it silence?!" My voice quivered with the anguish of betrayal and heartbreak.

 Chapter 61 The Favour Of Goodbye

    Chapter 61 The Favour Of Goodbye


    Evelyn


    "Because I could have done far worse to you than I did. I was capable of exploiting you for even darker motives, and you know it. So, who''s to me here? It wasn''t me who pursued you first, Evelyn. You were the one who threw yourself at me. If you consider that, it wouldn''t seem like I used you," his voice remained unwavering, void of hesitation.


    God, his words...I bet, he didn''t even know how easily they were shattering me, or had even an idea of the damage they inflicted. Even if he did, I was certain he didn''t care. Still, I couldn''t stop myself. I needed a valid exnation; maybe that wasn''t even the main reason...maybe I simply required something to help me move on from him.


    He made it easier by continuing to speak.


    "You and I both wanted this; that''s why we got close in the first ce. I can''t stay with someone I don''t love. My heart belongs to Chloe, and no matter what we''ve been through, no matter what she''s done, it doesn''t change how I feel. I still want her in my life." His tone turned harsh as he forcefully freed my hands from his shirt, his grip unrelenting.


    As he began to walk away, I shoved his chest, pinning him against the wall once more, this time with more force, "You fucking bastard! If you truly believed our connection was so cheap, just a meaningless mistake, why did you ever tell me you loved me? Why did you lie to me?


    I should have just walked out, shouldn''t I? But I didn''t. I remained rooted to my spot. Maybe...


    Maybe because I needed him to push me beyond my limits, to break me in a way that even the shattered pieces would hide from his sight. Otherwise, my foolish heart would forever chase after him, yearning for one more nce at his face, craving the look in his eyes that had once been the sole source of peace for my soul.


    "I don''t understand what you want to hear, Evelyn. I''ve already given you the answers you need. Why bring all of this up again?"


    "Why?" I chuckled bitterly, "I can''t believe you are the one asking me that. Don''t you already know?!-Because I don''t know how to forget you! I don''t know what to do; I can''t even breathe without you around. That''s how deeply you''ve fucked with my mind and soul! How am I supposed to erase the memories of those nights we spent, Jacob?" I cried. Did he truly feel nothing for me? "How can I forget those times when you told me you loved me and made it sound so real? How can I erase all those memories you made special? If I meant nothing to you, why did you let me believe otherwise? Why?!"


    "Maybe because I cared only about my pleasure, Evelyn. It''s as simple as that," he admitted. "If I had told you I didn''t love you when you told me that you loved me, would you still have continued to sleep with me? Tell me, would you?"


    Damn. He was almost there, so close to shattering my heart along with the veryst few hopes I had left.


    "So, it was just sex for you the whole time? Nothing more?"


    Fuck! I didn''t want to break down into tears.


    His answer finally came, long after I''d asked the question, "Yes, Evelyn. It was just sex for me, and you initially approached me with the same intention, didn''t you? It''s not my fault that feelings developed. You should take some responsibility for that," his response was sharp, his expression indifferent to my emotions. It was all about him, and he made it clear, "So instead of making it sound like I''m the one who broke your heart, take it easy and move on. You''re beautiful, and I''m sure you''ll find someone else soon."


    Just moments away, only a few moments away frompletely breaking me.


    "And you chose to fake feelings for me, just so you could effortlessly take me to your bed?" I stared at him, my eyes numb, my soul equally numb at this point.


    Just moments away, only a few moments away from breaking mepletely.


    "Yes. That was the only reason I kept up the charade," he admitted, unwavering in his eye contact.


    "Even if it was all an act, I need onest answer, Jacob. Did you fuck her behind my back? Yesterday morning when you didn''t return to my room, did you sleep with her?"


    Say yes, and it''ll be over.


    Say yes, just say yes.


    ther,


    He remained silent for a few agonizing seconds before finally responding Yes. We were together that day and even yesterday. Don''t act as if you didn''t see thising, Evelyn We''re in love with each and these things happen. Chloe is more mature, and better suited for me. Why would I choose anyone else but her?"


    That''s it...Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Perfect!


    My hands automatically released their grip on his shirt, and I took a few steps backward. In those few steps, I managed to distance myself miles away from him, thankfully.


    A mncholio smile spread across


    a


    my lips. "Thank you, Jacob. You may not realize it, but you just did me a favour... breathed out, a chuckle escaping my lips as I wiped away my tears. "It was nice knowing you, Jacob, but I wish I had never met you."


    With that, I turned on my heels and walked out of his room, without sparing another nce at him.

 Chapter 62 A Dagger To The Heart

    Chapter 62 A Dagger To The Heart


    Jacob


    As I watched her leave, I crumbled from within. It took every ounce of strength to resist the urge to rush to her and admit that every word I had uttered was nothing but a fucking lie. Just fucking lies I made sound like the only truth.


    Fuck...


    The way she had stood at my doorstep, wearing that delicate white dress, her hair still slightly damp, eyes reddened, and the traces of the previous night''s turmoil etched on her face- it broke me. She seemed so fragile and broken, as if the gentlest touch might shatter her further.


    What had I done? Damn it!


    A defeated sigh escaped my lips. The memory of her tear-stained face, the pain in her eyes, and the tremor in her voice haunted my thoughts. I had already hurt her deeply, and now, with the hurtful words I had spoken, I knew I had pushed her far away. I had set fire to the bridge that connected me to my life, my dreams, my peace, and everything I held dear.


    She had been the only light I''d ever found in this dark existence, and I had just extinguished it. But, I had to do it, to make it easier for her to move on. "Shit, Danica, You fucked me up pretty bad," I cursed, running my fingers through my hair.


    I could hardly catch my breath at this point. She looked utterly broken. Even the faintest hint of the smile that had always adorned her beautiful face was absent. Her eyes had spoken volumes, even though she hadn''t said a word. I could sense every emotion she must have felt, every ounce of pain and anger.


    I just broke the most perfect thing I had ever found.


    She was everything I had ever longed for in this life. Before her, things were good, but they were far from perfect. I went through life,ughing and passing the days like any other, but after her... I feltplete. I had a reason to keep living, to cherish someone.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    She was my missing piece... goddamn it!


    So why did I push away the one person I had ever truly loved from the depths of my heart?


    Because... she deserved better.


    Yeah I know it''s a stupid reason but, that was it. Just it!


    She didn''t deserve to spend her life merely tending to the wounds of my past. She deserved someone better than me, someone who wouldn''t leave her with regret, someone who was simply right for her. She shouldn''t have to spend her entire life untangling the mess of my past. She was young, with so much left to explore in this world. Perhaps, while this rtionship had be the sole purpose of my life, it would eventually be just a distant memory for her as she moved forward with her own life.


    Yes, I was a coward. I couldn''t bear the thought of her looking back one day and regretting choosing someone like me.


    I did not have the courage to be her regret...because I knew what it was like to have one.


    My life was abyrinth of fucked-up memories and hidden traumas, ready to pounce on me when I least expected it. Why would I ever want the person I loved to constantly tiptoe around my emotionalndmines?


    No, I couldn''t do that to her. Yet, it was excruciatingly difficult to stay away from her. The memory of her face, the warmth of her breath, the silky touch of her skin against mine-how could I ever grow ustomed to not having her in my arms?


    I knew I couldn''t live without her, but I also hadpelling reasons to keep my distance. She stood to lose more than I did if we ended up together, and sooner orter, it might lead her to regret her choices. I was painfully aware of the burden of regret, how it could hang over your shoulder for a lifetime, a constant weight on your heart.


    In some twisted way, Danica was right...


    Evelyn would lose more staying with me than just without me.


    shback:


    "So, Jacob, where do you think we should start?" Danica crossed her arms over her chest, her irritation evident as we stood at the end of the long corridor. She had every right to be upset, "Are you gonna start with the exining shit now or just admit that you fucked up?"


    Well, it''s certainly going to take some time to exin, especially given that Danica is fucking pisseed.


    "I''m not going to deny what I''ve


    done, Danica," I said, moistening my


    lips and tucking my hands into my pockets. "I know it may seem wrong, but I just can''t help it. I know you already know the rest, so I just want to tell you that...none of it was nned, okay? None expected it- none of us. It just happened, naturally, almost out of control," I sighed, "And, Evelyn and I...we''re in love, and that''s all that matters to me-making her happy, keeping her close to me, and ensuring nothing and no one can hurt her."


    God, I must have sounded like aplete jerk in Danica''s eyes. After all, she and I had been friends since college, just like I was with Samuel. Having an affair with her daughter behind her back without showing any sign of remorse was certainly the act of aplete asshole.


    But I didn''t care. All I knew was that no matter what I lost, I wasn''t going to let go of my Evelyn. Not for anyone.


    "Are you even listening to yourself, Jacob?" Danica red at me, her anger palpable, "I can''t believe you. That''s my fucking daughter, for heaven''s sake, Jacob. You watched her grow up, and now you''re screwing with her behind our backs? Aren''t you ashamed? Did you even consider how much it would hurt Samuel if he found out about this? Have you even thought about the consequences before getting into this shit?!"


    Well, I had....but in the end, I ended up surrendering everything to Evelyn. She made me lose it by barely doing anything at all.


    It was true that I felt guilty about what I''d done behind Samuel''s back, but I didn''t regret a single moment with Evelyn. How could anyone regret having a woman like her by their side?


    "I am listening, Danica, and yes, I thought about Samuel, but I couldn''t stop myself. Sometimes, shit happens! We have no control over it. I love her, and yes, before you ask, I''m deadly serious about her. I''m not just fooling around; you know I''d never do that."


    "You won''t do that?" She let out a bitterugh. "Jacob, you''ve already done much worse, and this... this is even worse than that. She''s... God, I don''t even know what to say to you." Danica sighed in frustration, "She''s so much younger than you, and she''s naive and young. What has she even seen about the world? She


    can''t distinguish between what''s right for her and what''s wrong at this age. She''s simply acting on her instincts and desires that will eventually fade. But you, you should have been wiser, or at least taken a step back before allowing it to go this far. It''s just in wrong."


    "What''s wrong with me being with Evelyn, Danica? I just don''t get it."


    "You know exactly what''s wrong, Jacob. You damn well know it."


    Yes, I did. But I didn''t think those reasons mattered, even though Danica believed otherwise.


    "Those reasons don''t matter to me. All I care about is that I can make Evelyn happy, and there''s nothing in this world I want more than to see her happiness. I know what we did may seem wrong from some perspectives, but at the same time, it''s not. If I were just some other dude, not Samuel''s best friend, would you react the same way?"


    "But you''re not just some other dude, Jacob! You''re Samuel''s best friend, the person he trusts more than anyone else. Fuck, he relies on you. What do you think his reaction will be when he discovers that you''ve been having an affair with Evelyn behind his back all this time? Can you even fathom how much it will hurt him?" She stared at me, her incredulity evident. "Everything will fall apart before you even know it. Is that what you want?"


    "We don''t n on telling Samuel right now," I replied, my voice filled with uncertainty, "We''re waiting for the right time. I know he''ll react, perhaps even overreact, which is understandable because I''ve made a terrible mistake. But the thing is, I can''t let go of Evelyn. I''ll never let her go. You just can''t make me do it."


    "If you truly love her, Jacob, then you


    should let her go, because she stands to lose much more than you ever would, Right now, she may be blind to the consequences, but that won''tst forever. We''ve all been therea young age where everything seems like a bed of roses until it''s filled with thorns." Unbeknownst to me, her words struck me like a bolt of lightning, freezing me in ce, "Anyone woulde to regret it when they see that one rtionship is tearing them apart from all the

 Chapter 63 The Cost Of Sacrifice

    Chapter 63 The Cost Of Sacrifice


    shback Continues:


    Jacob


    Her words resonated strangely within the confines of those bygone walls, walls that Evelyn had painstakingly mended. Regrets, it seemed, were remarkably easy to cling to, weren''t they? Especially when you begin to lose those things most dear to you.


    "It might appear that she has it all with you now, Jacob," Danica began, her voice tinged with a note of caution, "but mark my words, regrets wille knocking. She''s young, caught in the whirlwind of her emotions. In time, when reason takes hold, when she begins to depend on her mind rather than her impulses, she''ll realize what she''s missing. And, Jacob, I''m sorry to say this, but why would you want her to bear the burdens that haunt your life? Your crazy ex is a constant headache, always after you, showing up everywhere you go, your uncles still hound you for money, you still haven''t recovered from those incidents in your youth, and your scars...they still run deep, perhaps too deep to ever heal. Why, then, would you wish Evelyn to grapple with it all if you truly love her? Nobody wants to put the one they love through shit!"


    Damn, I''d always known Danica had a way with words, but I never expected it to be this intense. If not for today, I''d never known that Samuel was right when he said it.


    "What exactly are you trying to say, Danica?" I cleared my throat, a disquieting unease seeping into the room, much like venomous spiders crawling up the walls.


    "You''re not naive, Jacob. I''m certain of that, especially since you managed to keep your rtionship with Evelyn hidden right under our noses all this time," she continued. "Here''s the deal: I don''t want my daughter fixing someone else''s mess. I want her to be with someone stable, someone who''s not broken - that''s the in truth. She deserves someone who can look after her, someone who won''t overreact or underreact, someone who won''t misspeak, and most importantly, someone who won''t burden her with the weight of his own traumas."


    She had a point...


    My life had been a tangled mess before Evelyn came into it, everything was in its way but not the way I wished, and her presence had brought order to the chaos. But was it fair to rely on her for that emotional security? There was no guarantee that I wouldn''t end up failing to provide what she truly needed.


    "I... I''ve never once allowed the past events of my life to affect my rtionship with Evelyn," I spoke, my voice strained. "Not everyone has the privilege of growing up in a wealthy, loving family like yours, Danica. It wasn''t my fault that I was born into a fucked-up family that wasn''t even a family to be fair. My mother was worn out before she eventually passed away, and my father''s alcoholism shattered my entire childhood. I had no control over any of it¡ªif I had, I would have stopped it. But that doesn''t mean Ick control over what I want in life now or that I can''t take care of the people I love. I didn''t choose to go through those things, believe me, no one wishes for that."


    She let out a sigh, her expression unyielding, though I could sense traces of hesitation.


    "It doesn''t matter," she replied firmly. "What matters is that the scars those events have left on you will inevitably affect my daughter, whether you intend it or not. You can''t control these things; they just happen. Evelyn can find someone far better, someone who would be perfect for her. This rtionship between you and Evelyn, won''t bring good to anyone-not to you, not to her, not to anyone around you. You might lose just a friend, but Evelyn could lose a father who loves her more than life itself," she added, her tone unyielding. "It''s not just about you; it''s about her."


    "And you believe that by ending things between me and Evelyn, you''re doing the right thing?" I retorted. "I don''t care about myself, Danica, but damn it, she''ll be fucking devastated. You haven''t seen it, but I have. She won''t be able to handle it without me."


    I should refuse this, shouldn''t I?


    "Her life was perfect before you entered it, Jacob. Everything was going well, and I''m sure her life will continue just fine without you- I will make sure of it. Her heart is young; she''ll eventually move on if you break it, rather than making it seem like someone else forced you two apart. It''s that simple."


    "And that someone is you," A sardonic chuckle escaped my lips as I fixed my gaze on the distant moon.


    Everything bore scars, and every individual harbored imperfections, but did that mean they didn''t deserve love or the chance to be with the one they loved? What was wrong with loving someone, even if you carried your own scars?


    "Yes, it''s me," She conceded. "But isn''t it better if she hurts now rather thanter? Yes, she''ll be heartbroken, she''ll cry and go through pain, but it''s far better than harboring regrets down the line, grappling with doubts and unanswered questions that would shatter herpletely. If she continues down this path, she''lle to regret it. She loves her father, she loves her family, and that''s all she''s ever wanted. You alone won''t be enough for her, Jacob. Her father is her world, he always has been. If this rtionship with you takes that away from her, she''ll crumble. So, it''s better to lose something now that might cause her regretter than to lose something she holds dear."


    "You understand what you''re asking for, right?"


    Danica remained silent for a few moments before sighing. "Yes, I do. I''m fully aware of the damage it might cause. But at least this way, she''ll have a chance at a better future. She''ll eventually move on. And in this way, at least, everything will seem alright, even if it''s not. I won''t say anything to Samuel, so you shouldn''t either. Let things remain as they are, and let this conversation between us today stay hidden."


    I just couldn''t believe she was asking me to do that to Evelyn....


    "You''re asking me to break your daughter''s heart, Danica," I spoke up, as if she already didn''t know what she was asking for. She knew. She knew it very well.


    And I fucking wished I could have pleaded with her to take her words back and allow me to be with Evelyn. But, the truth was, her words had stirred something deep within me awakening emotions I couldn''t easily dismiss- she had hit some spots that''d rendered me speechless. I couldn''t find any words to counter her argument or justify my desire to be with the person I loved. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Did people with troubled pasts not deserve the right to pursue a healthy rtionship? Maybe not.


    I''d thought I''d moved past that but it seemed like everyone else still saw me stuck there.


    Just because someone had


    wronged me in the past, did that


    mean I''d end up screwing up every


    good thing in my life? I had


    tried my best not to let it, and up until now, I believed I had seeded. But today, as Danica uttered those words, it felt like nothing had changed since those dark days, those moments spent in the shadows, those times when


    Chloe had used my traumas against me like a deranged psychopath.


    I had convinced myself that I had moved past it all, but it appeared that everyone else still saw me as stuck in that ce.


    "Yes, I am. And if you truly love her, Jacob, you''ll do it," Danica said. It was astonishing how she believed that damage could somehow prevent damage, but at the same time, the reasons she offered left me with no room to refuse.


    "Samuel used to say that, didn''t he,


    Danica? You never lose an


    argument," managed a bitter chuckle, Fine! I''ll do it. I''ll break Evelyn''s heart, I will fucking break it and toss it away as it means nothing to me but... I hope you know how to mend it afterward because I... I certainly don''t."


    With that, I walked away, making a decision I had never even contemted, not even in my darkest nightmares.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    shback Ends...


    I sank onto the edge of the bed, my strength utterly drained. How could I have said those things to her? I could have been more gentle, couldn''t I? But gentleness wouldn''t have achieved the damage Danica had asked for.


    Fuck it, I was losing my mind.


    I had just lost Evelyn. Today, I had lost her.


    I knew she''d never forgive me, perhaps even despise me more than she''d ever loved me. It was only natural for her to take steps to move on. Why would she want to remain stuck for a man who confessed to using her to forget his damn ex?


    This was what I wanted, right? I wanted her to hate me and move on. So why did it gnaw at me so fiercely? I had convinced myselfst night that Evelyn and I weren''t meant to be together, so why were these doubts and questions ringing so loudly in my head, forcing me to reconsider?


    It simply bothered me to think that Evelyn would forget me and love someone else.


    But then again, wasn''t that why I had started all of this in the first ce? I was already broken... I couldn''t drag her down with me. I couldn''t. Before my thoughts could spiral further, the sound of approaching footsteps caught my attention. I nced at the doorway, finding Chloe walking back into the room.


    "So, I heard about your breakup excuse with Evelyn," she said, crossing her arms over her chest, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. "Perhaps you could ept my help for this little mission of yours? We can see if we can be more than just a charade in front of people."


    We weren''t going to be anything more than what we were now-strangers with bitter memories. But I wasn''t going to refuse her offer, not if it meant cutting thest few remaining ties with Evelyn, recing the remnants of love in her heart with loathing.

 Chapter 64 Concealing Heartbreak

    Chapter 64 Concealing Heartbreak


    Evelyn


    "Are you sure you''re okay?" ra asked, lifting a sandwich to my lips. "You seem different."


    "Why?" I asked, my brow furrowing as I took a bite, "Did you spend a year moping around after your first heartbreak, crying for someone who clearly didn''t care about you, or did you turn into a depressed woman starved for love?"


    I could sense her surprise at my response. I couldn''t me her; my friends were all reacting the same way. They expected me to act like a heartbroken woman, crying and drowning in grief. Perhaps I should have, but for some reason, I couldn''t. I didn''t know why but I also didn''t try to figure out any of it.


    I felt strangely numb. Everything seemed oddly normal because I had, to some extent, shut down my emotions, shutting out everything that hurt.


    "Well, not really, but you were actingpletely differentst night," she said, wiping the corner of my mouth with a handkerchief. "Are you sure you''re okay, Evelyn? You don''t have to pretend. I''m here for you."


    Was I pretending?


    No, absolutely not. As long as I could keep him and those painful memories buried in the darkest corners of my mind, I''d be fine. And I had every intention of keeping them buried for a really long time.


    "I''m just trying to keep myself busy, ra," I sighed, "I don''t want to waste any more thoughts on that cold-hearted bastard and I am done wasting my tears too. He''s out there fucking his ex, so at the very least, I need to go back to living a somewhat normal life like I used to before him."


    "So, you''re avoiding the pain instead of confronting it," she said, her eyes softening. "Evelyn, I''m telling you, it''s not a good idea. When it finally hits you, it will hurt more than you can imagine."


    "I think it hit me the hardest when I saw him with that bitch today," I chuckled softly. "And since he''s moved on so quickly, I should too." Yes, I could manage to keep him out of my mind for good. It wasn''t a big deal. I had been fine before him, and I would be fine after him.


    "Evelyn," ra began, her expression filled with concern. "You can''t just avoid the pain and move on. You can''t move on unless you face it. Your dad and I have been in your shoes before. The longer you ignore it, the tighter it grips you-harder when you least expect it."


    I will not let it hit me....R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Neither, I won''t allow him nor his memories to hurt me.


    "Rx, cutie pie," A softugh escaped my mouth as I took another bite of the sandwich. "I''ll be fine, and besides, why worry when I have you? I know you''ll help me through this mess."


    "Evie..."


    "No lectures, ra. Trust me, I''m fine, and I''ll stay fine at least until this wedding is over," I interrupted, nting a kiss on her cheek. "Now, feed me. I''m starving."


    I knew ra had plenty to say, but I also understood that she didn''t want to spoil the moment. Right now, I was in a temporary state of contentment, even though both of us knew that it might notst long, she didn''t want to disrupt it. So, in the end, she sighed in defeat and resumed feeding me.


    "I didn''t sign up to babysit a five-year-old when I decided to marry Samuel," she chuckled.


    "Too bad, you''re stuck with me now."


    ***


    I applied my makeup, dressing casually while humming along to the music ying on my speaker. It was a peculiar feeling, as if I were awash with emotions and yet utterly numb at the same time. A strange hollowness resided within me, and I needed something, anything, to make me feel... perhaps, alive again?


    I was not totally dead, of course. I could still feel it- the pain trying to crawl up those walls I had already sealed shut. I just hoped they wouldn''t break...I just hoped.


    Fuck it, I was going to be alright.


    The bnce was precarious, like treading on a fragile thread above the charred remains of a bridge. Each time I delved into my emotions, I unearthed things I''d rather not see, feelings I wished to destroy, and above all, I didn''t want to love again.


    This delicate bnce was all I had to hold onto.


    As I ran ab through my hair and spritzed on my favourite perfume, its scent a blend of roses and honeysuckle, Jennie popped her head into the


    room.


    "Hey, Evie, are you-?" she began but stopped short, clearly taken aback. "Holy shit! You look stunning!"


    "Really?" I raised an eyebrow,


    examining myself in the mirror. The white, one-shoulder bodycon mini dress hugged my curves perfectly, revealing just enough skin. I didn''t mind the allure, not when my


    intentions for the evening


    anything but innocent- I couldn''t really forget someone embedded in every cell of my mind by just doing sweet and innocent things- it takes equal amount of fire to eradicate the other one," "Do you think I''ll manage to attract a decent guy tonight?"


    "To fuck?"


    "Of course, what else for?" I rolled my eyes.


    "Hell yeah, bitch," Jennieughed. "You''re going to have plenty of them chasing after you. So, get ready for a steamy night."


    "Oh, I am," I chuckled, picking up my purse. "I really am."


    For a fraction of a second, my thoughts began diverting in the very way I didn''t want them to.


    There will be plenty of guys out


    there, far better than Jacob Adriano. No matter how mesmerizing those green eyes of his were, no matter how perfectly chiseled his jawline, how tempting his lips, how striking his nose, how sun-kissed his skin, or how seductive his silky smooth voice-there has to be at least one person tonight who can help me forget him. Maybe more than one, to banish his memory from my thoughts. I can''t let him continue to cling to every cell, every fibre of my being, every beat of my damn heart.


    "Evelyn?" Jennie''s voice finally pulled me back to reality.


    "Sorry, what? Did you ask me something?"


    "I was asking if you''ve told Samuel that we''re heading out?"


    "Not yet," I shrugged it off, retrieving my dad''s credit card from my drawer and cing it in my purse. It always stayed with me, whether by his consent or not, perhaps with a little help from my asional stealing skills. But tonight, there was no need to resort to theft; he had given me this card a while ago and forgotten about it. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    "I assume he''s at the hall with his friends, chatting away as usual. I''ll just let him know as we leave," I said, turning toward the door after a final nce in the mirror. "Let''s go, is everyone else ready?"


    "Mason and Nancy are waiting by his car," she informed me. "We should hurry, or they might eat us alive. Mason''s eager for some dick, and Nancy probably has scheduled some. So, it''s just you and me dealing with this ''crisis.""


    "Calm down," I reassured her,ughing, "There''s always plenty of bad guys to meet at the club, and I have a feeling we''ll find some baddest ones amongst them tonight." I winked at her and walked out, with her following me.

 Chapter 65 Whispers Of Discontent

    Chapter 65 Whispers Of Discontent


    Evelyn


    As Jennie and I descended the stairs, my gaze locked with my dad''s. He was seated next to ra but appeared less enthusiastic than usual. The reason for his subdued demeanor eluded me at that moment, as a furrow formed between his brows, diverting my attention away from his other friends gathered around. While I couldn''t recall everyone''s name, their faces were familiar.


    "Where the hell are you off to, Evelyn?" Well, I couldn''t deny that I had expected this kind of reaction from him, because I truly had. How could I not? It was my dad, after all- he wanted me there, right before his very eyes, all the fucking time.


    "I''m heading to the club with my friends," I replied, offering him a smile as I passed by. However, my smile faded when I noticed who was seated across from them¡ªJacob and Chloe. They sat side by side, Jacob''s arm around Chloe''s waist, and Chloe sitting perilously close to him, their intimate bodynguage unmistakable. There was a beer bottle in his hand, and the other two other empties lying at his feet. Maybe he and Chloe were sharing the drinks? Couples did this kind of stuff, didn''t they?


    Well, I couldn''t say for certain, as Jacob and I hadn''t exactly been a couple, just an affair. A scandalous one that he had chosen to bury beneath the cover of night, despite its daytime origins. His gaze remained fixed on me, devoid of any discernible emotion, not even a hint of regret.


    Wow! I still couldn''t believe how swiftly things had taken a turn.


    Why had I expected him to acknowledge the wrong he had done to me when deep down, I knew he was already aware of it?


    "This looks new," I chuckled, crossing my arms over my chest as I observed them. "Did you two finally find your way back together?"


    Jacob didn''t respond, and Chloe merely shed me a smug smile that spoke volumes.


    Fucking bitch!


    "Yeah, they''re back together," my dad remarked, his smilecking sincerity now exining why he looked so unimpressed in the first ce. He wasn''t thrilled by the news, but I could wager he would have been pleased if he knew that his daughter had narrowly avoided a disaster.


    But why had I rushed headlong into that disaster in the first ce? I should have restrained my desires, right? Then why?


    Fuck me! They say it''s true that most decisions at this age are nothing but colossal mistakes. Jacob had undoubtedly been my first and most significant blunder. I never thought I could have regrets, but he had proven me wrong, and now I had a multitude of them, with him being the most painful.


    "Good thing, isn''t it?" My mom, who was seated on the opposite side, wore an expression thatbined hesitation with an unmistakable ''I told you so.''


    Forget that. I couldn''t care less about her opinions.


    "Yeah, of course," I replied, relieved that my voice remained steady and my smile genuine. "It''s wonderful that Jacob has found some excitement again," I chuckled, ncing in their direction. Jacob''s eyes had been locked onto me from the start, and Chloe''s smug smile showed no signs of fading, "Congrattions to both of you."


    I didn''t care about Chloe''s reaction but what exactly was Jacob thinking? ying the silent-card for what?


    "Aww, thank you, Evelyn," Chloe responded sweetly, her tone dripping with sarcasm, the type only I could notice and the ones who knew the history. It was evident she was rubbing it on my face.


    "Evelyn, please make sure to return early, okay?" ra intervened, perhaps sensing my difort.


    But my dad instantly snapped, "Wait, what? No, she won''t get to go there!"


    I wished I could convey to him just how much I needed this escape, to be anywhere but here, far away from the man I loved, wrapped in someone else''s arms, even if only briefly, to help me forget him.


    "Dad, I''ll be back quickly. Besides, it''s Mason''s friend''s club, not too far away," I replied softly, struggling to conceal the tremor in my voice. "Please, let it slide this time?"


    My Dad seemed taken aback by my gentle response. Usually, I''d engage in a fierce argument with him, striking like a cobra. But today, I simply didn''t have the energy for it, knowing I had stood on the precipice of jeopardizing everything, including my rtionship with my dad, all for a man who couldn''t care less about me. Jacob Adriano, God, he didn''t care about me at all. All he wanted was sex. It was unbelievable how I had once regarded this ring red g as the luckiest gift of my life. Damn me.


    "Alright, I guess since you''re being so nice," Dad conceded, still eyeing me suspiciously. "But you can''t use my credit card. I''ll give you some cash- that way, I can at least limit your extravagant spending." I remained silent as Dad fetched his wallet and handed me a wad of hundred-dor bills.


    "That''s nearly two thousand dors, Samuel. Is this your idea of limiting her expenses?" Chloe remarked.


    "Yeah, so what?" Dad retorted, seemingly oblivious to her point.


    "You do spoil her quite a bit," Chloemented casually, ying with Jacob''s hair, her gaze locked on me.


    "Beg your pardon, I fail to see how that''s any of your business, Chloe," I finally snapped. It was just so hard to keep it all in anymore especially when I hadn''t even nned on attacking her in the first ce- I just wanted to avoid her but she was getting the best of my anger.


    "Of course, it''s not," she replied, sitting up straight, her eyes challenging. "But you know, girls who are ustomed to having everything handed to them on a silver tter sometimes end up desiring things that aren''t rightfully theirs, and they often end up hurt," she trailed off.


    I clenched my fists to my side-maybe she nned to get beaten by me today. One p hadn''t been enough.


    "What are you getting at, Chloe?" Dad asked tersely, already looking irritated.


    "Well, I''m saying this for her own good, Samuel," Chloe shrugged, smiling sweetly. "She should start learning about the real world now. We all know how young people like her can make poor choices and develop bad habits. It''s quitemon these days. She should start getting out of the bubble."


    Dad''s jaw tightened, and I could tell he was struggling to keep his temper in check. He had always beenposed, except when someone disparaged me.


    "She doesn''t need to step out of this so-called bubble. I''m her father, and I''ll provide everything for her,y it beneath her feet whether it''s material possessions, a house, a car, trivial items, or even a boy-she''ll have everything she wants."


    "That''s what I said, Samuel¡ª You are spoiling her. This is not healthy for her or you. Mark my words, she will soon end up disappointing you."


    "Chloe, please, enough," Jacob interjected, trying to defuse the situation before Dad could respond, shooting her a warning re. But Chloe seemed unfazed.


    "What, babe? I''m just telling the truth, and it''s not like I''m wrong."


    "Well, Chloe, I''m not spending your boyfriend''s money, am I?" I retorted, a mischievous smile ying on my lips, I just wanted to rip her tongue at this point, but I held back, "I''m using my father''s money. Isn''t that sufficient for you? If not, here''s a suggestion: find yourself another wealthy boyfriend. Polygamy seems to be in vogue nowadays. You can have both money and fun."


    Her jaw dropped in disbelief, anger shing in her eyes. "What...what did you just say?"


    I heard a few muffled snickers that surely came from the few other people around, mostly Dad''s friends- I couldn''t me them, who doesn''t enjoy a show?


    "You heard me right, Chloe," I continued with a smirk. "Now, if you''ll excuse me, I need to head out and squander my father''s fortune. I''m sorry you didn''t have that privilege during your teenage years, not everyonees from money, I understand," I kissed Dad on the cheek and then ra. "I hope Jacob treats you well since he''s loaded."


    As I was about to turn and leave, a thought crossed my mind.


    "By the way, Dad, I apologize for informing you sote, but I have your other credit card with me," I said with a sly grin, then shot a pointed look at Chloe. "So, if anyone has an issue with that while I''m away, kindly tell them to shove it where the sun don''t shine, or else, I might have to trim the guest list for the final event. After all, it''s no secret that some invitations were sent by mistake!"


    "Evelyn!" My mom''s whisper was sharp.


    "What, Mom? You didn''t seem to mind when she was badmouthing me, and now you''re snapping at me?" I tilted my head, looking at her. I wasn''t even angry with her because I knew she would never understand me, ¡°Did you suddenly develop hearing problems?"


    "You can''t treat a guest like that, Evelyn," she stood up. "Apologize to her right now."Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "Danica, I don''t think it''s Evelyn''s fault," ra chimed in, "She has the right to express herself. Chloe started it, so she should be able to handle the consequences."


    Apparently, this was enough for my mom to shut her damn mouth.


    "ra? Are you serious?" Chloe feigned innocence. "I was just giving her some advice."


    "It doesn''t matter. The way you presented it in front of everyone was inappropriate. It came across more as an insult than advice."


    Before anyone else could speak, Dad


    rose to his feet. "That''s enough,


    everyone. I don''t want any unnecessary drama here, especially since we''re here for an event. So,


    from this point forward, I suggo


    all


    of you keep your opinions to yourselves, especially about Evelyn. She''s not going to apologize to


    anyone." Dad turned to me, ruffling my hair, a smile ying on his lips as he kissed my temple. "Be home early, okay?"


    "Okay," I nodded, smiling. All my anger dissipated, knowing that I had my dad by my side.


    "Um, can we... Can we leave now?" Jennie finally spoke up, sounding unsure.


    A chuckle escaped my lips, followed by one from ra, who then said, "Of course you can. Have fun!"


    "And don''t drink too much, okay?" Dad said, extending his hand. "Promise me."


    "Promise," Iughed and grabbed his hand, feeling Jacob''s silent gaze on me the entire time.

 Chapter 66 Revisiting Demons

    Chapter 66 Revisiting Demons


    Evelyn


    I had broken the promise-yeah, I was already wasted and feeling absolutely horrible about breaking themitment I made to my dad. The effects of the liquor were hot and heavy, enveloping mepletely. A stranger had his arms wrapped around me from behind, swaying our bodies in sync with the pulsating music that resonated throughout the club. The ce was packed, like a colony of huddled penguins, leaving barely any space to move, let alone make my way to the bar for another drink.


    All I wanted was more alcohol. I just wanted it. That''s it-It was that insatiable craving a strange itch.


    Had I already drowned half of the pain away?


    I thought I had, until the guy, whose name I hadn''t even bothered to catch, yet found it absolutely fucking normal to let him grind against me, spun me around. Our eyes locked; his were a captivating shade of baby blue, but they paled inparison to the emerald eyes that haunted my dreams and imprisoned my soul.


    Okay...so, I still haven''t seeded.


    Jacob was still embedded deep in my damn mind.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "You are absolutely stunning," he murmured, his hands descending to my butt, giving them a squeeze before drawing me closer. Our chests collided, and the scent of his cologne enveloped my senses- it was good but not as good as his.


    Wasn''t this what I wanted? Someone else to make me forget, right? Then why the fuck everything only reminded me of him?


    What the hell was wrong with me?!


    Even here, amidst the alcohol, under the intoxicating influence of liquor, I still yearned for him to be with me- instead of this guy, I wanted him, holding me in his arms. It was his cologne saturating my senses. His embrace, that skin-to-skin contact, the scent of his breath, and... his lips on mine.


    Damn it, I had promised myself that I''d forget him!


    Without a second thought, I wound my arms around the guy''s neck. One of my hands tangled into his blonde locks-smooth but not as smooth as my heartbreaker''s nheless felt good enough between my fingers. Then, I pressed my lips against his.


    He responded instantly, his tongue grazing my lips before slipping into my mouth, deepening the kiss.


    With each stroke of his tongue, memories flooded my mind-starting from the day his lips first imed mine in the pool. How his hands explored every inch of my body, and how we spent those nights entwined in my bed, lost in each other, lost in our passion- Jacob Adriano dumped me yet, not even a single strand of my body bothered to forget about him or even make an attempt to do so.


    A strange, unsettling sensation gnawed at my core. My skin prickled, but not with desire-instead, it was a feeling that made me want to pull away.


    I struggled to force myself to continue kissing the guy, trying to match his pace. But the more I pushed myself into it, the stronger the opposing force became¡ªthis force was far more potent,den with pain and the harsh reality I had been avoiding. Broken hopes and shattered dreams, memories and regrets-it was like a relentless, ferocious beast tearing at me from the inside, rending my insides apart.


    As the guy''s hand wandered upward, groping my breast, he broke the kiss and trailed his lips down to my exposed neck. Each ce his lips touched reminded me of how Jacob had kissed me there-softly and deliberately, leaving his marks that I still had concealed under concealer.


    Fuck, he was there, in every beat of my heart. The same heart he didn''t give two flying fucks about before crushing it under his feet. Cruelly and absolutely perfectly.


    Tears threatened to blur my vision, and I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to let myself enjoy another man''s touch. But as this guy pressed his lips to mine again, it all came crashing down on me. I could never move on from him....


    Jacob had indeed ruined me for other men.


    I couldn''t escape from the harsh reality or the pain. I had to face it, no matter what.


    Unable to keep it together any longer, I hastily broke the kiss and pulled away from the guy. My breathing came out in pants, and tears teetered on the edge of rolling down my cheeks, making me appear as the only wreck amidst these people who hade here to enjoy their nights-perhaps not to drown their sorrows because unlike me they might have not gotten their hearts broken by the ones they had loved.


    But then again, I knew nothing. I was bad at people or else how had I blindly believed every word Jacob Adriano said, all the way along, concealing his lies?


    "Look...I... I can''t..." I stammered, struggling to form a coherent sentence.


    "Hey, what''s wrong?" he asked, stepping closer.


    Images of Jacob kept shing before my eyes, and his cold words swirled inside my head in a loop- a pounding headache attacked me. I couldn''t seem to break free from this haze- ra had said it right- I shouldn''t have avoided the pain.


    God, I was fucked up in more ways than one.


    "It''s nothing. I just... I''m sorry, I can''t do this," I smoothed my dress and hair, making a move to leave the club, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to his body. My own body shuddered in disgust. I couldn''t stand anyone else''s touch on me because it only reminded me of... him.


    "Senorita, I can tell you''re not a virgin," he chuckled into my ear, his hand slowly creeping down my thigh. His rough fingertips brushed over my skin, making me want to run away and shield myself, "So why don''t you drop the act and let me fuck you? I promise, you''ll enjoy it."


    "Listen," I yanked his grip away from me, "Get away from me."


    Just when I had managed to break free from him, he grabbed me again, this time with more force than before. I was already too drunk to maintain myposure. My heart raced, the pain intensified with each passing second, and at this point, I didn''t even know if the memories would stop bombarding my head or if I would stay conscious.


    "What''s with this attitude, huh?" He seized my jaw under his bruising grip. His once-innocent blonde hair falling over his blue eyes now looked anything but innocent like when he''d offered me a drink with a smile, they had seemed harmless, but now they bore a vicious look that sent shivers down my spine, "Stop being so damn difficult," his grip tightened as his other hand snaked around my waist, "I know you want this, so quit these tantrums."


    I immediately regretted leaving my purse at the bar. Mason had warned me to keep my phone with me, but I had foolishly put myself in this predicament. Grief had made me blind and these consequences, I didn''t know what they were going to do to me¡ª I just wanted to disappear.


    "Let go of me, you bastard," I pushed at his chest with all the force I could muster, breaking free from his hold. I stumbled backward, creating a few inches of space between us, nearly bumping into another person.


    Rage shed in his eyes, and his jaw clenched. I knew I couldn''t take on this six-foot-tall bastard, so I did the most sensible thing I could think of-I turned around and, navigating through the tightly packed crowd, reached the bar. I hastily grabbed my purse, but before I could find my phone, I spotted that demon approaching me.


    "Shit," I muttered, halting in my tracks and quickly changing direction.


    It was a challenge to coordinate my movements in my drunken state. I could barely maintain my bnce in my high heels; Everything seemed blurred, like a broken television with lines of ck appearing on the screen. Damn it, I had never been in a situation like this, so I had no idea what to


    do.


    I silently thanked the heavens when I


    found the backdoor. I slipped out of the club through the narrow exit, heading toward the parking lot. There had to be at least one security guard here, or, if luck was not on my side, none at all. This club seemed like it was still under construction, with the upper floors vacant and in desperate need of work. From the outside, it resembled a den of darkness-a devil''sir. As for Mason''s friend? Clearly, it was all a ruse to get here, and now I deeply regretted my decision- I shouldn''t have lied.


    I could end up getting raped today- the thought itself shook me to my core.


    "Where do you think you''re going, Senorita?" His voice echoed from behind me, a sinister smirk curling on his lips as he observed my bruised ankles.


    "I don''t think you can run very far."


    God! Save me.


    "Please, just leave," I tried to keep my voice steady, to suppress the trembling, but it was a futile effort. I was already shaking uncontrobly. "I... I don''t want to do this."


    "But I do," he advanced toward me, and I instinctively stepped back. There was nowhere to run, and the fear that fleeing too far might lead to an even worse oue paralyzed me.


    Tears welled up in my eyes.


    My back collided with a wall, with parked cars nking me on either side. He pressed his hand against the wall, leaning closer to my face stood frozen in ce, unable to think of a way out. I could try kicking him in the groin and making a run for it, but I wasn''t sure I could even make it back to the club without passing out-I had already run quite a distance.


    I was trapped.


    "I had nned to take you to my apartment and have my way with you there, along with my friends," he said, casually twirling a strand of my hair between his fingers. "But, s! Now I''ll have to finish things quickly here and find another ything for them."


    "Please..... just let me go," I pleaded shakily. "I¡ª"


    Before I could finish what I had to say, he grabbed the neck of my dress and tore it apart. "Just shut up and give in already. I don''t have time for your


    nonsense."


    "No, please!" I desperately tried to stop him, but he was much stronger than me.


    As his hand moved further down my dress, as if attempting to rip it apartpletely, I kneed him between his legs and bit his hand.


    He groaned, stumbling backward and clutching his groin in pain. "Fucking bitch!"


    I tried to take the opportunity to escape, but he grabbed my hand and mmed me against a nearby car. My back collided with the rearview mirror, sending a searing pain through my entire spine and body. I almost felt like I''d pass out ¡ª it was that awful.


    A pained hiss escaped my lips, tears streaming down my cheeks and smudging the mascara. He grabbed my throat under his brutal grip, blocking my


    airways.


    "You''ve made a grave mistake, you stupid bitch. I was going easy on you, but now I''m going to show you what I''m capable of." He raised his hand to strike me, and I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact.


    But it never came. A momentter, I heard the sound of a heavy impact, followed by a pained groan as the grip around my neck loosened and then


    vanished.


    My eyes flew open in surprise and I blinked twice, to make myself believe what I was seeing was true but not just a sudden imagination assembled by my mind to rtively get scraps of hope alive within me in this turmoil-but it was not just my imagination- it was true.


    I was truly seeing thest person I''d expected, right before my eyes, having the guy''s throat under his grip, almost in a way that he''d break it into two parts at any second-It was Jacob Adriano.

 Chapter 67 Heartbeats And Bruises

    Chapter 67 Heartbeats And Bruises


    Evelyn


    For a moment, my entire world ground to a halt. There was an odd sense of relief that coursed through my nerves as the guy''s hand finally released its grip on me. Yet, the shock of seeing Jacob Adriano, right there before my eyes, was overwhelming. I just couldn''t get over it.


    Is he really here?


    My eyes stretched wide with surprise, my mind struggling to process the sight. And then, for a fleeting second, my vision went nk, only to be filled with the crimson stain on Jacob''s knuckles and the fresh trickle of blood streaming down the assant''s nose. Even in my inebriated state, it wasn''t hard to piece together that Jacob had just thrown a punch, a moment I''d missed while I had zoned out.


    He is here....


    Everything was just happening too fast or it was just me and the intoxication of the alcohol. But I doubted, it was just the alcohol.


    With a single nce in my direction, his piercing green eyes carrying a storm of anger beneath them, Jacob seized the man by his cor and delivered another resounding blow to his face.


    Why was he here?


    "She said no, you fucking bastard!" The final punch sent the man sprawling to the ground, his body skidding a few metres away.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    I watched the scene unfold in hysteria, my body still trembling from the realization of how close I hade to a possible horrific asion just seconds ago¡ªI almost got raped today. Almost.


    Jacob didn''t halt at just two punches, leaving the guy barely conscious on the ground. As the assaulter struggled to regain his senses, perhaps contemting a desperate escape just as I had moments ago when he chased me down like a hunter, Jacob seized him again and, with ruthless outrage, mmed him against a nearby pir. Blow after brutal blow rained down upon the man-his face, his gut, his neck-no part of his body went untouched.


    My heart sank, a deep sense of dread settling in. At this rate, Jacob would end up killing the guy.


    Summoning thest reserves of strength I had, I rushed forward, desperation in my voice. "Jacob, please, stop..."


    There was no response, only the image of a man unhinged, a frenzied beast driven by blind rage. He continued to pummel the assant as if his sole purpose was to snuff out his life, and nothing in the world could deter him.


    No No No! I couldn''t let this happen.


    "Go and sit in the car, Evelyn," he finally muttered, still not making eye contact. His breathing wasboured, his chest rising and falling with the force of his fury. Beneath the curtain of chestnut hair that framed his face, I could glimpse the simmering anger in his eyes¡ªit was scary. Really scary. God, he wouldn''t stop this way. I had to do something.


    "Jacob, please," I pleaded, gripping his arm in a futile attempt to pull him away. But he remained unyielding.


    "Just get in the damn car, Evelyn!" he barked, pausing briefly to speak, his grip still vice-like on the battered man''s cor. The victim now appeared barely conscious, his face a grotesque canvas of blood and bruises. Well, he was exactly not a victim but that didn''t mean killing him was the solution.


    Without warning, Jacob struck the man''s face again, blood sttering across the pir, the nearby wall, and even his own face.


    As it began spiralling out of control, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. If Jacob ended up killing this man, he couldnd in jail. Panic coursed through my mind like a speeding train, and I teetered on the precipice of uncertainty, unable to grasp what I the fuck was supposed to do next.


    I had to stop him. I just had to no matter what.


    Like a desperate plea, a sob escaped my trembling lips, and I clung to him from behind with all the strength I could muster, wrapping my arms tightly around him, grasping onto the t-shirt beneath his leather jacket and burying my face against his back, "Please, just stop...he''ll die like this."


    His body went rigid, as did his hands.


    "Please, I beg you," I sobbed, each word quivering andden with vulnerability that I didn''t really want to show yet couldn''t help it, "I don''t want you to kill someone."


    Several agonising seconds passed. I


    could sense his hesitation, his


    internal struggle, but I also felt the frantic rhythm of his heart gradually slowing down. Hisbored breaths eased ever so slightly. To me, who was utterly attuned to every nuance of this man, nothing went unnoticed-not even a single heartbeat. My apprehension peaked, my fear of whether he would heed my plea and abandon this violence shook me to my core. I didn''t want him to get hurt or face dire consequences for his actions.


    Suddenly, a deafening thud reverberated through the air, and I watched as the assant crumpled to the ground, nearly motionless. He blinked and gasped for breath, sprawled on the floor like an injured animal. His once-aggressive demeanour reduced to nothing but fearful little movements he tried to make to escape the scene.


    Before I could focus on anything else, Jacob slowly turned to face me.


    My breath caught in my throat as I met his gaze. Our eyes locked, and it made me feel even more vulnerable than before. It wasn''t surprising that I reacted this way-I had always known that Jacob could make my body and soul do the most unpredictable things.


    "Are you hurt?" he asked, sighing as he cupped my face and wiped away my tears.


    Yes, I was hurt. Deeply hurt by the fact that I hade here to escape my pain, only to end up in the arms of the very person who had caused it. But not a single cell, hair strand, or heartbeat resisted his touch. None of them sought to distance myself from him or obey the rational part of my mind.


    "No..." I replied involuntarily, unable to tear my gaze away from him. His strange allure had me ensnared all over again. Damn him. "You should''ve been more careful, Evelyn. Do you understand the danger you put yourself in? If I was even a secondte then-" He didn''t finish what he had to say, the thought seemed to bother him equally as much as it did me. Or maybe it was just my mind ying tricks on me?


    He didn''t care about me¡ªIt had already taken a long time for me to believe it. I couldn''t entertain any stupid ideas and dig a bigger grave for myself.


    "I just..." My voice quivered, the


    words getting caught in my throat. He didn''t care about me, right? He''d made that abundantly clear-he''d used me as a temporary distraction from his ex, and now that he didn''t need @substitute anymore, he''d discarded me. So why were his eyes, as they gazed at me now, soft and filled with a maniptive charm, telling me something entirely different? And why was I on the brink of falling for it hook, line, and sinker?


    I had never felt so vulnerable before.


    1


    I''d always faced reality head-on, whether it was epting that my parents'' love had withered away, acknowledging my own selfish. tendencies, or admitting that I had willingly gotten close to Jacob despite knowing he was wrong for me- I was good with


    eptance. But this time...why was it so agonisingly difficult? Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "I just wanted to forget you," I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes once more. My lips quivered as I continued, "I just wanted to be with someone else so I wouldn''t spend the whole night crying. I wanted to feel...alive."


    He froze, the softness in his expression fading, reced by uncertainty and hesitation. I watched as he swallowed hard, then cleared his throat. His grip on me loosened, and he stepped away, putting miles of distance between us with a single stride.


    Of course, I could be drunk and not in the right senses but he was. And his right mind probably told him to take a step back because his destination was now different.


    "The car''s parked over there," he said, suddenly devoid of emotion, "Come on, I''ll take you home."

 Chapter 68 The Long Night Of Shadows

    Chapter 68 The Long Night Of Shadows


    Evelyn


    I found myself gazing at him nkly as he averted his eyes, avoiding any direct contact with me. It was difficult to discern whether it was guilt etched across his face or something else entirely. It was questionable whether I should confront him about it, given that he hadn''t shown an ounce of guilt when he unceremoniously dumped me or when he was caught in a ratherpromising situation with Chloe. God! He had even taken it a step further by publicly dering his reconciliation with his ex.


    A man like him didn''t seem capable of guilt, nor could he care for me. If he had cared, he wouldn''t have done what he did to me.


    "I think I''d rather head inside to find my friends; I can find my way home with them," I said, my emotions in disarray and the effects of alcohol only intensifying the confusion. I couldn''t determine if it made me more foolish or insightful, but that was a secondary concern at this point. "Thanks for your help."


    I needed to stay far away from him, for my own sake.


    As I began to step away, he seized my wrist firmly. "Are you out of your mind? You''re considering going back into the club for what? To attract another asshole and get yourself into some shit again?"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "Yes, I am out of my mind! I am fucking crazy, alright?!" I yanked my hand away from his grip, inwardly resenting how my skin still tingled from his touch, yet I remained inexplicably drawn to him, like a moth to a me. "I don''t know what I''m going to do, but I do know one thing I don''t want to be anywhere near you. I want to stay as far away as possible! You saved me from getting raped, and I''m grateful for that, but now it''s time for you to leave!"


    I pivoted to walk away, but he caught my arm and turned me around. The back of my heel met the rough pavement, causing a nearly inaudible wince to escape my lips- those blisters weren''t going to fade for weeks.


    Jacob, I may add, consumed by an unusual mix of agitation, appeared oblivious to it all. His piercing green eyes zed with frustration, anger, and a myriad of other emotions that I chose not to read.


    Why bother reading them, anyway? He wasn''t the Jacob Adriano I once knew-a transformation into an entirely different human being had urred within the span of only 48 hours. He was- Twisted, heartless, fucked-up, and fucking cruel.


    "Don''t be stupid, Evelyn. You are far too drunk to consider going back into that club," his jaw clenched, "Enough with this drama; get in the car."


    It was either sheer stupidity on his part or perhaps my own for even considering the idea. For fucks''s sake-Why on earth would I want to share a car with him after all he''d put me through?


    I scoffed, letting out a bitter, humorless chuckle. "Don''t pretend you care about me, Jacob. It no longer suits you, nor does it serve me any longer. So, I suggest you drop the act and get the hell out unless you n to be the one to take advantage of me. You''ve already done it once, haven''t you? Maybe not by force, but maniption counts just the same, doesn''t it? There''s not much difference between you and that guy, if you ask me." Rage red in his eyes, and I could tell I''d caught him off guard. Nevertheless, he quickly retorted, "Are you even listening to yourself, Evelyn?" Of course, I was, and he probably knew it too. But his ego was too colossal to admit it.


    "Yes, I am. I can hear myself loud and clear. But if you''re having trouble understanding, I can repeat it for you, would you like that?"


    "I didn''t take advantage of you, Evelyn. So, stop spouting nonsense, okay?" His anger was evident.


    Fuck him. Delusional motherfucker!


    "You admitted you used me as a distraction, so that''s practically the same damn thing. You''re a liar, a terrible being!" My words rang out, loud yet trembling. "I gave you my heart, and you shattered it without a second thought. You made promises you had no intention of keeping, uttered words you didn''t mean, and pretended to be someone you''re not, all while knowing you don''t love me. Screw it, I don''t even want to see your face! Get the hell out of here, if you have any ounce of shame left."


    Don''t cry, Evelyn. Don''t you dare shed a tear.


    He stared at me in silence, his expression unreadable. Even if there was something to discern, something to grasp, I couldn''t, because my vision had blurred from the tears welling up in my eyes. Damn it, I didn''t want to appear weak, I didn''t want to let him see the pain he had inflicted, so he wouldn''t use it against me for his own selfish purposes.


    But how can you act unaffected when I am crumbling inside?


    Even looking at his face was agonizing. It felt like reality wasnding relentless blows on my face, my sides, my heart-unyielding until it shattered mepletely.


    He let out a frustrated sigh, "I can''t leave you like this, Evelyn. Let''s set aside what''s happened and think rationally. You''re not safe here alone, especially in your cur state. Come with me. Let me take you home."


    "Why do you care, huh?" I demanded, closing the gap between us, refusing to let him evade my gaze this time, "You didn''t care when I begged for your love. You didn''t care when I


    walked in on you in the middle of your little fucking session with your ex-oh, pardon me, your fucking girlfriend. You didn''t care before you publicly announced that you were back with the supposed love of your life, all the while hiding the affair you had with me behind closed doors, the fact that you broke my heart like a brute to crawl your way back to her. You didn''t care at all. So, why the hell are you here now? Why are you trying to y the saviour?" I grabbed his t-shirt, pulling him closer.


    Our eyes locked, and his wavered. His uneven breathing became apparent. His once-alluring features no longer captivated me; they only served as a painful reminder of how he shattered me, how he tore me apart. How he reduced everything we had to nothing but a momentary attraction.


    For heaven''s sake, he hadn''t evenbelled us. He didn''t bother to. This fucking cruel bastard!


    Releasing a trembling sigh, he took hold of my hands, his touch surprisingly gentle. "I can''t answer any of your questions... I just can''t." That was all he had to say? Seriously?


    Oh, how desperately I wished I could remember every single detail of this night, just to give myself another reason to despise him. But given my inebriated state, emotions in turmoil, and heartbreak consuming me, these overwhelming circumstances were destined to blur into obscurity by morning. I just knew it. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    This was probably the only time in this entire night when I wished I weren''t so drunk.


    "If you can''t, then just leave, Jacob," I attempted to pull away, a sob finally escaping my lips. "Just leave. I''m exhausted, truly exhausted, and I can''t do this anymore. I can''t... please."


    He refused to let me go, his strength and resolve effortlessly overpowering my feeble resistance.


    "I can''t leave you here, Evelyn. You need toe back with me," he murmured, drawing me closer and hoisting me into his arms as I crumbled, devoid of any strength or will to fight any longer. I wished I weren''t so messed up, so that for once, I could resist him.


    "It hurts so much, Jacob," I


    confessed between sobs, "Maybe


    it''s all fun for you, but for me, it''s like being dragged through hell. I can''t bear it anymore; I''m so tired. Every


    minute, wish this was all just a nightmare, and then again, I wish I''d never met you. Please, make it


    stop... please," I cried,ake onto


    his jacket as I buried my face into


    his chest. It pained me to find sce in his embrace when he was the one


    who had shattered my heart.


    He was the one at fault, yet here I was, in his arms, discovering more peace than I had felt in these past two days.


    At this point, I had more reasons to hate myself than Jacob.


    "I''m sorry, Evelyn," he whispered, leaning down to ce a kiss on my forehead. For a fleeting moment, I almost felt like I was getting closer to the Jacob I once knew. But then again, I had been a fool once, and I had no desire to be one again. "I''m so fucking sorry..."


    Did he truly mean it? Even if he did, it didn''t make everything right. He had wronged me, and being sorry didn''t repair even a fraction of the damage he had caused.


    Could a mere apology truly mend me and restore me to who I once was? It could never.


    My sobs grew louder, my body refusing to obey mymands, not allowing me to articte that this apology wouldn''t mend anything. I was still hurting, and I always would be, but not a single word escaped my lips.


    He settled me inside the car, gently fastening my seatbelt, before brushing my hair away from my face and wiping away my tears-his movements exuded tenderness, as maniptive as ever, almost making me question whether the nightmare was real and this moment, with him before my eyes, was the only truth.


    "Let''s go home, okay?" he asked, cupping my face. The warmth of his touch seeped into my skin.


    I blinked, surprised by his words. However, as my vision blurred again and the world seemed to close in on me, I sensed I was just an inch away from


    cking out.


    I managed to give him the faintest nod, and as he leaned in to press a kiss against my forehead, that inch closed. The world around me darkened,


    and I slipped into oblivion.


    This night couldn''t have been any worse.

 Chapter 69 The Long Night Of Whispers

    Chapter 69 The Long Night Of Whispers


    Evelyn


    My eyelids weighed a ton-super heavy. Like someone had hung dumbbells on them. I could sense the car seat behind me and the absence of that ursed morning sun, confirming that this wretched night was far from over.


    But wait....why was I in the car? I was supposed to be at the club with my friends. My memories swirled in a tumultuous shitty dance, making it even harder to pry my eyes open and assess my surroundings.


    Did someone kidnap me? Oh no.


    Okay, It was evident that I was still too drunk, probably even more so than I faintly remembered being thest time. Intoxication should fade with time, so why did mine seem to intensify? Damn it.


    God only knew what mess I had gotten myself into this time.


    I just hoped it wasn''t something too horrific-


    My thoughts screeched to a halt as the memories began to trickle back, one by one, slowly andnguidly, starting from the blonde guy forcing himself on me to Jacob''s sudden appearance, until it all poured over me like a torrential downpour.


    My eyes snapped open, and an involuntary groan escaped my lips as I pressed my fingertips against my throbbing temples.


    Shit! I hated headaches. However, I''d rather carry this one rather than that terrible ache in my chest.


    Jacob''s voice broke through from beside me, confirming it was ''that ache'' in my heart that now sat beside me instead. My gaze shot toward him. His eyes remained fixed on the expansive road ahead; he''d only spared a quick nce in my direction.


    "How long was I out?" I asked, my words slurred.


    Damn it. If anything significant had happened during my ckout, it might just push me over the edge. I felt like a total drunkard.


    "Maybe fifteen minutes," he replied, looking at me, "Are you feeling better now?"


    I sighed, sinking deeper into the car seat. "I don''t know," I admitted. "You tell me, do I look okay to you?" A soft giggle escaped my lips, seemingly beyond my control.


    Duck-shit no, Fuck! God damn it, I had clearly lost my mind, and the worst part was that I didn''t care. Deep down, in some hidden corner of my mind, I only hoped I hadn''tnded myself in a mess.


    I could sense he was taken aback by my reaction, but he didn''t let it rattle him for long. Instead, he cleared his throat and offered me a bottle of water. "Here, drink this. It might help."


    I swatted his hand away, causing the bottle to tumble inside the car. "I don''t want that," I dered, huping. "If you''re getting me something, make it beer, or better yet, red wine." I shed him a sheepish smile, another giggle slipping out. "Trust me, I''ll keep it a secret, just like I kept our affair."


    He emitted a sigh almost like one of those whispers underneath your breath, perhaps trying to conceal his hesitation, as he pulled over to the roadside. It felt like alcohol had heightened all my senses now, making even the faintest sound or movement impossible to miss.


    Did I just stumble upon some sort of superpower? Fuck, It felt utterly ridiculous, but at the same time, the idea was intriguing. I could now observe even the most subtle details, like how Jacob''s Adam''s apple bobbed, how each strand of his luscious hair fought not to fall over his face as he brushed them back with his fingers, and how his skin seemed to glow even in the absence of any light.


    The audacity of girls like me to keep falling for heartbreakers like him, over and over again!


    With sheer curiosity, I watched as Jacob Adriano reached for another water bottle from above rather than bothering to pick one from the bottom, "You need to drink some water, Evelyn. You can''t have any more alcohol tonight, at least not right now."


    I leaned in and tapped his nose yfully. "You don''t get to decide what I do, okay? I''ll do what I want, and right now, I want alcohol. Swing by a shop and get me some, will you?"


    He let out a sigh. "Evelyn..."


    I slowly pressed my finger against his lips, silencing him. The sensation of them beneath my fingers felt intimately familiar because I had been used to their touch. To be honest, I''d prefer them over mine now, without caring about the consequences or my ego.


    "You know what, Jacob? You''re really something else," I chuckled, tilting my head as though I were dissecting him, which, in truth, I was. I was trying to read him because he was no longer an open book; he had be a mystery, one that could inflict considerable pain if I tried to unravel it, "You act like you care about me, but then you do things that tell a different story. What are you, really? You don''t seem human anymore."


    He remained silent, his gaze fixed-maybe because my fingers were still pressed against his lips, or maybe it was because he had no words to offer. Thetter option seemed more likely, and if it were true, I had even fewer reasons to worry because I wouldn''t remember any of this the next morning. "Do you have a thing for cheaters?" I asked, staring at him, suppressing a smile.


    "Chloe cheated on you, yet you''re running back to her like a crazed dog," Iughed, finally withdrawing my fingers from his lips. "It''s amusing, your choices. You know, even yourte parents must be disappointed in you now. You''re such a foolish old man, running back to a woman who''s cheated on you who knows how many times-wow! Either you''re incredibly forgiving and kind-hearted, which I doubt, or you''re just in idiotic. I think it''s thetter. It has to be!"


    I didn''t understand why I wasughing and smiling like a maniac, but I did know that it helped-helped to alleviate the pain, even if only by a fraction. Every bit counted, didn''t it?


    "Evelyn, I¡ª" He started with a sigh, hesitance etched all over his features. Even in the shadows, he looked captivating. God had yed a cruel game on me, making this human being so beautiful, fully aware that I would fall for him and shatter my own heart.


    "Nope," I hushed him, wagging a yful finger. "Don''t speak now. Can''t you see I''m not done yet? Ladies first, alright?"


    Before he could interrupt me again, I spoke up, "Now, tell me something," I began, "Do you love Chloe?"


    He started to answer, but my drunken instincts urged caution. I intervened, "Before you answer, you have to be honest." I pointed an using finger


    at him, then poked his chest, immediately regretting it as the solid, rock-hard surface hurt my finger, "Ouch, what the hell is this thing?"


    I withdrew my finger, wincing as I nced at his chest beneath the ck fabric of his t-shirt. I felt bad for it-the poor T-shirt had to leave the Armani store only to cover a rock.


    "Evelyn, we need to go home. You need rest, okay?" he said softly, perhaps attempting an escape.


    "No, we don''t. And don''t just say ''home," I slurred, attempting to make sense. "It''s my home. Your home is Chloe; they say the people you love are your home. So, it''s Chloe for you. Next time, say ''your home,'' alright?"


    He sighed, shaking his head. As he tried to restart the car, I grabbed his hand, stopping him.


    "You are so fucking stubborn," I muttered. To ensure he wouldn''t attempt such a thing again, I made the ridiculous choice to shift to his seat and straddle him. The car''s handle pressed against my back, giving me some semnce of stability, because judging by how dizzy I felt, I would have been a


    mess otherwise.


    His hands instinctively settled on my hips, and his head rested against the seat as I leaned in closer. What was he trying to avoid? Closeness? It couldn''t be that; otherwise, he wouldn''t be sitting here so still.


    "No! You can''t just do this, alright? You can''t run away-you have to answer me!" I clutched his jacket, frowning at him.


    He appeared taken aback, remaining silent. I could sense the tension in his body, the rigidity in his arms, the veins on his neck standing out, and his breath quickening. Maybe it wasn''t avoidance; perhaps he was attempting to restrain himself.


    "I just can''t... can''t answer you," he finally admitted.


    "Why?" I asked, my voice unexpectedly softer than before.


    "I can''t. That''s all you need to know."


    "You said you love her, and now youck the courage to say it to my face again. What''s going on with you?" I cupped his face, a pout forming on my lips as I studied him, as though he were a puzzle I was determined to solve.


    But all I could see was how incredibly handsome he was! It hurt to realize that my own destruction was a magnificent masterpiece, all intact, while I remained in pieces-ugly and broken


    "If you love her, then why are you here with me right now? Are you nning to cheat on her too?" My voice barely rose above a whisper as I pressed my forehead against his,


    letting out a trembling sigh. His eyes closed first, and mine followed suit. "They say eyes can''t lie, so howe I see things in yours that were


    never there to begin with? Do your eyes lie, Jacob?"


    Tears welled in my eyes and streamed down without warning.


    This time, Jacob released a tight breath, his grip on me growing stronger. I could feel the thunderous rhythm of his heart against my chest, sense his restlessness, and then all I could feel was pain¡ªpain that I didn''t want to confront or get any closer to.


    "Hey, did you ever..." I drew in a breath, stifling my sob, "Did you ever love me?"


    He didn''t answer. Instead, he remained silent, his uneven breathing revealing something else. Maybe if I had summoned the courage to open my eyes, I might have caught a hint of what truly churned in his mind, his feelings, or whether there was anything there at all. But Icked that courage. As his scent filled my senses with each breath, and our breaths merged, the closeness between us intensified. His hands pulled me closer, and held me tighter, as if he feared I might vanish. I could only think of pain, and how even this moment would inevitably lead me back to the nightmare.


    "You can''t answer me, can you?" A faint, mncholic smile quivered on my lips as I spiffled. "I understand. You know, always tried. I truly did, and I thought I had it all figured out until you just discarded it all as if it meant nothing. You became my world... my home, despite the fact that I already had one. You became my favorite, the one I believed would never abandon me or expose me to the storms. But you took away that shelter without a second thought. I wonder, how can the heart I fell for...be so cruel."


    Once again, he chose silence, but he didn''t pull away.


    "You''ve never lost a home, have you? You don''t know how it feels... but I¡ª"


    "I did, Evelyn," he finally broke the silence, exhaling a low, trembling breath. "You lost one home, but I lost my entire world...the only one I had."


    That statementpelled me to open my eyes. Our gazes remained locked, my hands still cupping his face. Jacob Adriano''s green eyes, which had been nothing but cold over the past two days, now glistened with tears. It made me question whether they were real or just a figment of my


    imagination.


    Do people dealing with heartbreak often imagine scenarios?


    "So, that world was Chloe? That''s why you''re going back to her?" I asked. It had to be the case, of course.


    "If I answer that question, then all of this would be in vain," he said, his voice strained as he cradled my face in his hand, his thumb brushing over my tear-stained cheek. "And I don''t want all of this to be in vain, because it has cost both you and me so much."


    What would be in vain? What was he talking about?


    Before I could ask anything else, the world around me suddenly turned ck, and oblivion enveloped me.


    Fuck my luck!R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

 Chapter 70 Love And Lies

    Chapter 70 Love And Lies


    Evelyn


    I woke up in Jacob''s arms. Oddly enough, this cursed, seemingly endless night had not yete to an end. It was the only time I wished time would speed up, but the entire universe seemed to conspire against me.


    Don''t get me wrong; we weren''t in some stupid cozy cuddling situation. To be clear, we were now nothing more than strangers. This man had just saved me from getting raped by some random dude and brought me back to my house. So, all I owed him was a simple thank you, or at least that''s what my drunken, hazy, and scrambled memories told me. But I had already offered him that, so we were even.


    As he carried me upstairs, I found myself unable to say anything, mainly because I had nothing left to say after the chaos of the night. I had zero energy left, but looking didn''t consume any energy, right? At least that''s what I assumed.


    So, I stared at him like some sort of weirdo. Deep down, a small part of my super-drunk consciousness knew that I might not get this opportunity again. Enjoy it while itsts- that''s what I did.


    I know I was crazy. Super foolish.


    But one question nagged at me: Why was he helping me so much? Was it out of sheer humanity? I had my doubts; he didn''t seem to possess much of that. He didn''t have a heart, so humanity probably wasn''t his possible motivation.


    The peace and quiet I attempted to embrace didn''t seem very appealing to my drunken mind. Eventually, I found myself breaking the silence. "Where are you taking me?" I swayed my legs, feeling somewhat like a child being carried by an elder. Well, he had carried me a few times when I was a kid.


    "To your room, Evelyn."


    "Well, you should have taken me to a bar instead of bringing me home," I mumbled as I buried my head into his neck, inhaling his scent- he still smelt as good as I could remember..


    I felt his body stiffen, but he continued walking.


    "Remember the time I fell and scraped my knee during a family pic?" I asked, raising my head to look at him. "You rushed over, picked me up, and gave me a piggyback ride all the way back to the beach house to clean my wounds since Dad was out getting groceries for your and your friends'' ridiculous cooking experiments?"


    A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, I do."


    I couldn''t understand why he wouldn''t look at me, but the mention of that event clearly brought him some happiness. I could sense it. "Andter that experiment failed, and we all ended up ordering pizza," a smallugh slipped past my lips, "While everyone else had made their way back to their rooms, you and Dad had the knack for watching movies. Dad passed out on the floor, munching on a packet of chips, and you dozed out on the couch, right beside me..." I exhaled a small sigh, and finally, his eyes shifted toward me. As our gazes locked, I found it increasingly difficult to speak. "That was the day... When I looked at your sleeping figure, instead of the weird, stupid car racing show ying on TV, I heard the sound of fireworks somewhere ... just somewhere within. I felt the sparks for the first time, and that thirteen-year-old crush I thought was stupid, Deep down, I knew I was always searching for your glimpse in every guy I came across. You are my first love, Jacob...you always will be."


    I could tell he was taken aback, and to be honest, I was too. I had saved this confession for a special asion, but it seemed there was no special asion left for us except for this one. Once the wedding was over, we might be far away from each other, perhaps forever, and even though it would hurt, there would be nothing I could do.


    He cleared his throat after a moment of just staring at my face. "Your... your room."


    He gently let me down on my feet, straightening his posture as he opened the door. "Go and get some rest. I''ll tell ra to check on you."


    "No need to tell her," I replied quietly, "She doesn''t have to know how miserable I''ve be."


    "Okay then, whatever you prefer."


    How could he act so carelessly and coldly? Even my tears had dried up at this point; I no longer had the strength to cry.


    I grabbed his hand as he attempted to walk away, closing the door with a loud thud and pushed him against it, "I still don''t get it... I just don''t get it," | mmed my fists against his chest, almost shouting, "How is it that for me, it hurts like hell, and you... even if you said, even if it was a lie, feel nothing?"


    "Why did you do this to me?! You knew how much I love you, you still know it all, yet... why?!"


    "Evelyn, someone will hear us. You need to go inside your room," he said, his gentle grip and soothing voice only serving to irritate me further. It frustrated me that he spoke so many differentnguages all at the same time.


    "Then let them hear us! I don''t give a damn!" I shouted, locking eyes with him, "Let them know that I had an affair with my Dad''s best friend behind his fucking back, and you, being the bigger asshole, led me on, used me, until you didn''t feel the need anymore. Besides, ra and my mom already know, so what''s the big deal if a few more people find out? Let them hear all of it-how you and I sneaked into each other''s rooms, spent the nights away fucking and tangled in each other''s arms, how you promised forever and so on, and then you flipped it all in a second, just from having one goddamn conversation with your ex. What''s wrong with people knowing when we''ve actually done it? Afraid of a scandal, aren''t you? You didn''t seem much afraid when we were fucking every single day, so what''s making you a pussy now?"


    He released a tight breath, shaking his head. "You need to calm down."


    "Do you think I am having fun being like this? Do you fucking think that I want to be like this? Even I want to do that-stay fucking calm and move on from a piece of shit like you, but I can''t freaking do that, you moron. I can''t stay calm when it''s hurting like hell," I spat, "How could you just get back with her so easily? What did I do wrong, huh? Ktried everything, I did everything, gave you all I had, yet... that didn''t seem to be enough. How?! What do you want from your life? From the woman who shattered you," My voice began to crack, but I refused to crumble this time, "Is it all about sex? Is she better a better fuck than me, is that it? Or wasn''t I not experienced enough for your liking as a virgin?"


    "Evelyn... I told you before it''s not "


    "Stop fucking lying, Jacob! Stop with these lies. I''m tired of it. Just give me the truth. I only want the truth because I can''t ept that all we had could mean nothing to you. I can''t ept that there''s this side of you, an ugly and twisted one."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "I gave you the truth. What I said should be the only truth, and you have to ept it," his voice remained cold. What a cruel bastard!


    "What truth? The one where you said


    you used me as a distraction and kept lying to keep sleeping with me? Or the one where you suddenly realized that I wasn''t the love of your life, it was Chloe, or the one where you said you tried loving me But never got over Chloe?" I asked, raising my voice, "What''s your version of the truth?" Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "My version of the truth is the only one I know, and that''s that I love Chloe- it should be enough. That''s all you should know."


    A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. "Love; the word sounds riching from you." Talking to him was futile. Why was I even wasting my time? Maybe the alcohol had seriously fucked up my mind.


    "Fine," I released my grip on him and smoothed his t-shirt, "Go to the love of your life. I hope you two fuck well tonight, and yeah, I know she''s a bitch, but don''t make fake promises to her like you did to me. At least that way, you''ll be loyal somewhere than nowhere at all," I pushed him to the side,


    "Go. Just go." Shaking my head, I opened the door and walked into my room without giving Jacob another nce.


    My eyes fell on the portrait of his, still half-finished, and then I noticed the brushes and paint nearby. I walked closer to the painting, feelingpletely numb as I looked at it. Bending down, I grabbed a brush and dipped it into ck paint, writing down the letters with slow, deliberate strokes.


    The letters formed the word ''Mistake''-just as I had intended.


    Yes, that''s what he was-A mistake.

 Chapter 71 No More Secrets

    Chapter 71 No More Secrets


    ra


    I exhaled a plume of smoke into the night air, leaning against the balcony railing as my gaze drifted upward to the dark canvas of the sky. The phone remained clutched in my other hand as I flicked the ash from my cigarette into the waiting ashtray.


    Stress was never a good thing for me- a relentless adversary that always seemed to have the upper hand. I neither had the option to retreat nor the freedom to move forward.


    I attempted to call Samuel, but my man had abandoned his phone in the room. His original mission was a simple one: fetch two beer bottles from the kitchen. Yet, judging by the time that had psed, it was evident- he was a full-blown adventure.


    The beer though, was a feeble attempt of mine to divert his thoughts. He was much more interested in thwarting Evie''s ns for the evening, whether by calling her directly or, failing that, reaching out to her friends. And if all else failed, he would resort to tracking her down himself.


    He was seething, a rare urrence for Samuel. He was typically unppable, but today, Chloe had seeded in pushing him to the brink. I wished I could tell him the truth and reveal that woman''s intentions, which cut far deeper than her words implied. But I knew I couldn''t. That bitch hurled insults at Evie, all the while convinced that no one would grasp the true meaning behind her twisted words.


    If only we were alone, without the prying eyes of onlookers, I would have torn Chloe to shreds.


    No one, literally no one had the right to speak to our Evie in such a manner, especially not a self-obsessed, low-life, maniptive woman like Chloe. Samuel had even contemted asking Jacob to send her packing. His anger was fueled by more than just her return, it also had to do with Jacob getting back with her, and I didn''t inquire further because I understood that he knew far more history than I did. The whole college love story shit that Jacob and Chloe had shared had left deep scars, both individuals suffered at some point, to be honest, just one, the very one who was now causing havoc in Evie''s life¡ª putting her through shit.


    I had to restrain Samuel, because if I hadn''t that would have only escted the situation. I didn''t trust Chloe one bit, not with her intentions. If she decided to spill something that would make life harder for Evie, it would only worsen the situation, and thest thing I wished was to see Evie suffer


    more.


    But I couldn''t fully trust Jacob''s intentions either. Why had he pursued something he knew he could never fulfill? Why make empty promises to her? I knew Samuel, and I knew his ability to read people, to see into their hearts. Jacob had been his best friend, so how had he transformed into the kind of man who would take advantage of Evelyn?


    None of it added up, and no matter how hard I tried to make sense of it, I couldn''t shake the guilt of keeping this hidden from Samuel all this time. It wasn''t right, I knew that, but I couldn''t risk everything unraveling.


    The grandeur of marriage ceremonies and meticulous ns meant nothing to me now. I didn''t care if any of it went up in mes. All I cared about were Evelyn and Samuel, and right now, to protect one, I had to deceive the other.


    This was such a fucking mess.


    As I delved deeper into my contemtion, the door of the room swung open abruptly. I nced up and saw Samuel entering, but there were no beer bottles in his hands. Instead, a peculiar expression yed on his face, distinct from the usual calm I associated with him.


    Something was off.....


    "Hey, you''re back. Have we run out of beer?" I inquired, making my way back into the bedroom, and pushing aside the flowing white curtains.


    He didn''t respond immediately; instead, his gaze shifted skeptically to the half-finished cigarette in my hand, a trail of ash descending slowly to the floor.


    Oh, damn! How could I have forgotten to dispose of it?


    "You rarely smoke, ra," he remarked, stepping closer, "It''s only when you''re stressed. What''s bothering you, ra?" His tone held an undertone of suspicion, even usation, butcked genuine concern.


    Jesus! This was not good.


    I hastily discarded the cigarette, attempting to brush it off with a forcedugh. "It''s just nerves. Don''t tell me you didn''t have a simr situation a couple of days ago," I deflected, avoiding his prating gaze. I walked past him, pretending to straighten the bedsheet and rearrange the pillows proving that I was the stupidest person on the earth.


    Why, though? Because they were already perfectly arranged.


    Argh! I hated myself.


    "Yeah, I did, but I''m confident our situations aren''t quite the same," he chuckled, his hands slipping into his pockets. "So, are you going to tell me the truth, or should I start? I can do that if you''re willing to erase thest bit of trust I have in you."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    My body stiffened at his words, and my eyes locked onto his face.


    I could sense it in the look on his face.


    He knows....


    He fucking knows. God! What am I gonna do?


    el


    "Now unless you want that, you should fucking talk," he asserted, his voice carrying a tinge of anger, the pitch rising a few octaves. "If you want to be the secret keeper, be damn well prepared to lose connections and rtionships because I didn''t sign up for this nonsense when I met you remember meeting a trustworthy, sensible woman, and today, I can''t seem to find her anywhere in this room."


    His words cut deep, and the bitterness in his tone left me feeling even worse. Samuel had never spoken to me this way, even during our fiercest arguments. Usually, he''d just toss pillows at me and around the room in frustration and leave. But today, his voice was cold, with his words, he shot daggers, and he didn''t even flinch.


    "Samuel, it''s not what you think," I began hesitantly. "I was going to tell you, but things took an unexpected turn, and¡ª"


    "My best friend dumped my daughter after using her all this time? That''s the revtion that stopped you from telling me about the shit that''s been happening behind my back?!"


    Fuck! He knew more than he should. Evelyn didn''t want him to know. This was aplete disaster.


    "How...how did you find out?" My words trembled.


    "Well, I''ll give you credit for one


    thing," he said with a sigh. "If you hadn''t convinced me to grab those damn beer bottles just to avoid calling my daughter and finding out about the mess, about how she''s drowning her pain in alcohol, I wouldn''t have gone downstairs and seen the two of them. And wouldn''t have known what was really going on between them," he chuckled bitterly, running his fingers through his hair before dragging his hand down his face. "I know Evelyn, she acts on her instincts, does stupid things, but this..." his jaw clenched, "I don''t even know what to say to her."


    "Samuel, it''s not her fault. She''s in love, I...I know her, and she never intended to do anything that would hurt you. It just happened," I mustered, "Please, don''t me her for this."


    "And what did she get by doing all of


    this? She got her heart fucking broken, ra, and Jacob...man, I


    never thought he''d turn out to be such a douchebag. That''s my fucking daughter. How could he? Samuel his fists clenching at his sides, "Not only did he do that, he touched my daughter but he also had the bloody audacity to involve my Evelyn in his mess for that damn whore Chloe. That woman who cheated on him with every guy on the campus, it''s just..." he struggled to find the words.


    was already losing it, et


    He paused for a moment, then his anger red again. "Wait...Chloe, she said those things to my daughter because she knows about the affair, right?" The dangerous intensity in his voice almost unnerved me.


    I was trapped. Lying would be futile, and telling the truth would undoubtedly set off a firestorm. But silence was not an option either¡ª it''d just fucking ruin it all.


    "Samuel, you need to calm down," I urged, taking a step toward him and reaching for his arms. He, however, stepped away, shaking my hands off. "No, tell me the fucking truth, ra. Apart from Danica and her, Chloe knows too, doesn''t she?!" He demanded.


    I had no choice but to answer, "Yes, she knows."


    "Wow!" Samuel''s expression twisted into one of disbelief, he looked deranged, "So everyone knew except me? Huh? You all made me look like a


    complete idiot."


    "Samuel...please, calm down."


    "Calm down?! How the hell am I supposed to calm down? You all kept this hidden from me when you should have told me. Forget about Danica; she''s always believed whatever she thinks is right. But you, ra, you''re my fianc¨¦e, you know me better than anyone. How could you fucking do


    this?"


    "I wanted to tell you, but I couldn''t, especially after learning about the rest of it. I knew it would hurt you deeply, so I decided to keep it to myself until after the wedding. I''m sorry. I just didn''t want to see you hurt, and trust me, Evelyn didn''t tell you because she knew how much it would hurt you." "As if it''s hurting me any less now," he muttered, shaking his head. He exhaled sharply, his breathing heavy, his chest rising and falling rapidly, revealing the turmoil he was going through. I approached him, hugging him from the side, resting my chin on his shoulder.


    "I''m sorry, babe," I whispered, fighting back tears. "I didn''t want to hurt you. I was confused, unsure of what to do. You know I love Evie as much as you do. I didn''t want to make things worse for either of you," I gazed at him, my eyes welling up with tears, and his expression softened, "Can we talk, please? I''ll tell you everything."


    "Fine, but you have to tell me everything you know. No more secrets," he insisted, still angry yet his voice now had a softer tone.


    "No more secrets, I promise."

 Chapter 72 The Breaking Point

    Chapter 72 The Breaking Point


    Evelyn


    I awoke to the relentless throbbing of a headache, a painful reminder of the copious amounts of alcohol I had consumed the night before. It was clear to me that even an elephant would have felt the effects of my indulgence. However, oddly enough, this pounding headache had its silver lining-it provided a convenient distraction from the hazy recollections ofst night''s events. I wouldn''t implete amnesia, but yes, did I choose not to summon the fragmented memories into focus? Yes.


    After a quick shower, I reluctantly walked down the stairs, wondering why I had woken up early. But any remorse for the early hour evaporated swiftly, as my stomach growled like a ferocious beast demanding its due.


    I needed food¡ª tons of it even though I didn''t have much appetite. Was this how depression worked? I had no idea since I didn''t find it fair to call myself depressed.


    I had everything to make me happy, except for just...a man.


    Upon reaching the kitchen and pouring myself a ss of refreshing orange juice, suddenly I found myself being jolted by the sound of hushed voices, conversations that seemed tinged with guilt and regret.


    What the heck was going on?


    My brows furrowed as I ced the ss down on the counter but then....a familiar voice reached my ears.


    "It was a mistake, Samuel. I didn''t intend for it toe before you like this. It just happened, I am sorry" -It was Jacob.


    Oh, shit!


    My gaze darted toward the window, offering a view of the pool area, and a very strange sight.


    My heart plummeted as I took in the scene-Jacob, my father, my mother, and ra, who stood in the corner with a deeply troubled expression. We were so done!


    "Getting involved with my daughter a mistake?" Dad demanded, his teeth clenched, and fists balled at his sides. And then I watched in horror as without any warning, his fist shot forward, colliding with Jacob''s face. "That''s my fucking daughter, you bastard!"


    Jacob staggered backward from the force of the punch, his face contorting in pain, a fresh cut appearing at the corner of his lips.


    Shit! Shit! Shit!


    Without wasting a single heartbeat, I bolted outside like the wind, leaving behind the pounding headache and the remnants of my hangover, which dissipated into the ether like a mere puff of smoke.


    "Samuel, what are you doing? Please, calm down," ra rushed to stop my Dad but he didn''t budge. My mother stood frozen, her face a canvas painted with an array of bewildering emotions. It was fishy but I didn''t have time to spare for her right now.


    As for me, I stood there, stunned, unable to take another step or muster the will to halt Dad''s rampage. I had never witnessed him so consumed by anger, so utterly devoid of the calm and control that defined him.


    I already knew it. I was screwed-so fucking screwed.


    Dad wrested his hands from ra''s grasp, his gaze fixed on Jacob. He was not going to stop today.


    Jacob attempted to speak, but Dad beat him to the punch, both verbally and physically, "How could you fucking do this?! You''ve known her since she was a child. You despicable filthy bastard! I trusted you! Did you not even once before getting into this shit?!" Another blownded on Jacob''s face, and this time, blood marred his knuckles, mingling with the crimson streak on the corner of Jacob''s mouth.


    Oh no...


    Jacob exhaled heavily, restraining himself, not making a single move. I couldn''t decide whether to be grateful that he didn''t escte the violence or to implore him to avoid the blows. If he had joined the fray, this would have indeed turned into a full-blown brawl, far worse than the chaos before me.


    "Samuel, look...I''m sorry. I never wanted you to find out like this... but it just happened, alright?" Jacob''s voice wavered with the slightest hint of regret, "I know words won''t suffice for an exnation, and honestly, there''s not much to exin. I have already admitted it was a mistake, I know fucked up but I ended it... just to set things right."


    "Set things right? How in the world do you n to set any shit right after fucking up everything in the first ce? First, you lead her on, and then you y the saint by breaking it off to ''fix'' everything?!" It seemed that Jacob''s response had the unfortunate effect of further enraging my Dad, "Don''t even dare to act like you did it for her."


    "Look, it''s not like "


    "I might have even considered forgiving everything at some point if you genuinely had feelings for her, but you, you heartless, callous bastard! How dare you do that to my daughter? Do you have any idea of how I raised her? None. Not even a soul has been allowed to harm a single strand of her hair, and here you are, tearing her apart to the point where she drowns herself in alcohol to forget the shit you put her through! " Dad shoved Jacob and delivered yet another punishing blow, "Stop hiding behind your lies. You just needed a distraction from your fucking ex, and you found my Evelyn perfect for that. You sick fuck!"


    "Samuel, please, let''s discuss this somewhere else," ra made another desperate attempt to stop him.


    "Stay the fuck out of it, ra."


    "Samuel, I''ve already admitted it was a mistake, and I realised it toote. I never wanted to hurt her, but I believed it was for the best," Jacob sighed.


    For the best? Was he out of his mind too?


    "It wasn''t a mistake, you despicable piece of shit! You''re not some naive eighteen-year-old making foolish errors. You''re a grown man who knew exactly what he was doing the entire time. You did it because it''s who


    you are a selfish, untrustworthy, and utterly


    ovel


    irresponsible bastard!" Dad seethed with fury, his eyes zing as if he wanted nothing more than to tear Jacob to shreds, "How long have you had your eyes on her, huh? Have you had those thoughts about her since she was a child? Like some bloody pedophile?" Content belongs


    to Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "Are you even listening to yourself, Samuel?!" This was when Jacob''s voice turned steely, and his gaze turned fierce, "I never saw her that way when she was a child, okay?! Don''t you dare fuckingbel me like that."


    This was not going to end well....


    "I thinkbelling you a pedophile is pretty fair considering what you''ve done," Dad shot back, his anger boiling over, "You took advantage of my daughter, engaged in this deceitful game behind my back, al while pretending to be my friend and even allowed your shitty ex to insult my Evelyn. And now, you have the audacity to show no remorse for your actions? What the hell is wrong with you? I think it''s not even your fault¡ªI should''ve realized that getting adopted into a good family doesn''t necessarily make you different, the blood in your veins is still tainted with that criminal''s, isn''t it?"


    Jacob''s jaw tightened, his muscles tensed, and his eyes darkened.


    "Samuel, don''t push this too far!"


    "You''re the one who crossed the line by getting involved with my daughter!"


    As hended another punch on Jacob''s face, Jacob retaliated with one of his own.


    Fuck, this was going too far!


    Before I knew it, ra and I had rushed forward to separate them. Both men were pummeling each other like raging bulls, too fast for me to fully process. Blood now stained both of their knuckles, Jacob''s lips were split, and Dad''s cheek was crimson. They were attacking each other as if they didn''t have care for this world.


    "Dad... Jacob... please, stop!" I pleaded, attempting to pry my Dadaway, but he remained unyielding. ra managed to pull my dad back slightly, while I positioned myself between the two of them, ensuring they couldn''t reach each other again.


    "Stay the fuck out of it, Evelyn!" My dad''s re bore into me as he tried to push me away, but I refused to back down.


    "Please, Dad, just listen to me, please¡ª"


    "I told you to stay the fuck out of it, Evelyn, didn''t I?!"


    "Dad please listen to me once, I-"


    "Stay the fuck...out of it!" He raised his voice.


    "No, I won''t stay out of it because it''s about me!" I finally shouted, my frustration and concern pushing me to my limit, "You two are fighting like wild animals because of me, and I can''t just stand here silently and watch this unfold. I can''t."


    While my Dad appeared on the brink of losing control, my words somehow held him back, though Jacob remained silent. With a quiet hiss, he wiped the blood from his lips and fixed his piercing gaze on my dad.


    The tension was palpable. They still were more interested in fighting.


    "You don''t have a say in this after what you''ve done," Dad spat, "You''ve dug yourself into a deep hole, and now let me handle it. Just go to your damn room."


    "No, you can''t just handle it because it''s my situation," I insisted. "It''s not solely his fault; I...I was the one who pursued him, foolishly chasing after him. That was all on me. And it turns out he still loves his ex. That''s the only issue...nothing else."


    "I can''t believe this," Dad chuckled bitterly. "You''re still trying to defend him? Are you naive? I overheard the two of youst night. Don''t think for a second that I confronted this bastard without knowing the truth. So, stop lying, Evelyn. Don''t make things worse than they already are."


    So, that''s how he found out... I had enough reasons to regretst night, and now I have one more.


    "But....By fighting like this, you two are already making it worse, Dad. I didn''t tell you the whole story for a reason, because I knew I made a mistake, and I didn''t want things to turn out like this. I kept my mistake hidden, along with the consequences, because at least that way, you wouldn''t lose a friend, and


    ake


    you wouldn''t have to deal with all this crap!" My voice quivered as I fought back tears. "Yes, I love him. I fell for him, but he never did. He and I both screwed up in different ways. If he''s to me, then I am too. Instead of digging into this filth, I wanted to keep it covered up so that


    no one else had to witness this."


    "If this bastard knew he had no feelings for you, he shouldn''t have strung you along. He shouldn''t have made those empty promises, and pretended to be someone he wasn''t. He did exactly what his damn ex did to him and went back to that same bitch," Dad growled, making another attempt to approach Jacob, "Does my daughter look like a toy to you, you sick bastard? I''ll make you regret this, Jacob. You have no idea what you''ve done!"


    "Samuel, please, just calm down," my mother interjected, her expression wavering, seemingly unable to meet my gaze or Jacob''s. What was going on with her? "Let''s sit down and talk about this."


    Was she out of her mind? Hell, she was! Or else, how could she suggest we all sit down in this situation?


    Before any of us could respond, Chloe entered the scene, her eyes widening at the sight of the blood on Jacob''s lips. She rushed toward him. "Babe... What happened? My God, you''re bleeding." She reached out to touch him, but Jacob recoiled, his anger showing no sign of diminishing.


    "Even your girlfriend''s here now," Dad spoke up, letting out a smallugh that had no humour, "I don''t think there''s much left to say. You two-pack your bags and leave."


    I didn''t know how but I just knew that things were about to take a turn for the worse.

 Chapter 73 Broken Bonds

    Chapter 73 Broken Bonds


    Evelyn


    Shock etched all over her face, growing even more pronounced as she stammered, "Wait, w-what?"R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Dad''s voice cut through the air like a knife, "You heard me, Chloe. Pack your fucking bags and get out." His gaze shifted to Jacob, while ra clung tightly to Dad from behind, more likely acting as a human buffer to prevent any potential outbursts.


    I was losing my shit, my heart pounding in my chest, and my anxiety had already be a brewing storm ready to unleash itself and fucking destroy


    me.


    "And you," he continued, addressing Jacob as he pointed a finger at him, "I regret ever considering you my friend. Not only did you exploit my daughter''s emotions, but you allowed your bitch to insult her under my own fucking roof. I have to praise your audacity cause you actually fucking deserve it! Take your bitch and leave."


    "Samuel, you can''t just insult me like this," Chloe''s jaw clenched. Of course, a woman like her would surely be more concerned about her pride rather than Jacob even when he stood on the brink of losing his friendship with my dad. The thought of the pain it would inflict on both of them tugged at my heart, no matter what Jacob had done to me. I didn''t want this rift to happen. Call it love-blinded naivet¨¦, but I simply couldn''t bear to see any rtionship crumble.


    Maybe I was stupid for this but...I really loved him. I really did even though he didn''t.


    And I knew, this love was going to cause me a lot of losses when Jacob might only lose a friend.


    "I can, Chloe, I absolutely can," Dad spoke up, "I know about you just as well as Jacob does. I remember how you used to offer hand-jobs to guys on your first dates, for an extra twenty dors, even when you weren''t exactly hard up for cash. I recall how you paid guys to y the part of your boyfriend, with certain ''benefits'' attached such as sucking their dicks in return, and let''s not forget the nights you pilfered money from lockers, getting caught twice. It was your dear boyfriend who had to bail you out by borrowing money from me. I can list more incidents like that," Dad chuckled, "So, believe me, this is probably the most respect I can give you. Allowing you to remain under my roof is already more respect than you deserve. So, before I decide to strip away this facade you''ve built with your newfound wealth, likely by sleeping with rich businessmen, you should leave!"


    Chloe''s face contorted through various shades of red, while Jacob''s expression remained aloof. I had anticipated him defending his partner, but it seemed he couldn''t care less.


    What was he doing? What was really going on in his mind?


    God, Could it be that he''s even worse than I thought, and he doesn''t care about her at all?


    "Samuel, you are crossing the line," Chloe seethed, her anger simmering as her voice grew louder. "You have no right to disrespect me." "And you had no fucking right to take advantage of my daughter''s pain and taunt her under my roof. You had no right to fabricate stories of her pping you even though I believe she should have. And, most importantly, you have no right to linger in my house after being told to leave. For fuck''s sake, Chloe, you''re so much older than her-how could you stoop to venting your jealousy on her? How many times must you prove to be a disgrace to the name of women?"


    Chloe''s eyes shot daggers at Jacob, "You''ll just stand there and say nothing, Jacob?" who remained silent and disinterested. It was as though he had no intention of even looking at her.


    What on earth was going on? Did they fight or something?


    Fuck, this situation was already too stressful and this behavior of Jacob was just adding to the mix.


    "Fine, then. Deal with your fucking mess," Chloe retorted bitterly, "I''m out of here," She tore her gaze from Jacob to look at dad, "And Samuel, keep fighting for your precious daughter, but remember, she''s the same daughter who chose to have an affair with your friend behind your back, disregarding your feelings. So I guess, good luck?" With a final venomous look, Chloe turned and walked into the mansion, presumably to pack her bags.


    As Chloe made her exit, my mother, who had chosen silence throughout, finally spoke up.


    "Samuel, you really need to calm down. You''re taking it too far," my mother''s unexpected statement surprised not just me but also Dad and ra, judging by their expressions.


    What the fuck did she has to say right now?


    "Taking it too far? Are you out of your fucking mind?" Dad spat, the veins on his neck stood up as he gritted his teeth, "This scoundrel used my own daughter for his sick, twisted desires and then discarded her like she''s a fucking toy to y with. I''m doing the bare minimum of what should be done. I should just bury this bastard alive."


    I had never seen my dad this furious, but I felt powerless to interject. I desperately wished for a way to prevent the situation from escting any further, knowing that I was the cause of it all.


    If only I hadn''t been so intoxicatedst night, none of this would havee to light, and everything would have remained perfect. Shit! What had I done?


    "I never used Evelyn, Samuel," Jacob ultimately shouted, his voiceced with frustration. "Never. Not even for once. Do you fucking get it?!"


    I couldn''t help but notice how not even a single of his features disyed said that he was lying, yet wasn''t he the same person who told me that he was only with me to get over Chloe? He had used me for sex until he found an opportunity to reunite with her


    Then why didn''t anything about him say that he was lying? Why?!


    "Do not fucking lie you piece of shit!" Dad once again made a move to advance towards him but ra clung to him.


    "Samuel, please don''t...." ra pleaded.


    "I am not lying, Samuel. I am not lying because I simply have no reasons to be afraid of losing something since I already have lost what I had," Jacob chuckled, it sounded bitter and his voice dropped a few octaves, "I don''t give a fuck about what everyone thinks. I know my truth- I never used Evelyn. And I will never admit to something I didn''t do, no matter how loud you shout or how hard you try to beat it out of me-nothing''s going to change."


    Was he just trying to cover up and fix things?


    "You bastard! If you didn''t use her, then why the hell are you back with your ex? Do I look like a naive child to you? Don''t y word games with me, Jacob, or I''ll tear that tongue out and let the dogs have it. Don''t fucking dare to lie to me!"


    And then...something weird happened.


    "He... He''s not lying," my mother''s voice finally broke through, cutting off any response Jacob might have given. But, it already seemed Jacob wasn''t about to say anything at all.


    My mother on the other hand appeared trapped in her own thoughts, hesitating, and this was the first time she had spoken in such a manner. What the hell was going on with her?


    She had no idea of the details of what had urred between Jacob and me, except for the news of our affair that she''d heard from Chloe. So why was she suddenly passing judgment without knowing the full story?


    Was she out of her mind too? She must be.


    "What?" Dad''s expression shifted from anger to confusion as he looked at my mother. My gaze darted toward Jacob, who seemed to release a quiet, defeated sigh, avoiding my eyes.


    Wait...what was happening?


    "Jacob''s telling the truth, Samuel," my mother finally said, after several moments of tense silence. She sighed heavily, running her hand through her hair before bringing it to her mouth, releasing a deep breath to steady herself, "I asked Jacob to end things with Evelyn for the greater good."


    My eyes widened, and my jaw felt like it was about to hit the floor.


    Greater good?


    For a brief moment, my entire being struggled to process her words. But when the reality of it sunk in, it hit me like a ton of bricks.


    She... she asked him to break up with me?


    oh gosh... My own mother told the man I loved to fucking dump me and he did it, just like that?


    I stood there frozen, incapable of uttering a single word or demanding an exnation. My mind had ground to a halt. Basically, all this pain I endured, my mother too had a hand in it...she had essentially told him to put me through it... she had told him.


    How could she?


    Tears welled up in my eyes. Fuck I didn''t want to cry, but the tears had begun to trickle down my cheeks regardless.


    Dad stared at her in shock, his face contorted with disbelief. "You did what?


    My mother released another shaky sigh, her gaze struggling to meet mine.


    "You told Jacob to break my heart?" I asked, my voice trembling, sobs gathering around my throat like a tightening noose, "You told him to dump me,


    to say those things to me, just so I...I''d step away and everything would end, all because you didn''t think it was right? You decided to override the choices I made from my heart simply because you didn''t fucking like them?"


    "Evelyn, it''s not that simple..." My mother began to exin, looking hesitant. "I thought it was for the best. I told him to end things with you to avoid more significant damage. It was meant to be for the best."


    "Who gave you fucking the right to


    decide what''s best for me? Who gave you that fucking right?!" Tears streamed down my face as I shouted, "Why is it that you never even try to understand me? Why do you always seem more interested in imposing your decisions on me rather than allowing me to make my own choices? Why are you so self-centred and careless about what others want?!" Suddenly I didn''t even care about anything, what was happening or what was going to happen!


    Only one question swirled in my mind- how could she do that to me?


    "Because I didn''t want to see you hurt or losing rtionships like you are now! I didn''t want this! What you''re witnessing before your eyes, I didn''t


    want this chaos, and I didn''t want you to end up with regrets!"


    "You created this havoc, Mom. You fucking created it! Everything was perfect until you entered the picture and ruined it shouted, barely able to contain my anger, "If Dad were in your ce, the moment he found out, he would never have gone behind my back or yed this dirty game. And this situation you''re talking about, it would never have urred if you hadn''t decided to y the ''so-called good mother.'' for the records! And you know what? Now that I know you did this, I''m relieved that I kept you out of my life all these years. You simply don''t deserve to be called a mother!"


    Hurt shed in my mother''s eyes, but she remained silent. I couldn''t bear to look at her face anymore. How could she just always choose to do what


    she thought was right, with little regard for my feelings?


    God, I couldn''t believe her....


    My gaze shifted to my dad, and I began to speak through my sobs, "I''m sorry for what I did, Dad. I''m


    really sorry." I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand. "I fell in love, yes, with the wrong person-your best friend. But believe me, I never intended to hurt you.


    couldn''t help myself. I''m sorry for everything." My dad''s eyes softened as spoke. "If I had known that falling in love would lead to such havoc and destruction, I would have.....locked my feelings away. Somewhere far away," A hup left my mouth, "But now I know I am wrong, because not only he was the


    wrong person but a coward, and of course, no matter what everything turns out to be now, the only truth is that he doesn''t love me. I didn''t know how to stop myself. I''m truly sorry."


    I stole a nce at Jacob, who now had tears glistening in his eyes. But those tears no longer held any significance for me. If a few simple words from


    my mother were enough to shake his beliefs and decisions, and forget about all the promises he made, there was surely no future for us, especially


    not after everything had been fucked up in more than just one way.


    And then... I rushed back inside the mansion, darting into my room and mming the door shut.


    Perhaps it was all my fault. Maybe it was my fault for falling in love with my dad''s best friend. It didn''t seem forbidden to me-Love didn''t feel forbidden to me, but standing alone against the tide of battle I couldn''t win. If I had realized this sooner, perhaps I wouldn''t have lost so much.

 Chapter 74 Decisions Made And Unmade

    Chapter 74 Decisions Made And Unmade


    Jacob


    I watched as she ran into the mansion, her cheeks stained with tears and her eyes red, that had fucking told me that I''d torn her apart with the betrayal. Forget about Danica; I was the bigger traitor here. I shattered the promises I had sworn never to break. I uttered words, fully aware that they would mercilessly crush her heart.


    Damn it! All along, I knew it was the wrong path to take, yet my own doubts propelled me forward- I ended up fucking up everything, anways. Now, I found myself without Evelyn, without the friendship I tried to save, and worse, the losses and pain I had desperately tried to shield her from were inevitable.


    She just went through it....right before my damn eyes and I being the fucking looser, just stood still all the time.


    I should never have did what Danica had told me however, my own fucking insecurities drove me into this shit.


    But I just wanted her to be...happy. That was my only desire- all the way along. I''d thought it could have saved her from a lot of pain with just a heartbreak that might have healed soon. But would it ever heal? Shit! I did not know.


    Her eyes didn''t say so...


    "Wow!" Samuel let out, disbelief etched across his face. "Do you two fucking think life is some kind of film? Oh sorry, my bad- do you two fucking think that my daughter''s life is some sort of movie? Where you could make a special appearance all of a sudden, sway her with your charms and then, Danica you can jump into the story and choose sick twisted ways to add more to it?" His gaze darted from me to Danica, "And, what the fuck did you have in your mind when you nned to make this asshole dump my daughter? Clearly when you knew he had led her on, they had taken it far enough to allow her feelings to grow and shit. Do you have any idea of what you have done?!"


    "Samuel... I thought I was doing what was best."


    "God! You''re unbelievable. Who the hell gave you the right to make such a decision regarding my daughter without ever letting me in on the truth first?!"


    "I can make decisions for her too, Samuel. She''s my daughter as well."


    Then, what I''d least expected urred. Samuel fucking exploded.


    "No, she fucking isn''t! When did you even remember that, apart from being a woman striving to build your career, you''re also a mother?! I never wanted to say this, but, Danica, you''ve never yed the role of being her mother. You didn''t remember that you were her mother when you missed her school events, her birthdays, her victories, and her milestones like learning to ride a bicycle for the first time and jumping up and down in joy as if that''s everything she''d ever wanted. That happiness, those smiles..... You were absent from every special moment in her life," he shouted, his voice trembling, "God, you weren''t even there to scold her when she had her first stupid boyfriend. Do you even know why Evelyn believes we separated? She still thinks it was my business failure that made you pack your bags and leave. Did you ever try to exin the truth to her? Did you, Danica?"


    "Samuel, please, let''s not..." ra spoke up, noticing the pained expression on Danica''s face.


    Clearly, Danica was taken aback by Samuel''s sudden outburst - this was a first. I knew it. Even when they separated, it had all been done calmly, even though it was what Danica wanted-just her. She fell out of love first, and Samuel, being himself, didn''t stop her or try to trap her in an unwanted rtionship.


    He did the sacrifice easily because he got Evelyn. She was everything to him.


    "I know I''ve made mistakes, Samuel. I got too caught up in trying to build my career, but that doesn''t mean I don''t love my daughter," tears welled up in her eyes, "I love her. You know I send her gifts every Christmas, but she never opens even one of them! I''ve tried calling her, talking to her, bridging the gap, but Evelyn never opens up. She puts all the me on me and...you? What did you do? Did you ever try to fix it?"


    "Fix it? I''ve been trying my entire life to mend things between you and Evelyn, Danica, but nothing can happen if you don''t try yourself. And Christmas gifts? She didn''t want gifts or expensive electronics; she wanted you! She wanted her mother by her side. And phone calls? She didn''t want phone calls; she wanted to meet you, to have you beside her, maybe not all the time but just once or twice a month! It wasn''t that hard, was it? But you messed it up yourself, and by the time you genuinely started to try, everything had fallen so far out of line that it couldn''t be fixed. Those phone calls you are talking about- you started that wayter than you should have!" he spat. "I''m sorry to say this, but you failed as a mother back then, and today you have failed as a mother again."


    Tears streamed down Danica''s face, "Yes... I think I am a failed mother. You are right," She wiped her tears, her voice shaking, "I should''ve never tried to re-enter her life after making those mistakes, and I should have never hoped for my daughter to... not go through the same regrets you and I did. You are right... I am a failed mother," and with that, she left, sobbing.


    I was utterly fed up with their shit at this point.


    To be honest, all I wanted was to rush back to Evelyn and hold her in my arms, but I knew I had lost that right. I had betrayed her when she had ced all her trust in me. I crushed all she wanted in between those words I said. Fuck, I felt so sick of myself.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    But what could I even do now? Everything I had hoped to prevent by breaking her heart was unfolding right before my eyes. Samuel''s discovery at this unsuitable moment had ruined everything. Nothing was right- it was all falling apart.


    "Samuel, please, stop this," ra implored, "Let''s go to our room. People can hear us, and this is not something to be discussed here."


    However, he seemed least inclined to stop so soon. His eyes fixed on me, "You know what, Jacob? All of this - you could have avoided all of it if you simply hadn''t acted like a jerk in the first ce. But you took it that far with my daughter," his face twisted with fury. "And even after you took it that far, you could have atdeast tried to make it right, couldn''t you? Regardless of what Danica said to you, it still doesn''t get to me, it still god damn excuse how you treated her. How could you just fucking do that to her?Tell me the truth, will you? Deep down, were you really just using her the whole time?"


    This was it. I couldn''t hold it back any longer. "I love her, Samuel! I fucking love her! Do you not get it?!" I shouted, "You know me better than anyone else in this world, and you know I''d never lie about something like this. I know it was


    put... I


    fell for her. I can''t breathe when she''s not around-she''s the one who fixed me. All the wounds Chloe and


    my messed-up family inflicted on me, she healed them all just by being in my life. I can''t even tell you how much I love her. If I had to die for her, I would. I''d damn well do it!"


    "Then how could you not love her right, you bastard?! If you''re willing to die for her, then how could a few words from Danica change your mind and make you end up doing the worst thing imaginable?!"


    For a moment, I couldn''t quite grasp his question. It was unexpected,ing from my best friend who, just moments ago, wanted nothing more than


    to beat the shit out of me and kick me out of his house because of my and Evelyn''s rtion.


    Or maybe... it wasn''t just about that. That anger....was it because of me breaking her heart?


    "I..." I hesitated for a moment,


    struggling to form a coherent sentence before finally managing, "You know the hell I''ve been through, Samuel. didn''t want those traumas to end up hurting her. I didn''t want my past to hurt her, and most importantly... I didn''t want her to spend her whole life picking up pieces that she never broke in the first ce. I did not want to be selfish and prevent her from having someone better in her life." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "The best by what? By breaking her heart?" I could still sense the rage in his expression, and I could tell he wanted nothing but tosh out at me. I couldn''t understand why he was holding back, especially when I had fucked up real bad. "Don''t you fucking know how bad that hurts? Didn''t you get your heart broken by that bitch and got put through shit? How could you put her through that pain when you im to love her?"


    I had no answer. I just didn''t...


    "I know I fucked up, Samuel. I''m well aware of it," I sighed, my shoulders slumping, "I wanted to make things right, but I ended up ruining them."


    "Of course you fucked up. And you know what? You''re a damn coward, and I''d never approve of my daughter being with a man who can''t even fight for himself or what he wants. So, I suggest you pack your fucking bags and leave!"


    With those words, he turned and walked back into the mansion.


    As he left, ra approached me, her voice gentle, "Jacob, please understand that Samuel is just very angry right now. He might not have meant everything he said. You know him. Please don''t take it too much to heart. Stay, and let things calm down."


    "No, ra, I think I should leave. I''ve already made things incredibly difficult for Evelyn," I sighed, shaking my head, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips. "I feel likeughing at myself. Everything was going right, but I let my past influence me. I let myself be a coward."


    "Jacob, don''t think like that. I''m sure Samuel will talk to you once everything calms down."


    "That''s the problem, ra. I don''t know how to answer him because what I did was wrong, and on top of that, I ended up hurting Evelyn beyond what you, I, or anyone could ever imagine. Things have spiralled out of control, and they''re beyond repair."


    "But-"


    "I''ll leave tonight, ra. Please take care of Evelyn and Samuel," With that, I turned and walked away.

 Chapter 75 Seal It With A Kiss

    Chapter 75 Seal It With A Kiss


    Evelyn


    "Fucking bastard," I muttered into the pillow, unable to suppress my sobs any longer. They had been building up over the past few hours, and now they flowed freely. No matter what I did-they wouldn''t stop.


    That Italian piece of shit regarded me as nothing more than a disposable toy, someone he could use at his convenience. When he decided it was no longer suitable or fit his so-called sudden morals, he concocted twisted games to cast me aside. Did he see himself as a deity? Or maybe Jesus Christ? The only one responsible for making things right?


    Who gave him the right to define what was right? Certainly not me. I never once implied it, yet this sick motherfucker chose to y god.


    If he fucking knew it was wrong, why did he fucking took it so far? If he really had to y god, why didn''t he y it sooner and spare me from the heartache?!


    I held no expectations for my mother; that much I could admit. Her actions hurt, but Jacob... How could he? How could he just change his mind after a simple lecture from someone? Was he that easily influenced? He was not a five-year-old kid to be influenced!


    What was going on inside his head anyway?


    Not only did he deceive me, but he also fucking shattered me.


    That despicable bastard... I would never forgive him. Never.


    The fact that one conversation could cause him to abandon all the promises and dreams he shared with me made it clear that he never truly loved


    me.


    "That bastard never fucking loved me," I cried out, curling into a ball on the bed and hugging myself, "Coward! A bloody coward!"


    To be honest I was the bigger idiot here. So fucking naive and foolish.


    Why did I risk falling in love with a man like him? A man so far out of reach and so sinful to even look at. I should have realised from the beginning that it would lead to disaster. But fuck me! I was reckless, I willingly jumped into the abyss and dove deep, all the way knowing that climbing up to the surface would be harder than ever. Simply impossible.


    Hell! I knew the dangers that lurked there. His sinful green eyes and a face too perfect to be real should have been warning signs. They should have been enough to alert me that he was a red g, a ticking time bomb. Yet, I still dove headfirst into the chaos.


    My desires clouded my judgment. They stripped me of my senses and left me broken. And now, here I stood, losing everything I had held onto. "How could he lie to me all this time? How could he do this to me?" I sobbed, speaking to myself, as there was no one else I feltfortable sharing my vulnerability with. I hated feeling like this but Jacob had taken away everything and left only this lingering feeling within.


    God! I couldn''t even wrap my head around it. Even his eyes had deceived me when he uttered those cruel words. He was heartless and cruel. I now found myself questioning if all those times he had spent with me, the kisses, the times he held me in his arms, the moments when he wiped my tears and filled me with joy, those nights he made love to me did his eyes ever reflect the truth, or were they lying the entire time?


    Shit, Evelyn. You are so fucking stupid!


    "I hate you, Jacob. I fucking hate you," I cried, sitting up and wiping my tears away. My gaze shifted to the portrait of him that still adorned my room. Writing ''mistake'' over it wasn''t sufficient.


    I should destroy it. Yes, I should fucking destroy this!


    I rose from the bed, and seized the canvas, and a pair of scissors. Just as I was about to pierce his eye with the scissors, a knock on the door shattered the room''s silence.


    "Who is it?" I inquired, my frustration boiling over.


    At this point, I just wanted to end Jacob''s existence and be done with it, or maybe dig another grave beside him solely for me because I simply did not know how I was supposed to live without him. I wondered if he had any inkling of the pain he''d caused me. I bet he had not even spared a thought before getting himself involved in this senseless act. This stupid sick charade.


    Both my mother and Jacob had yed me. They made me look like a fool when I was silently dying in pain, every single moment.


    "It''s me, Evelyn," the unmistakable voice of my tormentor emanated from behind the door.


    This jerk...


    "You sick bastard, get the hell away from here!" I shouted from within my room, my legs instinctively carrying me to the door, although I didn''t open it. I merely stood firmly against it.


    "I will, but can we please talk for a while?" The audacity of this man to sound so calm and collected when I was aplete mess. He had made me this mess-It was all his deed.


    "Talk?" Iughed bitterly-he had to


    be kidding me, "Now you want to talk, huh? You didn''t bother to ''talk'' when you decided to break my fucking heart, heed my mother''s whims just to showcase how fucking gem of a person you You didn''t ''talk'' when you dumped me dered you were back with that bitch, and you certainly didn''t ''talk'' when you lied to my face, hurling those cruel words and insults at me without hesitation, calling me a distraction in ten different ways. So why the hell do you need to talk now, huh? Why?"


    "Because... I''m leaving tonight, Evelyn. I don''t know if I''ll ever see you again, hold you in my arms," his voice cracked, "Can you please let me in and let us be like the old times, just for a while?"


    My body froze and my anger dissipated in a matter of a single second, though I didn''t want it to. I certainly didn''t want it to.


    Why should I give him a chance to be close again when he was the one who got away? Why should I be the one to forgive his mistakes, knowing full well that he was in the wrong?


    My mind told me not to open the door.


    Yes, I shouldn''t open the door. This is the right decision.


    He had chosen to leave, so he should stay away for the rest of his life.


    "Please, open the door, love," he spoke again, his voice coaxing my inmed heart, "I know I''ve made a mistake, but please... let me in, just onest time."


    No, I shouldn''t...


    Before my thoughts could fully form, my body sprang into motion, and I found myself grabbing the doorknob and opening the door. His face came into view, instantly erasing every thought in my mind.


    This was one of the many times when I felt like hating God for creating him. I absolutely did.


    "Evelyn... I..." Before he could say more, I grabbed his wrist and with a swift motion, I threw him onto the bed, mming the door shut.


    With the scissors still in my hand, I straddled him and leaned in close to his face. I positioned the sharp edge of the scissors right at the base of his throat, tears still streaking down my cheeks. "You don''t know it, but ...I can fucking kill you right now, Jacob! I can stab this scissoninto your neck and finish you right here for what you did to me!" A sob threatened to escape my throat, but I held it back, "And you know what? killing you would be the least of


    what I should do! It''d be the absolute least!"


    His soft and ever-maniptive green eyes looked at me with nothing but what I could only call love. Fuck I hated to admit it but there was no way I could deny that it looked like love, when in reality, I should have harbored a thousand doubts about him by now.


    "I''m sorry, Evelyn. I never wanted to hurt you, but it was the only way left," he raised his hand and attempted to caress my cheek as he tried to get up, but I swatted his hand away and pushed him back onto the bed.


    "Don''t you dare touch me, Jacob! You have no idea what you''ve done. Do you even realise how much itN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    hurt me? How those words ripped my heart apart into pieces? I literally felt it break you asshole! I felt it fucking break. How could you do this to me? How could you crush my whole world in between your goddamn fingers?! Do you even know how much I am hurting deep down even now?" I demanded, gripping his cor tightly, the scissors still poised in ce, "You don''t, no matter what you think. You don''t have a clue! I am dying, Jacob! I was dying every second, every minute of the day-I still am. And even if I were to plunge this scissor into your chest, it would be nothingpared to the pain you inflicted on me. It would be nothing. Absolutely nothing!"


    My hands shook, and my breath came out in ragged pants as I tried to contain the sobs and not break down before him. The tears, however,


    streamed down my cheeks relentlessly. I looked at him, my eyes filled with pain and anger that he could clearly see.


    I didn''t even know how I was supposed to calm down. Everything felt excruciating.


    And....Just when I thought I was about to crumble and fall apart, Jacob slowly sat up. His hands moved to cup my face, and he pressed his forehead against mine. My body began to melt, just as it always did.


    Damn! I didn''t want this ... .but it was so hard to deny his touch that was nothing short of heaven.


    Dropping the scissors, I tried to push him away, my sobs finally slipping past my lips, "Coward! You fucking coward!" I pounded my fists against his chest, hitting him with all the strength I had. I doubted any of my futile attacks affected his broad figure this jerk had always had this advantage, "You''re such a coward. A worthless, insecure, foolish, and weak man! A stupid asshole! Get away from me! Get the hell-"


    Before I could utter another word, he slipped his hand around my waist, drawing my body close with a swift jerk until there wasn''t a single inch of distance between us. And then, without sparing me a chance to protest, he grabbed the back of my neck and pressed his lips against mine.

 Chapter 76 In The Name Of Love

    Chapter 76 In The Name Of Love


    Evelyn


    His lips fit perfectly against mine, as if they were meant to be pressed together forever. The softness I had missed, the closeness I craved, and his cologne all of it was a lethalbination for me. My determination not to let him in again wavered. How could I resist? Sitting here in his arms, it felt like I was always meant to be his, and his alone. Forever his.


    For the first few seconds, I tried to pull away, to push my feelings down and extinguish the growing fire between us. It stirred alive as ever, but in the end, I surrendered. To him and the ever-growing desires.


    I released all my restraints, just as I had done that first day in the kitchen, pressed against the counter with his body between mine, a fervent me zing. I pulled him close and kissed him back. He was my favorite sin, one I''dmit over and over again without an ounce of shame or regret.


    And call me stupid but I''d let him destroy me again if it meant that I''d get to have him close to me like this in the end. That''s all that mattered. He mattered-Jacob Adriano, my life, mattered.


    As I kissed him with everything I had, I allowed his tongue to explore every corner of my mouth and did the same in return. He flipped us so that I was now the one lying on my back, and he became the predator, hovering over me, seizing every string of control, wrapped right around his fingers whilst mines tangled in between his silky hair locks.


    Our lips pulled apart, swollen and wet, as we locked our gazes with each other. He leaned in, wiping my tears away with his gentle touch that soothed the wounds of my soul in one single stroke. He knew how to heal me by barely doing anything at all just like how he''d broken me without even touching me.


    With his free hand, he slowly grabbed the scissor and ced it in my hand before guiding the sharp tip against his chest, "Kill me if you want to, Evelyn. I won''t say a thing norin," he murmured. "Just stab me and end this because if you are to reject me now... I really don''t know if I can live without you. I really fucking don''t.


    God! I was here to be mad at him. To hurl hundreds and thousands of curse words at his stupidly handsome face, but all I found myself doing was looking at him as if he meant the whole world to me. Damn it, he did. He meant the whole world, and I hated to admit it, but it was easier to forget what he did than to let him go.


    "You broke my heart, you...idiot," I sobbed, wiping my tears away with the back of my hand. "It was a nightmare for me. You told me that you loved that bitch, you lied to my face without even considering how reckless that decision was! How could you change my whole world without a second thought? How could you?! Did it not even for once bother you to do this to me?!"


    "It did, Evelyn," he sighed, nuzzling my nose as he breathed in, "It was excruciatingly painful to see you hurt, every second. It fucking broke me. You don''t even know the amount of agony it caused me to... do that to you. But I thought it was the right thing to do. That''s the only reason why I did that and I unknowingly ended up ruining everything.''


    "How could that ever be right, Jacob?" The scissor slipped from my grip, and I cupped his face with both of my hands, locking my gaze deep into his eyes, "You know I love you! I fucking love you so much! You know I want nothing but you by my side every single moment! You''re the one I''ve always desired and yearned for. So how could you ever think it was right?"


    "I didn''t... but, at the same time, I wanted the best for you. I know I acted like a coward-I didn''t want to see the day when you''d regret being with me, I just couldn''t bear it."


    This man...


    "I told you that I never regret, Jacob! I''ve never had any regrets in my life, but you fucked it up and decided to be the first one! It broke my heart every second to see your face and those eyes devoid of the love I''d known. I questioned my worth, Jacob. questioned everything. had, yet I couldn''t stop loving you. I tried to understand why you''d do this to me-but I didn''t get any answers. I felt helpless and pathetic, crying for the man who couldn''t care less about giving a damn about my emotions. I wanted to stay strong and never look at you again, but... you don''t understand, Jacob, I love you. I need you to breathe, to stay alive, and to live right. You are my world, you idiot. How could someone ever regret being with a man like you, who''s perfect in every way?"


    "I''m not perfect, Evelyn," he sighed, shaking his head, "I have ws, and they will always be there. I didn''t want you to fix what didn''t need fixing. Why would I want you to live picking up pieces your whole life? I wanted you to have a life with someone better, someone who could give you the world."


    "I found peace in picking up those


    pieces, Jacob. I found love in it. I loved those broken fragments, I loved those moments when I got to hold you close and keep you together-those were my moments. My peace to keep and hold you close... Just there and I considered it an absolute privilege to be the one to mend you when you fell apart because I wanted to! Howe you I never saw that? Didn''t I deserve to


    have you in my own way?" A


    trembling breath escaped me, "Jacob, it''s not about what you have to face, how many obstacles there are, or your so-called better options-it''s about who we want, Jacob. It''s just about that. Only that. I love you, and no matter what, I''ll always love you. It''s about whose hand we want to hold until the end of our lives."


    Tears glistened in his eyes. "I''m sorry, Evelyn," he pulled me close, his hand sliding around the base of my neck as he pressed his forehead against mine, "I acted foolishly. My past... it just doesn''t let go of me. It clings to me like a shadow, and no matter what I do, I don''t want those shadows anywhere near you."


    "Those shadows couldn''t hurt me! They never did! It''s you and your doubts," I sobbed, cupping his face, god I feared that he''d disappear again, "I am willing to stand by your side when those shadows haunt you, Jacob. I will stand between you and your past just so I can have you, and trust me, they won''t hurt me, not even the slightest bit because I fucking love you. Having you means the world to me! This is how love works you idiot, not at all the way you think it does."


    "I''m sorry, but I promise I''ll try everything to bring you back after the wedding," he said against my lips, "But for now, you know I''ll have to leave for things to set right..."


    I shook my head, another sob breaking through, holding him tighter as I buried my face into his neck, clutching onto his shirt as tight as I could, "No...


    I can''t. I just can''t let you go."


    "I know it''s hard for both of us,


    Evelyn, but... this is what''s right for now. I promise to do everything to change Samuel''s mind. But now, it''s the best thing to do, you know that, right, love?" He breathed out, making me look at him and kissing my tears away before cing a gentle peck om my lips, "I know you don''t want to lose Samuel. I know youdove him more than your life, and we can''t do anything to jeopardize our rtionships with others. But if we handle this the right way, with a little time, we can get back everything we


    want." Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "And what if we don''t?" I asked, looking up at him. I couldn''t bear the thought of losing him.


    "Then, we elope," he let out a breathy chuckle and pressed a kiss on my forehead. "And when we hand a cute little grandchild to Samuel, I''m sure


    he''ll forgive us."


    "It''s not the time to joke Jessb " Looid sniffling and cleppins


    More teor


    booke

 Chapter 77 Bound By Desire

    Chapter 77 Bound By Desire


    Evelyn


    As my top slipped off, Jacob''s hands moved with effortless grace, easing my shorts down in one fluid motion. His lips found my neck, leaving open- mouthed kisses in their wake. My back arched, and I tangled my fingers in his hair, drawing him closer as our lips collided. Our kiss was fierce and desperate, as if our very existence depended on it.


    And, hell, it fucking did.


    Neither of us had even the slightest idea of when...we''d meet again or if Dad would ever approve of our rtionship. The uncertainty of our future loomed over us.


    And there was the problem-we wanted everything at once, without any losses or any rtions perished and it was mostly unlikely to happen if fate were to oppose us and it seemed like fate would oppose us.


    "I love you, Evelyn... I love you so fucking much," he murmured as he skillfully removed my panties, and with a deft movement of his nimble fingers, my bra followed suit. His warm fingers against my cool skin sent shivers down my spine, a sensation that was nothing short of breathtaking.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    I had missed his touch. I missed it so much!


    Sitting up, I unbuttoned his shirt and let it slide down. My fingertips glided across his smooth skin, tracing his powerful biceps, the golden chain that adorned his neck, and finally down to the veins in his arms. He was a vision of perfection¡ªmajestic, capable of stealing anyone''s breath away.


    I gazed into his eyes, partially concealed by the fall of his tousled hair. His lips were swollen from our fervent kisses, and in his emerald eyes, I found nothing but love. I had longed for it. To see that love in his eyes, I had ached for it. I was dying to see it again and now that I could see it here...my emotions were a mess.


    God...I couldn''t believe he was mine again.


    I wrapped my arms around his neck, and we let ourselves fall onto the bed once more, our bare chests pressing against each other, my erect nipples brushing against his solid chest.


    Our lips collided again, and I boldly slipped my tongue into his mouth. With his right hand, he held my hips in ce, gently caressing my pussy. A moan escaped my lips at the sensation, and my body quivered, yet neither of us broke the kiss.


    I traced my thumbs on his stubble and sharp jaw, goosebumps appearing on my skin at the contact before I finally let my hands reach between us and slid down his trousers, sliding halfway, I used my feet to slide the rest down. His cock sprang free, pping against my stomach. The heat between us was inexplicable.


    Time seemed to slow down, matching our rhythmic movements. My whole world had dwindled.


    We were famished, eager to make up for the days we''d lost. Every second counted, and we had already lost too many.


    Breaking the kiss, Jacobvished attention on my chest, taking my nipple into his mouth and circling his tongue around it.


    My eyes fluttered shut as I moaned his name softly, "Aah...Jacob..."


    He continued his loving caresses, moving to the other nipple and then licking his way down across my cleavage and navel. His tongue finallynded on my bare pussy, and he maintained eye contact as he parted my thighs. Kissing my folds, he explored with his tongue, slowly driving me wild before he forced his tongue into my dripping wet hole.


    I clutched the bedsheets, throwing my head back. Jacob continued with his slow sensual movements, asionally teasing my sensitive spot-my clit, making me gasp for more.


    "Jacob, please," I writhed on the bed, my hips jerking uncontrobly to his touch, my body quivering with desire. I struggled to stay still, but he was already pushing me to my limits.


    "Just a little more, baby," he murmured, continuing his sensual torture by suckling and kissing my folds into his warm mouth and ever so slightly grazing his teeth on the sensitive nub. He soon seeded in pushing me to the edge, and I felt the climax approaching¡ªmy walls clenched and unclenched. My body trembled as I tried to hold on, my hands now shooting to grasp onto his silky hair locks.


    He quickened his movements, pushing me over the periphery even more. Thest threads of my control unraveled, slipping through my fingers, and I moaned out his name aloud, my hips moving in sync with his guidance, grinding against his face and he dly let it every time hitting sensitive spots.


    I cried out, writhing beneath his touch as he mercilessly explored my body, teasing my slit to clit. The tension built, and then it all came crashing down upon me. My toes curled, goosebumps covered my skin, and a surreal sensation radiated through my stomach. I threw my head back, and screaming his name I came all apart.


    He licked me clean, sparing me time to catch my breath before he captured my mouth with his once again, and this time, he didn''t just kiss..he ate my lips just like he did down there. His kiss was rough, deep, and full of passion mirroring my own.


    Breaking the kiss, he locked his gaze with mine, his gaze soft, full of lust and affection.


    I reached out, softly tracing the back of my fingers along his cheek, then gently took his face in my hands and ced a tender kiss on his forehead. I could feel him shiver at the touch.


    God, I loved him.


    "I wish I could tell you how much I love you, Jacob," I whispered, "No matter how many times I say it, it will never be enough."


    "Your eyes say it all, Evelyn," he murmured, positioning himself between my thighs and he pushed his length all the way in, "They are enough!" A soft gasp escaped my lips as he moved inside me, and my eyes widened slightly in surprise at the sudden movement, but soon, my walls adapted to his size.


    Every fiber of my being was intimately acquainted with every part of him. He was the only one who had ever truly explored me in this way, and I was certain that no one else ever could. There''d be none else but Jacob.


    He supported himself on his elbows, drawing nearer, and began a slow rhythm of thrusts. With each movement, he delved deeper into me, and I felt every inch of his hardness. My wetness traced down my inner thighs as he continued to move in and out of me.


    Our eyes remained locked as our


    bodies moved in harmony, lost in the depths of passion. Every aspect of this moment was tender, seamless, and filled with love. Every one of his movements radiated love, as if he sought to mend every hurt he had ever caused me. And indeed, with each kiss, touch, and connection, he healed me, returning me to how I was-whole and his.


    Grasping my left thigh, he lifted it and hooked it around his waist, quickening his movements ever so slightly. The sensation of him inside me felt too good, an overwhelming pleasure that pulsed through every inch of my body. He hit hidden ces I never knew existed, pushing me to the edge with a tenderness that made it impossible for me to resist. Not even a single hair of my body minded it.


    He truly felt like the missing half of my soul.


    The bed creaked beneath us as we became lost in the mes of passion. He stoked the fire, and his lips left a trail of sparks across my body, from my neck to my shoulders, my jaw, my cleavage, and my breasts. Everywhere he touched, it felt like fireworks exploding.


    His gaze upon me was intense, as if he weremitting every detail to memory. I couldn''t deny doing the same. Who knew when we''d meet again?


    It could be days, if we were fortunate, or months if luck decided to turn its back on us.


    The odds were stacked against us, and the path ahead was daunting.


    Jacob''s nose traced a path along my neck, and be inhaled my scent. I held him close, and the heat between us.intensified. With it, his pace increased, and I began to feel that familiar tingling sensation in my lower abdomen once more. pupils dted, and a soft groan escaped his lips, indicating he was close. I could feel him swell inside


    His


    me, and my walls clenched and unclenched around his length.


    His thrusts lost their rhythm, matching the erratic pace of our breathing and racing heartbeats. Beads of sweat trickled down his brow, mixing with mine as they fell onto my chest. Then, we both reached the peak of pleasure, all at once.


    Moaning his name, I buried my face into his neck, surrendering to the overwhelming sensation as he released himself inside me. My hips quivered, convulsing with each wave of ecstasy, while his hot ropes of cum triggered yet another smaller climax.


    Exhausted, I let my body rx on the bed with a sigh. Hey on me, his breathing heavy, and I held him close. Aftershocks of pleasure coursed through us as we clung to each other. Thoughts tried to creep in, but I pushed them away, choosing to revel in his presence, knowing our time was


    limited.


    I gently pulled away and traced my thumb along his lips. "How many hours before you have to leave?"


    "Six hours," he replied.


    "We still have plenty of time," I said with a small smile. I wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead and ced a tender kiss on his lips. "Don''t go anywhere for now. Stay with me, okay?"


    "Okay," a breathtaking smile took ce on his lips before our lips met once again.

 Chapter 78 One Last Time

    Chapter 78 One Last Time


    Evelyn


    His fingers traced along my spine as our bodies remained entwined under the duvet, the warmth of our skin mingling to make up for the times they had been apart. I gazed up at him, reaching out to brush back a few stray strands of hair that had concealed his sharp, green orbs-the very ones I had fallen for on the first day.


    "What are your ns after leaving?" I asked, my thumb lightly grazing his stubble.


    "I suppose I''ll return to Italy for a while. We know Samuel is taking ra on a two-month trip to Paris, so things should settle down by then. There are also some uing business-rted issues; it turns out Chloe has purposely slept with one of the investors, and she mentioned he might withdraw his funds, which kinda proves that she''d been nning to ckmail me for a while, even before getting here. We''ll need to handle that, whether it''s over the phone or face-to-face," he said, taking my hand and kissing its back. "But hopefully, in around six months, I''ll have everything sorted out."


    "She did what?" I was shocked. Could this woman be any more shameless?


    A chuckle escaped his lips. "Is it really that surprising? She has always been an opportunist, Evelyn. And don''t worry, I don''t think a one-night stand is enough to make an investor pull out of a profitable business. Trust me; I''ve been there."


    He has been there?! This man....


    "Such a dog," I pped his chest, a chuckle escaping my lips as well. "You make it sound like one-night stands are your specialty." "They were, before you," he grinned before leaning down to nt a kiss on my lips. "But after you, I think I''m ready to be a family man."


    "You''ll have to put up with me for the rest of your life, then..." I teased, "Are you willing to make that sacrifice?"


    "Sacrifice?" Heughed and pulled me on top of him, my body now resting over his. As my hair fell to the side of his face, I watched him inhale its scent before he tucked it behind my ear. "That''s an absolute privilege. If I could, I''d take you to the marriage office right now and make it official. Fuck, I am obsessed with you!"


    "Silly," I smiled, cing a tender kiss on his lips, then at the corner of his mouth, and the other corner before giving him a quick peck on the nose, "You know you''re just so...adorable sometimes?"


    "That''s not the kind ofpliment you should give a man who made youe thrice even a few moments ago," he chuckled causing a blush to creep up my cheeks, "Still, I wanna ask you a question too, how can you be so fucking sexy all the time?" he traced his hand from my shoulder to my spine, before he cupped my butt.


    A soft gasp escaped my lips, and my eyes widened, "You''ll never change!"


    "I don''t want to. I don''t want to change, Evelyn," he whispered, pulling me closer, and burying his head in my neck as he inhaled my scent. "I just want to stay with you and go nowhere, even if your father kicks me out. But I know I can''t..." He sighed, "To do things right, we have to spend some time apart. Even though I admit your father is super annoying, he''s still my buddy and always will be. I also don''t want to take you away from him in a way that would hurt him. We can''t be selfish."


    I exhaled a small breath, the ache in my chest remained there just like it had been-I didn''t want him not even an inch away from me let alone miles, "I know," I kissed his temple, holding him close, my fingers brushing through his hair. God, I was going to miss him terribly! "Maybe it''ll take some time, but we''ll be together very soon. And when that happens, I won''t let you out of my sight, not even for a second. You are mine. Only mine."


    "And you are mine too, Evelyn. I don''t want any stupid jerk around you while I''m away," he said, now looking into my eyes. He cupped my face with his hands and kissed my lips. "Do you understand?"


    "Yes, sir. I understand," I giggled before letting myself fall into his arms again.


    God...six hours had always been too short, and now we had only one.


    ***


    I watched, standing in the doorway, feeling utterly rooted in ce as he packed his things. My heart had never fucking ached so much. He was... leaving.


    I couldn''t even begin to count how many times had wished to stop him, but deep down, I knew this had to be done. To mend the rtionship between Dad and him, to regain my father''s trust, and to preserve the harmony in all our rtionships, we had to endure this painful


    separation. It was excruciating.


    Utterly fucking painful. Content


    belongs to


    He made every little effort to lift my spirits, whether through his silly jokes or his silly attempts to put a smile on my face. But how could any of it work when both our hearts were throbbing with pain? Beating at the same pace of ache and anguish?


    Why had no one ever warned me how much distance could hurt when you''re in love?


    "Tell me, what kind of wine should I bring for you from Italy?" he asked as he zipped up his suitcase. A faint smile yed on his lips, concealing as much as it could to shield me from the depths of his own inner turmoil these six months, or if we turn tobe unfortunate more, were going to be more painful than I''d already imagined it to be, "I know you have a thing for wine," he let out a chuckle and picked up his phone from the bedside table. "Sangiovese? Proso,


    Franciacorta, Chianti, Primitivo, or Amarone de Valpolice? Oh, Pinot Grigio is excellent as well. Or should I bring all of them? Maybe a hundred bottles?"


    A mncholic smile broke through my tears. "Anything you prefer. But you have to bring...the same Jacob back when you return." A sob threatened to break free, but I held it back, though he had already heard it halfway.


    His eyes locked onto me, and his gaze softened at the sight of my tears. He stepped over to me, his hands encircling my waist, and he bent down to pull me into a warm hug. "Time flies, Evelyn. You won''t even realise when six months have passed. And the moment you do, I''ll be right before your eyes."


    "If you hadn''t been so foolish, we could have spent more time together, you idiot," I blurted out, tears soaking his shirt as my chin rested on his shoulder, "I''m going to have to teach you a lesson when you get back here. I can''t even properly be mad at you!"Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    He chuckled, but I could sense he was battling tears, as I''d seen them earlier, "Alright, love. You can be as mad as you want at me when I return. But for now, you have to stop crying, okay? It''s almost time for my flight."


    I didn''t want him to go....


    "Do you really have to go?" I clung to him tightly, doubts swirling in my mind.


    "You know I have to, baby," he sighed and gently pulled away. Cupping my face in his warm hands, he used his thumbs to wipe away my tears. "You are strong, aren''t you?"


    My chin quivered on its own, and just as I was about to break into tears again, he spoke up. "Before you cry, let me tell you these tears don''t suit your pretty face. They look horrible," Leaning in, he brushed his thumb over my chin before giving me another tender kiss.


    "I will miss you..." I looked at him, my eyes glistening with tears as I clutched onto his jacket. "I will really miss you, Jacob."


    "I will miss you more, baby," he sighed, stroking my hair. "But as I said, I''ll be back before you even realise it. I love you, and I''ll do everything to make it up to Samuel and bring you back."


    I nodded, hupping, before I cupped his face in my hands. He was so beautiful. How was I going to survive without him by my side?


    "Promise me you won''t change your mind again... because if you do, Jacob... I swear to God, I am going to fucking die, I am¡ª" He ced his finger on my lips, silencing my next words.


    "I won''t change my mind. I promise, Evelyn," he shed a soft smile, but it wasn''t just the smile that assured me; it was his entire presence. The way his gaze remained fixed on me as he uttered those words-it was like the universe itself whispered to me that no matter what, this man would never belong to anyone but me.


    "I love you, Jacob." I pressed my body against the doorway and brought his lips to mine for onest kiss.


    We poured all our passion into that one kiss. He kissed me deeply, our bodies melding in a way that they refused to be pulled apart, even though time was short. We both knew that we had to part, and with a heavy heart, we broke the kiss. Jacob suppressed his tears, looking at me, while I let mine


    flow freely.


    I wish I could tell anyone how much this hurt....


    With just one nce at me, he took a deep breath and turned away, walking with his suitcase. He didn''t look back, and I didn''t want him to. Because both of us knew that if he turned back, neither he would be able to leave, nor would I let him go.

 Chapter 79 Just Like The First Time

    Chapter 79 Just Like The First Time


    Evelyn


    I woke up feeling weary and tired. My eyes were still swollen and red, a testament to the fact that I''d spent the whole night crying, despite my friends''pany, which, in the end, I had refused and kicked them out. Jacob wasn''t here... that thought alone was painful.


    And even if I set it aside, just the mere consideration of how I was going to face Dad made my condition ten times worse. I had, without a doubt, hurt him deeply. He had done everything he could for me throughout his life-dedicated it to my well-being, and here I was, causing him such pain. Jacob had told me to handle it calmly and let Dad vent his anger on me if he wanted to-if that was the way to lighten up his mood, I''d notin. But following Jacob''s advice wasn''t going to do it all I had to shoulder some me as well.


    Fuck! I should have just told him about this long ago, before things had escted to this point. But my fears got the better of me, and they had messed things up terribly. Fucked me up. Real bad.


    It still hurt to remember how I had stood on the balcony and watched Jacob drive away in his car. And when he nced back, knowing I was watching, and shed the softest smile... At that moment, I wished I could have run away with him.


    But I loved my dad. I didn''t want to do anything that would hurt him. It didn''t matter if I suffered for a while; if it meant sparing my dad from pain and betrayal, it was worth it. He didn''t deserve a daughter who didn''t care about him and his wishes.


    He had sacrificed so much for me, and I could at least... sacrifice a few months for him. The fact that he would ever approve of this, however, gnawed at me from within.


    I finally made my way down the stairs. It was yet another surprising day when I had woken up early. To be honest, I had barely slept at all. How could I? Second thoughts were already tormenting me.


    What was I going to say to Dad? Argh!


    It was true that I had initially chased after Jacob, losing myposure just at the sight of his handsome face. But there was another side to the truth, one I had kept hidden even from myself I had been in love with him since I was twelve, perhaps even earlier. How could I tell? I couldn''t. I hadn''t realised it until I found myself drowning headfirst in the whirlwind of passion and desire, the storm of our sinful emotions and attractions.


    I pulled my hair back into a messy bun, stifling a yawn.


    I wasn''t sure if I was going to face Dad today or not, but for now, I needed to sneak some snacks for myself and retreat back to my room. Tomorrow was the wedding, and I couldn''t risk saying something that would ruin it all.


    So, tiptoeing, I cautiously made my way to the kitchen, my eyes scanning for any prying gazes, although I doubted there were any. But just as I entered the kitchen, I saw it-my dad standing at the stove, making pancakes, and ra sitting on the counter right beside him.


    Fuck me and my luck!


    My body froze, my eyes widened, and I almost thought of turning back. But then I noticed the smiles on their faces, both my dad''s and ra''s. Wait....This didn''t match the situation. Not that I wasining, but seriously, what was going on? What could brighten their mood to this extent? Jacob''s departure couldn''t be the reason, judging by how much he mattered to my dad, and ra, knowing my distress, could never smile under such circumstances.


    So, what the fuck was going on?!


    Before I could decide to turn around and leave the situation for a while to process, my dad''s gaze shifted to me, and that was it. I froze. I froze like an ice sculpture. Like A fucking snowman, well, snow-woman.


    The smile on his face waned, but he casually said before going back to flipping the pancakes, "The chocte syrup is on the shelf, go and get it. We''ve made your favourite pancakes."


    This was far from normal. Not so regr ifpared to the mess all of us were tangled into.


    I needed someone to exin this to me.


    My eyes shifted to ra, unable to hide my bewilderment, but aside from a smile, she didn''t offer me any clues. It was either me who had gone crazy or these two. It had to be one of those two reasons.


    Maybe I had gone crazy and all of it was my imagination.


    For a brief moment, I looked for an exnation or a hint from ra, but she, too, appeared strangely normal, just like my dad. The abnormalityy in their overly normal behaviour despite the huge mess Jacob and I had created.


    What was happening? Please someone tell me.


    "What? Aren''t you hungry?" My Dad arched an eyebrow. There was definitely something wrong with him!


    "No... it''s not like that!" I finally blurted out, feeling utterly dumb, as if they were getting something, and I wasn''t.


    I scurried to the corner, reaching for


    the bottle on the shelf before walking towards them and standing right beside my dad. Despite my bewilderment, I could feel my


    stomach twisting and tel


    the


    sight of the pancakes. Dad knew how to make them perfectly, especially when he had ra by his side.


    Noticing my hungry gaze at the pancakes, a chuckle escaped from ra''s lips. "Those are for you, Evelyn. You can eat them."


    My cheeks burned with embarrassment, but I could see my dad stifling a smile.


    Wait... was he not angry with me? He was supposed to scold me, give me lectures, and exin what I had done wrong. Why was he acting so normal?


    God, I felt so foolish, but I couldn''t just ept this as fact. My dad, the king of dramatic reactions, not disying a single hint of negative emotion over this serious matter-this was as unnatural as the sun rising in the West.


    I was going insane from within.


    "Yeah, I know, but..." My words got caught in my throat. Should I just ask or continue to y along with this ''normal'' situation? It didn''t feel right, but maybe it would make sense at some point.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "But, what?" Dad asked as he took a bite from the sandwich ra had been eating until now. He appeared so oblivious to everything that had happened¡ªno, he wasn''t oblivious, he was actively behaving like this.


    But, why?


    Fuck. This was confusing.


    "Are... are you not mad at me?" I finally blurted out, nervously rubbing my hands together.


    A few seconds of silence stretched between us, and I noticed Dad and ra exchanging a nce that seemed to convey so much, yet I couldn''t decipher any of it.


    Then Dad finally spoke up, "You


    mean about your whole boyfriend thing?" He asked, chewing on the sandwich, casually as ever, as if that ''boyfriend thing'' didn''t include his best friend, "Do you think I should be mad at you? If you want-I can do that," He yfully ruffled my hair, a smile spreading across his lips.


    Okay... he was clearly not mad at me. But still, this was fucking confusing. I was too shocked to even speak and even torn between whether to be happy or get suspicious like a motherfucking detective.


    "I mean..." I struggled to form a coherent sentence, "You''re supposed to say something or "


    Suddenly, a very familiar voice


    interrupted-the same voice I''d heard on the very first day we


    arrived for Dad''s wedding with ra, right here in the kitchen, after


    long years. It was as smoothe


    as silk, washing away all my restraints. My entire body froze, my heart racing in my chest, and the room Suddenly felt devoid of oxygen.


    "Good morning, guys."


    My head whipped around, my eyes widening, and my lips parting in a gasp. His green eyes met mine as he shed a very familiar smile, one that made my heart race. Holy shit! He was here.


    Jacob was here!


    "Hello, love," he smiled, walking over to me and nting a kiss on my forehead, soothing all my nerves in an instant, "Did you sleep well?"


    Every cell in my body went into shock. Part of my consciousness believed it was a dream, but the touch of his lips on my forehead was too real to be dismissed. This couldn''t be a dream.


    No this had to be one!


    No, shit! I wasn''t.


    So, what did I miss?


    Forget it all! What on earth is actually going on?!

 Chapter 80 Something Anew

    Chapter 80 Something Anew


    Jacob


    She stood before me, utterly shocked, unable to utter a word. She just gazed at me, as if her mind was processing aplex equation to ascertain whether this was reality or a hallucination-certainly it was not a hallucination but I wasn''t gonna clear her doubt yet.


    I concealed my smile as she blinked twice, then thrice. I could read her well; currently, she was likely suspecting that her mind was ying tricks on her.


    At this point, I was almost tempted to kiss her until her pink lips were swollen, but I couldn''t take that risk with Samuel present. I still didn''t haveplete freedom to do whatever I wanted with my girlfriend when he was around. I had already figured it would take a few more months.


    "Am I dreaming?" She finally whispered, and an involuntary grin spread across my face. I leaned in, nting a kiss on her soft cheek, then the other. They were soft just like rose petals.


    "Do you still think it''s a dream?"


    "Holy... what the " She breathed out, still bewildered. She turned to look at Samuel, who chose to act oblivious because seemed to enjoy the bewildered expression on his daughter''s face, which was undeniably adorable. Her plump cheeks, her eyes filled with surprise and curiosity, and her rapid blinking made her look like a doll.


    My doll that I could y with all day long...shit! I shouldn''t entertain such thoughts right now.


    Evelyn''s gaze finally settled on ra, whom she saw as her only saviour in this chaos. "ra, please, tell me what''s happening."


    A chuckle escaped ra''s lips. "Why don''t you ask your boyfriend, Evelyn? I think he can exin it better than I can."


    She blushed red at ra''s statement before turning to me. "What''s going on, Jacob?"


    "I convinced your dad, baby," I whispered, sliding my arms around her, and pulling her close. Her back met my chest, and although her body rxed, everything about her still hinted at her profound confusion. It had been just one night, and I already missed her dearly. God, she was like oxygen for


    me.


    "Hey, excuse me? You''re not the one who convinced me. I decided to let it slide and let your sorry ass stay here, especially with my wonderful daughter, whom you certainly don''t deserve," Samuel spoke up, as expected, and I couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "Okay, Dad!"


    "What the heck!" His face contorted with anger.


    "What? I think I should start calling you dad from now on. It''s obvious, isn''t it?" I shrugged.


    "No, you can''t. You''d have a daughter now if you were married at my age," he pointed the spat at me. "So, don''t you even dare to call me dad! God! I never thought when you said you''d take away my most precious thing from me because I broke your PS5, it''d be my daughter. You are a fucking rascal, you know that?"


    It almost made meugh at how he was still struggling to believe that his daughter was now mine. Evelyn was mine! What more could I ever wish for? Fuck, I felt like I was over the clouds.


    "This is just the beginning, Samuel," I rested my chin on Evelyn''s shoulder. "Guess what? You''ll be calling my children your grandkids. Isn''t that wonderful?" As I burst outughing, his face turned a shade of red, a mix of anger and sudden realisation.


    "I should have never made you my friend!" He was already fuming, but I knew this anger wouldn''tst long.


    "You can make me your son-inw; I won''t mind," I shrugged.


    "Hey, get away from her right now," He finally intervened, grabbing my very confused Evelyn''s wrist and positioning her beside him, "She''s too young for this. No marriage until she''s twenty-five!"


    "That''s our personal matter, Dad," I chuckled, enjoying provoking him just like in the old days in our dorm rooms. "So, you better not butt in!"


    "You-"


    Before he could continue, Evelyn interrupted, "Guys..." She hesitated before speaking, "Can you please tell me what I''ve missed?"


    "God, you''re adorable!" Just as I was about to walk over to her and kiss her, Samuel, with his spat, created a boundary between us, stopping me where I stood. I could bet he would p me with it if I had taken one more step ahead.


    "Stay exactly where you are!"


    "She''s my girlfriend, Samuel," I scoffed, rolling my eyes.


    "Only because I allowed it. Otherwise, your sorry ass would still be crying on the streets of Italy."


    "Okay, guys, enough of your argument for today," ra finally spoke up as she hopped down from the counter. "I think your first priority should be exining to Evelyn what has led to this sudden friendly rtionship between the two of you, because I don''t know if you can tell-she''s freaking out from confusion."


    "Should I tell her?" Samuel looked at Evelyn, making a thoughtful sound, "No. She hurt me by keeping it all behind my back, so she should suffer a bit."


    "Dad, I''m sorry," she stuttered, immediately panicking. "Trust me, I didn''t want to hurt you. It all just¡ª"


    "Calm down, Bubba," Samuel chuckled, cing a kiss on her temple. "I understand, and I know you never wanted to hurt me. You don''t need to exin anything to me. I had told you, hadn''t I? You''d have everything you want in your life, no matter if it''s a jerk like him."


    Okay, now this was offending.


    "Hey! You''re no less of a jerk!"


    "I didn''t get into an affair with your daughter, did I?" He shot back with a cocked eyebrow.


    "Well, I don''t have a daughter."


    "But you know I wouldn''t do it even if you had one."


    Sheesh! He got me there.


    "Okay, fine. You got this one," I gave up.


    "Can you two please tell me how all of this happened?" Evelyn asked, her soft eyes nearly pleading with us to break it to her.


    "Come here... I will tell you," I grabbed her hand and pulled her close to me. This time, Samuel didn''t object.


    I slipped my arms around her, pulling her into my embrace, and kissing her forehead. A sigh of relief slipped past my lips.


    "You know, I''ll be forever grateful to


    your dad for giving me you," I spoke.


    "I had no doubts that he was the best friend anyone could ever have, butst night, I became sure of another thing-he''s the best dad and the best person. It''s not about what''s wrong or right, what''s fogical, or what should be done; hegust wants you to stay with the one you love because, for him, you matter more than anything. He just wants you to be happy, always happy and smiling," A smile tugged at my own lips, and I could see tears brimming in her eyes already.


    "Last night, when I was about to leave, he "


    shback:


    I descended the stairs, dragging my luggage behind me. My heart still ached from the sight of her tears. The way her hands had clutched onto mys shirt-I never wanted to leave, but damn it! This had to be done for things to be fine. I didn''t want my Evelyn to lose anything, especially not the rtionships she cherished, like the one with her dad.


    As I walked down and headed for the doorway, a familiar voice interrupted me.


    "I see. So you''re leaving, good. Really good."


    My feet froze at the sound of his voice, and my eyes sought him out, sitting at the barstool with a ss of liquor in his hand. I knew him too well not to notice that he was having second thoughts about everything.


    I gazed at him, rooted in ce. When he realised I wasn''t about to say anything, he spoke again, taking a sip from the ss.


    "Finally making the right decision, huh?" he chuckled bitterly.


    "Is this not what you think is right?" I finally asked. What the heck was he referring to? I knew him well, but this? It was confusing as hell.


    He remained silent for a few moments, staring at the ss in his hands and the swirling ice cubes.


    "Come here, sit, and have a drink with me," he finally said.


    "What?" I blurted out in shock.


    "Did you not hear me, you motherfucker?" He looked at me incredulously. "I saide here and have a drink with me."


    With a sigh, I let go of my luggage and walked over to the bar, taking a barstool next to him. He poured me a ss of rum before leaning against the


    barstool, a sigh escaping his lips.


    What was going on in his mind?


    He rubbed his forehead, then ran his


    hand down his face before he finally spoke, "Look, now, whatever I ask, you have to answer honestly, and what I say, you have to listen to me very carefully because this is what''s going to be needed for the rest of your life, okay? This conversation, it should fucking matter, alright?" Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

 Chapter 81 Healing Bonds

    Chapter 81 Healing Bonds


    Jacob


    What in the world could he be about to reveal something that would be needed for the rest of my life? God, this sounded absurd but this conversation mattered, as long as he didn''tunch himself at me or pummelled me with a barrage of curses.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    He had every fucking right to do that I just hoped he wouldn''t choose to exercise them!


    "All of our conversations mattered to me, man, as long as they weren''t about choosing your outfits and whatnot," I said, my curiosity mounting, as I waited for his response.


    "Damn it, I can''t believe I''m doing this!" He uttered a frustrated sigh, "I''ll probably regret itter."


    I gazed at him, equally bewildered by the situation. He was acting fucking weird!


    Throughout all the years I had known Samuel Fernandez, this was by far the most weird he had ever been. He appeared angry, undeniably so, but whatever he was about to say didn''t seem to be directly rted to his anger. I struggled to find words to describe his demeanor, as he seemed to be in a perpetual internal debate while I sat before him with a half-raised ss of rum.


    Well, I wanna have this rum but I don''t know if I am going to get the chance sooner.


    If he had looked like he was gearing up for beating the shit out of me, I might have downed the rum in one gulp and made a hasty exit. But that wasn''t the case. At least, that''s what it seemed.


    "My Evelyn, I''ve raised her and protected her like a precious doll, Jacob. Okay? No one, literally no motherfucker in this whole fucking world hasid a finger on her, not even a hair strand," he began, "She''s my entire world, Jacob. She is my doll and I''d fucking rip apart anyone who hurt her or even dare to say stupid shit to her; I''d do anything to make her happy. Remember what I told your ex that day, don''t you?"


    It was slowly dawning on me.


    Please, let this not be a dream.


    With bated breath, I waited for him to continue, my hands growing mmy and my pupils dting ever so slightly.


    "Evelyn doesn''t have to cry over anything she can''t have, Jacob," his voice trembled, "I made a promise to her when she was just a little baby...on the day she was born and her tiny finger gripped mine. I swore I''d give her everything, absolutely everything within my reach or even what''s not within my reach-I''d snatch it and hand it to her. I''m her father, Jacob, and I''ll give her everything she wants, just as I told your ex, that I''dy everything at her feet, be it material possessions, a fucking house, a damn car, even the most trivial of things, or a boy. She loves, I guess," he shrugged, hesitating before finally confessing, "And I''m not the kind of father who would take that away from her. She loves you, so you''re in it for the long haul. You have to stay with her, and that''s for the rest of your life. And if you ever dare to hurt her, I''d drag fucking drag you down to her feet and I''ll¡ª"


    He couldn''t finish his sentence as he rose from his stool, but I stepped in, embracing him. "God, Samuel! Thank you so much! Man, you have no idea what this means to me. You just gave me everything, fucking everything!"


    He pushed me away, acting all tough just like he always had as he cleared his throat, "Don''t get too excited just yet. You still have to prove you''re good enough for her. I have to see how you treat her and make her happy besides, you have fucked up in the past, and just because I am epting the rtionship between the two of you, doesn''t mean I havepletely forgiven you yet, so you''ll have to make amends for that as well.


    "I will, buddy, I promise," I grinned and hugged him again, and this time, he pushed me away, still ying the stern dad role. Weirdo. "Now that you''re dating my daughter, there are boundaries you need to respect. Treat me with respect and don''t take everything lightly." "This is a bit much," I chuckled, "My rtionship with Evelyn shouldn''t affect our friendship. You can''t y that card, alright?"


    "I can and I will," he said firmly, "So either ept it or pack your bags and leave."


    Okay, he got me there again.


    "Alright, I''ll treat you with respect, sir," I chuckled before my voice lowered as a soft sigh escaped my lips, "But, you better not change your mind. You know, Evelyn is my life-I love her more than anything or anyone in this whole world. If I ever had to be separated from her, I''d die, Samuel. Trust me, I''d fucking die."


    "I wouldn''t have epted your rtionship with her, Jacob, if I didn''t know you," Samuel replied, his stare softening, "I know you love her, and as much as I hate to admit it, I also believe you''ll love her right? I can see how happy she is around you. She really wants to spend her life with you, and I know my daughter. Once she''s made up her mind, her feelings don''t change. The moment she realized she was in love with you, trust me, she decided to never love anyone else¡ªshe''s that kind of person. Loyal, genuine, lovely, caring, and sometimes a bit stubborn, but she''s the best you could ever have. So, treat her right, okay? I''ve never let tears find their way into her beautiful eyes, and I hope you won''t let them either," He patted my shoulder with a soft smile, "Never break my princess''s heart, alright?


    "I promise I won''t."I smiled.


    "And if you ever make her cry, I''ll have to beat the shit out of you, do you understand?" Samuel gave me a serious look, making it clear he meant every word. He wouldn''t hesitate to beat me to a pulp.


    "I won''t give you that chance, Samuel. She''s mine, and I''ll protect what''s mine with all my heart."


    "First of all, she''s not entirely yours yet, so keep your hopes in check. Second, we''ve run out of rum, so go and get us some beer from the supermarket. I still have a lot to talk to you about," Samuel said, turning around to pour thest ss of rum and showing me the empty bottle.


    "Can''t you go get it yourself?" I


    hesitated scratching the back of my head, my insides were already yearning to be with Evelyn, to


    reassure her that everything wa


    finally alright, that she was officially mine as I would kiss away those tears from her beautiful face, "I''m pretty tired, so I should head to my room."


    "Don''t take me for a fool, Jacob," he said without even looking at me, savoring his rum, "I know which room you''re nning to visit, and I''m sorry to break it to you, but you''re not allowed in there yet. Now, go and get the rum."


    "Samuel-"


    "Do


    you want to be with my daughter or not?"


    There was Samuel, rendering me speechless once again-I pretty much wanted to hand the bottle to ra and tell her to shove it up to his arse but I couldn''t.


    "Alright, fine. I''ll do it," I grumbled and


    rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to punch him. Could I really punch him now? Not when he''d granted me the privilege of being with Evelyn. Even if it meant serving him for a lifetime, it would be worth it. But I couldn''t let him know that, because he''d turn me into a ve if he had the chance-that''s just how he was.


    Suppressing my urges, I walked out of the mansion.


    ***


    Eve


    I gazed at him, still struggling to process the situation, but my excitement continued to grow. So this was all real? Holy-this was really happening. "So,st night, you went to your car just to go to the supermarket, not to the airport?" I asked.


    "Yes, love," he smiled, cupping my face and nting a tender kiss on my lips. It finally hit me -st night, he didn''t have his suitcase with him when he went to the car! Shit! How could I have missed that?


    "Hey, get your hands off of her!" Dad''s voice interrupted, and he moved to seize my arm, but ra stopped him.


    "Stop it, Samuel. They are dating; you can''t just poke your nose all the time."


    I heard Dad grumble but he didn''t say anything else.


    "So, that means... Dad epted us?" I stammered, my eyes brimming with tears. I didn''t know when I''d be such a crybaby, but I couldn''t help it. Everything felt like a dream.


    "Yes, Evelyn. Your dad had no objections to us being together," Jacob chuckled, brushing my hair away from my face. My gaze shifted to my dad, who gave me a small smile.


    "I told you I''d give you everything you want," Dad chuckled. "I know it''s weird that you ended up falling in love with this guy who happens to be my best friend, but just like I said, Evie, you''ll have everything you want. I will" And then I ran into his arms, hugging him tightly.


    "Thank you, Dad," a sob broke through. "Thank you so much. I love you...and trust me, I never wanted to hurt you by keeping it hidden. I just wanted to tell you at the right time, and then everything went wrong. I''m sorry. I''m¡ª"


    Dad lifted my face and wiped my


    tears. "You don''t need to apologize, Evie. You''re my daughter, and I know you, alright? Everything''s alright. The fact that you fell for him never bothered me as much as the truth


    .ne


    that this jerk broke your heart. That was the only reason I was mad. I was never mad at you." He pulled me into his arms and kissed my temple.


    "Aww, my little Evie," ra joined in, peppering my cheeks with kisses like you would on a six-month-old baby.


    Amidst the sniffles, I chuckled. "I''m not that little, guys."


    "You are," she wiped my tears, and pinched my cheek, "You''re just like a cute little doll, and you don''t even realize it. You''re one of the many reasons


    why I chose to stick with your dad''s annoying arse."


    "Hey, now that''s offensive," Dad protested, and ra burst into a fit ofughter.


    "Guys, if you two are done, can I have my girlfriend back?" Jacob intervened.


    "Exercising too many rights, aren''t you?" Dad raised an eyebrow and moved towards Jacob, but then a voice interrupted the moment.


    "Well, if I may, there''s someone else who has a lot to say."

 Chapter 82 Healing Old Wounds

    Chapter 82 Healing Old Wounds


    Evelyn


    My eyes shot back to spot Jack standing at the doorway, and beside him, my very hesitant mother. Her uncertainty was a rare sight, but considering everything she had done, nearly ruining my rtionship with Jacob, her hesitation was quite evident.


    Well...what else could I expect? After everything she''d done, it was obvious she''d be hesitant to face any of us, including me. However, for some reason, I didn''t feel as angry as I should have. I couldn''t find that deep-seated grudge or anger within me anymore. Where were they?


    Jack gently nodded at my mom, encouraging her as she stepped into the kitchen, her expression showing her doubts.


    "Can we talk, Evelyn?" She hesitantly asked, her voice barely above an whisper and her eyes requesting.


    I looked at my man, and his green eyes conveyed the same message my mind was telling me I should talk.


    "Sure, Mom. We can talk," I said, my voice soft. I didn''t know why I had no resentment towards her anymore, maybe because I had Jacob with me?


    She stood before me, slowly took my hands in hers, and tears welled in her eyes. "I never held your hand when you were little, did I? I wasn''t there when you made mistakes and needed guidance...I ruined everything for you, didn''t I?" A sob escaped her, as she looked at me, "I guess I''m the worst mother anyone could possibly have. I neglected every rtionship because of my career, and chased my dreams so much that I left you behind. I''m so sorry, Evelyn. I''m so sorry."


    As the tears rolled down her cheeks, and my heart sank. I had never loved her as much as I loved my father, but seeing her cry like this broke my heart. Maybe, I did love her in my own way, and I hadn''t realized it because of my grudges.


    "Mom, it''s..... It''s okay," I pulled her into a hug, suddenly acknowledging that this was the first time in all these years that I had hugged her. It felt foreign but brought back beautiful memories of when we were together as a family, "I understand, Mom. And I''m sorry for not letting you in all these years. I''m sorry I only thought about what I lost and didn''t see what you wanted."


    "Still, Evelyn, I should have been there. I should have attended those special moments in your life, I


    should have stayed by your side, but I didn''t," She sobbed, "I''m sorry that I took half of your childhood away. I''m sorry was never there for you to open those gifts I sent, I''m sorry I always tried to make up for my absence with materialistic things. I''m sorry," She cupped my face, sobbing, "I didn''t even get to see you grow up little by little. I''m such a horrible mother."


    "No, you''re not a horrible mother, Mom," I shed her a soft smile, fighting back my own tears. "Yes, you weren''t there, and you made mistakes, but it doesn''t mean you don''t love me, does it? Those gifts. always opened them, Mom. But yes, my ego made me pack them back skillfully so that no one ever knew I''d worn those dresses once in my locked room. I''ve yed those games, tried those headbands, and watched those cartoons-I saw them all. I was too stubborn to ept that I still considered you my mom and loved you just as much as I did before everything fell apart. I never despised you, Mom. I was just angry that my dreams were taken away from me."


    "Did you really open those gifts?" A soft, mncholic smile spread across her lips.


    "Yes, Mom. I did," I nodded, "And I read all the letters you sent, followed your advice to sleep early, not argue with girls at school, and do my best at thepetitions, even the moments when you emailed me math suggestions. But I just...didn''t want you to know. I''m sorry that it was my way of making you feel guilty, but I was stubborn and stuck. It''s not just your fault, Mom. I am at fault too. So, don''t take all the me on yourself, okay?"


    "Yes, Danica. It''s fine. Shit happens, and we all know what you did was out of concern. None of it matters anymore," Dad spoke up, "And I''m sorry for the other day. I went borderline. I hope you can let it slide."


    "Yeah, sweetheart; You know Samuel; he goes bananas when he''s angry. Please don''t take his words to heart," ra implored.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "It''s okay, guys. You two certainly


    don''t need to apologize. I messed up by interfering between Evelyn and Jacob. I should have thought it through. While ''d med Jacob for the incidents he endured in the past, and told him that the trauma would fall heavily on Evelyn, I unknowingly ended up making mine fall on Kers. Samuel and I, we were just like Evelyn when we made such d¨¦cisions, and we went through shit and regrets that one can''t even imagine. I just didn''t want Evelyn to go through the same, but I ended up forgetting her wishes and her choices in the midst of all of it when


    I should have prioritized her wishes at first, I should have thought about what she wanted," Mom breathed out, her eyes moving to look at Jacob, "I''m sorry, Jacob. I''m sorry


    for everything I said." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "It''s okay, Danica," he shed her a smile, "I understand. You were concerned for your daughter, and anyone in your ce would have done the same. Don''t worry."


    "So...are we all cool now?" Jack finally spoke, still wary of the situation. His expression made augh slip past my lips, followed by Mom''s.


    "Yes, we are," I nodded, chuckling before I wiped my mother''s tears, "No more distance."


    A smile broke on Mom''s face, "No more distance."

 Chapter 83 Long Night Of Passion

    Chapter 83 Long Night Of Passion


    Evelyn


    A loud gasp slipped past my lips as I looked at the mirror. My entire neck was covered with his love love-bites, profoundly evident. This man.....


    "This is so not fair, Jacob! You know the wedding is tomorrow, and you''ve covered my whole neck with these marks," I groaned as I examined the marks, my fingertips brushing over them, they didn''t hurt but still, this wasn''t fair, "It''s going to take a while to cover them up."


    Jacob rolled onto his front on the bed, looking at me with a grin-he was proud of his artwork. And god must be proud of his, because as I watched him, I couldn''t help but just watch....


    His chiseled body was half-covered by the sheets, the other half exposed, giving a very good view of half of his well-defined butt, and the sunlight streaming through the open curtains seemed to caress his form, his jawline seemed ever sharper from this angle and his eyes, they shone like diamonds.


    The entire universe appeared to conspire against me, for why else everything, like every single fucking thing, even this goddamn evening light of the settling sun would conspire to make him look even more irresistible?


    Fuck! Now, it was even harder to stay mad at him when I knew that I''d absolutely enjoyed it when he left those marks on my skin, taking his own sweet time.


    "You should have expected this when I was fucking you in every conceivable position-front, back, on fours, and so on..." he chuckled huskily, "And trust me, that was just the least. You can''t me me, though...look at you." He raised himself ever so slightly to get an even better view, a sly smirk ying on his lips as he admired my naked body, lust shading his beautiful spheres, "Even now, I just want to devour you whole. Raw."


    Well...he did me raw countless times and now here he was, acting like a cannibal.


    "We just had sex minutes ago, Jacob," I rolled my eyes and moved toward the bed to pick up his shirt. I wanted to cover my body, knowing I didn''t have much self-control around him, and he had a way of driving me wild with just a few words, and now that he was looking at me that way...with such hunger, I might have lost it just like him.


    But as I reached for his shirt on the floor, Jacob had other ns. He swiftly seized my wrist and pulled me back onto the bed, hovering over me in seconds. A gasp escaped my lips as I looked up at him with wide eyes-shit, how did he manage to do that so effortlessly? In the blink of an eye, he had me beneath him.


    He seemed like some sort of irresistible deity; A god-if a beautiful face and a breathtaking motherfuckingly attractive physique could make someone god, he was a god-the greatest of all.


    "I''m hungry, Evelyn," he purred, his voice dropping to a low, seductive tone as he leaned in and buried his nose in the crook of my neck. My naked body tingled beneath his, and his strong chest pressed against mine, causing my nipples to harden.


    Well, it looked like I was about to lose my resolve once more. But did I mind it? No. Not even the slightest bit.


    "We...we can," I struggled to find my words under his intoxicating gaze, "We can order something. Maybe pasta?"


    Another husky chuckle escaped his lips, and his warm breath tantalizingly caressed my face. Every cell of his being aware of the power he had over me and I knew, he nned to take full advantage of it. He always had.


    "What kind of hunger do you think I have right now, Evie?" He brushed away a stray strand of hair from my face, his index finger tracing a path down my neck and cleavage, where his other fingers freely joined and moved toward my lower abdomen. Just before they reached their destination, I attempted to press my thighs together, but he was already between them and he didn''t have the intention to let me cover a single part of me from him.


    My breathing quickened, and I nervously licked my bottom lip. I wasn''t sure I had much energy left, but as much as his eyes said that he wanted to dive again, mine said the same.


    "You''re stuck, baby," he grinned, then leaned in and took my nipple into his mouth. His warm mouth and tongue swirled around the sensitive bud, and within seconds, he left me wet and aching.


    A moan slipped past my lips, and my back arched as I fisted the pillow.


    "I don''t think I need to order anything..." He spoke as he sucked on my breast, partially biting it before moving to the other one, "When I have my feast right here. Just beneath me. And god...I think I''d have the best meal ever."


    I felt his length hardening between


    my thighs, the tip of it teasing my dripping folds, pushing my


    restraints God, No matter howN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    many times we''d had sex, his


    size


    never ceased to surprise me. Indeed, He was a god everywhere even there.


    "You know..." I struggled to form a coherent sentence, "We have to wake up early tomorrow."


    "I think, We''re both capable of enduring sleepless nights, aren''t we?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and wearing a sexy smirk.


    He was making it harder for me to resist.


    "I guess we are, but..." My words transformed into a moan as he slipped his hands between my thighs, his fingers ying with my folds.


    "But?" He teased as he pushed his thumb into my core, hitting the spot but not quite where I needed it most, "I believe that we have endured sleepless nights many times before. When Dfucked you all night long, worshipping you entirely as dove


    deeper into your cunt with every


    thrust and your pussy, baby... it only wanted more, didn''t it?"


    Fuck!


    There was no room for argument; I''d already lost. He had won.


    "Damn, we need to set rms to wake up early," I finally relented and pulled him into a kiss. He smiled against my lips before he took them in his, kissing me deeply and invading my mouth with his tongue to deepen the kiss.


    Once we parted, we both knew we were going to screw each other again, even if it marked the seventh time in a row. But who cared? Certainly not


    us.


    He parted my thighs, hooking his


    hands beneath them and lifting them, never breaking eye contact as a throaty seductive chuckle slipped from his lips. It left me even wetter as he secured my legs around his hips, "We don''t need rms, Evelyn. Because we''re not going to sleep the whole night."


    And ever so slowly, he entered me, making sure I felt every inch of him.


    Once fully in, he pulled out, and this time, he thrust in one go causing a gasp to slip past my lips and my hands flew to grab onto his muscr arms. My nails almost dug into his skin.


    "I think, this night won''t be enough," he groaned, as he pushed deeper inside my pussy, and my walls clenched around him, taking him inside. He felt


    too good!


    "I think so too..." I whimpered.


    "Fuck it, we''ll see about that," He roughly grabbed my face and smashed his lips on mine.


    And.....There went the entire night.

 Chapter 84 Before The Aisle

    Chapter 84 Before The Aisle


    Jacob


    "Why are you yawning so much?" Samuel asked, a curious look in his eyes as he nced at me. The designers were busy checking the fit of his suit.


    Even though Evelyn and I were official, it didn''t mean I could tell him the truth. If I did, he might forget about his impending wedding and beat me to a pulp, and it dawned on me, I had forgotten to mention - his punches hurt like hell. But, I had a feeling my punches had left their own mark, given that could see the girl doing his makeup trying to hide the red mark on his jaw.


    "Nothing, I just didn''t get enough sleep," I shrugged it off with a forcedugh, straightening my own suit.


    "You better not be caught yawning in the videos. I don''t need a boring shitty groomsman," Samuel warned, scoffing.


    God, he and his antics.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t ruin it for you," I rolled my eyes as one of the dressers approached to fix my tie.


    A few moments passed in silence, and I noticed Samuel''s expression shifting through a spectrum of colors - red, blue, and even a shade of purple. That was how I came to understand his emotions. Was he getting cold feet already? No fucking way!


    He turned to me ever so slightly, just before he could open his mouth, I beat him to it.


    "Don''t start with the ''I''m nervous'' act shit because I won''t buy it, Samuel."


    "Hey, I''m not doing that," he replied, sounding offended. "I told you, I love her and I''d do anything to make her happy. This wedding isn''t just for her; it''s for both of us. We want this."


    "Then why are you giving me that ''I''m about to fuck everything up'' look? Look, Samuel, you can''t back off. This wedding will take ce at any cost." "First of all, I didn''t give you that look. I was just..." He hesitated, and I couldn''t quiteprehend his emotions as the hairdresser began fixing his hair and spraying it with some unfamiliar product-don''t me me, I didn''t know shit about this stuff, all I knew was my three-in-one body, face and hair wash, "I was...just about to ask you something."


    "Ask what?" I cocked an eyebrow, my suspicion growing. Evelyn and I had a n: if Samuel got cold feet, we''d drag him to the wedding. So, the wedding not taking ce was the least of my worries.


    "Do you think I''m doing the right thing?" He blurted out.


    Well, I couldn''t quite say that I didn''t totally see iting.


    I opened my mouth to respond, but he interrupted, "You know, things can go wrong in so many ways. After the wedding, nothing remains the same, and there''s a chance it could all go south, right?"


    Truth be told, I wanted to curse at him, but I understood where he wasing from. After the rollercoaster experience, he and Danica had been through, from the most beautiful rtionship to aplete disaster, I couldn''t deny that he had reason to worry.


    I walked over to Samuel and put my arm around his shoulder, excusing him from the group of hairdressers and designers.


    "Listen, Samuel," I began, "I''ve


    exined this to you before, and I''mN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    willing to exin it to you for as long as it takes for you to believe that one bad experience doesn''t mean all your other rtionships will end the same way You and Danica were young, and you made decisions based on sudden bursts of emotion and got worse oues. It was your hormones and all that shit, but your situation with ra is different. She knows you for who you truly are, and you''re no longer that same college guy. You''re in the best ce now, and you''ve both seen each other''s worst phases. Don''t treat this wedding like a knife to your throat-take it lightly because I can assure you everything will be the same even after this. You''ve always been willing to makemitments to her, haven''t you?" Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Of course, I have," he said with determination. "You know¡ªI''d give her my life if she asked."


    "I know, man. I know you love her," I assured him. "So, throw away your doubts. This wedding is just another one of thosemitments. One you''ll fulfill for a lifetime. I won''t guarantee that you won''t make mistakes because you will. You two will have arguments, you might even have catfights, or at times, you might hate each other''s faces for a while. But all of that is part of the wonderful experience of being together. So, without hesitation, just do it, okay?" I shed him a reassuring smile. "Make her happy, share your happiness, and we know women, right? They''re the best gifts ever, blessings in disguise, always doubling everything we give them. As long as you love her right, there''s nothing to fear."


    Samuel remained silent for a few moments, and then he let out a sigh. "If anything goes wrong, I swear to God I will make your life hell."


    I chuckled. "Sure, I''d let you do that. But first, get ready to stand there on the stage. Your heaven will be walking down the aisle very soon."


    A smile spread across his lips. "You know what? I know you can be a jerk, a shithole at times, but you''re a good friend sometimes." "Correction, please," I replied, snapping my fingers, taking pride, "It''s all the time!"


    "Yeah, yeah," he rolled his eyes before returning to the dressing table. He adjusted his tie and sprayed some perfume. Meanwhile, I stood there, imagining how Evelyn would look in that emerald dress. When she''d shown it to me in the morning-I just wanted to make it wear it right then just to slide it off of her beautiful body again and devour her. Fuck! She would look like an angel-she was an angel.


    Breaking the silence, Samuel''s voice cut through the chaos in my mind, "Jacob?"


    "Yeah?"


    "You were wrong that day."


    "What do you mean " I started to ask, but he cut me off.


    "Sometimes, it''s beautiful to spend a


    whole life picking up pieces that we never broke in the first ce. It''s not about us being selfish-sometimes, healing the one you love is the greatest form of love you can experience. My daughter loves you in that way, and if you were to ask her, I''m sure she''d say it''s a privilege texcollect those pieces and rebuild them, making you whole in her own way, a way that no one else could. She loves you more than anyone in this world ever could, Jacob," he said, a soft smile breaking across his face. "You''ll keep her happy, just as I did, won''t you?" Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    It was then that I realized I had been wrong to think I knew Evelyn better than anyone in the world, because I didn''t. Her father did. He knew her


    better than anyone else, and I hated to admit it, but maybe he would always remain a few steps higher on the scale of loving her.


    I had loved her since she was twenty, but Samuel had loved her since the day she was born. That''s maybe how good-fathers were¡ªthey might not always show it, but they would always love you in their way, a way that surpassed anyone else''s love.


    "I will, Samuel," I replied, a genuine smile breaking across my face. "I will."

 Chapter 85 Mr And Mrs Fernandez

    Chapter 85 Mr And Mrs Fernandez


    Evelyn


    The soft music yed softly in the background as ra walked gracefully down the aisle. The room''s lighting dimmed, and the flowers seemed toe alive, their petals glistening in the subdued light. A pin-drop silence spread across the room as the haunting melody of a violin began to fill the air. At the end of the stage, My Dad stood, with Jacob by his side.


    I had the honor of walking her down the aisle, and my smile never wavered as I observed her and then nced at her dad. His expression was one of sheer awe, as if ra were a dream walking toward him-yes she was his dream and I was so happy that they were getting this chance to spend their life together.


    It was impossible not to notice the hitch in his breath at that first glimpse of her.


    God..this wedding was a history.


    Gradually, tears welled up in Dad''s eyes, and as I looked at ra, it became increasingly difficult to hold back my own. I didn''t want to cry, but this moment was simply too precious. The two most precious people in my life were getting married, uniting as one.


    This is all I''d ever wished for them. They were my family. My family...


    The guests and some distant rtives all rose to their feet, showering rose petals upon her as she made her way. A soft sniffle escaped her as she looked at her father and shared a smile. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mason, tears streaming down his face as he sobbed like a baby, and hopeless and frustrated Nancy who struggled to console him.


    Jennie watched in wide-eyed wonder, as though she were witnessing a scene from a Disney movie.


    Mom and Jack, too, stood up, their faces beaming with happiness. Jack leaned in to press a kiss on Mom''s temple before whispering, "We''re next, babe." She blushed, leaning into his shoulder with a smile.


    "They look beautiful," My mom whispered.


    And then, my eyes finally locked with Jacob''s, and his emotions were unfiltered-there was no fear in them. It was just open and free. Awe shone in his eyes, mirroring the wonder I felt. It was indescribable, a whirlwind of butterflies and roses,vender and gardens, sparks and fireworks, all swirling within us-all at once-just between us.


    We reached the center of the aisle, and ra stood beside Dad, who was already teary-eyed.


    "You look...beautiful, love," Dad whispered as the priest took his ce before them.


    She held out her hands and they held hands, "I love you..." She whispered.


    Jacob and I, locked in a gaze that refused to break, stepped back from the center, standing side by side but still connected by the electricity in the air. He slid his hand around my waist, pulling me closer. His colonge wafted into my nostrills causing sparks to erupt everywhere acorss my skin.


    "I love you, Evelyn," he leaned in closer to my ear and whispered.


    I couldn''t tear my eyes away from him-he and this moment both were magnificent, "I love you too, Jacob."


    The priest''s voice resonated through the microphone.


    "Dearly beloved, we are gathered


    here today in the presence of God and in thepany of these witnesses to celebrate the love andmitment of Mr. SamuelContent protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Fernandez and Ms. ra Gomez. Today, they join their lives in


    marriage, and wee together to witness and bless their union. He paused for a moment. "So let us


    us


    begin with a prayer, invoking the divine presence on this sacred asion. Heavenly Father, we ask for Your guidance, love, and blessings upon Samuel and ra as they embark on this new journey as a married couple. We pray that their love grows stronger with each passing day and that they find joy, peace, and fulfillment in one


    another. Amen."


    Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Dad and ra standing there. I had dreamt of this day for so long.


    "Samuel and ra, you havee here today to make a solemnmitment to one another. Marriage is a sacred covenant, a partnership, and a lifelong journey. It is a union based on love, trust, and mutual respect," the priest continued. "So, Samuel, do you take ra Gomez to be yourwfully wedded wife, to love and cherish, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"


    Dad smiled, looking at ra. "I do."


    The priest then turned to ra, "ra, do you take Samuel Fernandez to be yourwful¡ª"


    "Yes! I do!" ra interrupted before the priest could finish his question, eliciting soft chuckles throughout the room. I couldn''t help but smile as I watched them, and Jacob emitted a soft chuckle while still holding me close, soothingly rubbing my arm as he nced at me and pressed a gentle kiss against my forehead.


    "Calm down, Miss. No one''s going to take your guy away," the priest chuckled, shaking his head before continuing, "I will ask again-ra, do you take Samuel Fernandez as yourwfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"


    ra, this time, let out a small, shaky breath before she smiled, looking at Dad. "I do."


    "Now, please face each other, and, Samuel, repeat after me..."


    "ra, my love, today I take you to be my partner in life. I promise to love you with all my heart, to cherish every moment we share, and to honor and respect you for the rest of our days promise to be your faithfulpanion, your biggest fan, and your greatest ally, your partner in crime, and to experience the wonderful adventures we have always dreamt of. I vow to stand by your side, no matter what challengese our way. With this ring, I pledge my love to you, and I promise to create a life of adventure,


    laughter, and endless love together, with your hand in mine," Dad said, sniffling.


    "And now, ra, please repeat after me..."


    "Samuel, as I stand here today, I choose you to be my one and only, my partner and my love. I vow to always listen and understand, to support andfort, and to share in the joys and sorrows of life. I promise to cherish every moment with you, tough with you, and to hold you close in times of need.


    Today, I give you my hearted.


    and my love, and I pledge to stand with you, hand in hand, through all the years toe. With this ring, I vow to be your eternalpanion and stick with you through sickness and health. I promise to love you until my veryst breath." Tears rolled down ra''s cheeks as they exchanged


    rings.


    "By the power vested in me and the presence of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."


    Dad pulled ra as close as possible and kissed her as if he was waiting for this moment from the start.


    Apuse and cheers filled the room, and bouquets of flowers flew through the air. It was an exhrating moment.


    As they broke the kiss, Dad smiled, pressing his forehead against ra''s. "Well, hello, Mrs. Fernandez."


    "Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to introduce, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez. May your journey together be filled with love andughter. And now, as you embark on this new chapter of your lives, go forth with the love and blessings of all those present here."


    My gaze shifted to Jacob, and my smile never faded, even as tears still welled up in my eyes. He gently wiped away my tears, his thumb caressing


    my cheek. We didn''t exchange words, for there was no need. His presence beside me, our togetherness at that moment, conveyed everything we needed to say.


    And there it was... my family, once broken, now whole and fulfilled once again.


    This destination wedding truly made me reach my destination...

 Chapter 86 Our Forever

    Chapter 86 Our Forever


    Evelyn


    After the toasts, dinner, and our enchanting first dance, the time hade for the traditional bouquet toss. Friends gathered with their significant others, and among them was ra''s friend, patiently waiting in line. I watched as they indulged inughter and amusement, their faces illuminated with excitement.


    The dance had been nothing short of magical; ra and Dad had looked resplendent, rendering everyone speechless. When it was time for the speeches, they brought tears to everyone''s eyes. That''s just the way they were - utterly perfect, almost beyond description.


    Jacob and I shared a dance, and by then, it seemed like everyone knew about us, even though we hadn''t uttered a word to anyone. People could sense it, and more importantly, they could see it. It felt different now, being able to kiss him openly in front of everyone, to im him as mine, and we were free from that ''forbidden''bel.


    Love could never be forbidden. Ever.


    I chuckled as I observed how eagerly some of ra''s friends vied for the bouquet as they stood in line¡ªI guess, they were so desperate for marriage.


    "They are crazy," Jennie remarked, shing me a mischievous smile before joining the queue herself.


    As if she weren''t crazy too!


    "Don''t you want to catch it?" Jacob asked, leaning closer to my ear, his warm breath tickling my skin. His cologne seemed even more intoxicating from this close proximity. Indeed-He looked every bit the prince in his suit, my prince. But we couldn''t throw caution to the wind in front of this crowd, could we?


    Yes, I did want nothing else than to take him to my room and let him take charge of every bit of my being but, this wasn''t the time for that the night was still long.


    "Do you think I should?" I asked, turning to him as I adjusted his tie. In this all-ck suit, he looked so fucking gorgeous that nearly every woman had been having a hard time taking their eyes off of him.


    "I absolutely think you should," His green eyes shimmered with a newfound intensity, and I knew exactly what that meant.


    "But why?" I teased, slipping my arms around his neck. "It''s not as if we''re getting married anytime soon."


    "You can''t be so sure you know, I want to, I could marry you right now," he whispered, his hands finding their way around my waist, drawing me close. I could tell he wasn''t joking, and I wouldn''tin if he followed through.


    "So, should I join the line, Mr. Adriano, to see if you''d ever make me Mrs. Adriano?" I traced my finger along his jawline, arching an eyebrow.


    "You will be Mrs. Adriano, Evelyn... maybe not today, or in a year, but in the end, you''ll wear my name and my ring on that finger of yours," he whispered against my lips. "Even if you catch that bouquet or not. It doesn''t matter."


    A devious idea popped into my head. "Let''s make a bet," I suggested, my fingers now tracing down to his neck, and this time I loosened his tie-god! The sight of Adam''s apple-I wanted to kiss it right now, "If I catch the bouquet, then it''s a sure sign that I am yours forever, and if I can''t, that means... some other hot hunk out there is my destiny."


    His grip on me tightened. "You''re ying that game, huh?" His jaw twitched, and it only encouraged me to tease him more. I loved getting under his skin.


    "Yes, and you are aware....I love it dirty, Jacob," I smirked. "So, what do you say? Are you in for the bet or not?"


    His eyebrow quirked. "How can I be sure that you won''t cheat and intentionally not catch the bouquet?"


    Aah! He had a point!


    "I can give you my promise," I said, "Unlike you, I''m good at keeping promises, you know."


    "Touche," he sighed, "Fine, let''s do this. But if I sense you''re cheating, you''ll be punished."


    "You know, I love punishments," I whispered, tantalisingly close to his lips. His heart rate quickened, and his breathing grew uneven, "So you are just tempting me to cheat."


    "I''m in. Let''s do this," he finally let out- I knew it was hard for him to hold it in when I was trying my best to break him free from the cage.


    A victorious smile graced my lips. "Okay, then." I pulled away from him and joined the line. My eyes challenged him, and his reciprocated the sentiment.


    Well...this was fun.


    To be honest, I''d relish the punishment, but I couldn''t break my promise, could I? So the n was simple - I''d give him only fifty percent, and the rest? Well, fuck it! I''d leave that in the hands of fate and, to some extent, in the hands of the man I loved.


    "My My, I see your man sent you here," Jennie wiggled her brows. "What, nning to get hitched soon, aren''t you?"


    "Don''t know," I shrugged. "Jacob seems pretty confident that this bouquet willnd in my hands and the opportunity in his. So, I kind of n to get on his nerves."


    "So you''re going to cheat?"


    "Not really," a mischievous snicker escaped my lips, "I am only giving fifty, so that doesn''t count as cheating, does it?"


    "Half cheating, I''d say."


    "That''s even better."


    Half cheating-half punishment and half effort?A chance to see if he was really right or not. Fair deal.


    Everyone pped and whooed, a smile tugged at ra''s lips, "So, Evie''s next!"


    e


    And then, ra turned around and threw the bouquet. I had almost half-nned to dodge it, but Nancy appearing out of the fucking blue_ pushed me from behind, and Jennie, who was already in line, purposefully nudged my side. The bouquetnded squarely in my hands, and I stood there in shock, still taken aback by the sudden twist of fate.


    What in the damn¡ª


    Apuse and cheers filled the air. A smile tugged at ra''s lips as she eximed, "So, Evie''s next!"


    So, this had been the n...


    I nced at Jacob, who raised his toast with a smirk, giving me a knowing look. So this was the story-He had conspired with my friends to make sure the bouquet ended up in my hands, and I had fallen for it all too easily.


    Despite having every reason to be annoyed, a blush crept up my cheeks in response to the cheers and whistles.


    Jacob walked closer in all glory, being the center of attention and making me as well, as he stood before me, and I couldn''t hide the redness in my cheeks-they were on fire.


    "Well, it seems I''ve won, huh?" He


    slipped his hand around my waist, pulling me closer without a care in


    in


    Helbe


    the world"You''re stuck with me for life, Evelyn Fernandez," he whispered, nuzzling my nose A


    chorus of "awes" erupted from


    everyone around. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to suppress my smile, but it spread across my face anyway. "You''re unfair," I said, resting my hands on his chest, a giggle breaking through, "You told me not to cheat but you cheated."


    "To have you, I''d do anything unfair. I''dmit the greatest of sins and be the ultimate sinner of all time. You are mine, Evelyn, and I''ll make sure the whole world knows it," he grinned.


    God, I loved this man.


    He suddenly turned around, grabbing the bouquet and raising it in the air. "We''re next, guys!" he announced,ughing and causing my blush to deepen.


    "Hey, no!" Dad''s voice suddenly rang out as he snatched the bouquet from Jacob''s hand. "She''s still too young, you jerk!"


    Laughter filled the atmosphere at Dad''s sudden move.


    "No matter what you say, buddy, I''ve taken away your doll. She''s mine," Jacob smiled, pulling me closer and resting his chin on my bare shoulder before nting a kiss there, "She''s going to be mine for the rest of my life."


    "You..."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    To avoid a disaster, ra rushed to us, taking Dad''s hand. "Not now, you two."


    "Yes, please, ra. Take your husband away as soon as possible," Jacob pressed, doing his best to get on Dad''s nerves. "He''s butting in too much." "I''m butting in too much? That''s my daughter, you..."


    And before Dad could say more, ra dragged him away from us. From afar, I could see that her way of silencing him was a kiss, and that was all it took to dissipate Dad''s anger.


    "They are adorable, aren''t they?" I smiled.


    "Of course they are," Jacob smiled before a soft snicker slipped past his lips, "And you know what''s better? Now we have someone permanent who can keep his attitude in check."


    "Hey, my dad''s not that moody!"


    "Well, I won''t bother to argue because you know the truth," he chuckled before nting a kiss on my cheek.


    He was right-Dad could be moody at times.


    A smallugh escaped me as I turned around to face Jacob, my hands now resting on his shoulders. "So... we''ve finally made it?"


    "Yes, Evelyn," he sighed, pressing our foreheads together, pulling me so close that there wasn''t even an inch left between us. "We''ve made it."


    "I still can''t believe you''re mine," I breathed out, unable to contain my smile. It felt so surreal. Who could have ever known Jacob Adriano would end up being mine?! "It all feels like a dream."


    "If it is, then I promise to never let this dream break. Ever," he whispered, his lips brushing against mine, and I leaned in.


    "I love you, Jacob, and I vow to love you until myst breath."


    A smile broke on his face as he


    closed his eyes, and his hand moved to the back of my head, bringing our faces even closer. "I made that vow long ago, Evelyn, and today... I want to make another vow-You''ll always be my first andst destination." With that, he pressed our lips together, sealing eternity in that one moment.


    Jacob Adriano, the man of my dreams, was mine. Forever mine.


    The End......

 Chapter 87 Bonus鈥擳he Steam (Part 1)

    Chapter 87 Bonus¡ªThe Steam (Part 1)


    Evelyn


    Late at night, there came a knock on my door while I was in the shower, perched on the edge of my Jacuzzi, watching the tub fill. It had been, by far, the best day yet. Dad and ra had just tied the knot, and tomorrow they''d set off for their honeymoon. As for me? I wasn''t entirely sure. I had considered staying with Nancy for a month since Jacob had to head to Italy for some business involving a mess Chloe created. So, we had to stay away for a month.


    It didn''t bother me. At least, I knew he was mine, and by the end of the day, he''d return home to me.


    "Who is it?" I called out from inside the bathroom.


    It better not be Mason! That jerk had been pestering me for hours about the recent sex details of me and Jacob, and I had no idea why all my friends were so intrigued by my sex life. Maybe it was because it was still rtively new? Who could say? Not me.


    When I received no response, I stood up with the robe loosely draped around me and made my way to the bathroom door. "You better not be bothering me now, Mason! I won''t spill the beans about how Jacob fucks me!"


    But when I opened the door, I realized that this wasn''t Mason; it was my devil-Jacob.


    A soft gasp escaped my lips as I saw him standing at the threshold, his sparkling green eyes filled with amusement. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest as he entered. "So... what won''t you tell?" he raised an eyebrow, his gaze traveling up and down my figure. That''s when I noticed that, aside from my nipples, my breasts were partially on disy, and he found the sight quite enticing.


    As I had often said, I knew how to read him, not just his eyes but even his breath and heartbeats. I was certain that he knew how to read me even better. As he looked at me now, I could tell he was already aware of the wetness growing between my thighs just from the sight of him.


    "Well," I bit my lower lip, "I was just " My words trailed off as he moved closer, and I instinctively took a step back.


    Fuck, he felt like a predator.


    With his loosely hanging red tie and unbuttoned white shirt, the coat nowhere in sight, I could tell that the rest of his clothing was about to disappear along with my robe, which covered the least.


    "Tell me, Evelyn," he moved even closer, and I continued to step back until I found myself backed against the now Jacuzzi, almost filled to the brim. "What won''t you tell?" As he leaned in, my body responded involuntarily, and I sat back on the edge of the tub, the water sshing on my skin, sending shivers down my spine.


    Jacob chuckled as he turned off the tap, preventing the water from overflowing. He might have seeded in stopping the water, but how was he going to halt my wetness down there?


    Well, I doubted he had any intentions of stopping that.


    Just when I thought my heart couldn''t beat any louder, the god before me, in all his glory, knelt, loosening his tie even further and tossing it aside. Holy!


    He looked at me, a smirk curving at the corner of his lips. "So... your friend''s curious if I fuck you good or not, huh?" His hands stealthily found their way to the tie of my robe, and with a smooth, silk-like motion, the robe slipped from my body, partially falling into the tub''s water, "And you can''t tell him because you''re shy, or maybe because you don''t quite remember?" He slipped his hand around my neck, his fingers teasing my skin before brushing the back of my ear and trailing down to my breast, where his index finger took the lead and circled my nipple.


    "I didn''t say I don''t...." My sentence was interrupted by a soft moan as he pinched my nipple. His eyes locked on mine, making it clear that he was the one in control of my body and soul. Right now, he demanded an answer, "Oh my!"N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "What were you about to say, Evie?" This time, his other hand gripped my thigh roughly before deciding to intensify the torment, his thumb tracing my entrance.


    "I..." Once again, I was unable to respond.


    He was pushing me to the edge, and I knew his ways well - he was punishing me.


    Had he noticed myck of effort during the bouquet catch? Well....


    "What do you n to do?" I finally blurted out, barely holding myself together as I gripped the edge of the tub, my body trembling with pleasure.


    "We had a deal, didn''t we?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "If you cheat... you get punished."


    Okay, so he had noticed. I couldn''t expect anything less. With his eagle-like eyes and unwavering attention always on me, it was clear that I''d made it too obvious.


    Fuck me!


    "I didn''t technically cheat... you did," I blurted out, a whimper escaping my lips as he pushed his thumb into my core, deep, "Oh, fuck!" I closed my eyes tightly.


    "But even before I did that, you had already nned to dodge catching that bouquet, didn''t you?" He let out a husky chuckle, working his thumb inside me, the wetness coating his finger and flowing freely.


    "You can''t... be so sure," I bit down on my lower up to stifle a moan, but Jacob pressed both his index and middle fingers directly onto my clit with firm pressure, and a sudden gasp left my mouth. My body was covered in sweat as if I''d just taken a shower.


    This man knew exactly how to drive me wild, and still wondered how he had learned to do it so easily. It was unbearable - I wanted him, but I knew that asking him outright would be futile when he always had a n in mind. Content belongs NovelDrama.Org


    Won


    "I know you, Evelyn, and anyone genuinely trying to catch it would have been far more enthusiastic and would have stood in apletely different position to catch it," he pulled me closer by my neck, brushing his lips against mine. "So, you brought this punishment upon yourself, Evelyn."


    "Can''t you let this slide... for once?" I managed to say, my body trembling.


    "Why should I?" He smirked against my lips before biting down on my lower lip, rolling it between his teeth, and then sucking on it. "I think... I should punish you."


    God, I wanted him so badly!


    "Please, Jacob," I whimpered, my hips jerking as he tantalizingly teased my clit. "I want you."


    "Well... well, I want you too, Evelyn, but bad girls don''t get rewarded... do they?"


    "But I''m not a girl... you called me your woman, right?"


    His movements froze, and for a moment, his entire body stilled. I saw a flicker in his eyes that told me I''d hit the right spot.


    "So, you can discipline your woman while fucking her, can''t you?" I raised my hand and traced his abs, holding my breath as I did so he was tempting, "You can do both at the same time..."


    I could tell he was struggling to restrain himself, but I could already see the bulge growing in his pants. He wouldn''t be able to hold back for much longer.


    "You know... I can be very obedient if you fuck me right," I leaned closer to his ear, gently brushing my lips against his earlobe, "And you can do that, can''t you?"


    "Damn, Evelyn," He hissed, his grip on me tightening. "You''re going to be the death of me." In one smooth motion, he tore open his shirt and crashed his lips onto mine.

 Chapter 88 Bonus鈥擳he Steam (Part 2)

    Chapter 88 Bonus¡ªThe Steam (Part 2)


    Evelyn


    Our kiss grew hotter as he lifted me, and we submerged into the Jacuzzi. He discarded my robe while I unfastened his belt and slid down his pants. Within minutes, we were bothpletely naked, our bodies pressed together, burning with desire.


    "I don''t know what I''m going to do to you..." he breathed, hungrily kissing down my neck. "You drive me insane."


    "And you drive me wild," I pulled him closer, leaning against the tub, my body partially immersed in the warm water as he hovered over me. Our lips met, and it felt too good, the sensation of his skin against mine was nothing short of heavenly. "I want to get lost in you, Jacob. Forever."


    Kissing me fervently, he gripped my jaw and slid his tongue into my mouth, resting his hand on my waist as he parted my thighs to keep me steady. Slowly, he entered me, raw. His skin brushed against my inner walls, creating a delightful sensation, the warm water soothing my tingling nerves.


    "Oh, Jacob," I moaned into his mouth, my hips buckling as he pushed further until he was fully inside me, balls deep.


    Fuck, he was too good for me.


    "You''re addictive," he murmured as he set the pace, slowly moving in and out of me, never breaking our intense gaze. I knew he could see through my very soul, just as I could with him.


    I held onto him tighter as he picked up the pace, plunging deeper with each thrust. The water sshed around us, our bodies moving in perfect sync, the sound of our skin pping echoing against the backdrop of the gushing water.


    Soon, I felt myself edging closer to an orgasm, my toes curling, eyes squeezed shut, and my entire body quivering. Jacob, being the sex god that he was, sensed my impending climax and picked up the pace, pummeling into me with an animalistic fervor. Hell! He was a beast when it came to sex- he could devour me, or destroy me, yet I''d still love every moment of it!


    My hands shot to grip the sides of the Jacuzzi, my thighs spread wide as my inner walls took him even deeper, as if my whole body was under his control, responding to his every desire without the need formand.


    And then... screaming his name, I came all apart around him, my walls constricting tightly around his length, throwing off his rhythm momentarily. But he knew exactly how to regain it, and in the next heartbeat, he had every string of control wrapped around his fingers, pounding into me with the same speed and intensity.


    Tears welled in my eyes, and I had no idea when he was going to stop. But even in the aftermath of such an intense climax, I didn''t want him to stop. Sliding his hand beneath my waist, he flipped us so that I sat on top of him. Every one of his movements was effortless, as if it required no exertion at all. I felt as light as a feather, one that he could easily crush with the slightest touch, yet nothing he did actually harmed me.


    "You wanted me, didn''t you?" he asked, gripping my ass cheeks and angling himself deeper, right against my G-spot. His eyes never left mine, and the blue veins in his neck stood out. His jaw was taut, a small bead of sweat slid down the side of his forehead, and his tousled hair framed his face ever so slightly. The sight of him alone was almost enough to trigger another climax right then and there, and I could feel that knot forming in my lower abdomen.


    Like I''d said-He was too fucking good for me.


    He licked my lower lip before trailing his tongue down to my neck and nipping at my nipple. I moaned, tossing my head back, clinging to his shoulders for bnce.


    Jacob then seized my throat, bringing my face closer to his. "Ride me, Evie," he growled, his voice husky. "I''m all yours."


    Holy shit, he was going to kill me tonight.


    "I think I''d enjoy these kinds of punishments more often, Jacob," I whispered before I began to rock my hips, slowly moving up and down on him, taking him deeper, our bodies falling into sync.


    This felt too good and god, I couldn''t even describe how incredible he felt inside of me.


    Starting at a leisurely pace, I soon picked up speed in my movements. Our bodies fell into a magical rhythm once more, pleasure coursing through our veins, and heat seeping into our skin. Jacob guided me as I rode him, pushing me down each time I moved my hips just right to hit those spots he knew were my breaking point.


    Before long, his member jerked inside me, his Adam''s apple bobbing ever so slightly, and I watched as his pupils dted. Sparks ignited on my skin, my eyes welled up, and I felt it too¡ªI was close, just like him.


    "I''m getting close, baby," he hissed, his face contorted in pleasure as he took the lead and began thrusting inside me, my walls clenching tightly around him each time.


    "I''m close too..." I whimpered, and in no time, the orgasm washed over me like a massive wave. My entire body seemed to shift into a different mode, as if someone had flipped a switch. Along with the wave of pleasure, a sense of rxation washed over my formerly tense nerves, a calm sensation spreading down my heated body like cool, refreshing water.


    Jacob groaned as his release followed soon after, his cum filling me to the hilt, the warm sensation causing a soft sigh to escape my lips.


    I let go of my body, copsing onto him, my chin resting on his shoulder, my hands on his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeats. We were a mess, drenched in sweat and each other''s fluids, our hair a chaotic tangle, but none of it mattered.


    He gently ran his fingers along my spine and let out a sigh, leaning against the tub. "You know, I initially came here to share some good news," he said after a few moments of silence.


    I raised myself to look at him. "Really? What is it?"


    Smiling, he brushed my hair away from my face. "Well, you know I have to leave for Italy soon because of the mess Chloe created," he began, but I interjected.


    "I''ll kill your ex someday," I stated, my jaw clenching at the thought of her.


    "I won''t stop you," he chuckled. "But hear me out first. I just talked to Samuel about it. Since he and ra will be out there on the streets of Paris, enjoying their honeymoon, and you''d be left alone here... so..."


    My eyebrows shot up, and my eyes widened ever so slightly...


    Could it be...? No, I shouldn''t just assume. I''ll let him speak.


    "So?" I waited for him to finish his sentence.


    "He gave me permission to take you with me," he finally said, a smile breaking across his face. "So, you''reing with me to Italy."


    "Wait, what?!" I was taken aback, but that was an understatement. I was shocked and mostly amazed. "Really? Wait, don''t tell me you''re joking!" Jacob and I, going to Italy? God, It''d be so fucking amazing.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "No, I''m not joking, Evelyn," he chuckled, kissing one cheek and then the other. "You''reing with me to Italy, and guess what? I''m going to take you to meet my parents and sisters the day after we arrive in Italy."


    OH. MY. GOD.


    Holy shit!


    el


    "You''re serious, right?!" I cupped his face, the smile on my face never fading. I wanted to dance right now.


    "Yes, I''m serious, Evelyn!" His tone mirrored mine as he kissed my lips.


    "God, I love you! I love you I love you!" I repeatedly pecked his lips, unable to contain my excitement. He smiled against my kisses before cupping my face in his warm hands.


    "If I knew you''d be this happy to hear the news, I would have told you sooner."


    "You should have! When are we leaving? I have so much packing to do!"


    "Tomorrow evening. And before you


    panic my love, let me tell you something, he said, brushing his thumbs over my cheeks. "You don''t need to pack much. We''ll be doing


    tons of shopping all the


    things you need at my ce. Because I think I''ll be taking you to Italy very often from now on."


    "Okay then," I smiled, resting my head on his chest. "But I still can''t believe Dad agreed so easily."


    "Hey, it wasn''t easy. I practically had to beg that asshole," he scoffed. "Your dad is something else."


    "He''s your best friend, after all, so it''s only fair for him to be bossy," I chuckled, "So tell me, what will we be doing in Italy?"


    "What do you think?"


    "Hanging around, meeting your family, exploring the sights? Do you have anything else in mind?"


    "Yes, I do," His voice suddenly took a turn as he raised my chin to make me look at him. "Apart from famous pastas and stuff, we''re going to do something else lots of sex."


    My cheeks were already ame. "You dog!" I yfully pped his chest and tried to get off him, but he pulled me back, so I was sitting on hisp


    again.


    "Whatever you say¡ªbecause it''s definitely happening, Evie," he grinned, yfully kissing my jaw, cheek, and neck, drawing a giggle from me.


    "No, that''s not happening!"


    "You know it''s going to happen, and I''m going to make it happen."


    "No, you jerk," I sshed water on his face, and he turned his head to the side, but my aim was true, and it hit his face anyway.


    He looked at me with a mischievous smirk curving at his lips, and his eyes gleamed with that familiar mischievous glint. Damn it. He wasn''t going to


    let me off easily.


    Before I could get up and make a run


    for it, he flipped us so that I was under him, trapped with the edge of the tub against my back. Hovering over me, his lips brushed against mine as he gazed deep into my eyes. "You''re so done."


    A shiver ran down my spine...


    Well, it seemed like our trip to Italy was going to be everything but ordinary.

 Chapter 89 My Dads Bestfriend: Sins In Italy, Trouble In Paradise

    Chapter 89 My Dad''s Bestfriend: Sins In Italy, Trouble In Paradise


    "Well, I''ve been waiting for you. So, tell me, what''s the reason for the honor of having thedy herselfe to my apartment?" He asked, a strange familiar glint in his eyes as he eyed me up and down, noticing everything as he raised his ss to his mouth taking a sip of the whiskey-the same one Jacob always had.


    "You asked for one night, right?"I cut straight to the point, "If I spend the night with you, will you return everything you have unfairly taken from him through your false reports in the media?"


    "Yes, Be Dona," he replied, rising from his seat with a sly grin,ing closer to me. So close that I could feel his breath on my skin, "I''ll return everything to him," his cold rings grazed my skin as he traced my shoulder down to my finger, where he noticed my ring with Jacob''s initials.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "However, there''s one thing I can''t return to him," he fixed his gaze on my face. "You."


    "It''s just for one night, Tyler. I''ll never be yours."


    Upon our arrival in Italy, none of us gave a second thought to the idea that Love in Italy might differ from how we were in America. Back home, we were confined by four walls, and our only demons were those within ourselves. But, in the heart of this new dark world, with cutthroat business rivalries, his past resurfaced, challenging him once more. And this time it attacked harder than it ever could, all because of one person..... Only one person-The greatest opponent, driven by a sick obsession and rivalry, Tyler Ri, who swore to shatter everything Jacob and I had because he wanted...me.


    After all, Italy was far from the Ordinary paradise we''d imagined it to be....


    ***


    Sins In Italy Evelyn


    "Wow! This is your apartment?" I nced around, taking in our surroundings. We had touched down in Italy just half an hour ago after enduring the gruelling eight-hour flight. Our journey followed shortly after bidding a fond farewell to Dad and ra, with us boarding our flight about an hourter. I could only hope when they got back, ra would be pregnant-Don''t judge me, I never had a sibling, so my biggest wish was to have one. Well, I wouldn''t mind if there were two, but the minimum requirement was one, just one.


    "Yes, baby," Jacob chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist as he nted a kiss on my shoulder. I absolutely loved it when he did that. "Do you like it?"


    "It''s gorgeous," I replied, utterly captivated. The living room felt like an oasis offort, with its soft, oversized sofas and a breathtaking city view. I could catch a glimpse of the kitchen, a modern marvel with its sleek design and high-end appliances. Everything was predominantly ck, and I knew it was his favorite color-no need to ask.


    "Can we check out the bedroom?"


    "Already?" A mischievous smirk yed at the corner of his mouth as he looked at me. "Let them deliver our luggage first, at the very least."


    My jaw practically hit the floor-did he really think I had that in mind? I asked for-


    Oh, yes, he did!


    "Jerk! I just wanted to see the bedroom! I didn''t mean to imply that you horny dog!" I nudged his stomach with my elbow, and a soft groan escaped his lips.


    "Hey, that''s unfair! Why would you want to see the bedroom if you didn''t want to do anything?" He protested, attempting to grab my wrist, but I swiftly darted away on a mission to find the bedroom.


    The first three rooms I entered immediately signaled they weren''t his. I knew him well enough to recognize that if any of them belonged to him, they would be draped in more shades of ck, have more clothes scattered on the floor, and most importantly, have an ashtray. My man, I knew, had a fondness for cigarettes. He wouldn''t smoke around me much, but he was fond of cigarettes, a whole lot of it.


    Throughout my exploration, he trailed behind me, all the whileining about my tiny elbow causing his rock-hard stomach difort. Given his muscr physique, the only one who was likely to be injured was me, but since I hadn''t sustained any injuries during my "don''t-try-this-at-home" mission, I could confidently say no one was hurt.


    And so, I reached the fourth room, which turned out to be the master bedroom, unmistakably his. It was drenched in ck, from faded to washed, and jet, in a way that left no room forint. The walls were entirely ck, with subtle white lines aligning with the decor. The king-sized bed, draped in inviting, soft linens, boasted a headboard washed in ck, while the curtains, in the lightest shade in the room, were a soft gray. Even the floor was ck.


    This had to be his room. No doubts. It was undoubtedly his.


    "So this is your room," Imented as I strolled inside.


    "How can you be so sure?" He inquired, raising an eyebrow as he leaned against the doorframe. "It might not be."


    "If this isn''t your room, then I''d have to assume you either sleep in the living room, or you''re a vampire who doesn''t sleep at all," I shrugged as I made my way to the closet. "Or maybe you''re just too used to sleeping in other women''s beds?" As the thought crossed my mind, I turned to look at him, my expression growing more serious.


    I wasn''t interested in dwelling on past issues, but if that were the case, he wouldn''t be getting any sex for a week. Call me petty-I didn''t care.


    He fought to conceal his smile, attempting to maintain hisposure while slipping his hands into his pockets. The amusement in his green eyes was evident nheless. "Which one do you think is more fitting?"


    This jerk...


    "It had better be the first two because thest scenarioes with consequences," I warned, raising an eyebrow.


    "Um," he cleared his throat, "What consequences?"


    "I think you already know, Mr. Adriano."


    "Well..." He scratched the back of his head. "I suppose it''s better to lie sometimes than..."


    God! So the third option was true? I swear I''d fucking kill him today.


    "You fucking¡ª" I began, advancing towards him, ready to impart a lesson with either an ear-pulling or, maybe, resorting to a full-blown act of violence by punching that stupid handsome face of his.


    But before I could put my n into action, he swiftly slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me close and switching our positions. Now, I was pressed against the doorframe, and he loomed over me, his face inches away.


    A soft gasp escaped my lips at his sudden maneuver, and before I could speak, he broke the silence.


    "Hey, firecracker," a breathtaking


    smile spread across his lips as he


    leaned in closer. His cologne, as always, wafted into my nostrils, even though was simmering with anger. Call me an overreacting bitch, but I couldn''t stand the thought of him being with other women, even if it was in the past, "I was just messing with you. I''ve had my fair share of women, but I''ve always preferred spending the night at my ce-"


    "So that means you-"


    "No," he shook his head as if he''d anticipated my question before I even asked it. "It''s a no, I assure you. I''ve never brought any women to this bed, and I n to make you the first "He leaned even closer to my face, brushing his nose against the side of my cheek as he took in my scent. "So, should I just do that?"


    I fought back a blush, trying to hide my smile. "You''re using your ways on me again," I meant for it to be aint, but it came out sounding more


    like I enjoyed it. The truth was, I did. I loved it- I loved him, the best and worst parts of him, and every bit in between.


    "And you like that, don''t you?" he chuckled, the husky sound sending shivers down my spine. His handsome face and enchanting features, even when considered individually, were still incredibly distracting, making my heart race. I could already feel the sparks on my skin and tingling sensations at the back of my neck.


    "I do... but shouldn''t we unpack first?"


    "I''d rather undress you than unpack the stupid luggage," he dered, lifting me effortlessly. A gasp escaped my lips as he wrapped my legs around


    his hips.


    "Jacob, we''ve just arrived in Italy. We can''t just do this the whole time," I protested, though an inadvertentugh escaped my lips as he let me fall onto the bed, him now on top with his body positioned between my thighs.


    "I''ll just take one hour of your day," he smiled against my lips before he kissed me.


    One hour?


    He had to be fucking kidding me. I''d have no energy left by the time he was finished.


    As he reluctantly ended the kiss, my breath was already ragged. "An hour seems far too long, don''t you think?" My words barely rose above a whisper, though I could see the smoldering desire in his eyes. It sent electric thrills racing through my body, sensations both new and yet oddly


    familiar.


    "It''s almost too short, Evelyn," he confessed, his hand finding its way beneath my shorts, touching my bare pussy: ''I arched my back, a soft moan escaping my lips. "And I believel can make it seem even shorter for you, my love." He traced his lips along my neck, leaving a trail of delicate kisses that left their


    mark.


    I had been right to anticipate that Italy would be anything but ordinary, much like the days spent in our private rooms back home, lost in passionate moments with Jacob.


    "So, what''s our n now? Are we going to make love?" I inquired, my breath still heavy. "I haven''t even had a chance to see the entire apartment


    yet."


    His fingers suddenly slipped inside of me, eliciting a soft moan, and my body quivered in response. "Well," he whispered, "I can show you the entire apartment and fuck you at the same time. Would you prefer that, baby?"


    God, this man was killing me.


    "A different kind of apartment tour?"


    "Yeah...and all you have to say is a ''yes'', Evelyn," His thumb circled my clit, putting pressure. I almost threw my head back at that.


    "To hell with the yes," I finally breathed out, grabbing his cors and pulling him closer, I''d already lost it, "Fuck me. Right now." And he mmed his lips against mine without having to be told twice.

 Chapter 90 Wild And Wonderful

    Chapter 90 Wild And Wonderful


    Evelyn


    It turned out that his entire apartment was even more beautiful. To be honest, I doubted we''d left any corner untouched in the past twenty-four hours. In his own territory, Jacob was even wilder.


    For instance, I could say - my throat was still sore, not from what you might think (although I wouldn''t deny that it also happened), but from all the screaming and shouting. He wanted me loud, and my body responded to him every time he pushed inside of me, deep and raw. And man, he still knew how to discover new spots, though I''d believed he''d explored every inch of me.


    Amidst all the ces in his apartment, my favourite was the balcony, offering breathtaking views of Rome. Rome was beautiful, just like the Italian who had his hand wrapped around my waist. I was draped in a robe, and he had a towel hanging low around his waist as he savoured a cup of coffee.


    Both of us enjoyed the view and the cool breeze, although it was hard to focus on anything else when the most beautiful sight was right beside me. What was more gorgeous than Rome? Jacob Adriano. Fuck it! He was more stunning than the whole worldbined - he was perfect! "You know, if you keep staring at me like that," he spoke, his smile unmistakable as he continued, taking a sip of his coffee and looking at the night sky, "I might just say ''screw the coffee'' and drink you right now."


    My cheeks turned red, and I bit down on my bottom lip to hide my smile as I looked away. I didn''t want to be shy but god, I couldn''t help it.


    He stayed silent for a few minutes, and I could feel his gaze on me the entire time.


    "Don''t look," I blushed even more, trying to hide my embarrassment by looking further away and turning my body to the side.


    "Why? What''s wrong with me seeing your pink cheeks?" He chuckled effortlessly, turning me to face him as he put the mug aside. His eyes sparkled with amusement, "I guess I''ve already seen your other pink somethings, haven''t I?" He leaned closer to my face, my back pressed against the railing, and my heart raced.


    "Pervert!" I blushed and looked away again.


    "You know, you''re quite the mystery, Evelyn," he smiled, cing a kiss on my cheek, then another, and another until I finally turned to him. Before I could speak, he pecked me on the lips. "No matter how much I try to understand you, rimani sempre un enigma," He sighed, cing another kiss on my lips.


    Wait... what?


    "Howe your Italian didn''t kick in the entire time we stayed in America, but now, only twenty-four hours in Italy, you''re speaking Italian?" I asked. "Well, I thought your question would be, ''What does that mean?'' So, howe you didn''t ask that and this?"


    "Well... I''ve learned Italian. We''ve had extranguage sses, and I chose it."R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ''Rimani sempre un enigma'' means ''You always remain an enigma.''-I was good at italy, boy. He wouldn''t be able to confuse me, not at least using italian.


    "So you''ve been nning to fuck me for a long, long time, huh?" He chuckled, and I nearly gasped in disbelief.


    "Shameless!" I yfully pped his cheek, turning it to the side, but he looked at me again with the same grin on his face.


    "Call me whatever you want, but we''re fucking again," he suddenly hoisted me up, tossing me over his shoulder as if I were weightless, a giggle escaping my lips.


    "Jacob! Remember, we have to wake up early tomorrow. Your sister and parents don''t forget we''re meeting them!"


    "That''s no reason not to enjoy you," he carried me to his bedroom.


    "We''ve already fucked! Too many times!"


    "So? Is there a fucking limit?


    God, this wasn''t going to help.


    "No! But there should be! Jacob, I won''t fuck you now!" I tried to sound serious, but my voice came out more like augh. "Let me go!" "Fine, all you need to do is just lie there," he chuckled in response. "I''ll take care of the rest."


    "Jacob, no-"


    And he strolled into the room, mming the door shut.


    ***


    "So, Samuel whipped your arse red before finally giving you the green light to date his daughter?" Jacob''s sister, Bianca,ughed in amusement. After hearing the whole story from us, that was her only question and reaction. "Ha fatto cosa giusta, ad essere onesti. You are a terrible friend, fratello."


    Trantion: He did the right thing, to be honest. You are a terrible friend, Brother.


    I couldn''t help but chuckle, even though I tried to stifle it. Jacob shot a brief nce my way, but I covered my mouth and shook my head as if I hadn''t been the one tough.


    "Shut up. Sono sempre stato un bravo amico, s¨¬... Voglio dire, ho perso testa quando si tratta di lei, look at her-faresti stessa cosa se fossi al mio posto."


    Trantion: Shut up. I''d always been a good friend, yeah...I mean, I lost it when it came to her, look at her-you''d do the same thing if you were at my ce.


    A blush crept up my cheeks at his words. God, did he know any bounds? That was a ''no'' for sure.


    "Jacob..." I whispered under my breath, trying to stop him, but he seemed unfazed.


    "Don''t be shy, Evelyn. You''d better


    get used to his shamelessness. Trust me, he''s only going to get more shameless," Biancaughed, looking back at Jacob, a


    V


    mischievous smile tugging at


    lips as she crossed her arms. "Well, I''m thankful I''m not in your shoes, Questo amore e queste cose, non mi tano. But I''m happy you''ve moved on from that witch-I mean, God, she was pure evil!" Trantion: This love and shit, it doesn''t get to


    me.


    "I moved on from her a long time ago, Bee. It was her who''d show up everywhere I went," he scoffed, "I almost lost Evie because of her..." Slipping


    his arms around my waist, he pulled me closer, kissed my neck, and inhaled my scent, sighing in satisfaction.


    I tried to nudge him with my elbow, but he wouldn''t budge. Indeed, in Italy, he was a wild one-the past hours had already been enough to tell me that, and I wondered how much more there was to see.


    "I see...." Bianca looked at us, chuckling, "You''re whipped, my little fratello!"


    Before Jacob could respond, she continued, "But I have to admit, Evelyn''s stunning! Gosh, how did you even manage to get someone like her? Looking at your past girlfriends, they were...ugh! Forget it!"


    My eyes snapped toward Jacob, "Well... I thought someone didn''t date much."


    "Hey, none of them were my girlfriends," he spoke, ring at Bianca before looking at me, "Yes, we fucked, but no, I never ''dated'' any of them that you saw with me. Why assume?"


    "Aspetta, they were not your girlfriends? Porca miseria-sei proprio un pervertito," Bianca ended upughing, "God, I can''t believe this is the same Jacob who used to cry over choctes, even at the age of thirteen." Trantion: Wait, they were not your girlfriends? Damn it-You''re really a pervert.


    "Bianca!"


    "What?" Augh slipped past my lips. "He used to cry at thirteen and for choctes?"


    Okay. This was fun.


    "No, that''s nonsense," Jacob hastily spoke up, irritation etched on his face as he red at his sister. I could see a slight hint of pink on his cheeks¡ª he was blushing. Adorable!


    "Well, sorry to break it to you, Evie,


    but your boyfriend used to be a crybaby. I don''t know about now


    since he''s so busy with his business and all stupid shit, but yeah, he used to cry a lot," Biancaughed,


    carefree about Jacob''s reeled


    "I


    wish you could have seen him. Mom and Dad have the pictures. You


    should see them! He was the worst of kids. Annoying, a crybaby, picky eater, and so on."


    I couldn''t stopughing at this point.


    "So I guess all these muscles and stuff, they came from chocte?" I asked, earning a re from him. Nheless, I continued, "What brand do you prefer, by the way? Posso portarti dei citini, tesoro." I pinched his cheek, and he pulled away, annoyed. (Trantion: "I can bring you some choctes, Baby.")


    "See, Bianca. What you just did? Now I am going to have to deal with this for at least a week! Ti odio cos¨¬ tanto." (Trantion: "I hate you so much.")


    "Anche io ti amo, fratello." She blew him a kiss before giving me a high-five. "By the way, your Italian is good, Evie. I guess you always belonged to the family; this asshole was just a bitte." Trantion: I love you too, Brother.


    "He is alwayste," I sighed, shaking my head, augh escaping my lips. "Still a cute tesoro, you see." (Trantion: "Baby.")


    "Well, if I hadn''t beente, I would have been in jail," Jacob scoffed.


    Well, that was dark but true.


    "Okay, I hate to admit but that was...on point," Bianca blew a low sigh, taking a sip of her coffee.


    "No one would have put you in jail," I rolled my eyes.


    "Well, my jaw still hurts from your


    1


    dad''s punch, and you''ve seen how passionate he was about ripping me into two halves. So, what do you think he would have done if I''d touched you back then? He''d have killed me himself, and of course, it


    would be right. Yes, I can be out of bounds sometimes, but I''m not that much of a pervert." Content belongs


    to


    He got me.


    "I won''t say you are wrong..."


    "That means I am right," he shed me a grin, teasing me," "ept it, tesoro. Sometimes beingte is good."


    I looked at him, wanting to say something, but he truly got me. Or maybe I was just bad at arguments, who knew?


    "Leave it, Evelyn. Let him have this; I will tell you more of his secrets," Bianca interrupted. "You''ll have many chances after that."


    "Hey, no!" He barked before I could speak.


    "Why? She should know the truth."


    "Youwyers, always lying, even within the family," He muttered, "Bloody wimps."


    Oops!


    "What did you just say, you asshole?! Say it again, and I''ll shove your business shit right back into your arse!"


    Woah!


    "You''re all talk, no walk, Bee."


    And there the two siblings went, arguing like little kids, and I sat there, watching the scene in sheer disbelief.


    This family was... crazy.

 Chapter 91 Hints Of The Trouble

    Chapter 91 Hints Of The Trouble


    Evelyn


    "I can''t believe it''s him," I chuckled softly as I looked at the picture. "He doesn''t look fifteen at all. Even his height was... too small."


    "You see it too, right?" Rosaline flipped to the next page of the album, her smile never fading. "Here, see, this was when he won his first basketball trophy. Look at the smile on his face, cos¨¬ adorabile."


    "Aww... Jacob was such a baby," I mused, unable to hide my smile.


    "Don''t ''aww'' me," he groaned, making an attempt to snatch the album, but Enzo stopped him as he plopped down beside him on the couch.


    "Why so frustrated, my boy?" Enzoughed, handing him a ss of wine, and offering one to me as well. "Evelyn deserves to see your childhood pictures, non ¨¨ vero?" (Trantion: Isn''t that true?)


    "That''s not childhood, Dad," he scowled, almost trying to hide his embarrassment. "That''s a deformed teenage period! Totally screwed up."


    "Hey, you looked cute," I spoke up. "I admit your height was a little too... short, but I wouldn''t say there was anything else bad about it. Look at you..." I raised a picture of him holding a cricket bat. "You look so precious."


    "Cute, il mio sedere," he rolled his eyes, and Enzo pped the back of his head, immediately earning a groan from him. (Trantion: Cute, my arse.) "Che cazzo!" (Trantion: What the fuck!) He looked at Enzo in bewilderment while I tried to hold myughter. No matter how manly he had be, I loved and absolutely enjoyed the sight of him being treated like a child by Rosaline and Enzo.


    "Be grateful for how you looked because if you had seen my pictures, you''d have hung yourself with something," Enzo tsked, sipping on his wine. "I didn''t gain any height until I was nearly seventeen. Everyone used to call me ''fatso,'' but you, you at least looked cute."


    "Where are the pictures, by the way?" Jacob''s interest suddenly shifted as he looked at Rosaline.


    "He burned them," she chuckled, "He was too embarrassed about it, and, to be honest, I can''t me him for that decision."


    "You were that ugly, Dad?" Jacob now looked at him.


    "Unfortunately, yes," Enzo released a sigh, squeezing his eyes shut.


    "Here, Evelyn...see this picture," Rosaline flipped to another page, plucking out a picture of Jacob wearing a dress.


    Oh my god! Holy shit!


    "What?!" Augh slipped past my lips as I looked at it. Someone had even smeared lipstick on his pretty lips. "Why did he dress like that? Did he have a thing for girly stuff?"


    "Mom, I don''t think you should do this to me, put those pictures back!" Jacob stood up, frustrated, but Enzo pulled him down so that he would be seated in his ce once again.


    "Bianca forcefully dressed him like that," Rosaline chuckled. She clearly loved looking at these pictures. "He''s even wearing eyeliner, see..." She pointed to his eyes, and I could see the misshapen lines on both of his eyelids.


    "Well, Jacob, your green eyes are really popping," I whistled softly as I looked at Jacob, who only scoffed.


    "I''ll email Samuel today to get some of yours, Evelyn. You''re having too much fun with this."


    "I don''t care, even if I have any terrible pictures, you''ve already seen them," I shrugged, scrolling through his pictures as Rosaline dly showed me more,pletely ignoring Jacob. "So for now, I''ll look at yours and enjoy."


    "Mom, when are you going to stop?"


    Lord. It was so easy to get on his nerves.


    "Not anytime soon," she shook her head before plucking out another picture, "See this one, it was on his sixteenth birthday. You see his red eyes and cheeks? He was crying because he missed his mom..." her voice softened, and so did her expression.


    The smile on my face faded. I didn''t know why my hand shook as I held the picture and examined it. His eyes were full of tears, and his nose was red.


    Gosh....


    My gaze shifted to Jacob, and I could see that his smile had also vanished. Enzo cleared his throat, attempting to be the only one in the room who didn''t get emotional.


    Jacob had been through a lot at a young age.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    He didn''t deserve any of it.


    "I love you..." I mouthed, my eyes softening, and he shed me the softest of smiles.


    "I love you too..." he mouthed back.


    Suddenly, his phone rang. He pulled


    it out, a look of concern crossing his face as he checked the screen. "Guys, I have to take this. Please excuse me, and yes, my photos too. I''d be very grateful to all three of you if you do that," he walked out of the of us in the


    room, leaving the three of the


    room.


    Rosaline''s eyes shifted to me after he left.


    "He loves you a lot, Evelyn. He''s never brought anyone to meet us, and you''re the first," she held my hands. "I have just one request to make. Can I ask you for something?"


    "Of course, Rosaline. You can; please don''t hesitate."


    "My Jacob has been through a lot, starting with his previous parents and then a terrible partner, and so on," she spoke, her voice shaky and eyes teary "But you know, he''s a good man, and he has a good heart


    el


    too. So...please stay with him. art


    through thick and thin and keep him happy, just like this. Before you, I hadn''t seen him so happy. You''ve changed his life, Evelyn. I promise, he''ll be a better version of himself for you every day because that''s who he is."


    "He knows how to love right, Evelyn," Enzo spoke, shing me a soft smile. "And he loves you, more than he''s ever loved anyone before."


    A smile broke on my face. They indeed loved him.


    "I will keep him happy, Enzo. And Rosaline, I promise that I will never leave his side, no matter what. I will always be there for him, through the ups and downs, and the toughest of storms. I love him a lot...trustme, I love him more than my own life."


    "My boy is lucky to have found someone like you, then," she smiled and caressed my cheek. "Thank you foring into his life."


    "And thank you for giving me your precious little son," I emitted a small chuckle as I lifted one of Jacob''s images, and augh broke through her despite the tears. Enzo, too, ended upughing.


    "You are wee," she wiped her tears and kissed my forehead. "Wee to the family, Evie."


    "Red wine is my favourite, so...I hope I''ll find it on every


    visit."


    "Your wish, ourmand," Enzo spoke up, making a bowing gesture with his hand. "You''ll get a whole bottle every time you visit."


    "That''s more like it," I giggled before wiping the remnants of tears from Rosaline''s face, and just then, Jacob walked back into the room.


    "Sorry, Mom and Dad, we have to leave," he spoke, something suddenly missing from the smile on his face, as if it didn''t quite reach his eyes. "I have an important meeting tomorrow, so I have to prepare some documents and stuff."


    "Now? God! You two have just arrived," Enzo spoke up. "Can''t you dy it?"


    "No, Dad, it''s important."


    "I thought we were going to have dinner together," Rosaline sighed. "Can''t you two stay for an hour more? Besides, it''s Evelyn''s first time here; you two should at least stay the night."


    "I promise to bring her again, Mom," Jacob said, his eyes softening. "As soon as I''m done solving the issues within thepany, I''ll bring her. Trust me, she''s staying in Italy for quite a while."


    "You''re going to bring her again, right? Promise?"


    "Yes, Mom. I promise," he chuckled, walking over to her and kissing her temple. "Now, can I take my girlfriend and go back?"


    "Fine, you can," she finally relented after a minute of debating. "But you better make it sooner."


    "Okay, I will," he gently grabbed my hand and helped me stand up. "Let''s go, baby."


    "Is it about Ri?" Enzo suddenly asked, a look of concern on his face.


    Ri? Now, who was that?


    "Not at all, Dad. You know our feuds ended long ago, and he no longer meddles in my business," Jacob said, his hand slipping around my waist. "It''s just a minor problem. Nothing to worry about."


    "Okay, but don''t hide it from me if things be too much," Enzo stood up and gave him a side hug, patting his back. "Take care of yourdy, or else


    I''ll give your arse a good thrashing."


    Jacob chuckled. "I will, I promise."


    I bid goodbye to both Rosaline and Enzo before we finally walked out of the house.


    As Jacob guided me to his car, I found myself asking, "Who''s Ri?"

 Chapter 92 Breaking Rules

    Chapter 92 Breaking Rules


    Evelyn


    "Who''s Ri?" I asked, my curiosity burning like a slow fuse.


    However, As I posed my question, my man appeared less interested in responding, leading me to the car and opening the door.


    Fucking jerk!


    Well, not for opening the car door, it was a small gesture, so it necessarily didn''t irk me but his way of ignoring my question did!


    "Are you just going to fucking pretend my question doesn''t exist?" I muttered, closing the car door with a subtle thud. I leaned against the vehicle, arms crossed, and stared at him. "So, who is Ri?"


    "It''s a long story, baby," Jacob sighed, his fingers running through his hair as he rested his hand against the car door, right beside my shoulder.


    "Well, I have time," I retorted, a frown creasing on my face, for fuck''s sake who was Ri? Because it seemed like he and Jacob weren''t quite on good terms, "It''s not like I need to catch a flight back to America right now."


    A faint smile cracked on his face as he observed my reaction.


    Did I look like some kind of joker to him?


    This...fucking jerk.


    "You-" Before I could unleash a barrage of curses, he leaned in, his fingers smoothing the furrows from my brow with a touch as light as air. What was going on in his mind? He was confusing; Not that he''d ever been easy to understand, but yeah, today he was too confusing. "What?" I removed his hand.


    "You are cute," he chuckled, pressing me against the car with his body, causing my eyes to widen at the sudden, daring move. For fuck''s sake, we were right in front of his parents'' house.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "What are you" My words caught in my throat as he leaned in, his nose lightly brushing against my jaw. His hands settled on my waist, and he pressed himself against me, as if he wanted to explore every curve I had. And indeed, I knew he could, just like I could feel his solid muscles beneath my hands as they rested on his chest.


    Lord, let me have my calm.


    "If I have to tell you here, then I''d prefer to fuck you first," he whispered against my lips. His eyes were shaded with desire, and it was evident he was more than willing to tear off my clothing and have me against the car right now, without a hint of regretter, "And it wouldn''t be pleasant if my parents caught us in such apromising position, would it? What would they think of us, tell me..."


    Holy shit!


    "This isn''t fair," I struggled to maintain myposure, my breathing bing uneven. "You-"


    And then...


    His hand suddenly slipped between us, sliding past the low cut of my dress, and cupped my pussy right over my panties.


    gasped, unable to stifle the sound. My body jolted from his sudden, audacious move, but he seemed to relish it. The smirk on his face widened, and his devilish green eyes shimmered with amusement.


    Devil!


    Hell, he was the embodiment of him- full of temptation and sin.


    "Tell me, Evie, what''s your preference?" He brushed his lips against mine, his thumb teasing my clit, causing me to shudder as the goosebumps covered my skin, my wetness gathering down there between my folds, too familiar with his hand, "Because I''m open to both options. Though I must confess, I''d love to fuck you right against this car, and watch as you try to stifle your moans, just to keep my parents from hearing." He let out a husky chuckle and raised his other hand to trace my lips. I attempted to clench my thighs together to contain the overwhelming sensations, but to no avail.


    He had no intention of letting me escape. Not even a little bit.


    "And I''d like to bite this lip to release those enticing sounds, as I plunge deeper into your tight little pussy, full of heat, hitting that sweet spot that always makes these beautiful eyes roll back."


    Damn, he knew precisely how to turn me on, and I hated that I couldn''t resist at all.


    My breath had quickened by this point, almost as if I''d run a fucking marathon. My palms were sweaty, and my heart thundered in my chest. Fuck!


    "You shouldn''t tease me like this all


    ???


    the time..." I managed to muster the courage to speak. With his warm breath caressing my skin and his face so close, lips brushing against mine, and the heat of his body merging with mine, it was incredibly challenging to maintain any


    semnce of control over my mind.


    It was overrun with sinful thoughts, and I didn''t mind it one bit.


    I feared that I''d be more than willing to let him fuck me right here if one more second passed. My strings, he had all of them. Wrapped around his fingers.


    "Even I don''t want to ... .but I can''t


    help myself," he murmured. "You are


    too tempting, especially when you''re angry...it just makes me want to fuck you from morning to night, without a single pause, and savor these melodious sounds escaping your pretty lips." His hand-stroked my pussy and a soft moan slipped from my lips.


    Oh my...


    I pressed my body harder against the car, the wetness now pooling between my thighs, and judging by the gleam in his eyes, I knew he could feel it


    too.


    Of course, he could.


    The way he cupped my pussy, tight, causing my nerves to pulsate and driving me to the brink of insanity with every passing second, made it fucking obvious that he could feel it.


    "So, Evelyn, would you like to hear the story now, or should I wait until we''re back in our apartment after I''d be done taking your sweet cunt?" He whispered, and just the sound of his words sent my imagination into overdrive, erasing any rational thoughts from my mind. "What do you say?"


    As tempting as the first option was, I had no desire to be seen naked by his parents, in such a position. Yes, I was shameless, but not that much that I''d be willing to get fucked by him knowing that there were chances of his parents seeing us here.


    So, the second option was the only one left.


    God! It would be so hard waiting for these few minutes till we reach his apartment.


    "Let''s go...home," I breathed out, despite every fiber of my being screaming to let him consume me against this car like a wild beast.


    sel


    "Well, well, ying it safe, I see," he mumbled, a grin spreading across his handsome face as he slowly withdrew his hand from my pussy He brought his fingers to his lips and inhaled my scent, his muscles suddenly tensing. "Fuck! Are you absolutely sure you want to wait until we get home?" He gripped my neck with his free hand, his nose brushing against mine. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I could sense he was losing control, and I absolutely fucking loved it, for he had robbed me of my self-control ages ago.


    "Yes, I''m sure," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "Now, shall we go?"


    His jaw tightened, and I watched his breathing quicken. In the midst of making me lose myposure, he had lost his own. This was fun...


    "Or perhaps we can continue right here in the car?" He suggested, his eyes darkened with lust. It required little effort to see the animal inside him stirring awake. "Wasting time doesn''t seem worth it, does it?"


    "It doesn''t, but you did give me two options, didn''t you, sir?" I asked, raising my hand to brush my fingers along his jaw. "And I''ve chosen the second one. So let''s go home, and then...I''m all yours."


    He dryly licked his bottom lip, his eyes revealing that he wanted nothing more than to strip my clothes off and im me right then and there. Yet the sight of the veins standing out on his neck, even those beneath his tattoo-covered skin, was a sight to behold.


    He was majestic.


    "Okay, fine," Jacob finally breathed out, grabbing my face. "Let''s go home, but once we reach there, you''re not allowed toin for the rest of the


    night." "Have I everined?" I leaned in, brushing my lips against his, savoring the way his muscles stiffened and his heartbeats quickened.


    "Damn it," he cursed under his breath, and pulling me to his side, he opened the car door. "Get in the car." I couldn''t help but chuckle at his impatience as I got inside.


    "You''re not nning to break any traffic rules, are you?" I asked,ughing as he got into the car and helped me secure my seatbelt.


    "Well, have I ever followed any rules?" he cocked an eyebrow.


    "B-but-"


    Before I could finish my sentence, he elerated onto the open road, pushing the car to its limits.


    Okay! He was going to break the rules. Both in bed and on the road.

 Chapter 93 Aching For More

    Chapter 93 Aching For More


    Evelyn


    I heard the door click shut behind me, sending shivers down my spine. My breath came in uneven bursts, and my hair was a chaotic mess, courtesy of the winds that had rushed into the car as Jacob sped through the fifteen-minute drive in what felt like five minutes, or maybe even less. All I knew was-tonight he was not going to leave any inch of me untouched.


    I had awakened the beast within him, and those mere five minutes of waiting had intensified his hunger to its peak.


    No matter how familiar I was with Jacob and his unpredictable ways, I knew he would never cease to surprise me, and that thought...unnerved me. Suddenly, his hand slid around my waist, and with a swift tug, he pressed me against the door, trapping me between his body and the frigid surface. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his other hand encircled my throat, his warm fingers against my cold skin sending tantalizing shivers down my spine. It felt undeniably good, yet the proximity only heightened my nervousness.


    I had struck a nerve by resisting him, and he wasn''t about to let it slide - that was Jacob, always challenging, dominant, powerful, and utterly mesmerizing in all his sinful glory.


    "Well, someone was feeling rather confident just a few moments ago," he murmured against my lips, a wicked smirk curving on his own. "So, where has all that confidence disappeared to?"


    I mustered a weak response, "You mentioned you have something important to attend to tomorrow. Do you really think you''ll be up to it without a good night''s sleep?"


    I knew it was a feeble attempt, but unless you were standing in my shoes, under the weight of his scorching gaze, surrounded by the allure of his cologne, you couldn''t possibly im immunity to his effects.


    He emitted a low, throaty chuckle at my futile diversion before leaning in to brush his lips against my earlobe.


    The heat seared through my skin, and I squeezed my eyes shut, clenching my fists at my sides in a futile attempt to ward off the shudder that threatened to overtake me. But then his words effortlessly swept away thest remnants of my resistance.


    "I don''t need to sleep early to wake up early, Evelyn. If that were the case, how could I attend your dad''s tiresome functions even after spending the entire night fucking you, all raw?" His words left me trembling in his arms.


    Those nights were something else...


    Despite the risks, he had delved deep into me in every way imaginable.


    "Now...Stop with the excuses and get on the bed," hemanded, his chest vibrating against mine. His authoritative tone only intensified the dampness between my thighs.


    As he released his hold on me, I took a deep breath and began heading for the bed knowing I had no way to resist, but before I had even taken two steps, Jacob seized my wrist and yanked me close, my back colliding with his chest.


    I arched back against him, feeling hisrge erection pressing against my ass.


    "Do you think it can be that simple, baby?" He traced a daring path from my neck to my shoulder, where he allowed my sleeve to slide down, his fingers then moving to the zipper of my dress. His free hand crept around my hip, holding it firmly, his fingers digging into my hip bone, "It wouldn''t be any fun if you walked in there fully dressed," he purred, his lips brushing against my ear. "I''d much rather prefer youpletely naked, ready for me. Ready to fuck."


    "Jacob..."


    "Shh..." His hushed whisper silenced my protests as he deftly unzipped my dress, allowing it to cascade to the floor. His hand moved to the sp of my bra and effortlessly unhooked it, "Just do as I say, baby."


    There wasn''t much of a choice, really.


    My mind may have resisted, but my aching body was more than willing to heed hismands.


    My bra soon joined the dress on the floor. My breathing was quick and shallow, my skin aze with desire, and my heart ready to burst. I wanted him, but I understood that he wouldn''t yield unless I submitted to his will.


    "You''re so wet, baby..." He slowly pulled down my panties, his hand trailing down from my stomach, eventually reaching my pussy where his fingers glided over my folds, spreading my own wetness. His touch made me even more damn and needy, "You''re making it difficult for me not to fuck you right here."


    Damn, Jacob and his words... They would be the death of me.


    As much as I hated to admit it, it wasn''t just Jacob''s touch that turned me on, in fact, he''d barely touched me.


    His words alone had the power to make me crumble...


    "Please..." I managed to utter, my legs struggling to maintain their bnce as I leaned against him, and the smirk on his face widened.


    Jacob seized my jaw, tilting my face to look deep into my eyes. "You remember the two options, Evie?" He employed his sly charm once again, ¡°You agreed not toin for the whole night...so, close that pretty mouth and get on the bed."


    Damn, his voice... I loved and hated the way, his voice was always suave and seductive, unwavering even when he effortlessly stripped me bare with mere words.


    "Did you hear me, Evelyn?" He trailed his smooth fingers along my jaw, and I nodded, surrendering to his demands, all in the hope that he''d quench the raw desire pulsing through every inch of my body.


    Walking towards the bed with my


    10


    heels still on because neither of us had the thought or the patience to


    remove them - I felt his gaze trailing all over me. It was as though he was drinking in the sight, and the longer he watched, the more I knew he could see my visible shudders and the struggle I fought to maintain myposure.


    Then, I caught the unmistakable sound of his breath quickening, slicing through the silence of the room. My spine straightened as the tremors overtook me, leaving me vulnerable before his hunger-filled eyes.


    This wasn''t our first time having sex, not by a long shot. So why did it always feel like the very first time?


    "Stay right there, Evelyn," Jacob''s voice resonated, freezing me in ce even before my mind had fully registered his words. That was his power- the ability to control and manipte me at will. And tonight, I knew he intended to wield that power to its fullest.


    "Now, turn around."


    I swallowed hard. Suddenly, my pulse quickened, and my core throbbed with anticipation.


    Fuck. He could ruin me at this point and I wouldn''tin.


    Moistening my lips, I turned around, and a soft gasp escaped my mouth as I saw him approaching with long strides. In the blink of an eye, he was right before me, dangerously close. Close enough to hear my heartbeats and observe the surprise etched across my features as his eyes meticulously roved from top to bottom.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "Sit down, Evelyn," he coaxed, his fingers brushing my jaw, and I found myself perched on the edge of the bed, my gaze locked onto his.


    What was he nning? He had many facets to his personality, but this was a new one, dark and enigmatic, yet utterly captivating.


    Just as I was about to speak, he dropped to his knees before me, spreading my thighs apart. I instinctively grasped the sheets behind me, seeking bnce. In a matter of seconds, his fingers caressed my quivering slit, and my hips bucked, a gasp escaping my lips.


    Throughout, he never averted his


    gaze. I knew he relished witnessing my reactions, familiar with his cravings and desires. Right now, all he desired was me, yet I understood that he wouldn''t give it to me so easily. It was his way - always


    pushing me to the brink before revealing the stars behind my closed


    eyelids with every thrust. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Jacob..." A moan escaped my lips as he inserted two of his fingers, knuckles deep. The unmistakable sound of my own wetness, so tantly evident, didn''t faze me.


    I wanted him.


    Only him.


    Forever... just him.


    He remained silent, shifting his mouth downward to my wet pussy and sucking my clit into his warm embrace. His fingers remained inside me, extracting more wetness with each teasing push.


    I threw my head back, my body arching into his touch, moving with the sinuous rhythm of his tongue that drove me wild. My hips quivered, my eyes teared up within seconds, and sweat glistened on my forehead.


    He took it slow, ensuring that I felt every tantalizing moment.


    God, was he even a man, or was he a direct descendant of the devil? I had always harbored my doubts.


    His nails dug into my thighs, keeping them spread wide for his pleasure as he kissed my throbbing pussy, slipped his tongue between my slick folds, and teased me.


    I gasped for air, mybored breathing a testament to my struggle. His firm grip held me in ce, no matter how desperately my body yearned to pull away from the torturous, slow pleasure.


    Unable to withstand it any longer, I


    begged, "Jacob... no more." My voice nearly a scream as he continued to


    ravish me, pulling me close into his mouth every time. His movements were a slow and maddening rhythm, picking up pace to drive me to the brink of insanity, only to slow down again, drawing out my torment. His lips moved in all motions, his tongue even more of an expert as it ate me up everywhere.


    Then, just as I felt my climax approaching, the knot in my core coiling after enduring his exquisite torture for so long, Jacob abruptly ceased. His tongue left my pulsating pussy and traced a path up my body until it reached my neck, stopping at my jaw.


    I whimpered, aching from being denied my release, and just as I contemted taking matters into my own hands, he locked my wrists under his control and pushed me down on the bed with a thud. His face loomed above mine, his emerald eyes dancing with amusement. No doubt I was in love with the devil.


    "Jacob, please," I pleaded, attempting to squirm, but he held me in ce, a wicked smirk ying on his lips. He leaned in and traced his tongue against my nipple, causing a gasp to escape my lips.


    "You thought it was over, Tesoro?" he chuckled beforevishing the same attention on my other nipple, making my throbbing pussy pulse with need. Then, he moved closer to my ear and whispered, "The night is far from over."

 Chapter 94 Let Me F*Ck You

    Chapter 94 Let Me F*Ck You


    Evelyn


    "The night is far from over..."


    His whispered words sent tremors through my entire body. I was aching for release, going crazy inside and out. However, this man, with his hardened length already pressing against my thigh over his pants, didn''t seem bothered in the slightest.


    As always, he remained calm while mine was long gone.


    "You can''t just do this to me all the time," I whined as he kissed down my neck. A wicked smirk yed on his lips, but he didn''t say anything. Instead, he traveled his lips lower, stopping right before reaching my wet heat.


    "Jacob, please..." I pleaded, unable to endure it any longer. I was already a shaking, sweaty mess, and he seemed to relish the sight.


    "What do you want, Evelyn?" he asked, finally moving down and kissing my clit. My back arched, my hips bucked, and my eyes almost rolled to the back of my head at the sudden contact. "Do you want me to eat you up..." He licked from my slit to clit, earning a moan from me. It was impossible to focus on his words when his tongue was moving that way, pushing me to the edge. "Or do you want me to fuck you, rock your body till the sun goes up, leave you with my marks, and make you feel like a virgin all over again?" He sucked onto my folds, kissing them and swirling his tongue around it. Holy shit! I didn''t know how every fucking word reached my ears so clearly.


    This man certainly knew what he was doing to me, and fuck, he did it so right. Too right for me to deny.


    I needed him more than just the release he could offer. I wanted him wholly.


    Slipping my hand through his silky hairlocks, I sat up and pulled him close to me. His bodynded on mine, his lips now close to mine, and my wet pussy grinding against the bulge in his pants. "I want you...Jacob," I whispered against his lips, desire clouding my eyes as my fingers traced his jaw before moving to his shirt where they unbuttoned the first few buttons and traced his solid muscles. "All of you. Not just a little bit. I want everything...at once."


    "Bene, voglio stessa identica cosa, Tesoro," (Trantion: Well, I want the exact same thing, baby) he whispered before grabbing my throat and mming his lips on mine, devouring mepletely with that single kiss.


    I pulled him close, deepening the kiss, and soon, both of our desires were soaring high, drowning us in them every time they stroked our skin, mind, and soul.


    I slid his shirt off his body, his eye-catching figure, as always, attractive and drawing me towards him. But the main attraction had always been those green eyes, and even tonight, they were the same, locked with mine, looking through my soul.


    Slowly, I reached to unzip his fly, and he helped me slide down the rest of it off his body, followed by his briefs. His erection came pping against his stomach, as always leaving me wondering how that thing ever fit inside me.


    "Don''t you think it''s toote to get shy on me?" He chuckled as he noticed my gaze. Well, I had no doubt, my cheeks turned red at the naked sight of him. He was that kind of specimen who could make any woman blush no matter how many times they''d seen him.


    "Well, I...I am not shy," I stuttered, supporting my weight on my elbows. Meanwhile, he spread my thighs wide, trapping one beneath his leg, and the other held up high as he, being on his knees, positioned his daunting length at the tip of my entrance. The hot feeling of it sent my thoughts sprinting in different directions all at once.


    Fuck! He felt too good to be true.


    I threw my head backward, a moan finding its way out of my throat, "Oh my..."


    "Well, you are shy, Evelyn," His chuckle was strained as he pushed a few inches in, my walls gripping around his length tightly as he pushed a few more inches, making my back arch and a whimper slip past my lips.


    I couldn''t even say how good he felt. Just the feel of him inside me, even though he was not even halfway in, made me feel like I was going toe apart right away. I was so close to my climax....already.


    "You should have been shy when you used those bold moves on me, aware of the risks yet bold and unbothered," He leaned closer to my face, slowly pushing himself all the way in, hitting the hilt, and a gasp slipped past my lips, my hands flew to hold onto his arms, seeking bnce. "You should have been shy when you awakened my feral desires when you decided to kiss me in the kitchen but you weren''t, and then the next morning, when you made me touch this tempting skin of yours..." he murmured, his fingers brushing on my shoulder, causing a shiver to run down my body.


    "And finally, the day in the pool, fuck, I''ll forever remember how you first tasted on my tongue," He pulled out and thrust his cock inside me in one go before he began with his thrusts.


    My lips parted at the sensations traveling through every one of my veins, from my head to toe-I felt full of sparks and electrifying sensations. "Deciding to give in to you was the best decision ever, Evelyn," He smiled against my lips as he speeded up his thrusts, drilling into me, every time getting balls deep, "Or else I would have never known what I have been missing in my life."


    Damn, he truly had a way with words. Seductive and heartwarming simultaneously, he knew how to wrap a woman around his fingers.


    "I love you," I breathed, my voice shaky. My hips moved in tandem with his, taking him deeper as we rode the waves of ecstasy and pure pleasure.


    He grinned, leaning in for a kiss. "I love you too, but let''s be honest-I love fucking you more than making love to you. Don''t hate me for that," he said, hitting spots that made me see stars behind my closed eyelids.


    "Well, I''ll be honest too, Jacob," I breathed out, hands sliding around his neck as clung to him. Both our bodies were drenched in sweat as he ruthlessly thrust in and out of my pussy, the sounds of my fluids and our skin pping echoing in the room. "I love it when you fuck me. I fucking love it!" I pulled his bottom lip between my teeth before kissing him.


    Our kiss intensified, and his thrusts went wild. The bed squeaked and bounced beneath us as he rode my body, his hand groping my breast and squeezing it, pinching my and drawing out a moan and he could both pleasure and pain with


    nipple


    his mouth, sliding his tongue inside mine.


    My walls involuntarily constricted around his length as I jerked, startled when his other hand reached between us and vigorously rubbed my clit. "Jacob..." My breaths escaped in pants as I copsed back onto the bed, allposure lost, gasping for air.


    "Come for me, baby," he urged, continuously flicking my clit with his middle finger as he thrust into me with unbridled intensity, like a beast. "Now."


    "Oh, God," My hips jerked, and my body quivered as I clutched onto the sheets, attempting to pull away from his touch or clench my thighs together, but he didn''t allow even an inch of respite.


    Soon, the torturous pleasure pulsed through every vein, including the nerves down there, and I came all around him, with him still pummelling in and out of me, that only intensified my orgasm.


    "Aaah!" I screamed, my body convulsing with overwhelming pleasure as the release washed over me like a wave. My pupils dted, my lips parted, and I buried my head into the crumpled sheets, barely making it through the shaking orgasm and the overwh ing aftershock.


    Jacob indeed knew how to y my body and even more how to manipte it effortlessly to suit his desires.


    "Attagirl," he murmured, cing a gentle kiss on the side of my forehead. Gradually, he slowed down his pace, now deliberately fucking me slow, rekindling the pleasure at an agonizingly measured pace.


    God, he was going to drive me insane tonight.


    "Jacob..." I yelped, shivering beneath him as electrifying sensations coursed through me. He sucked my nipple into his mouth, biting down, causing an involuntary jerk. "No more."


    He chuckled in response, then grabbed the base of my neck, locking eyes with me. His messy hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his skin gleamed with sweat. The thin gold chain between us met the skin on my throat as his face hovered over mine.


    "Remember what I said before we started, baby?" A seductive grin yed on his lips as he suddenly thrust in, hitting the hilt, making my body jolt in shock.


    "Um..." I struggled to collect my thoughts, pleasure overwhelming my exhaustion once again.


    "I need an answer, Evie," he rolled his hips, and a moan escaped my lips involuntarily.


    Fuck. I was getting wet again.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "I am... I am not allowed to¡ª" I gasped as his hand moved between us again, his finger slowly caressing my clit, applying just the right amount of


    pressure.


    "You''re not allowed to?" he inquired, his lips brushing the corner of my mouth.


    "I''m not allowed toin for the rest of the night," I confessed.


    "That''s right." He withdrew abruptly, swiftly flipping me onto my front with a single tug. Now, Iy facing down.


    His kisses trailed down my neck to my buttocks, where he bit into the flesh, eliciting a muted scream as I buried my face into the mattress.


    "So, if I hear youin again..." he whispered into my ear, gripping all my hair into a ponytail with his left hand might just deny you your release. With that, he pushed back inside me, and I moaned his name. "So be a good girl and let me fuck you because...you''ve already been a very bad one the whole day."


    He resumed his rhythm, breaking all the rules in his own way.


    It would be a lie if I said I didn''t love it.


    Because I did. I loved every fucking second of it.

 Chapter 95 Passions Edge

    Chapter 95 Passion''s Edge


    Evelyn


    "Was I too hard on you?" He murmured, tracing his fingertips lightly along my spine while wey tangled in the bedsheets, the early morning sunlight peeking through the thick clouds, indicating that Jacob and I had wasted the entire night together.


    Well, not wasted. Despite the lingering sensation that made walking seem challenging for the next few days, the experience was incredible. He indeed made me feel like a virgin all over again.


    "No," I replied, nuzzling into his neck as our naked bodies entwined under the duvet. "You were..." I paused, a smile gracing my lips as I found the perfect word. "Just you."


    "Your words make me want to fuck you again, Evie," he sighed, drawing me closer until I was resting on top of him, causing a gasp to escape my lips.


    "Goodness, Jacob! Can''t you stop treating me like I weigh nothing? I am not an object!" I attempted to shift away, but his arms around my waist halted my movement.


    "You''re not an object, but I''ll agree on one thing," a mischievous grin formed on his face. "You''re as weightless as a pigeon''s feather."


    "Hey! It''s not me; it''s you!" I jabbed at his chest with my index finger. "You''re just too solid, that''s why you feel nothing."


    "I refuse to fathom the logic in that, Evelyn," he chuckled, tucking my hair behind my ear.


    "You don''t need logic, silly! Just believe what I''m saying."


    He responded with a soft hum, but his gaze seemed elsewhere.


    "Are you even listening to me?"


    "Make sure to cover this up when you''re around Samuel and ra. He''ll unleash a barrage of curses if he sees these marks," Jacob said, gently tracing his fingers over the marks he left on my neck before nting soft kisses on them, clearly paying no heed to my words.


    "Seriously?" A frown etched itself on my face. "I was in the middle of talking, you fucking jerk!" I firmly pped his chest and he ended up releasing a quiet groan.


    Yes, I meant it to sting. He deserved that for ignoring me.


    "That hurt, baby," he said, looking at me, then taking my hand and cing it where I''d just hit him. "Kiss it better."


    "Kiss it better? My ass!" I tried to pull away, but he being the sly devil, cupped my ass, preventing my escape as he forced me to stay still.


    "What...what are you doing?!" I sputtered in surprise, shooting him a bewildered look.


    "If you don''t heal my wound, I might have to... entertain myself otherwise, Evelyn," his tone sent shivers down my body, despite it being less than an hour since we''dst had sex, "And I''d very much like to fuck this ass."


    "Wound?" I looked at him incredulously. He couldn''t be serious. "Where''s the wound? I don''t see it." I found myself torn between getting upset with him or chuckling at his antics. A smile was already threatening to surface on my face.


    "It''s under my skin, baby," he imed with an air of seriousness that was utterly fabricated, "Now,e on, heal my wound."


    "And how exactly do I attend to this ''invisible'' wound?" I asked, unable to stifle a giggle. "Should I blow on it?"


    "That''s up to you," he replied with a nonchnt shrug.


    "Fine then," I suppressed a smile as I leaned in and nted a gentle kiss on his chest, "Any better?"


    "It''s improved a tad, but it''s not quite there yet."


    "You''re something else," I chuckled, leaning in again to kiss his chest once more. "How about now?"


    "Well, it still doesn''t-"N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Aware that he wouldn''t easily concede, I didn''t waste time and kissed him. Our lips melded together seamlessly, as they always did. I kissed him, and Jacob responded with a smile against my lips before kissing me back.


    I knew it. That was precisely what he wanted.


    His tongue slipped into my mouth, his hand tangling in my hair as he drew me nearer, relishing the moment. Eventually, we parted, ming theck of oxygen; otherwise, I was convinced we could have kissed till the end of time if it weren''t that case.


    "Is your ''wound'' all healed up now?" I asked, a smile impossible to suppress.


    "Completely," he grinned, leaning in to peck my lips. "God, I love you."


    "I love you too, Jacob..." I hugged him tightly, burying my face into his neck, breathing in his scent. He was all mine, and god, I didn''t know if I had anything else to ask for in this life, he was everything I could have asked for.


    "I hate it that I''ll be away from you for hours," he sighed, his fingers tracing a soothing path along my back, from the curve of my neck down my spine to my waist.


    "Could I tag along? Maybe wait for you outside your office, or whatever it''s called in Italy?" I suggested, and a chuckle escaped his lips.


    "Next time, baby. This is the first meeting after nearly a month away, and there''s a lot to catch up on. I don''t want you getting bored," he exined, nting a kiss on my temple. "But I''ll take you to my office during the next visit."


    "Promise?" I raised myself to look at him.


    "Yes, I promise," he affirmed, and I nestled back into his arms, holding onto him tightly. His body against me felt too perfect to let go.


    "Wrap it up swiftly, okay? I want you right by my side."


    "I will, baby," he said, leisurely lighting a cigarette and bringing it to his lips for a drag.


    Seated upright this time, I straddled hisp, a sudden recollection crossing my mind.


    "I just remembered something."


    "What is it?" He exhaled a plume of smoke, leaning in to ce a kiss on my chest while gently caressing my breasts.


    "You mentioned that you''d tell me about that Ri guy," I asserted. "You''d better start because I''m not nning on waiting."


    "Frankly, I didn''t think you''d remember after such a long night," Jacob chuckled softly, shaking his head as he took another drag. "What do you want to know, baby?"


    "Who is he? Your dad didn''t seem to like him either."


    "He''s not exactly the most agreeable person. Tyler Ri-that''s his name, probably the only normal thing about him," Jacob exined, reclining against the headboard, his gaze fixed on me: "He''s the pampered heir, born with a silver spoon,


    ???????


    ustomed to getting ever


    on


    a tter without asking. He and I have had ongoing feuds for a long time. To be honest, I didn''t put much effort into resolving it because I knew there would be no


    reciprocation from his end. He


    despises me for who I am," he


    chuckled lightly. "And I can''t stand him for who he is-a cunning and sly bastard."


    "Did he cause problems for your business in the past?"


    This guy already sounded like a total scumbag.


    "Far too many times to count," Jacob replied. "He enjoys meddling in my affairs, spreading false rumors, or turning workers against us. There was a period when I


    suffered business losses becool ne


    him. He''s quite thepetitor, you could say, and having been in the field longer than me, it doesn''t sit well with him if anyone manages to surpass him."


    of


    "This isn''t about him this time, is it?" I asked, feeling apprehensive.


    "No, it''s not about him. The investor Chloe slept with is someone else, and Tyler isn''t one of my investors," Jacob assured, reaching out to gently brush his thumb across my cheek. "You don''t have to worry, baby. I''ve got everything under control."


    "That damn ex of yours. I swear, I''ll do something about her someday," I breathed out.


    "I won''t stop you," he chuckled. "But don''t let that temper re up too much," he tapped my nose lightly before nting a soft kiss on it.


    "I can''t help it. She clearly saw that you want nothing to do with her, yet that shameless woman is still after you. Ugh! I want to kill her!"


    "You''re adorable."


    "Are you kidding me, Jacob? I''m serious!" I pushed at his chest, but heughed.


    "And I''m fully focused on what you''re saying, but how can I resist finding you cute?" He feigned cluelessness with audacious charm.


    "You"


    Abandoning the cigarette, he swiftly


    wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me down onto the bed


    beside him.. "Shh...baby," he murmured against my lips, "If you don''t want me to lose control and


    take you hard again, keep that pretty mouth of yours shut. Because every time those lips move... they make me want to fucking ruin you," His green eyes sparkled telling me that he was serious.


    I blinked in surprise, unable to break away from his gaze. "Then what do you want me to do?"


    "Just stay in my arms, like this," he sighed, lying down and drawing me close.


    "Is that all?"


    "Yes, and it''s more than enough," he kissed my forehead, closing his eyes.


    A smile formed on my lips, and I snuggled deeper into his embrace. Soon, my eyes closed on their own, in Jacob''s peaceful embrace.

 Chapter 96 Lets Play A Game

    Chapter 96 Let''s y A Game


    Jacob


    "So, Mr. Jonathan, any other concerns on your mind? Is there anything else you wish to discuss?" I asked, a faint chuckle escaping my lips as I regarded the bald-headed British man seated across from me. It seemed he harboured grand hopes concerning Chloe-likely hoping to settle down with her.


    But did he truly know that she wasn''t one to settle? Certainly not.


    Or else why would he be here to satisfy her whims?


    "As I mentioned, Mr. Adriano, I don''t see the profitability in having my funds tied up in your ongoing projects. Our agreement was clear: It stipted the prompt release of my funds upon request, and I anticipate a seamless resolution from your end."


    "Of course, I can arrange the return of your funds. However, if I may ask," I maintained aposed demeanour, holding back my smile, "Is profitability the sole concern here? Because I suspect there''s more to your decision than meets the eye. It''s Chloe, isn''t it?"


    He appeared taken aback by my directness, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. He was past the age to chase after someone like Chloe, yet here he was, grasping onto her with all his might such was Jonathan-a pervert. The rumors about his history of abandoning ventures due to his pursuit of young women seemed more usible now. The recent magazine expos¨¦ featuring him cavorting with numerous young women aboard a Mediterranean yacht now seemed entirely real.


    Someone had said it right: Women could always be destruction if not distraction.


    Jonathan here, I forgot to mention, was a spectacle indeed-adorned with wrinkles traversing his face, a gleaming bald head, oversized spectacles perched low, and a portly belly walking ahead of him with each step.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "Mr. Adriano, I¡ª"


    "Rx, Jonathan. It''s all right. We''ve all been there," I intervened, taking a sip of my coffee. "Women have a way of pushing us into uncharted territories. I understand, but Chloe? Are you certain you''re willing to risk this deal for her? Because I doubt she''ll stick around once this chapter closes. I can get back what I''ll lose from this deal but do you think you''d get such an opportunity again? Or possibly another deal with mypany?" "What?" His disbelief was palpable.


    Poor man. He really thought Chloe would stick with him till the end...


    "Yes, Jonathan. I''ve known Chloe for quite some time. She might not have mentioned it, but we fucked a long time ago, and to be frank, it wasn''t even that good. Considering how remarkable and handsome you are, surely, you could find better women. What''s gotten into you?" I questioned. "Look at yourself¡ªyou have wealth, charisma, everything a woman could desire. So why squander it on someone like Chloe, who won''t stand by you in the long run?"


    I noticed a glimmer of pride rekindling within him as a spark flickered in his eyes. "You think so?" Adjusting his tie, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and I had to suppress my amusement as I observed him.


    Fucking idiot.


    "Absolutely," I reassured him, "You still got looks of those youthful men that women would swoon over. Your age is a mystery to anyone who doesn''t know it. Why waste such an advantageous deal on Chloe when you could have your pick of hundreds?"


    I wouldn''t waste so much time on this motherfucker, but right now, he was a crucial potential investor for the Nova Cascade Apartments project. If he backed out, it''d put me in a tight spot, something I definitely didn''t need, especially with Evelyn here for the first time. I wanted to focus more on her than on these business matters.


    "I believe you''re right," I noted his adjustment of the tie, a glint of pride evident in his demeanor. "I shouldn''t let someone like her sway such a significant deal. God, you saved me, man!"


    Well, I buttered up your old-arse for my own sake.


    "Anytime, Jonathan. Individuals like you are an inspiration to us. Who wouldn''t want to age as gracefully as you do?"


    "I''ll give you some pointers on how I''ve managed it, no problem," he chuckled as he rose from his seat. "So, the deal''s back on. No hard feelings?" "Never from my end," I responded, standing up and offering a handshake. "d to have you back. Let''s aim for the profit margins to soar this time." "I have no doubt you''ll make that happen," he replied with a crooked smile, shaking my hand. "So, the deal''s sealed?"


    "Absolutely. Though, I''d appreciate it if you could expedite the funds. Construction is resuming soon, and we''ve already secured a few bookings, along with models of our buildings. I could send them over for your review if you''d like."


    "No need, I trust you on this," he assured. "Keep up the good work. I''ll transfer the funds this evening; no need to dy the progress."


    With that, he exited the office, leaving me to lean back in my chair, idly spinning the paperweight while a faint chuckle escaped me, "God....these old- idiots."


    It had been surprisingly easier than anticipated. I pondered what Chloe''s reaction would be once she discovered her intentions had failed.


    Well, this game was proving far more entertaining than I''d imagined. So fucking interesting.


    Evelyn would be overjoyed to hear the news, and most importantly, relieved. I had sensed her concern, and even though I could have postponed dealing with Jonathan, I chose to wrap it up today to erase any worry lines from her beautiful face.


    I wanted to be the reason behind that smile, not the cause of turmoil.


    Suddenly, my phone interrupted my train of thought, Evelyn''s number shing across the screen.


    A smile naturally formed on my face-she always picked the perfect moments.


    "Hello, baby," I answered her call.


    "Hey, any updates?"


    As I had suspected-she was concerned.


    "Updates? What news are you referring to?" I held back myugh as I spoke.


    "You know what I''m asking, Jacob," she eximed, the frustration evident in her tone. And fuck.... Even when irritated, she was undeniably adorable; everything about her was just too perfect. "Just tell me, okay?"


    "Tell you what?" I teased.


    "Jacob!"


    A chuckle escaped me. "I''ve handled the situation with the old man, Evelyn. Everything''s fine."


    I heard her release a sigh of relief before she spoke, "Thank goodness."


    "Feeling relieved now?" I teased. "You looked pale as if you''d seen a ghost when I left for the office this morning."


    "Yes I was worried but I looked pale because of you, ''you goof. It was a long night with you trying to-well, you know, she shot back. I could imagine her blushing, and I regretted not being there to witness it. "Try shoving something as big as your dick in and out of your arse for a whole long night, then you''ll get it! The me''s on you." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Well... I couldn''t exactly disagree with that. I had been hard on herst night, but partly it was her fault-she was too sexy. All the fucking time.


    "Alright, I''ll take the me for that one."


    "Yeah, thanks," she retorted sarcastically. "So, when are youing back? I''m feeling bored."


    "Already?" I chuckled. "It''s only been a few hours, baby."


    "Stop it. What would you do if I weren''t around all day when you were in America? Wouldn''t you be bored too?"


    Once again, she hit the mark. But this time, I had something else in mind, and I wasn''t about to tell her. My work for the day was finished anyway, but there was no rush for her to know that just yet.


    "You know, I can help chase away your boredom," I suggested, my voice naturally lowering. "Would you be interested in hearing how?"


    A moment of silence followed, indicating she might have already anticipated what was on my mind. She understood me too well, picking up on my intentions, even when I tried to be tantly obvious.


    "What do you have in mind?"


    "Let''s y a game, shall we? Slide


    your hand inside your pants, baby," I murmured, just the thought of what I''d seenst night-her creamy dripping pussy made me harden, wanted to fuck her already, so bad.


    In fact, I wanted to throw her on this desk of mine, and drill into her tight cunt until she''de all apart screaming my name. Only my name.


    Her moans were the sweetest melody to my ears that I''d never get tired of.


    "Jacob..." Her voice hitched in a quiet gasp. "This isn''t what-"


    "Trust me, Evelyn," I interjected.


    "But..."


    "I thought you were bored, Evie."


    "Okay, fine..." Her voice trembled as she relented.


    This should be interesting...

 Chapter 97 Playing With Fire

    Chapter 97 ying With Fire


    Evelyn


    Slipping my hand beneath the fabric of my nightie, my breath quickened involuntarily. The lingering sensitivity fromst night made this an ill-advised indulgence, but resistance felt futile.


    Jacob had an undeniable knack for coaxing me into these daring acts. He was a risk-taker, and a risk himself by nature, an attribute that only heightened my desires for him.


    "Are you touching yourself, Evelyn?" His voice, textured with huskiness, reached me amid faint shuffling sounds from the other end.


    Fuck! It''d be hard to stay calm.


    "Yeah..." I murmured, inhaling deeply as my fingertips grazed over my clit, a surge of sensation making my thighs instinctively twitch, though moisture still gathered despite my instinct to resist.


    Damn. I doubted that I could reach my high without his touch at this point.


    "Exactly where are your hands, Evelyn?" His amusement was palpable in his tone, a hint of smugness evident even from a distance as I could partially feel the smirk that must have adorned his face by now.


    "You know where," I admitted, sumbing to the urge to shut my eyes, exhaling a breath. How I longed for his tongue instead of my own fingers! But...For now, all I could do was conjure the memory of his head between my thighs and tongue on my pussy, just as I used to once upon a time. "Yeah I think I''ve learned your sweet spots too well," He emitted a low husky chuckle, a sound that heightened my arousal even further, making me wetter; Of course, he knew it afterall it was true that he''d left no extent when it came to exploring me down here, "Tell me, Evie, what''s running through your mind right now? Every detail. I want every single detail."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    I bit my lower lip, a breath hitching as two of my fingers slid inside, while the other hand clenched the phone as if my life depended on it. "Tongue," I managed to utter, a single word carrying volumes that I knew he''d decipher effortlessly.


    There was a brief pause, the silence thickening the tension between us. Slowly, I began the rhythm, my fingers moving in and out gradually, simultaneously teasing my clit with just the right pressure-a technique Jacob always teased me about before granting me what I craved. "You used to picture it just like this back then, didn''t you?" His question shattered the present, flooding my mind with a rush of memories. Damn it. He was spot on¡ªI used to envision his face between my thighs exactly like this. While he''d effortlessly chat with his friends, I''d secretly watch him from a distance, dissecting every detail: his sinewy muscles, the prominent vein along his arms, the chiseled jawline, those full lips, and those elongated fingers-I''d mentally traced every inch of him, imagining his touch exploring every curve of my body. I''d touched him before I''d actually touched him... It was yearster that our paths crossed again at my dad and ra''s wedding.


    And god, when he finally relented and touched me, it felt like he''d reignited a me that had been smoldering relentlessly for years.


    Those days were something else...when I was acutely aware he wasn''t mine, yet I reveled in the fantasy of it. I relished the thought of something uncertain, the impossible hope of him bing mine, and only mine.


    And now he was mine..


    "Lost in thoughts, baby?" Jacob''s chuckle jolted me back to reality, making me realize how deeply I''d delved into my thoughts. But truth be told, I couldn''t me myself-they felt too fucking good.


    "If I admitted that I''m imagining your face between my thighs, just like I did back then, would you drop everything ande fulfill those deepest darkest desires of mine you left unfulfilled then?" I dared to ask, a soft moan escaping my lips as I curled my fingers inside my pussy, imagining them as his.


    "My hands were tied back then, Evelyn," he murmured. "But now, you''re mine. I can have you in whatever way I please."


    "But..." A low moan cut through my words as I teased my clit, my hips instinctively mirroring the rhythm. In my mind, it was him not on the phone, but here, ravishing me with a primal hunger he''d always shown, "Don''t you have work to attend to?"


    "What if I told you my work''s finished, Evie?"


    "What?" I was momentarily taken aback, a rush of goosebumps prickling across my skin as my movements came to an abrupt halt.


    "Don''t stop," hismand sliced through the air, as though he could peer right into my world.


    "Can you see me?" I inquired, my breathsing in heavy bursts. The notion of him observing me like this ignited an even fiercer craving within me. "What if I said yes, baby?"


    "How?" I whispered breathlessly, a shiver tracing down my spine. Could he truly see me?


    "For now, that''s not important," he murmured, his voice thick with desire. "What matters is I want those panties off, and your thighs parted. Do it for me, baby."


    Alright. He could see me. Doubt lingered, but in my current state, I couldn''t conjure the energy to locate the camera angle granting him that advantage.


    "B-but..."


    "Do as I say, Evelyn." His voice crackled like electricity, sending a jolt through my veins, and I found myselfplying without resistance.


    I slowly peeled down my pants,


    nudging the rest away with my feet, then slipped off my panties, obediently parting my thighs, settling against the cushion behind my back. As the cool air kissed my throbbing, moist heat, goosebumps erupted across my skin, and I squeezed my eyes shut.


    "Now, slide your fingers inside your pussy, Tesoro."


    With a soft hum, I slowly eased my fingers back into my warm, weing core, feeling my walls tighten around them as they had around Jacob''s cock. God, I wanted him so bad...


    "Add another finger," his voice deepened.


    Another finger? Impossible. It wouldn''t fit.


    "It won''t fit, Jacob," I whimpered, my chest heaving as I attempted to steady my nerves, failing nheless.


    "It will, baby," he chuckled, "Trust me, I know that ce better than you."


    Undoubtedly, he did. After all, he was the one intimately familiar with it, perhaps even more than I was.


    Taking in a deep breath and choosing not to dispute, I cautiously added a third finger, and this time, I heard him curse under his breath from the other


    end.


    A rush of wetness surged forth, and the sudden fullness prompted me to throw my head back, a moan


    escaping my lips, "Oh, God..." M


    hips quivered as I maneuvered my fingers, using my thumb to caress my clit, the sensation absolutely exhrating.


    If only he were here...


    Suddenly, a honking sound red from the other side of the phone, causing my eyes to widen as I sat up abruptly.


    "Are you... are you out of your office?"


    "Two minutes away from you," I could practically envision his smile.


    "W-what?"


    "Surprised?" His husky chuckle echoed through the line. "Did you think I''d just sit in the office and not rush over to fucking ravish you when I''m all you''re fantasizing about?"


    Wait... Was he really here?


    How hadn''t I noticed the sound of his car approaching all this time?


    "Because you were too fucking preupied imagining him devouring you," the bitch in my head sneered.


    Fuck that bitch!


    "Are you really..." My words trailed off as the elevator chimed, followed by the apartment door swinging open. There stood Jacob, striding in with a few buttons of his shirt undone, his coat draped over his shoulder, swaying from two of his


    ATS


    fingers. His gaze locked onto mine, while the evident and enticing bulge in his pants seized my attention.


    Shit. He was here.


    "Well..." He slowly lowered the phone, ending the call, his emerald eyes darkening as they met mine. "Should I fulfil your darkest fantasies now, Tesoro?"

 Chapter 98 Fire On Fire

    Chapter 98 Fire On Fire


    Evelyn


    "Um... I¡ª" I faltered, words escaping me as I stood there, stunned by his sudden appearance. It felt surreal that within mere minutes, he was here when I''d anticipated him hourster.


    "I need an answer, Evelyn." He spoke my name like a whispered caress, closing the door with a nudge from his leg and striding toward me. He carelessly discarded his expensive coat on the floor, looming over me with his towering height as he stood before me. At this moment, I felt incredibly small in his presence-well, I was undeniably diminutive inparison. And right now, I was at the exact eye level of his bulge.


    Gently, he ced two fingers beneath my chin, tilting my face upwards to meet his gaze. I clenched my fists by my side, attempting to stave off the tremble his touch elicited, yet a shiver coursed down my spine regardless.


    "Where''s the camera?" The question spilled out, nagging at me for some time.


    "You want to see it?" He suppressed a smile, gesturing toward a direction just above the sofa, slightly askew, where a camera was discreetly installed, providing him with an all-too-clear view, especially of me.


    My cheeks burned crimson at the sight, and I bit down on the inside of my cheek.


    "Forget about the camera," he chuckled, brushing away a few stray strands of hair with his free hand, a smirk ying at the corner of his lips. "Tell me. What do you want, baby?"


    "You..." It took barely a moment for me to exhale the word, my gaze fixed on him-his presence alone felt majestic. I loved every bit of him.


    "And can I have you in return?" He smirked, sinking to his knees before me, his handnding on my thighs, parting them. The contrast of his warm touch against my chilled skin sent a cascade of goosebumps down my body, and my breath hitched.


    "Oh!" A gasp escaped me as without dy, he kissed me there, his warm tongue teasing my entrance.


    "Was this your imagination, baby?" He murmured, tracing his tongue from my slit to my clit, his repeated grazes making my hips jolt.


    God, I was already on the edge.


    I whimpered in response, attempting to shift away from his touch, yet his grip on me remained resolute, signalling that I had no escape and he would fulfil his desires as he pleased.


    But here was the thing, I wanted him to do as he pleased but at the same time, it was too much for my body. Especially given the fact we''d spend the whole night having sex, with minimal breaks whereas the highest one remained for fifteen minutes.


    "This... just this," I nibbled my bottom lip, my hips trembling as his tongue explored, kissing and sucking at my aching pussy


    "I''m sure there''s more to it, Evie," he murmured, inhaling my essence, a soft groan resonating in his chest. "Don''t hold back. Give me the specifics." Under the weight of his intense gaze, I struggled to form words, the stirring desires within my body making it even more challenging.


    Attempting to speak, not even a syble managed to escape-I was torn between pulling him closer for a kiss and responding to his inquiry. His mere presence here was overwhelmingly erotic.


    "Here," I exhaled, slipping my hand between my thighs. With a single finger inside me, I continued, "I imagined your fingers here," I trailed my moistened finger over my clit, "I envisioned your tongue precisely here, over and over," His warm breath cascaded onto my hand, sending tingles through my body. "I pictured your mouth all over me... every part of me."


    "Is that all?" His voice deepened, eyes smouldering with lust and desire as he gazed at me.


    "No..." I shook my head, my hand finding its ce at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer until our eyes locked. "I imagined you fucking me. Harder and harder with each thrust."


    "I will fuck you, Tesoro. I will..." His words trailed off, a smirk gracing his face as he guided me back against the sofa, spreading my thighs wider. And then he plunged in. His mouth enveloped me entirely, his adept tongue swirling over my sensitive bundle of nerves.


    "Jacob!" I clutched at his hair, a loud cry escaping me.


    Without hesitation, he slipped two of his sizable, skillful fingers into my core, thrusting vigorously as his tongue incessantly teased my clit. Sensations surged through my entire being, heat permeated my skin, my eyes threatening to roll to the back of my head. My heartbeat raced, my toes curled, and my hips bucked in response to the overwhelming pleasure.


    I was on the edge, and it hadn''t taken him much effort to bring me to this brink.


    "Fuck, Evelyn. I could do this for eternity and never tire of it," he groaned, his spare hand sneaking under my shirt to toy with my nipple, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger.


    "Oh, Jacob..." My moans escted as his fingers intensified their pace, the sound of my own arousal reverberating through the room. "Keep singing, Evelyn. Just like a bird."


    "Jacob!" I screamed, surrendering to the euphoria, clutching his hair as tightly as I could. It was a miracle I hadn''t already pulled out chunks, because I swear I held onto them with a vice-like grip.


    He didn''t cease his movements even as the waves of the orgasm cascaded over me, his tongue persisting as the tremors of release coursed through my body, heightening the intensity.


    Once the aftershocks gradually ebbed away, leaving me quivering with lingering desire, he licked me clean. Yet, my craving remained just as potent, if not more so.


    I still longed for him with the same intensity as when we began. My desire hadn''t waned a bit.


    As he leaned in for a kiss, the taste of my essence lingering on his lips, I cupped his face in my hands, meeting his gaze as our lips brushed together. "I want you to fuck me, Jacob."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "I will fuck you, baby," he chuckled, his voice lowering to a sultry tone. "Did you think I''d let you slip away that easily?" His words sent shivers down my spine.


    "That''s not your style, is it? You


    never take it easy on me," I chuckled softly as he swiftly turned me


    around, my hands finding the t


    edge of the sofa for support. His hands guided my hips upward, raising them high as my knees


    rested on the lower edge of the sofa, my hands being my only support.


    "You enjoy it when I fuck you hard, don''t you?" His belt unbuckled, the zipper descending.


    "I..." My words faltered, drowned in a gasp as he seized my hips, driving his cock deep inside me in one swift motion.


    God, that was sudden... too exquisite.


    He groaned softly, "You''re incredibly tight, Evie."


    As his thrustsmenced, my pussy clenched around him, weing his substantial girth.


    "Harder, Jacob," I pleaded.


    Our movements synchronized, his relentless pration electrifying every inch of me. When his hands found my breasts, delving deeper, the rhythm altered, intensifying the pleasure. He fucked me harder just like I''d asked him to.


    His thrusts made a rhythmic percussion against my skin, his balls pping against my arse, the heat of his body driving me deeper into a cascade of


    moans.


    Jacob grabbed my jaw, turning my


    ???


    head for a searing kiss. His hand slithered to my throat, applying a controlled pressure that mingled pleasure with a hint of delightful pain. The sofa shook beneath me, as


    he fucked me, going harder everytime, however, it didn''t faze any of us.


    At that moment, we were lost, consumed by each other.


    "Jacob!" My voice echoed as he struck my sweet spot repeatedly, each touch threatening to unravel me.


    His skilled hand found my pussy, coaxing me closer to the precipice. His thrusts grew more powerful, his tongue dancing against mine in a storm of passion.


    "I''m so close, Jacob..." I whimpered, feeling my walls constricting around him.


    "Me too, Tesoro," he groaned softly, a bead of sweat tracing its path down his forehead. Exhausted, I struggled to even keep my eyes open.


    "Aah..." The climax approached, Jacob''s unrelenting rhythm pushing me to the brink as he continued to fuck me. My body, drenched in sweat, begged for release, "I can''t hold on much longer," I gasped.


    "Stay with me a little longer," he urged, inhaling my scent from my neck, my trembling thighs yearning to clench together.


    I clenched my lip, the urge to let go intensifying with every passing moment, while his speed showed no signs of waning.


    "I-I can''t," I whimpered, feeling the impending surge of my orgasm.


    I sensed him tense, a low groan escaping his lips. "Let it go, Evelyn."


    Grasping the sofa with all my might, my nails nearly rending through the fabric, I shut my eyes tight, and with a primal scream, I reach my high. Jacob followed suit, our climaxes converging.


    "What are you up to?" I asked, turning slightly as my shirt cascaded to the ground, leaving mepletely exposed while he remained fully dressed.


    "We need to clean up after the chaos we''ve made," he chuckled, sweeping me off my feet.


    God, did this man ever tire?


    "I''d rather do thatter," I murmured, wrapping myself around him and nuzzling into his neck. "I''m just so tired."


    "A warm bath will do wonders for your sore muscles."


    "But..."


    "No arguments. We''re taking a bath and then taking a nap." He nted a gentle kiss on my lips, then strode into the bathroom.


    Realizing I had no chance of winning this debate, I finally let out, "Fine."

 Chapter 99 Start Of A Havoc

    Chapter 99 Start Of A Havoc


    Tyler


    "You know, Jonathan just backed out of our deal," the annoying blonde woman persisted, her presence bing more unwee by the day. She seemed on edge. "I don''t know what else to do. I have to get him back. At any cost."


    "How about youe over here, suck my dick, and then we can talk?"


    "Tyler, this isn''t what we agreed upon. You owe me a favor fromst time when I gave you information about Jacob''s previous family. It certainly helped you tarnish his image in the media for a while. You have to help me now-this is when you return the favor."


    "What favor, Chloe?" I couldn''t help but chuckle as I took a sip of my whiskey. Her insistence was amusing. "Let''s be clear. There was no favor. You received a considerable sum for the information you provided, and that was it. It was my sheer generosity that led me to suggest helping you in the future, mainly because I spent the previous night fucking you like my personal slut and you enjoyed it too. Maybe you''ve forgotten some details. Not so good at memories, are we?" I tapped my temple, another chuckle escaping me.


    Her face reddened with embarrassment, clearly taken aback by my words. "W-what?"


    I had no clue what the fuck she expected me to do, but diving back into the whole ''Jacob'' shit wasn''t my idea of a good time. It didn''t yield muchst time; he managed to clean up his image pretty swiftly. Damn it, I hated to admit it, but that bastard had some twisted knack for keeping things intact, which I loathed.


    Sure, I wished to destroy him. I wanted to strip away everything he had, even though I had plenty of my own.


    However, assisting this nuisance who dared to invade my office wouldn''t get me there. I''d trodden that path before-zero results.


    And for fuck''s sake-she was far too loose. Nowhere near up to my standards, which is why I''d rather have her mouth than bent over this desk. I knew that wouldn''t take much effort to arrange.


    "I didn''t realize you were this dense, Chloe. While I might have tons, I''m not as generous as your ex-boyfriend. I don''t give anything away for free," I sighed, shaking my head, then took another sip of my drink. Leaning back in my chair, I casually raised my legs to rest on the desk, "If you think I''m going to assist you in rekindling your ''love of your life,'' let me fucking set things straight beforehand-it''s not happening. So, spare your breath and my time. See that door over there? Use it. I''ve got better things to do."


    She stood there, initially silent before drawing a breath and speaking up, "What would it take for you to help me?"


    Now, that was more like it.


    I''d been stressed out enough the entire day anyway.


    A smirk yed on my lips this time. "What are you putting on the table?"


    "Anything you want. I just want Jacob back. At any cost. No matter what you could do anything, wreck his business, sabotage his rtionships, take out his damn girlfriend, or his family-anything that''s possible. I want him to find his way back to me when there''s no one left for him."


    She was something else...


    A lunatic? Insane? A witch? Thosebels would barely scratch the surface. She held more malice within her than the entire worldbined.


    "You know, I won''t sugarcoat it, but a man must truly be ruined from the inside out to find his way back to a woman like you," I remarked, barely able to stifle augh. "But really, Jacob seems like a clever man. I wonder what he saw in you during all those years he dated you. You truly seem like someone''s regret."


    "I''m not here seeking a character certificate from you, Tyler. You have your fair share of scandals in your book, so why don''t you cut the nonsense and tell me if you''re willing to help or not? I know you want to destroy him; it''s been your desire ever since he surpassed you in every business you started. So, why not cut to the chase and tell me what it''ll take for you to help me?"


    "Well, initially, a blowjob would suffice for me to consider your offer," I pushed the chair back, creating space for her, and subtly gestured with my eyes for her to approach.


    Without hesitation, she dropped her purse onto the nearby sofa and walked over, adjusting her hair. The clicking of her long heels against the marble floor grated on my nerves.


    She was just another example of why I believed the greedy should persist. Too easy to use.


    As she knelt before me, I observed her and arched an eyebrow. "What''s the dy? Impress me, Chloe."


    Leaning back in the chair, I brought the ss to my lips once more as she undid my belt and loosened my pants. With deliberate movements, she freed my cock and cautiously caressed my skin, stroking it with her hands.


    Well, her hands felt better than her cunt had felt.


    I grasped a handful of her hair, realizing she was moving slowly, and forced my cock down to her throat. She coughed and tears welled in her eyes, struggling to amodate.


    Her mouth felt even better than her hands. Tight and warm. Just the way I preferred.


    "Chloe, I don''t have time for your slow hands. prefer efficiency and longer, sustained effort," I guided her, bobbing her head up and down, pushing deeper into her mouth, with less concern for whether she could breathe or not. She had sucked enough cocks in life-I knew her past, even more than Jacob Adriano did.


    She adjusted, hallowing her mouth, taking me deeper. The sensation was pleasant, much like any other encounter. There was nothing particrly remarkable about her, but it would have been preferable if there were, considering it had been a while since I''d truly appreciated something special.


    I loved ruining special things. I found a sick pleasure in it and it didn''t fucking make me feel sick. It made me feel alive.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "Your mouth feels so much better you cunt did that night," I chuckled, as I thrust in and out of her mouth as she massaged my balls, drawing me closer to my edge as moments kept flying.


    1


    She skillfully used her hand to stroke the length that her mouth couldn''t cover, licking and sucking me off. Her breathing grew heavy, her makeup smudged and mascara smeared, but who cared? I didn''t give a fuck about how he looked.


    All that mattered was her mouth and who didn''t love blowies?


    And then I finally felt my release nearing. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I tightened my grip on her hair, lost momentarily in the sensation, a few irregr thrusts entuating the buildup until finally, I reached my high.


    "Fuck," I hissed quietly, finding release, and she swallowed every drop of it.


    As I pulled out of her, taking a deep breath, she wiped my cum from her mouth and licked her fingertips.


    "Now, would you do me a favor, Tyler?"


    It would appear rude to refuse, and I suppose I could consider it a payment for the excellent job she did.


    I could be the worst of things in this world but I wasn''t unfair.


    "Of course," I replied with a smirk, adjusting my clothes, and fastening my belt. "You mentioned he has a girlfriend, right? What''s her name? Show me


    a picture."


    Mr. Adriano hadn''t been involved in a rtionship for quite some time, so perhaps it was time to disrupt the one he had?


    "Her name is Evelyn Fernandez," she said, reaching for her purse and then her phone. I noticed her scrolling through her gallery before revealing the photo. "Here she is."


    As my gaze fell upon the picture, a feeling I seldom experienced emerged within me¡ªThis was the first time I wished I hadn''t seen something that was not mine....


    Because what she showed me wasn''t merely a beautiful woman; it was an embodiment of perfection in every detail, meticulously crafted..perfected to very thest detail.

 Chapter 100 Game On

    Chapter 100 Game On


    Tyler


    A sudden dryness gripped my throat as I gazed at the image, gently taking the phone from Chloe''s hand. Despite her considerable efforts, nothing she showed me managed to turn me on as this single innocent snapshot of the woman did.


    She was... breathtaking no other word could suffice- it was the perfect fit.


    I observed as the luscious dark brown locks of her hair cascaded over her shoulder. She satfortably on the sofa, absorbed in her phone, the ash- colored shorts barely concealing her creamy thighs. Her slender neck and eyes, though not clearly visible in the image, hinted at a possible hazel hue,pleting the portrait of her beauty.


    This picture was so fucking simple yet everything, literally everything about her was too fucking perfect.


    Damn, the realization that Jacob Adriano had acquired yet another invaluable gem that I hadn''t evenid eyes on until now, cut deep.


    I wanted her....


    "What was her name again?" I inquired of Chloe, my gaze still fixed on the image.


    "Evelyn Fernandez," Chloe replied, "Jacob''s girlfriend. We have to find a way to remove her from our path-whatever it takes."


    "I''d prefer it was you out of my way," I muttered under my breath, zooming in on the picture to focus on her lips. I had an urge to sink my teeth into that lip, hard.


    "What?" Chloe''s voice sounded confused and of course irritating. That was her best quality- being able to prove that she was the most irritating woman you coulde across.


    "How old is she? She looks... quite young," I remarked, tracing the faint outline of her cleavage visible beneath the wide-necked tee. I so badly wanted to see whaty beneath that shirt. I imagined she smelled as divine as she looked-utterly beautiful.


    "She''s... um, yeah, twenty."


    "Twenty..." I murmured. "I wonder how Jacob managed to woo such a beauty."


    "He didn''t have to woo her! She''s been in love with him since she was practically a kid-first love nonsense," Chloe scoffed, her jealousy unmistakable. But why would she be jealous? How could youpete when someone''s fingertip was more beautiful than your entire face? It was an unwinnable battle, "And you know the kicker? She''s actually his best friend''s daughter. I still can''t believe everyone allowed them to be together just like that." Leaning against my desk, she continued. For a moment, I considered pushing her out of my office-I detested her voice, it grated on me too much.


    It remained a mystery how Jacob Adriano tolerated that woman for years.


    Love, they said¡ªa foolish notion, to be honest. What reason was there for a concept like love that restrained you when there was everything else to have? It didn''t resonate with me, and I doubted it ever would.


    "Man, I never expected Jacob to be such a bastard," I chuckled. "He''s a true businessman indeed he spotted the opportunity and seized it. He''s won again."


    "I didn''t show you her picture for you to admire her. Why don''t you do something about her?"Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Oh, there were so many things I wanted to do about her...


    Firstly, I wished to strip her of those clothes. Secondly, I yearned to have her in my bed, to hear how my name would sound from her lips-I was certain her voice was as sweet as honey and her pussy would taste even sweeter.


    I wanted to fuck her. Hard and fast. Every single night.


    "Well..." I loosened my tie, feeling a constriction in my chest. It had been a while since I''d felt so thirsty, and it was astonishing that a mere picture could stir such longing within me. I pondered how I''d react if I happened to see her in the flesh and even better, totally naked, "There are certain things I have concerning her," I dryly moistened my bottom lip. "Be truthful, you seem confident since you know her. Would money suffice to divert her and steal her?"


    I was already willing toy everything at risk, to steal her from Jacob.


    "Money?" Chloe chuckled, shaking her head. "That girl has never seen poverty, Tyler. Her father''s wealth matches, if not exceeds, yours and Jacob''s. And before you specte about daddy issues, Samuel Fernandez has spoiled her beyond imagination. Do you know what that man said? Whether it''s a boy or a toy, he''d fuckingy it at her feet. He epted the rtionship between Jacob and Evelyn without a fuss. Money means nothing to her. You can''t win her over with money."


    Daddy''s little princess, then.


    "That''s a problem, I suppose," I exhaled tightly, my eyes lingering on her figure. "Do you have more pictures of her?"


    "Is that all you care about, her pictures?!"


    God, this annoying little shit!


    "Do as I say, or I''m out."


    "Fine," Chloe rolled her eyes,


    retrieving her phone from my grasp. This time, when she handed me the album, it was a picture of Evelyn and Jacob, probably taken in a hall. For a brief moment, seeing Jacob with her irritated me, but as I glimpsed the radiant smile on her face, my cock twitched in my pants- Fuck. She was undeniably stunning. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Despite the slight blur in the picture, every detail of her breathtakingly beautiful face was discernible.


    "Ah, I really hate Jacob. Well, did you sneakily take this picture?" I inquired, a hint of amusement in my voice as I nced at Chloe.


    "Yeah, I did. I spotted them in the hall when they returned from their little escapade," Chloe''s tone dripped with animosity toward Evelyn. There was nothing but envy in her eyes as she spoke. "So, I snapped the picture."


    "And what did you do with it?" A dry chuckle escaped me at the end of the question.


    "Does that even matter?"


    "Yeah, knowing the whole story matters before I assist in wrecking a supposedly happy rtionship."


    "I showed it to her mother."


    She was one desperate woman, more bothersome than any other annoyance I''d encountered.


    "I should have expected that," I sighed, shaking my head. "God! You''re so petty!"


    "I didn''te here for your judgement, Tyler. You agreed to help me, so I expect your assistance, not ridicule for what I did," she retorted. Honestly, her taking offence at the truth was quite amusing. She was absurdly petty for no valid reason. Alreadytched onto wealthy businessmen''s dick, what more did she crave? Her twisted obsession? Jacob?


    No sane man would leave Evelyn for someone like Chloe.


    "I agreed to help you, but don''t think you can boss me around, Chloe. Mind your fucking tone and mouth because I won''t hesitate to take it forcefully to make you shut up if needed," I asserted, watching her clench her fists in a futile attempt to contain her anger that never seemed to work around


    me.


    "Fine, I''m sorry. Just stop mocking me and help me, alright? I need your help, and I gave you what you wanted," she pleaded.


    "That''s not enough. Dealing with


    Jacob in business is a risky game. If


    I''m diving into trouble with him


    again, I need more than what you''ve offered. Even my secretary would give daily blowies if I asked. So, it''s not enough," I lounged back, tossing her phone on the table. "Tell me, Chloe, what else can you offer?"


    "It''s clearly not money you''re after," she observed, suspicion clouding her eyes. "What do you want?"


    A smirk yed on my lips as I regarded her. "I want what Jacob has now. Evelyn Fernandez-I want her."


    "Tyler, that''s not happening. You don''t understand, Evelyn won''t leave Jacob, okay? We need to find a way to make Jacob leave her." "Clearly, Jacob won''t abandon such a beauty for an old hag like you, Chloe. Stop living in your dream world." "W-what... what did you just say?"


    "Tyler, I still doubt it''ll work," Chloe interjected, as expected.


    "It''s not your ce to doubt, Chloe. I promised to get it done, and I will! There''s no need for you to engage your stupid little head," I snapped. "Just follow my instructions. Evelyn will be out of your way-that''s all you need to know."


    "And you n on taking her, huh?" Chloe crossed her arms, fixing me with a scrutinizing gaze. "I''ve seen the look in your eyes when you saw her picture, Tyler. It''s rare unless it''s business, which is what drives you the most. So, what''s your n? Taking Jacob''s business away and making her


    yours?"


    "Much more than that. Stripping away his wealth won''t be enough," I chuckled. "I aim to take both his girl and the life he lives, all in one sweep."


    "I hope it works..."


    "It will."


    It was time for Jacob Adriano to lose a lot...


    Starting with Evelyn Fernandez, who will soon be mine. All mine.


    Fuck. It''d been so long since I found such a thrill......

 Chapter 101 Calm Before The Storm

    Chapter 101 Calm Before The Storm


    Evelyn


    "What''s on the agenda for tonight? I surely don''t want to spend the whole day locked in the apartment," I asked, blowing bubbles into the warm, enveloping water while our bodies stayed submerged. The sensation of his body against mine was nothing short of delightful.


    He started to reply, but I interrupted, "Don''t you dare say ''sex.'' You haven''t whisked me away anywhere nice yet."


    A small chuckle escaped him before he nted a kiss on my shoulder, our fingers entwined. "Do you truly believe it''s just sex that upies my thoughts? Perhaps I''ve got ns already brewing. Couldn''t that possibly happen?"


    "I won''t deny the possibility of ns, but I''m convinced that sex is the main course of your mind. All the fucking time."


    "Shall I disprove that theory by taking you out tonight, or would you rather I confirm it by fucking you here in the bathtub? You''re still a little tender down there, aren''t you?" His hand slid between my thighs, and I gasped, instinctively clenching them together to evade his teasing touch, "Would that be your preference? Get fucked or be proved wrong?" He whispered, causing goosebumps to prickle my skin, while a blush painted my cheeks.


    This man....


    God, I didn''t even know the right words to describe him.


    "You... you and your sneaky little hands," I attempted to assert, striving for strength in my voice but my stutter didn''t help.


    "Little? What about my hands makes you think they''re small, darling?" He chuckled, taking my left hand and pressing it against his right one, which had been idly toying with my fingers. Compared to his hand, mine seemed diminutive-my fingers barely reaching halfway up his, and my palm... well, it was a subject I dared not dwell upon.


    Why did I have to be so littlepared to him?


    "Now tell me...whose hand seems little to you?"Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    If it weren''t so tantly obvious, I might have imed ignorance and said his.


    He was clearly enjoying himself like any other time. And just like any other time, I was vexed. I would have preferred if he were a tad smaller in stature, but no, he was towering in every aspect. Huge everywhere.


    "We''re definitely not having this conversation," I retorted, shifting my focus to the water in the tub, while Jacob''s chest rumbled against my back as hisughter echoed through the bathroom.


    "You''re adorable," he chuckled, nting a kiss on my cheek, nearly prompting a smile I struggled to suppress.


    "You know, this isn''t fair," I turned slightly to catch his gaze, "First, you get me all riled up, and then you hit me with apliment. I''m not buying it anymore."


    "You make it quite a task to stay angry with you, Evie," he chuckled softly, nting a gentle peck on my lips, then another. "I just can''t resist those flushed cheeks and that adorable nose re. You look sexier when angry."


    "Ah, so you''re the kind of guy who deliberately pisses off his girlfriend just to see her looking sexy?" I scoffed.


    "Yeah, exactly that, if you put it that way," he shrugged, seemingly unfazed.


    "Jerk," I yfully pped his


    shoulder, and heughed, showing no sign of feeling it in the slightest. My small hands were no match for his rock-hard muscles. If anyone had the possibility of ending up getting hurt, it was me, and since I was totally okay after hitting the rock, there was no one injured; I was sure.


    "Take it easy, Tesoro," he wrapped his arms around my waist, drawing me close until my face nestled against his chest. Instantly, I felt my anger dissipating, bit by bit. "Stay here with me. Right here," he sighed, holding me firmly against him.


    Without a word, I wrapped my arms around him, staying seated on hisp, and I noticed his heart was racing for some inexplicable reason. His muscles, usually rxed, felt tense now.


    Was something bothering him?


    Jacob had a habit of shouldering supposed problems and relying too heavily on himself, often at the cost of his own well-being. And he''d always be the one to end up most damaged ... .I''d seen it in America, he totally prefered being hurt himself than sharing his problems.


    "Are you alright, Jacob?" I inquired, studying his face.


    He seemed taken aback by my question, perhaps not expecting me to pick up on the subtle shift in his demeanor. But how could I not? He was everything I cared to observe. Missing anything about him was nearly impossible.


    "I''m fine," he offered a small smile. "I''m just not sure why I''m feeling a bit anxious for no apparent reason."


    "You resolved your office issues, right?" I sought confirmation, and he nodded.


    "Yes, I did."


    "Then what''s the matter?"


    "I''m not certain. It might just be nothing," he shrugged, nting a kiss on my forehead and letting out a sigh. "Don''t worry about me. I''ll be fine.¡±


    "I''m okay, baby," he smiled softly against my forehead. "You love me a lot, don''t you?"


    "Stop it, silly," I muffled my voice against his chest, inhaling hisforting scent. "Promise me you won''t keep anything from me."


    "I promise," he reassured, drawing me in closer, letting out a contented sigh. "As long as you''re by my side, everything will remain as it should. You''re my guiding light."


    A smile curved my lips at his words. "I love you."


    I wished for everything to remain as it was. We weren''t wless, but in this moment, we were perfect. Everything felt so right, like a dream...


    "I love you too, Evelyn."

 Chapter 102 Meeting The Storm

    Chapter 102 Meeting The Storm


    Evelyn


    "Is this your idea of an office?" I looked at him in utter disbelief, "This is literally better than your house."


    Yeah, I meant every word. Jacob''s apartment was impressive no denying that. But this, this was majestic. A colossal thirty-five-story building, meticulously adorned from every nook to the carpets and even the vases.


    It was a marvel of architectural brilliance and corporate elegance. An entrance adorned with sleek, brushed steel doors weed visitors into a foyer awash in opulent tones. Polished marble floors reflected the soft illumination cast by crystal chandeliers overhead, infusing the space with an air of refined sophistication. And those floor-to-ceiling windows? They drenched the office in natural light, offering sweeping views of the bustling city below. Past the reception area, the workspace unfurled like a perfectly orchestrated symphony-just asposed and beautiful as Jacob himself. Open- concept workstations boasted ergonomic chairs and cutting-edge desk arrangements. The air buzzed with the symphonic cadence of fingers tapping on keyboards, intermingling with the subdued hum of coborative discussions. There were just too many employees bustling about here. "Hey, that''s kind of offensive," Jacob chuckled as he pressed the lift button for the twenty-seventh floor. "I prefer my home to be simple. Offices are where you unt the fancy stuff to attract investors and such."


    "This isn''t just fancy, it''s grand," I countered. "Have you seen my dad''s office? It''s more like a bird''s nestpared to what you have here."


    "I''ve seen his office; it''s not that bad, just needs a bit of sprucing up. But I''m d you liked mine," he grinned mischievously. "Wait until I show you the penthouse after we catch up on everything."


    "There''s nothing not to like about it. You''ve certainly constructed it like some wonder."


    "Believe me, mine''s the least fancypared to some I''ve personally seen. There are businessmen who''ve turned their spaces into pces, albeit with modern decor, not cluttered with sick old paintings," he slid his arm around my waist, drawing me closer. "I''m not keen on exaggeration and spending a fortune on decorations. I did what was necessary."


    Was he serious? How could there be something better than this? Who could possess such wealth? I hadn''t cared to find out. As long as I had my favorite snacks, especially a tub of chocte ice cream, everything I owned was more than enough.


    "It still baffles me how someone could have a better workce than this," I sighed, shaking my head.


    "Well, there are plenty. Remember the Tyler guy I mentioned?" Jacob chuckled. "That spoiled brat has an office twice the size of mine, dripping with luxury. If I were in his shoes, I''d use my wealth more wisely, maybe invest in growing my business instead of squandering it on women and frivolous things."


    "Maybe that''s why he can''t stand you? Because he knows you''d handle his riches better than he ever could," I queried, arching my eyebrows.


    "I never considered it like that," a hint of a smile yed on his lips. He then cupped my face in his hands. "I didn''t know you were this smart." His lips met mine, and just as swiftly, the lift doors burst open.


    My eyes widened, and I hastily drew back, my cheeks fucking aze as I noticed a few employees waiting to board the lift.


    Their expressions said it all-they had seen it. Shit!


    "Good morning, sir," they greeted Jacob as they entered the lift. Unlike me, Jacob didn''t disy a hint of shame on his face.


    He offered them a smile before draping his arm around me, and pulling me close. We stood at the back of the lift, our backs against the wall. "What the fuck are you doing?" I hissed under my breath.


    He leaned in, brushing his nose against my cheek, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Loving my girlfriend, I suppose?" His voice carried without restraint, disregarding any attempt to keep it discreet.


    This man...


    "You don''t have to do it in front of everyone," I murmured, trying to keep my voice low, aware that the nearby workers'' amused smiles indicated they were catching every word.


    "I can show my affection whenever I please. I don''t give a damn about what anyone else thinks," he whispered into my ear, his voice lowering, his grip tightening around my waist. "And you know what? No one has the right to say a damn thing if I want to do more than show affection here. I could fuck you right now in this lift and I''m pretty sure you wouldn''t mind that either."


    Despite the soreness lingering down there, his words sparked an unsettling arousal. He didn''t need to do much at this point; his mere breath was enough to evoke a response. I mean seriously he''d just fucking breathe and I''d be soaking wet in minutes. That''s the power he held over me, and I feared that over time, that influence would only intensify.


    "Yes, I... I would mind," I cleared my throat, avoiding his gaze. "Now, get your hands off of me."


    "Not happening, sweetheart," he grinned, his hand sliding lower to cup my butt. I almost gasped at the unexpected move but suppressed it swiftly, unwilling to let these people catch a glimpse of what my boyfriend was up to.


    "Jacob, listen-"


    Abruptly, the lift doors parted.


    "It seems we''ve arrived," he smirked, seizing my hand and guiding me out of the lift. "Folks, isn''t my girlfriend stunning?" He addressed his employees before stepping out. My cheeks med red, and I found myself speechless at his direct question.


    Was hepletely out of his mind? Perhaps. But oddly enough, it didn''t bother me much. It was more that I wasn''t ustomed to being the center of attention.


    "Absolutely stunning, sir," one of the girls giggled, whilst the others also joined her, "You''ve won."


    "I knew I was meant to win," he chuckled, leaning in to kiss my cheek. "Alright, I won''t keep you all any longer. Have a good day!" With that, he turned away, thankfully taking me along.


    "What was that all about?" I demanded, my voice tense.


    "What?" Jacob yed the innocent card as he led the way past several rooms, the floor alive with the sounds of keyboard tter, phone conversations, and employees discussing bids and odds. It seemed like the typical hustle and bustle of a real estate business office could sense the stress that came with managing such an empire, and I totally had no idea how he


    maintained hisposure amidst it


    all.


    "That thing you did..." Embarrassment reddened my cheeks. "Why did you have to ask them that?"


    He chuckled at my question and opened the door. "Well, my girlfriend''s gorgeous. What else am I supposed to do? I''m gonna show you off. Anyone in my position would do the same."


    He strode into his office, and I followed, trying to protest.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "B-but-" My words trailed off as I noticed an unfamiliar face seated behind Jacob''s desk. No, not just seated-iming the space as his own.


    "What are you doing here?" Jacob''s voice held an edge, his jaw visibly tense at the side of that unknown man.


    The man didn''t respond immediately. Instead, his intense gaze locked onto me...


    His piercing, dark eyes held a


    sharpness that cut through the air,


    his lips forming a thin line entuating the intensity of his gaze. His impably styled hair. swept backward,plementing his attire a striking maroon suit against an ensemble of ck, extending to his watch. Undeniably handsome, he exuded an aura that was as captivating as it was intimidating. Yet, there was an unsettling storm within him.


    The way his dark eyes locked onto mine made me instinctively shrink within myself. It was as though his gaze had the power to strip awayyers, teaving me feeling rmingly exposed. It was an ufortable sensation, one that urged me to hide. I wanted to hide from him


    already.


    Who was he....?


    Jacob stood before me, noticing the man''s unwavering stare, his grip on my wrist tightening.


    "Well, well..." The man chuckled dryly, rising slowly. His height matched Jacob''s as he approached us. "Long time no see... I''ve been curious, how''s


    life been without my interference? Enjoying yourfort?"


    What the hell was happening?


    "What are you ying at, Tyler?" Jacob''s voice was firm, his jaw clenched.


    It finally clicked...


    Tyler... Tyler Ri.


    Jacob''s enemy. The entitled heir who believed everything belonged to him and him alone....


    But, what the heck was he doing here?

 Chapter 103 Trouble Begins

    Chapter 103 Trouble Begins


    Evelyn


    There was something off about Jacob''s description of Tyler. It failed to capture the sheer intensity emanating from the man standing before me. It wasn''t merely a matter of words on a page. Words seemed inadequate to define him now; one single term sufficed evil. He embodied it wholly, an eerie presence exuding an air of possession, as though heid im to everything in his path. Everything was his to own.


    I couldn''t quite pinpoint the reason behind these impressions, but they were undeniably there-stirred solely by his presence.


    "Well... This time, Jacob, I''m ying at something entirely different," he grinned, shifting his gaze towards me. "Is this your girl? Seems younger than your usual ones," his eyes scrutinized me, knitting a frown between my brows.


    The bloody scoundrel...


    My fists itched tond a blow on his face.


    Or perhaps a well-ced heel strike.


    I would prefer thetter, though.


    "Before I toss you out of my office, I suggest you fucking leave on your own or-" Jacob''s words were cut short as a ginger-haired man burst into the room, his gaze darting between Tyler and Jacob.


    "I apologize, Sir. I asked Mr. Tyler to wait outside, but he didn''t listen..." he trailed off, lowering his head. It was Jacob''s secretary. No need to confirm. "It''s alright, Harry. No need to apologize. I understand how intrusive he can be," Jacob waved it off, his eyes fixed on Tyler''s as Harry hesitantly left- like he wished to rip him into pieces but his principles restrained him. He remainedposed, full of restraint, even though his every fiber yearned to thrash this man.


    "Intrusive?" Tyler chuckled. "That''s a very interesting choice of word."


    It appeared that Tyler, despite his outward calmness, wielded hisposure for his own nefarious ends. His intentions rang with an ominous tone, leaving a sense of foreboding in the air. What ulterior motive was this man harboring?


    "I''ll ask you onest time. What''s your game, Tyler?" Jacob''s voice seethed through clenched teeth, his hands balled into fists. "Speak up or get the fuck out of here." I instinctively clutched his arm, shooting him a concerned look. I couldn''t bear the thought of himshing out at Tyler, or anyone for that matter.


    That wasn''t his nature. Violence wasn''t hisnguage, and I refused to let it be so.


    "What if I im it''s your girlfriend?" Tyler''s question spilled out without a hint of hesitation as he inched closer. "Would you sacrifice her to satisfy me? You''ve always been the shrewd businessman, haven''t you?"


    My eyes widened slowly at his words. Before I could muster a reaction, Jacob''s enraged roar filled the room, his fist poised to strike. "You despicable piece of¡ª"


    I swiftly caught his hand, halting him with all my might.


    His gaze met mine as I silently pleaded with him to stop, and he listened to me, gradually lowering his hand. A glimmer of softness flickered in his eyes, maybe because they had seen the fear in mine.


    "Could you step outside for a moment, baby?" he asked, but I vehemently shook my head, clinging to him tighter, my other hand securing him in ce.


    I knew the repercussions if I left. I refused to let him fight, especially when Tyler''s intentions were ringly evident on his face.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "So, you''re smitten, huh?" Tyler crossed his arms, a smirk ying on his lips. "Already terrified of losing her, Jacob? Your ex has been quite amodating these days, using that mouth of hers to suck me off whenever I ask her and I wonder if it''s Evelyn''s allure keeping you from rushing back to her or if there''s something... more."


    "So this is about Chloe, then?" Jacob let out a dry chuckle. "You''re causing a scene in my damn office all for her? I have no illusions about your fidelity. You relish juggling multiple women, so spill it. What else brings you here?"


    "Maybe something you possess..." Tyler whispered, his gaze flickering briefly towards me before he chuckled, shaking his head. He retrieved his phone from his pocket. "I''m sending you a list of your investors who''ll be withdrawing their funds by this evening. Brace yourself for a nosedive, buddy. It''s going to be a rough road ahead."


    Jacob''s phone buzzed, and he snatched it up, his eyes scanning the message, his jaw clenched tight. The vein in his neck stood out prominently, a clear sign that he struggled to keep hisposure, especially with Tyler systematically pushing his buttons.


    I found it challenging to believe Tyler''s words, but Jacob''s visible reaction confirmed that Tyler wasn''t here for a casual chat. He had stirred up trouble.


    "What the hell do you want from my boyfriend, huh?" I finally snapped, unable to contain my frustration. "Fine, you''re messing around with that twisted woman, whatever. Keep at it. Keep fucking her and yourself busy. But why are you needlessly here? Or are you trying to y her savior? Seeking revenge on her behalf? Is that your twisted n-to wreak havoc in Jacob''s life? You seem overly interested in his affairs and quite jealous too because he''s aplished things, a spoiled brat like you never could!" Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    His eyes sparked at my words, but infuriatingly, he didn''t seem the least bit offended. I intended to provoke him, yet there he stood, wearing a smug smile.


    "Wow! You''re quite something,


    Bedonna," he smirked, tucking his


    phone away before lighting a


    cigarette. "We''ll meet again. Scratch


    that-there''s no doubt. Your boyfriend and I have unfinished business. There''s much more he''s going to lose from now on Do me a favor, remember my name, will you? It''s Tyler, and I''d fucking love to hear it from those pretty lips of yours."


    "Enough of this bullshit," Jacob flung his phone aside and seized Tyler''s cor. "You utter one more word, and you won''t leave here on your own two feet, Tyler. I''ll shatter every bone in fucking your body."


    "And I''d be thrilled for you to try," Tyler chuckled, utterly unperturbed.


    "Jacob, stop..." I grabbed onto his hands, trying to pull him away. "That''s exactly what he wants. He wants you to strike so he can create a scene in the media."


    "So you''re clever too, Bedonna," he nced at me, a smirk curling his lips.


    He was deliberately baiting Jacob. God, what could I fucking do?


    "Don''t you dare even look at her!" Jacob snarled.


    "Oh, I will. Every day."


    Oh no...


    As Jacob moved to strike, I clutched his hand, exerting every ounce of strength to hold him back.


    "Don''t hold me back, Evelyn. This bastard deserves it!"


    "Yes, indeed. Please, you''re most wee," Tyler drawled, taking a drag from his cigarette, his smirk unwavering. He made no move to free himself.


    "Please, Jacob. For me-please,


    stop," I wrapped my arms around him from behind, my voice quivering, my eyes shut tight. I felt lost, unsure of what to do. All I knew was I


    couldn''t bear to witness ned


    hurting anyone, especially this guy who clearly goaded him. Tyler had tarnished Jacob''s reputation before, and now he was at it again¡ªhis game n was evident.


    "Evelyn, let me "


    "Please..." I held him tighter, my voice trembling. "For me, Jacob. Don''t do this."


    I sensed Jacob inhaling deeply before slowly releasing Tyler''s cor.


    "Leave, Tyler," Jacob uttered quietly, struggling to maintain hisposure.


    Surprisingly, Tyler smiled. "Okay." With that, he flicked his cigarette away and strode out of the room, his final gaze fixed solely on me.

 Chapter 104 You Belong With Me

    Chapter 104 You Belong With Me


    Evelyn


    As Jacob stormed into the lift, his fury seemed to drag me along, his hand mming the button for the penthouse. The veins on his neck bulged, his jaw clenched, and his uneven breaths filled the confined space, radiating palpable anger. I was at a loss for words-Jacob was usuallyposed, and witnessing him lose control was unsettling. I wasn''t afraid of him, but I feared what he might do next. Part of me dreaded that he''d follow Tyler and unleash his pent-up rage¡ªhis expression revealed an overwhelming urge to forget everything and cut that man into pieces¡ªI knew that''s exactly how he felt.


    Not that I felt any different, but we couldn''t just act on our anger.


    "Are you alright, Jacob?" I asked cautiously as the lift ascended.


    I was so bad at this. I was clueless about how to help him calm down, especially when he was visibly fuming.


    God! What should I do?


    "You should''ve let me beat him, Evelyn," he exhaled tightly, raking his hand through his usually impable hair, tousling it in frustration. "That bastard walked away unscathed despite what he said it doesn''t sit right with me."


    ra would always hug dad when he''d be mad, so this should fucking help!


    Okay! A hug would help.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "Jacob..." I sighed, turning to him and enveloping him in an embrace, wrapping my arms tightly around him and feeling the rapid thudding of his heart. "Just try to calm down."


    "I can''t fucking calm down," he said, attempting to pull away, but I held onto him tighter, pouring all the reassurance I could muster into the embrace. "Then let me help you," I whispered, burying my face against his chest, my grip firm andforting. "He''s not worth our time or energy. We shouldn''t even think about him let alone talk about him. Let''s just forget it and move past it?"


    "Evelyn, I need a moment alone. Leave me," Jacob''s voice sounded strained, masking the underlying irritation.


    I could sense it was a facade-a total lie. He didn''t need a moment alone because that''d never ever work out for him; he needed someone to help ease his turmoil.


    And I would never let anyone else be that ''someone'' except for myself.


    "No, you don''t," I shook my head, gently cradling his face in my hands, locking eyes with him.


    "Evelyn, please try to¡ª"


    1


    "Taking time alone won''t alleviate your stress. only make it worse but I know all you''d think about is what happened in your office," I whispered, leaning in to ce a tender kiss on his lips, feeling his body tense momentarily. "Let me help you, alright?" I offered a small smile, and this time, as I hugged him, he didn''t resist.


    Thank god!


    His arms encircled me, drawing me close, and he slowly rested his head against my neck, inhaling deeply.


    I trailed my fingers along the nape of his neck,forting him with a gentle rub on his back. "It''s okay. Whatever he said, it doesn''t matter because that''s never going to happen."


    "I''ll fucking kill him if he even tries to get near you," his voice was low, as if he meant every word he''d said.


    Well, he did. He did mean every word.


    "He won''te close to me. I''m


    always by your side, aren''t I?" | murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple as I cradled his face once more, mythumbs caressing his cheeks, his ragged breathing now steadying. "I love you too much to let anyoney a finger on me, he won''t even get near my shadow, not even my pinky finger, not even a single strand of my hair, so why stress over it?" I asked softly.


    "Because I know that twisted bastard. You don''t know him, baby. He''s far worse than he lets on-ys dirty games. Loves to ruin others'' lives-it''s like his hobby. Last time, he tarnished my reputation in the media, and it took ages to clear my name. But this time... I can''t fathom his intentions. Chloe isn''t the sole reason; a man like him doesn''t care about the women he uses," Jacob drew me closer, his hand gently tucking my hair behind my ear, "I won''t let him anywhere near you. You''re mine. Only mine," and he


    sealed his words with a kiss.


    I reciprocated his kiss, our tongues entwining. His embrace conveyed possessiveness, as if he was staking a im that no one else could touch me but him.


    Truthfully, a selfish part of me liked his possessiveness despite the circumstances. I found allure in this side of him, a facet unseen until this moment. I pondered what other shadesy beneath theposed exterior of a man I thought I knew so well.


    Italy had unveiled hues in him that America hadn''t. We had confined ourselves within the four walls of a room before, but now, it felt like stepping into the real world.


    And none of us knew what awaited us.


    As we parted from the kiss, he rested his forehead against mine, both of us panting heavily.


    "No one is allowed to even nce at you in that way, Evie," he murmured, his fingertips tracing the curves of my neck before settling on my lower back, "You belong to me."


    A soft smile graced my lips as I pecked his, "Yes," I breathed, "I belong to you. Only you."

 Chapter 105 Cigarette And Sex

    Chapter 105 Cigarette And Sex


    Evelyn


    "About the investors pulling out their funds... It didn''t seem like Tyler was joking," I ventured, shattering the oppressive silence that had settled


    between us. Jacob''s touch traced the curves of my waist, his hand finding its way over my bare breast as he drew from his cigarette. His body leaned against the headboard while mine nestled against his, our naked forms entwined beneath the duvet.


    As peaceful as the moment was, we both knew we had a storm to deal with.


    "That bastard doesn''t joke," he grumbled, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. "And these investor issues don''t bother me half as much as the fact that heid eyes on you. If he dares do something... I swear to god, I''ll make sure he fucking regrets it."


    The seriousness in his tone struck a chord.


    God. He did sound serious. His words were no jest.


    He was indeed serious about it.


    "Hey, calm down," I implored, my fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. "Maybe he was just trying to throw you off, knowing it would get under your skin. Focus on your business for now. This could result in heavy losses, and I don''t want that. You''ve invested so much time and effort into building it all up."


    "Only a handful of investors pulling out won''t disrupt the flow; I''ve reviewed the list, and truthfully, only a select few truly matter. Besides, I''ve got my own funds set aside for moments like these. Nothing''s going south, trust me," he assured, nting a gentle kiss on my forehead. "And don''t worry about a thing, alright? Instead, tell me what you''d like to do today. Hang around and see some ces? Or maybe a romantic dinner?" His soft smile mirrored on my face.


    Despite his reassurance, I couldn''t shake the worry. Tyler exuded trouble, from the way he blinked to the sound of his footsteps on the floor-every detail screamed danger. And my sick gut feeling whispered that he had more nned.


    It was evident that Tyler''s sole intention was to wreak havoc in Jacob''s life, to fracture his empire. That much was no secret.


    What could I possibly do? I had nothing more than standing by Jacob''s side. But would that be enough?


    Perhaps, not.


    "Hey, what''s on your mind?" Jacob lifted my face gently by the chin, a furrow settling between his brows. "Are you diving into those thoughts again, baby?"N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "Nah," I tried to brush it off with a chuckle, "It''s just that¡ª"


    "So, you are overthinking," he concluded, catching onto my habits effortlessly.


    "I''m not, honestly."


    "Today, I''m afraid I can''t take your word for it, especially when that lovely face of yours is telling me otherwise. You''re stressed about more than just one thing," he observed, tracing his index finger along my cheek, his gaze softening. "You know I hate seeing you worried because of me. It can''t sit right with me, can it?"


    "Alright, fine," I sighed, "No overthinking, I promise. Now, don''t give me that face."


    "What face?" A chuckle escaped his lips.


    "One that... makes me feel guilty for worrying," I managed, and he chuckled softly, taking a drag from his cigarette.


    "As you should-actually, you should feel guilty for creasing this pretty face with worry lines. Not everyone has this kind of face, you know," he teased, covering my face with kisses. "And here you are.... not at all appreciating it."


    "Hey, knock it off," I giggled, yfully pushing him away. "You reek of ash."


    "That''s just cigarettes, baby. I thought you''d gotten used to it by now," he started tousling my hair, and I swatted his hand away. "Stop it. They''ll get all tangled."


    "Well, if they didn''t after what we did in bed, there''s no chance they''ll get into knots now," he grinned, unfazed. "So, stop worrying."


    A blush tinted my cheeks at his words-his shamelessness knew no bounds. I don''t know why I kept expecting him to exhibit even a hint of shame or shyness, but he was far from either and perhaps always would be.


    Jacob Adriano will never not be shameless.


    "Shut up!" I swatted his chest, knowing it wouldn''t faze him, before continuing "How can you even like it? Doesn''t it burn your lungs? And it smells awful," I wrinkled my nose, eyeing the cigarette between his fingers.


    "Evie, it definitely doesn''t smell awful."


    Was he fucking serious?


    "Yes, it does," I insisted. "Do your lungs not feel like they''re on fire?"


    "Does your stomach not feel the burn after drinking loads of wine carelessly?" he countered, raising an eyebrow.


    Well....


    For a few moments, I tried to conjure a retort, but I eventually relented. "Alright, fine, you win this one," I sighed, a hint of a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.


    "Want to give it a try?" He extended the cigarette toward me, and I shook my head.


    "Oh,e on, just once," he persisted, offering me the cigarette. "One drag won''t hurt, but I''ll warn you you''re not allowed to make a habit out of this. Consider it my pre-warning."


    "Then why tempt me with a single sweet-sweet drag?" I arched an eyebrow.


    "Just to see if you''d give it a shot."


    "I don''t think it''s a good idea; I might end up coughing to death."


    He chuckled at my statement before taking the cigarette from me.


    "Let me solve that problem for you,"


    ???


    he said, using his free hand to cradle the nape of my neck. Pulling my face closer, our eyes locked. Our lips brushed against each other as he ced the cigarette between our


    lips and took a drag himself. His gaze did not shift away from me as he ended up drawing me closer until our lips met in a soft press.


    The ashy vor exploded in my mouth as I inhaled, the smoke passing between our mouths, our tongues dancing with each stroke. Desire mingled with the foreign taste and smell until he finally withdrew.


    His green eyes darkened, his voice thickened, "Want another drag?"


    "Sure."


    A smirk yed on his lips as he took another drag. This time, he shifted me onto hisp, my knees resting on the bed. My hand settled on his jaw as I angled our heads, and as he parted his lips, I slowly drew in the smoke. Content belongs


    "I think I might be developing an addiction," I murmured against his lips, breathing in his scent intermingled with the cigarettes.


    "And you are saying this to someone who is already addicted," he murmured before pressing our lips together; guiding my hips closer, he entered me.

 Chapter 106 Storm On The Way

    Chapter 106 Storm On The Way


    Tyler


    "Wow," I murmured, closing my eyes, "Absolutely fucking amazing."


    "What''s got you in such high spirits?" Chloe asked, arching an eyebrow as she walked out of the bathroom, naked-I''d just fucked her, in all holes to be exact; Well....it wasn''t that good, not even as fulfilling as my thoughts of Evelyn beneath me. That mental image was what fueled my high, yet it was best left unspoken-Chloe didn''t need that detail, and I wasn''t offering unless pressed.


    Talking to her was unnecessary-she was better off as a fuck toy.


    "Well, clearly you know that having sex with you isn''t the reason, huh?" I chuckled. "d to see you''re not one to jump to conclusions."


    The truth was, my tion stemmed from seeing Evelyn earlier. She was stunning, beyond words. Like a dish I wanted to devour entirely, all at once, unwilling to share it with anyone in this fucking world.


    Her plump, inviting lips... I had an urge to sink my teeth into them.


    Fuck, I wanted those long legs of hers hooked around my hips whilst I''d fuck her against the wall.


    "You just had sex with me, Tyler. Can''t you show a hint of decency and treat me somewhat cordially?" Chloe shook her head, sighing as she poured herself a ss of whiskey. My handprints were still imprinted on her arse, momentarily triggering a desire to envision how Evelyn Fernandez would appear bare against this very bar.


    Damn. I couldn''t get her out of my head. Totally not.


    She seemed to infiltrate every fucking corner of my thoughts, and to be honest, I didn''t even want to push her out. I''d caught a whiff of her today and damn, it was heavenly.


    What grated on my nerves was that Jacob possessed yet another prized possession, someone far more valuable than anything I had. She was, in fact, priceless. And I''d love to snatch her.


    "You''re up against some fiercepetition," I muttered, swiping through the pictures of Evelyn I''d taken from Chloe''s phone. "Looks, age, beauty, innocence, and that body¡ªshe''s got everything a man could desire. You, on the other hand, have none of it."


    Her gaze hardened. "Did I request your opinion, Tyler? Remember, you''re here to assist me, not ridicule me."


    "I can''t help it," I chuckled, taking another sip while propped against the headboard, my eyes fixed on Evelyn''s images. She was worth every ounce of trouble¡ªI''d tear Jacob apart to have her. "It''s just the truth. It''s gullible to think a man would let go of someone like Evelyn for someone like you."


    "And it''s naive of you to think Evelyn would leave a man like Jacob for you," she chuckled, hitting a nerve. "So, what sets you apart, Tyler? You''re no different from me, are you?"


    My jaw tightened as I pocketed my phone.


    "I can''t fathom how a lowlife like you even dares topare yourself to me, Chloe. Do you have billions stashed away like I do?" I let out a low chuckle, "Even as I talk to you, I''m still making millions somewhere, in any of mypanies. And what do you have to offer? Money? No. Beauty? You''ve lost it all¡ªthere''s no allure left. You''ve be akin to a used tissue paper desperately trying to reim what you squandered, just to salvage your self-worth, am I not right, Chloe? Having Jacob will validate you, won''t it? That''s what this is about... isn''t it?"


    She remained silent, yet I noticed her grip tightening around the ss.


    I knew she was astute enough to suppress her anger. She understood that I wouldn''t hesitate to cast her out of this n, leaving her with nothing and


    no recourse.


    She wielded no power. Her body, the one she''d used in numerous beds to gain leverage and ascend to her current position, was no longer the asset it once was. Ironically, even after all her efforts, she stillcked the one thing she desired most.


    I''d never seen such a wretched woman before. She seemed ruined everywhere.


    "You know what, Tyler? I''m starting to question whether you''re genuinely here to help or just here for your own fun."


    "Fun? Oh, please, fucking you wasn''t remotely enjoyable. I gain nothing from assisting you," I rose from the bed, strolling over to the bar to pour myself another ss of wine. I noticed her eyes briefly flicker towards my dick, though she didn''t linger her gaze for long.


    Sure, she enjoyed fucking. But as for me, not so much.


    Had it not been for catching a whiff of Evelyn earlier today, I''d be walking around with blue balls, because Chloe here was fucking loose.


    "You''re not getting anything?" She


    scoffed, "You speak as though your pursuit of Evelyn is a secret, Tyler. fucking know you''re after


    her-everything about your face


    screams it. And that ''meeting'' you had with her today, it clearly brought you joy. You must''ve been ecstatic seeing her up close. I wonder what held you back from making a move."


    "Jacob," I replied, honestly, "If he wasn''t in the picture, I''d have shown Evelyn the stars in broad daylight."


    "Don''t worry, Jacob''s already done that," she patted my shoulder with a smirk, knowing precisely what buttons to push.


    "You''re one sick bitch, you know that?"


    "And you''re an impatient, desperate man," she chuckled, strolling over to the bed and seating herself at the edge, legs crossed. "It''s only been a few days since youst saw her, and you''re already losing your mind. Isn''t that a bit entitled?"


    "You seem to doubt that Evelyn will be mine..."


    "I''ve got plenty of doubts because I''ve seen how obsessed that girl is with Jacob. She''d sooner die than let him slip away," she sipped her whiskey. "Trust me, it''s a tough game."


    "I''ve never been one for easy games anyway," I chuckled. "But since you''re enjoying casting doubts, let me make one thing clear: if I don''t get Evelyn, you won''t be reuniting with the love of your life either. I might just return everything to him in the end if Evelyn doesn''t be mine."


    "You''d do what?" She seemed taken aback, rising from her seat. "You won''t dare, Tyler."


    "You''re not here to issue orders,


    Chloe. Mind your own damn business-your role is simple: suck my cock when you are told, spread your legs ory on fours when


    asked and keep quiet. If you kel.ne


    pping your lips, I might just cut you loose from this n and handle everything myself. You''re practically useless," I strode over to the table, snatching my pack of cigarettes.


    "You can''t pull this off without me¡ªyou need my help."


    Wow! Her delusions were astounding.


    I needed her help? Seriously? What the fuck was wrong with this bitch?


    "For what?" I couldn''t suppress a


    scoff, "You''re truly forgetting your ce, Chloe. You''re of no value to me-except for the quick blowjobs. That''s all you contribute. The sole reason I''m keeping you around is that you introduced Evelyn to me-if not for that, I wouldn''t have known Jacob had something so valuable. So, that''s your tiny role, and the rest? That''s all on me. My way. Your way would likely involve crashing some obscure destination wedding of their distant rtive, causing chaos. I''ll pass on that."


    She didn''t say a word; instead, she stood there, jaw clenched, fists balled at her sides.


    I knew she couldn''t stand me, and truthfully, the feeling was mutual.


    I''d have preferred her out of my way, but I wasn''t about to y dirty. She brought Evelyn to me, and for that sole reason, I tolerated her.


    "Anyway, when are they arriving?"


    "Who?"


    This dumb shit!


    "Jacob''s uncles. Did it slip your mind? Or was the sex too good for you?" A smirk crept onto my lips, and I noticed her inhale sharply.


    Clearly, she enjoyed it too much.


    "It''s not like that," she shrugged. "They''ll be here in about an hour. I''ve spoken to them. They''re willing to cause a scene, but I haven''t given them


    specifics."


    "Good, that''s why I''m here," I hummed, lighting a cigarette. "Jacob''s in for a rough day tomorrow."


    "More likely Evelyn," Chloe crossed her arms, "I know you. You''re aiming for Jacob''s weak spot, which is Evelyn."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "You''re getting sharper every day," I chuckled, exhaling smoke. "d I''m fucking some sense into you."


    Oh, sweet Evelyn... I''m sorry, but you''ll have to face a lot just to end up in my arms.

 Chapter 107 Tylers Ploy

    Chapter 107 Tyler''s Ploy


    Evelyn


    "You''re leaving?" I murmured, pushing myself upright, still groggy, and rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I squinted, piecing together the sight of him fastening his watch and slipping on his coat.


    "Yeah, love," he said, walking over to nt a soft kiss on my cheek. "Go back to sleep. It''s too early for you to be up. I''ve got some business at the office. I''ll make sure breakfast is on its way for you, alright?" His touch lingered on my cheek.


    Truth be told, I didn''t want him to go. But was it right to hold him back? Not a chance.


    His work mattered, and I understood the dedication he had towards what he''d built, despite how unaffected he tried to appear yesterday. Tyler''s antics had rattled things for him, and as much as I craved his presence-right here, close to me I couldn''t ignore that it would be selfish.


    Thest thing I wanted was to exacerbate his problems any further.


    "You haven''t had breakfast yet, have you?" I blurted out.


    "I''ll grab something on the way, don''t worry," he reassured, attempting to step away, but I caught his arm.


    I knew he wouldn''t. I knew him too well to believe that. He was the kind of person who forgot about himself when consumed by something, whether it was me or his work.


    Jacob Adriano was never his own top priority. But he was mine.


    "You''ve got fifteen minutes to spare?" My gaze softened. "I can whip up some pancakes. It''s not much, but at least you won''t be wandering around on an empty stomach. Please?"


    "Evelyn... it''s too early for you to be up anyway," he sighed, trying to coax me. "You don''t have to do this. Justy back and get some sleep. I''ll be fine."


    "I didn''t ask if you''d be fine or not, Jacob. Do you have fifteen minutes? You wouldn''t say no if I asked for a cuddle."


    I saw defeat flicker across his face before he let out a resigned sigh, probably realizing I wouldn''t give in today. "Fine. I''ll stay."


    A smile crept onto my lips, and I leaned in to nt a quick peck on his lips. "I''ll be right back. Wait here for me."


    I swiftly tied my hair up with a w clip and made my way to the kitchen. I''d scoped out Jacob''s kitchen before it wasn''t exactly equipped. He seemed to live off fast food or restaurant meals. Pasta was a staple, but I couldn''t justify cooking that for breakfast. That was more of a dad move- probably the only person in the world who''d indulge in morning pasta.


    Whatever, back to the discussion-Jacob''s less-than-functional kitchen miraculously had some pancake mix, much to my relief. Without further ado, I embarked on my mini-cooking adventure.


    To be painfully honest-I''d never even brewed coffee at home for myself, let alone cooked. But luckily, the packet had clear instructions, and I knew enough to turn on the stove. That, in itself, felt like an achievement.


    As I began frying the pancakes, carefully flipping them, I soon felt a familiar hand slide around my waist, and a chin rest on my shoulder as the very person I''d asked to wait in the bedroom hugged me from behind.


    "You''ve never lifted a finger at home, and here you are making breakfast for me..." He murmured, nting a kiss behind my ear. "You know Samuel will kill me if he finds out about this. He''d love to think I''m making his precious daughter do all the hard work."


    "You do make me do hard work," I chuckled, sliding one pancake onto the te before cing another. "Lots of hard work."


    He caught the innuendo. "Your dad''s got ra doing simr ''hard work,'' especially now that he''s newly married," heughed. "Can''t me us for that. But let''s not give him those details, shall we? He''d get embarrassed."


    "Dog," I nudged his stomach with my elbow, unable to stifle my giggle.


    "Seriously, I wouldn''t mind sharing those details with him, but I doubt he''d let me off the hook after that."


    "You''re a devil, you know that?"


    "I''m well aware," he murmured into my neck, nting a kiss there.


    Deciding to leave him to his own, I continued making the rest of the pancakes, frying them and setting them aside. "Chocte syrup or maple?"


    He still clung to me from behind, his face nestled into my neck, his embrace akin to that of a baby.


    Boyfriends, regardless of age, were simply oversized babies¡ªI had no doubt about that anymore.


    "I''m not even sure what I have in the kitchen," he chuckled. "Anything''s fine."


    "Luckily, even if you don''t know,


    you''ve got both," I said, extricating myself from his grasp, eliciting a soft groan from him. I moved to the shelves, and grabbed both bottles, meticulously checking the dates. I couldn''t trust Jacob with this who knew if he had expired food in his house? He seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn''t mind eating it without a second thought. "And even better, none of it is expired." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Why the long face? Let me guess you''re less interested in breakfast and more interested in squeezing me tight." I chuckled, leaning against the counter in front of him.


    "I wasn''t squeezing you," he protested, looking at me with mock disbelief. "I just... enjoy having you in my arms."


    "Okay, okay, I get it. But enough of the arm talk; you need to eat your breakfast," I said, attempting to separate the tes. He suddenly turned me around, prompting a small gasp to escape my lips.


    "Why not feed me since you''ve done so much already?" He grinned, "I love being pampered."


    "You''re not a kid, Jacob," I yfully pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to turn away, but he pulled me against him once more.


    "I''m willing to pretend I am."


    Goodness, he sounded so serious.


    I couldn''t believe him.


    But... I wasn''t about to deny him either.


    "Alright, let''s feed the big baby," I


    chuckled, turning around andN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    drizzling chocte syrup on the


    pancakes He, on the other hand et


    helped me hop onto the counter, drawing me closer as he looped my legs around his waist, the te sitting between us, on myp.


    "Herees the big baby," I teased, cutting a piece of pancake and offering it to his mouth. He took a bite, and we couldn''t help but break into smiles -there was a magical essence to this moment, to him, to us. Even amid all the chaos, we felt free.


    "Your turn," he said, taking the fork from my hand and offering a piece to my mouth. "Can''t let my beautiful hungry girl go unfed, can I?"


    "Not at all," I replied, shaking my head, and took a bite.


    And so the moments passed, filled withughter and shared bites while he asionally smeared chocte on my lips and cheek before licking it


    away.


    ***


    The doorbell rang as I scrolled through the photos of Jacob and me, a smile lingering on my face.


    It had been a few hours and about ten texts from Jacob. He mentioned he''d be back soon...


    Wait, was he already here?


    My grin widened as I made my way to the door, swinging it open without a second thought. But what unfolded before my eyes was unexpected. Two unfamiliar faces-two rather elderly men.


    "Can I help you?" I asked, my brows furrowing as I observed them. They regarded me oddly and nced around the apartment with an unusual expression.


    "Jacob isn''t home?" the balding man inquired. His eyes were peculiar reminiscent of a cat''s eyes but with a strange hue, something unsettling and tinged with a hint of greed.


    The other man, with long hair just


    past his neck, sported heavy silver bracelets on his wrists and appeared somewhatrger in size. Together they gave off an initial impression of potential intruders or thieves. Yet, the only thing that prevented me from mming the door shut was the mention of my boyfriend''s name.


    Who were they?


    "I''m sorry, but who exactly are you? Do you know Jacob?" My words came out in a hesitant stutter.


    The bald man chuckled, finding my question amusing. "Do we know Jacob?" Heughed, exchanging nces with the other man, who also joined in theughter. "¨¨ divertente, vero?" (She''s funny, isn''t she?)


    "Ah, you''re the new girlfriend, aren''t you?" The other man chuckled as he extended his hand toward me. "Let us introduce ourselves¡ªwe''re here to fill in the roles of your not-so-alive father-inw. We''re Jacob''s uncles. He''s Luigi, and I''m Mario."


    What in the hell...

 Chapter 108 Tears

    Chapter 108 Tears


    Jacob


    "Sir, they''ve pulled quite a lot of funds. The ongoing projects at this point, and the ones we''ve bid on, could pose a significant hindrance if we don''t take action. We must make up for it or, at the very least, add new funds."


    Well...


    "I''m aware, vio," I murmured, rolling the paperweight onto the table. "I''ve had doubts about these types of events, so I''ve kept myself prepared. Moreover, there are already severalpanies eager to invest in our projects. Those who know me well and aren''t inclined to curry favor with Tyler will leap at these opportunities as soon as the news circtes. Besides, Tyler already has enough enemies already."


    "But none would want to challenge him, especially considering his recent victories in the bids," Harry interjected. "Shouldn''t we maintain a lower profile for a while? Consolidate our resources, and put less critical projects on hold until we resolve this issue? If we take a step and end up facing more losses, it could lead to serious difficulties."


    "You made a valid point, Harry, but we can''t afford to lie low because that''s precisely what he''d expect. Tyler wants us to cower and y into his hands. He''s well-versed in his game and would exploit the opportunity. We won''t halt any ongoing projects; however, we''ll keep caution with our bids," I asserted. "He did it before, and this time, his tactics are even more underhanded. I''m unsure of his motives, but he seems to be targeting everything all at once."


    "So... are we just going to act like nothing happened?" Ben''s voice carried a bit of skepticism.


    "In reality, nothing catastrophic urred. Sure, the funds were helpful, but they''re not so crucial that we''d face bankruptcy or feel like the world''s crashing down on us," I chuckled lightly. "You guys needn''t fret over it. Just continue with your tasks. I''ll handle Tyler and everything else. The funds will be added soon. And vio, those documents I asked for send them over. Need to check if some investors might bail soon. Gotta be ready. Ri''s always up for ying dirty."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "Understood, Sir."


    Before I could say another word, the ringtone of my phone resonated through the room. The familiar caller ID of my girl shed on the screen, drawing a small smile from me.


    She was, without a doubt, the best part of my life. Since she entered it, I had been experiencing some of the most fulfilling moments I''d ever known. God, I loved her!


    "You guys can leave now," I cleared my throat, motioning for vio and Harry to depart. Both suppressed their smiles, nodded, and walked out of the cabin.


    As the door clicked shut behind them, I picked up the call.


    Finally....


    "Hello, Eve-"


    "J-Jacob...can you pleasee home?" Her voice trembled, breaking into sobs that startled me.


    What the hell...


    "Evelyn...what''s wrong, love? Why are you crying?" I rose abruptly, my heart racing. "Tell me, dear. What happened?"


    "Jacob... they," Her voice hitched, trembling as if she were terrified. "Your uncles. They came and... wrecked everything. They even threatened¡ª" Her words dissolved into sobs, "Please, can youe home?"


    My body seized up at that moment. Luigi and Mario-my uncles who incessantly stirred up trouble at my doorstep, always seeking money and causing chaos. They were no different from my father, who thankfully met his end. They believed I owed them some absurd debt because I was adopted into a prosperous family and lived afortable life. Their rationale was utterly ludicrous-it was a privilege granted to me due to their brother''s demise, and they felt entitled to it. There was no familial love in their hearts for my so-called deceased father; they would have sold him for a dime if it meant filling their pockets. They craved money for drinking and gambling, and I inadvertently became their personal bank-whenever their cash ran dry, a scene would inevitably unfold.


    I had contemted obtaining a restraining order against them, yet I never deemed it worth my time. Money was never an issue, so I let myself be their financial cushion.


    But this time...


    I never fathomed they''d stoop this low.


    Those despicable bastards! Damn it!


    "Evelyn, listen to me, baby..." I attempted to soothe her. "Take deep breaths, alright? Stay on the line. I''ll be there in five minutes."


    Without a second thought, I bolted out of the office.


    I needed to be with her.


    Everything else could go to fucking hell. I needed to be there, no matter what.


    "I''m scared, Jacob. I can''t... I can''t catch my breath," she cried hysterically. "They... they threatened to return. They said they''d hurt you too. I don''t know what to do."


    "Evie, darling, I''m on my way to you now. They can''t touch you," I pressed the elevator button frantically, her cries piercing through me as if my heart was shattering. "Are you injured? Are they still there?"


    "No, they... they left. But, my knee... it''s bleeding. And my wrists hurt," Her tearful voice shattered my soul into fragments.


    Those damned scumbags-I''d kill them. I''d fucking kill them.


    "Did they hit you?"


    "No. I tried to stop them... so they... pushed me and-" Her voice faltered. "They broke everything. They said they''d kill me and... I''m scared, Jacob. I don''t want to be here."


    "You won''t have to be," I bolted to my car as the door swung open. Sliding inside sped away from the parking lot, elerating to the maximum speed, and heading in the direction of my apartment. I wasn''t sure if was following traffic signals or not-I just wanted to be with her. She was crying, and I couldn''t bear to see even a single tear fall from her eyes onto the floor. "I''ll take you somewhere else. You don''t have to be afraid, baby. I''ll be there in no time."


    "Please,e soon."


    "I will, baby. I''m almost there."


    ave ox


    I made a turn, opting for the shortcut. In the next two minutes, I reached the building. As the lift doors slid open, I sprinted down the hallway to my apartment. The door was wide open, and the heart-wrenching sight of Evelyn amidst the shattered furniture, broken ss, and scattered electronics unfolded before me.


    And there she was, her tear-filled eyes locking with mine. Her face was streaked with tears, her swollen and bloodshot. Blood


    eyes


    stained the floor from the cuts on her knee and wrists, revealing fingerprints. She trembled, shaken to her core.


    Damn it, why didn''t I just fucking die before witnessing this? Why?


    "J-Jacob..." Her quivering lips spoke, more tears streaming down her cheeks. "You''re here..."


    My legs, frozen like they were encased in ice, suddenly thawed, and I sprinted toward her. Dropping to my knees in front of her, I pulled her into my embrace.


    "Yes, I''m here, baby," I cradled her face in my hands, kissing every inch of her tear-stained cheeks. "I''m right here."

 Chapter 109 Ordeal

    Chapter 109 Ordeal


    Evelyn


    As his embrace enveloped me, it felt like an icy balm had been poured over my raw wounds, caressing my frigid heart and stitching me back together.


    I trembled, gasping for air, still haunted by the echoes of their menacing words. Yet, at this moment, within his arms, I found sanctuary. Safety. He was here....that''s all that mattered.


    "Ja-Jacob..." I stuttered, clinging desperately to him, "They broke everything."


    "It''s alright, love. None of that matters," he murmured soothingly, enfolding me securely. My face nestled into the curve of his neck, his warmth thawing the chill within me. "I''m sorry... I shouldn''t have left you alone. I''m so sorry." He pressed a kiss to my temple, his hand rubbing small circles on my back, coaxing my frantic breaths to slow.


    His gaze fell upon my wound, and a sudden tension gripped his features. "You''re bleeding, baby. Let me bring the first aid kit," Jacob moved to rise, but I clung onto him desperately, vigorously shaking my head.


    "Please, Jacob, don''t leave me alone. Please..." I sobbed, burying my face into his chest. "Don''t go. Stay with me."


    "But, baby..."


    "They threatened to harm you too..." I hupped through tears, gripping his shirt tightly, my body convulsing with each sob. "They said they''d hurt you, Jacob. I can''t let them hurt you."


    He released a heavy sigh.


    "They won''ty a finger on me, baby," he assured, lifting my gaze and gently wiping my tears away before cing a tender kiss on my lips. "I promise. They won''t hurt me, and they won''t ever harm you again. I''ll ensure they''re locked away for the stunt they pulled today."


    "What if they hurt you, Jacob?" Tears continued to stream down my cheeks as I gazed at him, the fear of their potential violence striking a chord of terror deep within me. I wanted to flee to a ce far removed from anyone with ill intentions, a ce where I and Jacob would be safe and Italy certainly wasn''t that ce for me anymore. "I can''t... I can''t bear to see you in pain."


    "Baby, can you please tell me what they said and how it all started?" He gently guided me onto hisp, his voice soft andforting. His left hand found its ce on my lower back as we settled against the kitchen counter. "I''m right here, alright? Tell me everything, and I''ll make sure those bastards won''ty a finger on you for as long as we live."


    I took a deep breath, summoning the strength to recount the ordeal.


    shback:


    "You guys are Jacob''s...uncles?" I was taken aback by their im.


    Why had Jacob never mentioned them before? It seemed odd.


    "Yes, indeed," before I could make sense of the situation, both brushed past me and entered the apartment, as though they owned the ce.


    I stood there, wide-eyed, a mix of surprise and confusion flooding my mind.


    What the fuck was happening?


    "How long have you been living with him?" Mario inquired, raising an eyebrow as he strolled toward the kitchen and casually grabbed a box of biscuits, not bothering to seek permission as he helped himself to one.


    These guys were beyond weird. Actually, ''weird'' didn''t even begin to cover it.


    "Why do you want to know that?" I couldn''t help but question, feeling a distinct difort emanating from their demeanor.


    A smirk yed on Luigi''s lips at my query. "Because your beloved boyfriend owes us a debt, honey. And we''re here to collect what''s owed."


    What the fuck!


    Jacob and debt? Hell no. It was fucking impossible.. These guys didn''t appear to possess a single penny, so how on earth could Jacob have borrowed anything, let alone money, from people who seemed financially strapped themselves?


    It was fucking absurd.


    "Excuse me?"


    Before I could grasp the situation, Luigi seized a nearby chair and hurled it towards the television.


    My eyes widened in shock, and I instinctively flinched, pressing myself against the door as the TV crashed to the ground, shattering into countless pieces. Meanwhile, Mario emerged from the kitchen, delivering a forceful blow with his foot, pulverizing what remained of the TV set.


    They allowed me no time to react, swiftly moving on to the next target the dining table. Mario marched toward the table, wielding the same chair his brother had used moments before to pulverize the television. With a forceful strike, he shattered the marble surface.


    "W-What are you doing?!" I rushed toward them, attempting to halt their rampage as they began wrecking the kitchen. "Stop! I said, stop this madness!"


    But my pleas fell on deaf ears. In a harsh grip, Luigi seized my wrists and shoved me aside before they systematically dismantled the cabs, dragging the fridge and sending it crashing to the floor with a deafening thud. The resounding noise echoed throughout the apartment, tempting me to close my eyes and shut out the chaos.


    I had never witnessed anything remotely like this, nor had I ever been subjected to such a scene.


    I felt paralyzed, unsure of what to do. Shock immobilized me, rendering me unable to respond.


    God! What was I going to do?


    "Stay out of this, girl. We''re not here to deal with your crap," Mario barked, continuing to vandalize the furnishings, destroying paintings, shattering vases, and sses.


    "What the fuck do you think you''re


    doing? This isn''t your fucking home, alright?! And what debt? You two look like a couple of trashy nobodies No one in their right mind would owe anything to despicable shitty jerks like you!" I snatched Jacob''s picture frame from Luigi''s grasp, carefully setting it aside to protect it from being smashed. "Get out right now, or I swear I''ll call the police!"


    "Police?" Luigi scoffed. "We''ve been behind bars too many times to be afraid of that, sweetheart. And you think we look like despicable jerks you? You have no idea what these ''jerks'' are capable of, to you and your precious boyfriend." His gaze darkened, sending shivers down my spine. There was something truly sinister about their aura-their energy radiated malice and darkness.


    "We could end your fucking boyfriend''s life," Mario threatened, brandishing a sharp knife from his pocket. I froze at the sight, my breath catching in my throat. "And right now, we could slit that pretty throat of yours. When hees back, he''ll find nothing but your lifeless body, stripped of blood. Is that what you want?" He advanced closer, and I instinctively stepped back, my heart pounding in my chest.


    Would I die beforeying eyes on Jacob again?


    No...


    They wouldn''t dare.


    "What''s the matter? Lost your nerve? You were quite courageous with your words earlier. Feeling scared now?" Luigi taunted, his head cocked to the side, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Frightened?"


    I swallowed hard, my body trembling at the sight of the knife.


    What if they harmed Jacob too?


    No! I couldn''t allow that to happen. But what could I do? This wasn''t my home. This was Italy, far from our typical paradise.


    I found myself backed against the wall, a cold sweat trickling down my forehead.


    However, Mario halted just a foot away from me, a grin spreading across his lips. "Don''t fret. We''re not going to kill you today. So, if you don''t want beautiful knife marks on that pretty face of yours, stay put and don''t move. We''ll be out of here once we''ve finished."


    Amidst their sharedughter, they resumed their destructive game, breaking things as if it were all a mere amusement park. The mor filled every inch of space, urging me to find a ce to hide. I trembled uncontrobly.


    Tears streamed down my face as a sense of helplessness overwhelmed me. Icked the courage to even reach for my phone and call Jacob in their


    presence.


    Yet, when I mustered a bit of bravery and approached them, attempting one final plea, Luigi shoved me forcefully, and I tumbled to the floor, the shattered ss piercing my knee.


    I whimpered in pain, my eyes widening at the sight of my own blood.


    "We warned you to stay the hell away from it, didn''t we?" Mario''s voice boomed, his tone menacing. "If you dare to move again, we''ll snap your fucking legs, then your boyfriend''s. Don''t underestimate us."


    I sobbed, trembling as I extracted the ss shard from my skin, blood trickling from the wound, while they relentlessly continued their rampage,


    destroying everything else in Jacob''s apartment.


    shback ends.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

 Chapter 110 Peace Amidst Chaos

    Chapter 110 Peace Amidst Chaos


    Evelyn


    "I''m sorry for leaving you alone," Jacob sighed, tenderly cupping my face and pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead. His voice quivered with guilt. "I had no idea they''d pull such a stunt. If I''d known, I''d never have left you here. I''m so fucking sorry..."


    "It''s okay, Jacob. It wasn''t your fault," I sniffled, holding him tighter. Despite the chaos, being in his embrace brought a sense of safety and sce that I desperately needed. It didn''t matter what had happened, I was with him now, that''s all I needed.


    "You must have been terrified, baby," he murmured, his fingers running through my hair as I buried my face into his neck. "I promise this won''t happen again. They''ll pay for what they did today. I won''t let them have the chance to do it again."


    "I''m sorry I couldn''t stop them. They destroyed everything..."


    "Stop, please," Jacob lifted my chin gently, his eyes meeting mine. "Do you think that matters to me, Evie? You have nothing to apologize for. Those things they ruined mean nothingpared to you. You''re what matters. And hurting you..." His voice hardened, jaw clenching in anger at the thought. "Theyid their hands on my world, and I swear to god, I won''t let them get away with it. I will break their fucking hands."


    "No, please don''t do anything like that. They might hurt you too..." Tears flowed as memories and their words flooded back into my mind. "I can''t see you get hurt. Please, don''t do anything..."


    "Shh... it''s alright," he murmured, "No one will hurt me, I promise. Please, calm down, baby."


    "No. They said they will hurt you."


    "Evelyn, they''ve been pulling these senseless stunts for years. They''ve threatened me for years, it''s their way to extort money from me. This is their go-to when they''re strapped for cash. It''s nothing new," he sighed, a hint of defeat slipping into his tone. "They can''t hurt me because if they could, they would''ve done it already. Their attempt was merely to scare you. Don''t take their words seriously trust me, they''re cowards. They''re just hungry for money."


    "They''re your uncles, right? Why do they do this to you?"


    "Because they''re greedy, despicable assholes," he chuckled bitterly. "They feel entitled because I ended up being adopted into a wealthy family after my father''s death. But you know the irony? In reality, they couldn''t care less about my dad. They''d have sold him off if it meant a quick buck. They''re cheap and greedy. That''s all they are they aren''t my uncles. I refuse to consider them family because they don''t deserve that title," his voice lowered with a mix of anger and sorrow.


    "Why didn''t you do something about them after all these years of trouble?" I questioned softly, "It''s not right."


    "I didn''t think money was the issue. It was a stupid decision, but I didn''t want to give them more attention than they already demanded. I''d ignore their threats, the scenes they''d create at my office. It was stressful just thinking about it. So, whenever they called, I''d just send the money," Jacob sighed, "I''m sorry. I should''ve been more cautious."


    "Why do you let them trample all over you, Jacob? You don''t deserve this torment, these threats, this mistreatment. When will you understand your worth? To me, you''re worth more than everything in the worldbined," I confessed, pressing my forehead against his, my fingers tightly gripping his shirt. "Don''t let anyone mistreat you. You mean everything to me..."


    "You got hurt because of me, yet you''re still concerned about me..." He chuckled softly, tears glistening in his eyes as he wiped them away, leaning in to kiss me gently. "I don''t know what I''ve done to have you in my life." He lifted me up, heading toward the bedroom-the only ce his uncles hadn''t ransacked. It seemed they had run out of time, their rampage executed so swiftly that I barelyprehended the chaos.


    "What are you doing?" I asked as he settled me on the edge of the bed, walking over to the nightstand.


    "You might have forgotten about your wound, but I haven''t," he replied, retrieving the first aid kit and kneeling before me.


    "It''ll hurt..." I hesitated, pulling away slightly as he soaked a cotton swab in disinfectant.


    "It''ll sting a little, baby, but then it''ll be okay. We can''t leave the wound open like this," his gaze softened. "Trust me. It''ll be over quickly."


    "Can''t we skip it, please?" Tears welled in my eyes. I knew it was inevitable, but the pain would be unbearable.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "I''m sorry, but we can''t," he murmured, gently smoothing my hair as he tucked a strand behind my ear. "I promise it''ll be swift. Just close your eyes." Realizing I had no choice, I slowly nodded. "Okay..."


    "Good." He tenderly lifted my leg, handling it with care as he delicately swabbed my wound.


    A sharp hiss escaped my lips as the stinging sensation pierced through, and I squeezed my eyes shut.


    But then, a soothing coolness reced the burning sensation as Jacob blew gently on the wound, cleaning it meticulously.


    "It''s almost done, baby. Just a little more," he coaxed, his voice calm and reassuring. Thankfully, it was over soon. Jacob carefully dressed my wound, securing it in ce.


    "Done." At his announcement, I finally opened my eyes.


    I released a sigh of relief, feeling my tense shoulders rx.


    "Thank goodness..." I breathed out.


    He chuckled, standing up and sliding his hand around my waist, effortlessly lifting me and taking me to bed with him.


    "You''re still my little Evelyn, scared


    of bandages and disinfectants," he teased, a fond smile on his lips as he settled me down, my head resting on his bicep. I snuggled closer, seekingfort in his warmth, finding peace-this, this was my definition of peace. Being with him, in his arms.


    "I''m not going to argue with you now," I murmured, wrapping my arms around him, wanting to be as close as possible, wishing I could meld into him entirely.


    "Okay," he chuckled, his fingers


    ying with my hair, lightly tracing my cheek and neck. "So, tell me something. It''ll take at least a week to redecorate my entire apartment. Where do you want to stay in the meantime? I have other apartments, but we could also stay at our parents'' ce."


    "Really? We can stay at your parents"?" I pulled away slightly, surprise and excitement lighting up my expression.


    "You sound excited..." His grin widened, leaning in to nuzzle my nose.


    "Come on, tell me. Can we really stay at your parents''?" Impatience tinged my words.


    "Yes, Tesoro," he chuckled. "Absolutely."


    "Then let''s stay at your parents"!"


    "Are you sure? I have other apartments that are even fancier, you know..." He teased, letting his words linger.


    "Jacob, I swear if you do this now, I''ll¡ª"


    He gently pressed his fingers against my lips, quieting me.


    "Calm down, baby. I was just joking." Kissing the bridge of my nose and then my eyelids, he reassured me, "We''ll stay at our parents''. Now,


    come, let''s take a nap. You need


    rest," He showered my cheeks with


    kisses, pulling me close into his


    arms again, and soon enough, I fell asleep in his embrace.

 Chapter 111 Caught

    Chapter 111 Caught


    Evelyn


    "God, I can''t even express how thrilled I am to have both of you here," Rosaline enveloped me in a tight hug the moment we walked in. "I''ve already set up the room for you two, and I''ve prepared a variety of dishes! I still can''t believe my stupid son finally made a good decision."


    "Well, technically, he didn''t. I did," I chuckled as she released me from the hug.


    "Really? So this idiot didn''t even consider bringing you here to stay with us for a few days?" Her re fixed on Jacob. "How dare you?!"


    "Hey, don''t start this, Evie. You''re making trouble for me!" Jacob''s disbelief turned to me, causing a giggle to escape my lips. He then faced his mother, his tone urgent. "Mom, trust me it was my idea to stay here. She''s lying."


    "Is she?" Enzo raised an eyebrow, munching on a packet of chips. "I don''t think so, because you, my son, seem to prefer staying everywhere else but at home."


    "Dad, I can''t believe you''re doing this right now. Should I spill your secrets to Mom?"


    "What secrets?" Rosaline''s attention swiftly shifted, a furrow forming between her eyebrows.


    Well, this was certainly getting interesting.


    "He''s just bluffing," Enzo chuckled, seemingly unfazed. "I''ve got no secrets." Despite his confident demeanor, Jacob appeared equally assured. As this ridiculous confrontation continued, I pondered that it was either something Enzo had forgotten, or he knew of it but was unaware that Jacob was also privy to the information.


    Yes, it had to be one of those. Having witnessed numerous shes between Dad and ra, I was adept at drawing conclusions.


    A smirk formed at the corner of Jacob''s lips before he spoke up. "Oh really? So you''re saying you''ve quit smoking and strictly follow the doctor''s advice now?"


    And there it was-the bomb dropped.


    Enzo''s eyes widened in surprise, and he froze in ce. Slowly, with palpable apprehension, his gaze shifted to Rosaline, whose expression had shifted dramatically¡ªshe appeared furious, her face flushed as if she were about to kill Enzo.


    Okay...


    "Tu monello!" (you brat) Enzo stood up, ring at Jacob. "Come osi spiare tuo padre?" (How dare you spy on your father?)


    My deduction was spot on. He wasn''t aware that Jacob knew until now.


    "I just happened to see you a couple of times. Besides, my eyes are everywhere," Jacob retorted smugly, clearly proud of cornering his dad. "So that means you do smoke!" Rosaline confronted Enzo, her hands clenched at her sides. "Sei uno stronzo!" (you are an asshole)


    In a split second, Rosaline stormed into the kitchen and grabbed arge spat.


    Enzo''s eyes widened further as he nced between Rosaline and his son. "What the fuck have you done, Jacob?!"


    Jacob chuckled in response, unwavered. "You deserved it, Dad. You shouldn''t be smoking; the doctor forbade it."


    "I''ll wring your neck today!" Rosaline advanced toward him, and as I watched in disbelief, Enzo leaped off the couch and sprinted for the stairs, desperate to save his dear life.


    "This is domestic violence, Rosaline! I can report you to the police!" Enzo shouted in rm, running from her as she made advances to hit him. "I''ll show you every kind of violence today, just wait and watch, you jerk! How dare you go near those cigarettes?!"


    "Jacob, why don''t you do something? Go, stop them!" I looked at Jacob.


    "Don''t worry. It''s their usual banter. Nothing serious," He shrugged nonchntly and strolled into the kitchen, helping himself to cookies.


    I couldn''t believe him!Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Was he truly seeing no reason to intervene and halt their fight?


    "What if things escte?" Concern gnawed at me at this point.


    He chuckled, gesturing for me toe closer. "Come here." "Why?"


    "Juste, I''ll exin."


    Eyeing him suspiciously, I cautiously approached. With a swift motion, he lifted me and settled me on the kitchen counter, eliciting a gasp. Nestling between my thighs, his hands rested on my waist, his gaze locking with mine, his breath grazing my face.


    "What''s going on?" I blurted out, taken aback by the sudden closeness.


    "Well, I just wanted to tell you to not worry about my mom and dad''s fight."


    "You wanted to do it like this?" I was truly bewildered. Was he fucking serious?


    "They have their spats all the time, trust me. It''s nothing serious." His attention shifted, his gaze lowering to the neckline of my top. "They''ll e likely reconcile in a few minutes, and Dad will end up with some redness on his arse. That''s Mom''s usual aim," he mumbled, leaning in to kiss my neck. His lips made contact with my skin, sending shivers down my spine-he always had that effect on me.


    "Jacob! What are you doing? We''re in your parents'' house."


    "So what? Just because I''m here doesn''t mean I can''t touch my girlfriend. I have my own rights," he murmured, nting kisses along my jawline, and pulling me closer until our bodies met. "God, you''re stunning."


    "It''d be so embarrassing if they caught us like this!"


    "I''ve seen them like this a thousand times," he chuckled. "Trust me, we all have. If they can act like this in front of us, why can''t we?"


    "Shameless!" I pped him on the cheek.


    "Did you just p me?" He feigned shock, touching the spot where my light p hadnded. "Is this how you treat your boyfriend? No respect at all?" "Respect? My foot!" I chuckled, attempting to get off the counter, but he swiftly pulled me back.


    "Stay. You''re not allowed to leave until you pay for disrespecting me."


    "Fine! I can give you ten dors."


    This time, he looked genuinely taken aback. "What? My respect is only worth ten dors? What the actual fuck?"


    Struggling to stifle myughter, I continued, "Ten dors is actually generous. Maybe two-two dors is more appropriate."


    I enjoyed provoking him, and his face turned various shades of red in response.


    "Are you fucking serious right now?"


    "Totally."


    "Then I''ll get the truth out of you," he dered, his hands darting to my sides as he began to tickle me.


    "Jacob, stop!" I giggled uncontrobly.


    "Nope. Not until you admit I''m worth a million dors."


    "Having millions doesn''t define worth. It''s the character that counts," I managed to say amidughter. "You''re evil. So, you''re... worth two bucks."


    "You''re only asking for trouble, baby," he chuckled, continuing his tickle assault.


    "Just stating the truth," Iughed, tears forming in my eyes while his tickles persisted.


    "You know, I think tickling won''t cut it anymore. You''ve be quite disobedient believe..." His voice trailed off, his hands suddenly moving to my arse, grasping firmly. His sudden action caught me off guard, my breath still heavy fromughter. "I should just spank this beautiful arse of yours. It might be a better option."


    "I''m definitely not allowing that," I


    managed to protest, feeling a dryness in my throat and desires clouded my thoughts as his darkened eyes met mine. I was.


    aware that I was teetering on


    wn


    the


    edge of losing myposure. I couldn''t afford to risk an embarrassing situation, especially with his parents possibly ending up


    catching us like this. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I had the slightest grip on self-control around him, and I couldn''t risk losing it.


    "Well, you are," he murmured, a mischievous grin ying on his lips as he drew me closer. Our chests met, lips almost brushing against each other


    now. "Now, tell me, should we do it here or on the couch?"


    "Jacob, this "


    I couldn''tplete my sentence as Rosaline''s voice echoed, "What are you two doing?! Having sex?"

 Chapter 112 Long Night

    Chapter 112 Long Night


    EvelynBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Jacob and I both jolted on the spot as Rosaline''s voice cut through. My gaze trailed to see Rosaline and Enzo standing at the doorway, both with amusement written all over their faces.


    I pushed Jacob away and hastily got off the counter, straightening my top. Unable to look at them, I felt my cheeks ame.


    God! This was messed up-they''d seen us like that!


    But then, as Jacob''s eyes found her, he released a frustrated sigh, proving that his shamelessness knew no bounds.


    "Mom, Dad, couldn''t you two continue your fight for a bit longer? I never interrupted you two in moments like this!"


    "What the hell are you saying? Shut up!" I muttered under my breath, tugging at his shirt from the back, my gaze still on the floor.


    This was exactly what I had feared, and my man had sessfully achieved it. God, I hated him so much sometimes.


    "Hey, you did. We lost so many chances because of you, brat!" Enzo spoke in defense, sounding angry.


    "Are you serious right now?" Rosaline looked at him, her cheeks ame. "So the beating wasn''t enough for you then? You need more marks on your arse?"


    Enzo looked at her in disbelief, "What did I do?" he asked, looking clueless.


    So, this was the moment I understood that Jacob had actually inherited this ''shamelessness''. Both father and son were the same.


    "I just can''t with you. I''ll deal with youter," Rosaline turned her gaze to Jacob, "And you, little brat. Look at you; you''re not even concerned enough to show a little bit of embarrassment. Even Evelyn looks embarrassed for you."


    "No, she isn''t," Jacob tsked, shaking his head, "Look, if you keep interrupting us like this, Mom, you aren''t going to have any grandkids, I am telling you."


    Was he serious right now? Did he even have the intention to leave any chance to make this worse?


    "Jacob, shut up!" I gasped in disbelief, my eyes wide, and my face almost red¡ªI just wanted to hide myself at this point.


    "She''s too young to have kids anyway, you rascal! Don''t even think of making her pregnant now," Rosaline strode towards us and gripped Jacob''s ear tight, tugging at it. He groaned, trying to free himself, but Rosaline didn''t budge.


    "Mom, what are you doing? I am not a kid anymore!" Jacob groaned, clearly pissed off.


    "Then what are you? You are still the same kid to me. So shut your damn mouth. How dare you try to expose your mom and dad''s secrets right before your girlfriend on the very first day of her stay? What would she think of us?!" She red at him, offering me one nce and turning her expression into a soft smile before saying, "Don''t mind us, Evie. I''ll fix his attitude soon."


    With that, she dragged Jacob out of the kitchen, while he yelled about being a businessman now, much older, and deserving respect.


    As they left, Enzo and I looked at each other, both left speechless by the scenario, although Enzo was much familiar with it, as it seemed like an everyday thing.


    But then we both burst outughing.


    "Wow!" I eximed,ughing, tears gathering at the corners of my eyes, "Rosaline really has a hold on him, huh?"


    "He never listens to me; it''s always her, and it''ll always be her," Enzo chuckled, walking inside and pulling out a bottle of wine from the shelf.


    "So here, I''ve got a whole bottle of red wine for you like you askedst time, so make sure to finish that," he handed me the bottle, and I held it, hugging it closer to my chest before showing him a thumbs up.


    "I will, Enzo. You can trust me on that!"


    ***


    "God, your ear''s still red," Iughed, looking at Jacob as he changed into casual clothing, slipping on a pair of trousers, and standing shirtless before me. He took a moment to brush his hair, using his fingers before he stood before the footboard of the bed, beckoning me with two of his fingers.


    "Come here."


    "Was that an order?" I cocked an eyebrow; his tone sounded authoritative, more like the one he used on me in bed. Usually, it wasn''t his regr tone. "If you think so," He shrugged, his expression not really revealing anything, "Now get your ass here, Tesoro."


    What was he up to?


    "And what if I say no?" I decided to challenge him.


    "So," He leaned over, his hand grabbing my ankle, "I can get you here myself," And then he dragged me to the end, so that my ass sat right at the footboard of the bed, and my face remained only a little over his. Damn my height-it was the culprit that gave him this advantage.


    "What...what the fuck was that?" Damn, my stutter!


    "You have a punishment pending, Evie," He chuckled, his voice deep and throaty, "So you can guess what I am about to do..." he murmured thest part and grabbed my jaw, his fingers skimming over my cheek.


    "You''re gonna spank me?" I blurted out the question that was what we''d talked about in the kitchen, hadn''t we? He was saying that he''d spank me before his mother thankfully saved me from his wrath.


    Shit! There was no one to save me now.


    A smirk curved at the corner of his lips, always sexy and attractive, "That''s what we talked about, isn''t it?"


    "Well, I''m hurt. I have an injury on my knee."


    Yes, I know I was stupid, but that was all the reasoning I coulde up with. His eyes... they were just making me forget everything.


    "Not on your ass," He chuckled as he sat right beside me, and with a swift tug, he had me lying on my stomach on his legs.


    "Jacob!" I gasped at his sudden movement, trying to get up, but he pushed me down, and his hand moved to cup my ass tight, sending a shiver down my body.


    "Let me go, Jacob! I did nothing to get a punishment!"


    "Oh, you did," He chuckled as he slid my nightie upwards, revealing my lower half in nothing but a panty, "You did say a lot of things, and it seems like you surely enjoy getting on my nerves, so this is the least I could do to you, Evie."


    "We both know it''s not even a punishment. You''re just seizing your chance!"


    "You got that right, and now this ass is mine," he slid down my panty and leaned down, biting my ass cheek.


    "Oh!" I whimpered, my eyes closed shut, and I clenched my thighs.


    A secondter, Jacob''s tongue


    came to soothe the stinging


    sensation where he''d just bitten m?. The feel of his tongue on my skin


    e


    sent sensations traveling through my whole body, up and down. Then, suddenly, there came a tight p right across my butt, and gasped. My breathing quickened, and my desires surged.


    "Now tell me, Evie. Is it nice to irritate your boyfriend all the time?"


    "Maybe, no?"


    "You sound unsure," He pped me again, this time harder, and I only seemed to like it even more.


    I''d never thought I''d enjoy it... but here I was, totally loving it.


    "You are bing a bad girl, Evie," He murmured, I could practically feel the smirk on his face as hended a p on my ass cheeks I was sure he''d left his fingerprints all over, "And bad girls need punishments."


    But the mystery remained that I was actually so fucking turned on at this point.


    This time, as he pped me again, a moan slipped past my lips, and I felt his body stiffen as well as his hardened bulge beneath me.


    "Damn, you are wet..." He slid his fingers between my pussy lips, which were till now slick and wet, "So fucking ready."


    "Then why don''t you just take me


    already?" I took a nce at him,


    tilting my head. I could see that his


    orbs had darkened, and the way


    he


    spoke held the same desire as mine knew Jacob, he was dying to be inside of me at this point, but I


    also knew he wasn''t going to make it that easy.


    "And spare you from the punishment?" he chuckled, "Not at all." And he pped me again.


    "Jesus!" I moaned, burying my face into the mattress, my wetness must have already made a mess on his trousers.


    "I don''t want God''s name falling off your lips, Evie. It should be my name..." He murmured before he pped me once again, leaving me all wet and


    aching with each p.


    Well... this was going to be a long night.

 Chapter 113 Fire Of Desire

    Chapter 113 Fire Of Desire


    Evelyn


    Since the moment he dered it should be his name falling from my lips instead of God''s, it was Jacob''s and Jacob''s alone. Every sound, every moan, every cry I attempted to stifle it was all for Jacob. He now had my hands trapped under his grip, his other hand lifting my leg high, resting it on his shoulder as he drove us both to the brink of ecstasy.


    Forget ecstasy. Let''s just say, he was fucking me to the edge of a mind-blowing orgasm, like the countless ones before. He was simply incredible, too wild to be captured in words. He knew no restraint, and I didn''t want him to stop.


    "Oh, Jacob," I cried out, biting my bottom lip, throwing my head back as he delved into my pussy with incredible speed, the bed beneath us bouncing and squeaking. I wondered if we were being too loud, if his parents might hear us at any moment. But in the midst of it all, my body ame and my mind solely focused on him, I couldn''t care less.


    "Your pussy is too good for me, baby," he chuckled, his lips dry as he licked them, sweat-dampened hair falling lightly over his forehead, his body glistening as droplets of sweat traced down his sculpted abs. The way his eyes darkened with each thrust he looked like a god, a god ravishing me. "You make it impossible for me to hold back."


    Man, just the sight of him could make mee undone. He was erotically captivating, especially when he spoke like that. Jacob and his words-they were pure magic.


    "I''m so close..." I whimpered, my back arching and hips trembling.


    ¡°I know, baby,¡± a smirk danced on his lips as he adjusted his hips to ensure he hit my sweet spot repeatedly. My eyes squeezed shut, and I moaned loudly, nearly weeping at the sensation-it was overwhelming, yet undeniably euphoric.


    "Oh my...don''t stop!" I cried out, desperate to free my hands as every part of me unraveled, my mind fading into oblivion as overwhelming sensations consumed me. My toes curled, my back arched, and my hips lifted from the bed, trembling. My heart thundered in my chest, and then, I shattered beneath him, screaming his name. The bed sheet was wet at this point from my wetness, I was soaking wet and my body still begged for more.


    "Jacob!" The orgasm crashed over me like a frantic wave, sweeping away all sense for a few precious seconds. It was the strongest I''d experienced all night, and by the relentless pounding of Jacob''s movements, I knew another round was imminent.


    This time, Jacob finally released my hands, leaning in to kiss me. I responded eagerly, his tongue igniting a fire within me, reigniting desires as if they''d never been sated. He knew how to stoke the mes, how to provoke the hunger-he fucking knew it. All too well.


    "I love you," I whispered against his lips as we parted.


    A soft smile graced his lips as he responded, "I love you too, Evie. And I''ll show you in every damn way that you''re loved just the way you are. Perfect and worth fighting for." With that, he gripped the headboard, withdrawing only to m back into my pussy, making me gasp and my eyes roll shut as he began to truly pound into me.


    Oh god. His speed....I didn''t have any words to exin but it was no joke.


    "You''ll destroy me," I breathed out, feeling him deep within me, a sensation that bordered on transcendent. I could have sworn to god that..I actually felt him in my abdomen. I just did.


    "And I''ll mend you back," he chuckled, a deep, throaty sound that sent shivers down my spine and goosebumps crawling across my skin. His hand on my jaw, he kissed me fiercely, his tongue dueling with mine.


    He resumed his rapid pace, gradually building to a crescendo, his free hand resting on my hips, steadying me as he drove me to the brink. And just as he anticipated that I woulde apart really very soon, I felt the tension building in my lower abdomen.


    God! It hadn''t even been ten minutes since myst climax.


    "I''m so close," I whimpered, clutching onto him as he thrust with everything he had, his controlled intensity contrasting with my unraveling state. ¡°Jacob...please,¡± I moaned, my walls tightening around him. Fuck, he felt too good inside of me and he fitted too well.


    "Fuck," he hissed, a hint of loss of control creeping in, "I could fuck you all night long, Evelyn, but if you keep driving me wild like this, I might lose it too soon." The bed shook beneath us with each powerful thrust.


    "I...didn''t do anything," I stammered, torn between focusing on the impending orgasm and responding to his words.


    "God! What am I going to do with


    you?" He crushed his lips to mine again, grabbing my breast and squeezing it, sending jolts of sensation straight to my core. My hips bucked, my eyes closed.


    "Jacob," I cried out, the pleasure building to a crescendo.


    As the orgasm ripped through me, I screamed his name, every nerve ending aze.


    "God, Evelyn..." With a deep groan, Jacob found release as well.


    Devoid of energy, Iy still, my eyes drifting to Jacob. There was no sight more beautiful than watching him in the throes of passion. He was art-pure and exquisite.


    As he rested against me, releasing his grip on the headboard and burying his head in the crook of my neck, I exhaled softly, wrapping my arms around him and kissing his temple.


    A few minutester, as I attempted to shift just the slightest bit, I realized he was still inside me.


    "Did you think it was over, baby?" He


    chuckled showing no signs of exhaustion despite being the one who''d done all the work. He sat up, gripping my thighs and pulling me closer.


    "W-what?" I stammered, shocked that it hadn''t even been five minutes and he seemed ready for another round. Was he actually serious? No way.


    A smirk yed on his lips as I felt him hardening inside me, and he winked, "Be ready, baby."


    Oh god...


    So, he was really very serious....Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

 Chapter 114 Another Motive

    Chapter 114 Another Motive


    Tyler


    "Well, we''ve done as you asked. What more do you want?" Mario, the surly butthead, asked, his voice dripping with skepticism. He should have shown that skepticism when I first tasked them with wrecking his nephew''s home and possibly scaring off his girlfriend. However, neither of these two filthy, greedy, and super annoying individuals bothered to ask a single question about it.


    The reason? It was simple-I had stuffed their mouths full of money. And I knew this skepticism too wouldn''tst long, especially not after I revealed another jackpot to these broke human beings who usually didn''t even bother to consider what they would be eating the next day before blowing theirst few coins on gambling.


    Typical poor people trying to keep up with rich hobbies!


    I chuckled as I poured myself a drink, grabbing the bucket and dropping a few ice cubes into it. "Well... am I taking up too much of your and your brother''s precious time, Mario? Didn''t my assistant give you the money?"


    "Yes, she did," Luigi said, curiously examining the surroundings of my office-perhaps he was looking for things to steal. Thest time we had a meet-up, that scoundrel nearly stole my watch. When he failed, he ended up taking a pocket vase that cost more than his ie.


    Jacob''s family background was... interesting. And so far, I was enjoying knowing more about where he actually came from and how low he waspared to me.


    I deserved Evelyn more than him because I was, without a doubt, better than him.


    "We did what you said, and we got the money. What more do you want from us?" Mario asked.


    What more did I want from them? To be honest, I would have loved to take their lives for how despicable they were, but then again, that would have made Jacob''s life easier, so I wasn''t willing to help him.


    But for now, I did have another task waiting for them.


    "What do I want from you?" I hummed, taking a sip of the drink as I leaned back in my chair, propping my legs up and crossing one over the other on the desk. "Good question, Mario. Well, I have one more task for the two of you, and you''d get double the amount of money. Trust me, I am not the kind of man to call you and waste your precious time for no reason. I know how busy drunkards like you are with gambling and fucking roadside prostitutes."


    "Hey, we use higher-paid hoes only, alright?" Luigi interjected. "We don''t engage with roadside workers, alright?"


    The fact that he only paid attention to this detail spoke volumes about him.


    A chuckle escaped my lips involuntarily. "That''s even more foolish. Why splurge on expensive hoes when you''re broke yourself? You just need the pussy. Why pretend to be upscale when your broke arse can''t even pay your bills, dress decently, or eat decent food? Don''t aspire for things beyond your means, buddy. Enjoy expensive hoes when you be expensive yourself. Until then, stay in yourne and keep fucking hoes that are on your level-poor and not so shy." I shed a small smile, watching his face change colors. I didn''t care about his anger, but it amused me that these poor punching bags thought they couldpete with the wealthy by imitating their habits.


    What a stupid move! Content


    belongs to


    "You..." Just before Luigi could utter more nonsense, Mario, for once showing some intelligence, extended his hand, urging him to stop. "What''s the task?"


    "So, you''re interested, huh?" IContent protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    chuckled, putting my drink down and grabbing my cigarette, lighting it up as I ced it between my lips, taking a drag. needed to remain calm to keep myselfposed and not end up beating the daylights out of these two I just couldn''t stand their faces. S? unattractive and disheveled. I despised ugly things, whether human or otherwise.


    "The task is simple," I said, tapping some ash into the ashtray and eyeing them as I continued. "You two call Jacob and arrange to meet him at a location I''ll provide. Make sure to rile him up by mentioning his girlfriend and how frightened she seemed, h, h, h, just to get him fired up." "And what exactly do we gain from this?"


    Man, he asked too many questions when in reality, he was the kind of straight guy who''d sell himself for a few dors. "When a man gets aggressive, it draws attention, doesn''t it?" I raised an eyebrow. "That''s what we need. Attention."


    "That still doesn''t exin it," Luigi interrupted again. If these two were attractive women, I''d just shut them up by stuffing my dick in their mouths that was how I silenced women most of the time, nowadays, Chloe was next on the list-I needed to shut her mouth after I''d dealt with them because she''d been constantly calling me and asking stupid questions. It was astonishing that she was totally okay fucking another man and still iming that she loved Jacob.


    Wow! Coming to think of it-Chloe was wicked on a whole other level.


    "Fine, even though it''ll soil my seats, you two can sit down so we can discuss this further," I ground out through clenched teeth, managing to keep myposure.


    Jacob''s family was a nuisance. One that I''d have to deal with until I''d totally dragged him down and got his girlfriend by my side.

 Chapter 115 Calm Before The Storm

    Chapter 115 Calm Before The Storm


    Evelyn


    "You destroyed me..." I exhaled, burying my head into his neck, feeling his presence engulf me, even now, lingering in every corner of my being. I could still feel him down there.....that''s how good those rounds had been.


    "I don''t destroy beautiful things," he murmured, his hand tracing my spine before gently disappearing into my hair, his fingers brushing my scalp, evoking a soft gasp from my lips. It was a wee sensation, especially after the fervent intensity of his touch, all that tugging and pulling onto my poor hairlocks, when he had pounded into me from behind¡ªa memory still vivid in my senses.


    Though, I couldn''t deny the thrill of his tugging and pulling... but let that be, I was already exhausted for the night.


    "What do you do, then?" I asked, without lifting my head or meeting his gaze. I could almost picture the expression on his striking face without having to nce at him-right now, it was likely one of those sexy smirks that inevitably melted into breathtaking grins.


    God, I loved him!


    Jacob remained silent for a fleeting moment before finally speaking up, "I just love them right."


    "Mind if I ask how many ''beautiful things'' you''ve encountered?" I finally looked at him.


    "Well..." He emitted a small, throatyugh, brushing my hair away from my face. His fingers lingered, tracing from my corbone to the sides of my breasts, down to my hip, as if he were savoring the sight of me, despite having already memorized every detail countless times.


    "Well, what? Tell me."


    "A few, but none as beautiful as you are, my love," he said, leaning in to kiss me on the lips. "God, you are a masterpiece." He kissed me again. "You could just be saying that to make me feel better," I teased, raising an eyebrow. I relished getting under his skin-it was a guilty pleasure I didn''t feel guilty about in the least.


    "Hey, it''s a crime for you to even start having those doubts," he said, his tone serious, his gaze unwavering, settling on me in a way that already told me that he thought I was ridiculous, "Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror? You are perfect, alright? There''s no one who couldpete with you."


    I fought a smile as he spoke his words had a way of melting any doubts, especially when I was already so deeply in love with him. So, inevitably, a smile broke across my face.


    "Why are you so sweet?" I hugged him, nting gentle kisses on his neck. "You know you are the sweetest human being I''ve evere across?" "I''m not sweet. I''m just stating the truth-Samuel''s got some damn good genes," he chuckled, reverting to his usual teasing self. "Danica wasn''t that pretty, but look at you, like a masterpiece. And ra is pretty. I wonder how your siblings will look if they have a child. Probably gorgeous, thanks to Samuel''s genes, even if he himself is...well, ugly."


    My mouth nearly hung open at his words. It hadn''t even been a second since I called this guy a sweet human being.


    "I take my words back," I grabbed the pillow from behind me and hurled it at his face. "You are a jerk!"


    "Hey, I was just joking," he shielded himself with his hands, dodging my attacks.


    "That did not..." another hit, "sound like a joke!"


    "But it was," heughed, seemingly unfazed. "Trust me. I was just trying to get the little beast out of you."


    "Beast out of me? What do you think this is? Some Twilight crap?"


    "Speaking of which, the wolf guy and I have the same name. So that makes you Renesmee but the only exception is that I never ever, even in my nightmares liked Danica-she was never my type."


    This man...


    He couldn''t be fucking serious.


    First, he indirectly called me a beast and then tagged it with ''little'' and now this! What the heck was ''little beast'' supposed to mean? I wasn''t small! "You jerk!" I retaliated, delivering another blow, this time sitting up and straddling him tounch a direct attack on his face. However, with his strong arms, he effortlessly grabbed the pillow and tossed it away. When I attempted to grab another one, he flipped us, leaving me beneath him, asserting control as he always did.


    "I was just joking, Evelyn."


    "Move away, I''m not done yet!"


    "Not happening!"


    This jerk...


    "Fine, you brought this upon yourself!" I sank my teeth into his wrist, but it did nothing¡ªI swear, he had ''beast'' skin, too tough even for my teeth.


    "My skin''s not fragile like yours,


    baby," he chuckled, gently freeing his


    ie


    wrist from my teeth. A frustrated huff escaped my lips. "See, you just gave me a precious mark." He kissed the spot where I''d bitten and leaned in closer.


    n


    "Do you realize you pout like a baby when you''re angry?" he murmured, looking at me as if I were a toddler He used to gaze at me with that innocent affection when I was a kid, and worse, his affection remained the same over the years while mine grew dirtier every day.


    "Not at all. I don''t pout," I shook my head, trying topose my expression. Well, I knew I pouted a lot, but I wasn''t about to admit it to him and let him win, was I? The answer is no!


    "So you''re not going to agree?" he bit his lip, suppressing a smile.


    "I''m not going to agree to something that''s not true!"


    "Adorable," he chuckled, leaning in to kiss my cheek.


    "Hey, we''re having a serious conversation here. Can you stay serious?"


    "Fine, I''ll stay serious. Tell me, what do you have to say?"


    Okay, that was easy.


    But herees the downside I didn''t have a valid reason to argue with him. I mean, I had a lot of fun, but that wasn''t the point; I needed reasons too, right?


    "You called me ''little beast''!"Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "And let me guess, you''re only offended by the ''little'' part?" he asked, knowing me all too well.


    I opened my mouth, the word ''yes'' almost escaping, but then I blurted out, "No!"


    "That''s the truth, Evie. You''re lying," he nibbled my nose gently, and I groaned.


    "What the heck?"


    He opened his mouth to say something, but just then, his phone rang.


    Our attention shifted, and Jacob reluctantly got up, walking over to the table, while I stared at his butt-he had a good butt, and I wondered whether I wanted to bite it or squeeze it. I think, I''d rather bite it.


    However, another question arose who could be calling him at this hour?


    I watched as Jacob answered the call, quickly falling silent after that. He grabbed a spare towel, wrapped it around his hips, and headed to the


    balcony.


    From inside the room, I could see


    met


    Jacob wasn''t pleased with whatever the person on the other end had to say, and it started to concern me Momentster, he hung up, his jaw tight and his fists clenched, but then his eyes met mine, and he shrugged it off as he walked back into the room.


    "What happened?" I asked, sitting up and covering myself with the duvet.


    "Nothing, just office trouble," he casually tossed his phone aside and got back on the bed. "Everything''s alright. Don''t worry."


    I knew he was dealing with Tyler named trouble at the office, but his reaction wasn''t typical for office problems. Something felt off.


    "Jacob, are you sure everything''s okay? You can share everything with me, you know that, right?"


    He smiled at my words, pulling me closer as heid by my side. He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. "I know. And trust me, it was nothing important. Let''s sleep, okay? It''s already prettyte."


    Reluctantly, I decided to let go of the topic, knowing he''d tell me when he was ready.


    "Okay," I moved closer to his arms, resting my face against his chest. With his hand rubbing my back and the sound of his gentle, calm heartbeats, I fell asleep.

 Chapter 116 Trouble In Paradise

    Chapter 116 Trouble In Paradise


    Evelyn


    "Mom sent breakfast for us," Jacob said, raising the croissant to my mouth as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I really wanted to just sleep, but I didn''t want to be selfish and doze off while my boyfriend had to leave for work. At least there should be a kiss before he left and a few tight hugs. That was the only reason I dragged myself from the bed and sat on the couch. However, it seemed Rosaline had already prepared breakfast for us, knowing her son would have to leave early for work.


    As I took a bite, my eyes widened in surprise-it literally tasted like it was from an expensive bakery-the crunchiness, the vors, altogether, it was the best croissant I had ever tasted.


    "Wow," I eximed, "Did she really make it all by herself?"


    "Yes," he chuckled, wiping the filling from the corner of my mouth with his thumb and then his own as he licked it away, "My mom''s a very good cook. And trust me, these few days, she''ll make sure you gain at least five kilograms before we leave."


    "I like it at your parents''," I confessed. "It feels like...home."


    A smile tugged at his lips as he leaned closer and kissed my cheek. "Well, it is our home. Yours and mine. But, I can''t afford to stay here all the time because I can''t just fuck you anywhere and everywhere... you know, in my parents'' house. But in my house there''s plenty of freedom, and I prefer that."


    "Are you serious? That''s the only thing you are concerned about?"


    "Well..." he raised the croissant to my mouth once again, and I took a bite, "That''s one of the most crucial things in a man''s life." "What, sex?"


    "Both."


    "Both what?"


    "Evie, baby," he chuckled, wiping my mouth again, "I am talking about both sex and freedom. And I prefer both quite a lot."


    "But you''re mostly concerned about sex," I stated matter-of-factly¡ª it was true. Every cell of his head only circled around sex.


    "You know me too well," heughed, smiling before he ced another kiss on my cheek, this time the other one, "Now, let''s finish it, alright? You must be hungry after all the hard work fromst night."


    Red tainted my cheeks. "Do you really have to bring that up?" I tried to fight a smile, but the corner of my lips curled upwards anyway even though I tried to stifle it.


    "Of course, because...st night was absolutely fucking amazing," he murmured, leaning in to brush his nose against my neck, and a small giggle slipped past my lips.


    "Get away."


    "Not until you finish breakfast."


    "I can''t finish it with you sniffing my neck."


    "Point," he hummed as he pulled away and handed me the cup of coffee, "Here. Drink it."


    "But my croissant-"


    "Here it is," he raised it to my mouth, and I took a bite, "And, don''t worry, baby, mom made tons. So after you finish it, I can bring you more." "Okay, but aren''t youte for the office?"


    "Not really, I still have half an hour left. So rx and let me see you eat."


    Well, he usually left before this time. But maybe today was an exception. It wasn''t a big deal, was it?


    "What''s so special about watching me eat?" a chuckle slipped past my lips as I took a bite.


    "You won''t understand," he smiled, tucking a hair strand behind my ear, "You are too special in my life, and I am going to protect you with my life and make sure every person who tries to hurt you sees the worst of this world."


    ***


    It had been about an hour since


    Jacob left the house for his office. I had seen him talking to someone on the phone before he left, his


    expression reminiscent ofst.


    night''s, and when I queat


    just likest night, he gave


    me the


    same response. So, once again, I


    was left with unanswered questions.


    I wasn''t going to pressure him into telling me anything because that was his take¡ªI knew he would tell me when he was ready.


    "Don''t worry, Evelyn. It''s probably nothing to worry about," I shrugged, walking downstairs.


    The first person I saw as I reached downstairs was Rosaline. She was in the kitchen pouring herself a ss of wine.


    "That''s your first thing in the morning, Rosaline?" I chuckled as I walked over to her, giving her a side hug which she returned, along with a kiss on my temple.


    "Just got a bad hunch for no reason," she sighed, "Forget it. Did you sleep well, honey?"


    "Absolutely. The croissant was amazing!"


    "I''m d," she smiled, "Do you want some wine?"


    "Why not?" I chuckled, and she nodded.


    "Well, how can I forget? Our Evelyn loves wine," she began pouring me a ss.


    "Hey, Evelyn,e here, let''s watch this movie," Enzo''s sudden voice startled me, and it was then I realized that he had been on the sofa the whole time-god, I hadn''t even noticed him.


    "You literally blended into the sofa, Enzo," I chuckled as I took the wine from Rosaline and walked over to the sofa, "I didn''t even notice you." "Why would you? You seem to be a fan of your future mother-inw anyways, but you don''t know how cunning and cruel she is," his hand absentmindedly moved to his probably sore butt, and I tried to stifle a smile.


    "Do I hear something about me?" Rosaline called out, loud, "I have the spat near me. It''d be a rubber one this time."


    "I said nothing!" he hurriedly blurted out, "Evelyn, let''s watch this new series." He turned on Netflix, cing the remote beside him.


    "Okay," Not noticing the remote, I ended up sitting on it, quickly jumping to stand up once again as the channel changed.


    "Shit! I am so sorry."


    "It''s alright," Enzo chuckled, grabbing the remote back, "I''ll put it on again."


    However, before he could change the channel, the reporter''s words snatched both of our attention.


    "Today, all eyes were drawn to the


    bustling scen? at the renowned Italian locale where CEO Jacob Adriano, a prominent figure in the real estate industry, captivated the


    Adriano


    attention of passers ne


    §Ý§à§Ú§ç


    whose recent endeavor, the ambitious Nova Cascade Apartments project, has been making waves across Italy, made


    headlines once again as he was observed engaging in a physical


    altercation with two individuals."


    My eyes shot at the TV, the scene unfolding in front of my eyes as Jacob beat the two men, his knuckles bloodied¡ªThey were his uncles.


    "The motive behind Adriano''sR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    actions remains shrouded in


    mystery just like every other news


    about him, yet it marks a significant return to the spotlight following his recent feud with Tyler Ri, the third-generation CEO and proprietor of Crystal States. As the spection is swirling, the public eagerly awaits Adriano''s forting exnation for his involvement in what appears to be an unprovoked assault on unsuspecting individuals."


    Shit!

 Chapter 117 Chaos And Havoc

    Chapter 117 Chaos And Havoc


    Evelyn


    Oh my God! This can''t be happening-it was on air. The footage showed every damn detail. There wouldn''t even be a way to cover this upter on.


    My anxiety spiked, my eyes wide and the ss falling from my trembling hand, the crimson wine staining the pristine white carpet below. But amid the chaos of the moment, neither I nor anyone else in the room spared a second thought for the spill. It was the news shing across the television channel for me, and the worries crashed right into my very existence I was beyond worried for Jacob at this point. He wasn''t the type to usually lose his calm, but this time, it seemed, he''d really lost it.


    "What the hell is happening?" Rosaline rushed to look at the TV closely.


    "That''s Mario and Luigi, but I thought Jacob didn''t have contact with them for years," Enzo stood up, lines of tension and worry evident across his face. "Then what is going on?"


    They didn''t know what was going on...but I did. I had absolutely no doubt that this incident had only taken ce because of what they did at his apartment.


    I ran my fingers through my hair, brushing it backward and emitting a tight breath.


    It now exined those phone calls that changed in mood and gained such a reaction from him. He was actually talking to his uncles, and no wonder, they must have been the ones to call him there, and it had to be their words that made Jacob lose his calm-Mario and Luigi were excellent with their words, I had seen that yesterday.


    I rushed upstairs without thinking about anything and, entering the room, I grabbed my phone from the side table and called Jacob, but to no avail. He wasn''t answering. I tried calling him once again, but even then there was no response to the call.


    Cold beads of sweat covered my forehead at this point¡ªI was actually scared. Jacob''s business was already going through a very tough phase where a single mistake could cost him a lot, and this news...I had a feeling it''d only bring more problems for him.


    "Please, pick up, Jacob," I walked back and forth in the room, praying to every god in my head to just make him pick up the call.


    But it seemed like luck had left me today,pletely.


    "I need to fucking get him here; he has lost it," As I rushed back downstairs, I watched as Enzo hurriedly grabbed his car keys from the drawer. His eyes met mine for a brief moment.


    "Evie, don''t worry. We will get him here and talk about it-he''s going to be fine," With that, he rushed to the door, while Rosaline was already on the verge of tears, consumed by worry.


    I walked over to her. Despite my own distress, I put my hand on her shoulder, trying to help her calm down. ¡°I am sure he''s going to be just fine," I managed to say, the words feeling dry on my tongue. "Please don''t worry, Rosaline."


    She nodded, sniffling. "Those guys had been after Jacob for a long time. I thought it was over because he told me that they don''t call him and trouble him anymore. But it seems that he just said that to make us feel better. He must be going through something, Evelyn. My son never ever behaves this violently; this is not...him."


    "It''s okay. I know. We can talk about it once Enzo brings him here."


    Enzo slipped on his shoes and opened the door to walk out, but just then, an unexpected sight unfolded before our eyes.


    It was Jacob, standing at the doorway. His coat hung limply from his hand, the buttons of his shirt open, in fact, a few were even missing. His hair was disheveled, and there were marks on his face the faint shadow of a bruise on his cheek, a trickle of blood staining his nose, a jagged cut nestled just beneath the curve of his lips and his knuckles, just like I had seen in the news, were bloodied.


    Relief flooded my veins knowing that he was finally here, but at the same time, worry crawled up my insides like venomous spiders. Watching him like this-he was hurt. Fighting two men like them, alone, surely hadn''t been a piece of cake.


    But why did he take such a reckless step when his business was already copsing? I didn''t know.


    ¡°Jacob,¡± Rosaline rushed over to him, cupping his face and wiping off the dust. ¡°You are hurt. God! Come here, let me treat your wounds first.¡±


    "Step away, Rosaline," Enzo''s voice cut through the tension, his grip firm as he pulled her aside. "There''s no need to tend to his wounds after what he''s done. He brought this upon himself and he knows it. Let him face the consequences."


    "Enzo, please, he''s injured," Rosaline pleaded, her voice tinged with urgency, "It''s not the time for this. Can''t you just see that?"R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "Injury is the least of his concerns


    right now," Enzo snapped, his frustration palpable. "Have you forgotten what happenedst time? The media hounds him relentlessly One misstep, and his business could crumble. Yet he chose this reckless path. He has no idea of what problems await him now," he looked at Jacob, "Have you lost it, Jacob? The news is everywhere now. Every otherpetitor is going to take advantage of it now. Why did you do it?"


    His words hung heavy in the air, the weight of Jacob''s decisions pressing down on us all. But Jacob remained silent, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond the room, weariness etched into every line of his face.


    Even from a distance, I could sense the depth of his emotional exhaustion, the weight of his choices bearing down on him like an invisible burden. He didn''t regret his actions, but the consequences loomedrge, casting a shadow over all of our lives.


    As much as I wanted to offer sce, I remained rooted in ce, paralyzed by my own fear and uncertainty. Jacob''s world was unraveling, and I couldn''t find the words to mend it.


    "I am sorry, Dad. But I can''t talk


    about it right now," He finally let out a sigh after moments of silence. His eyes took only one, just one single nce at me, and with that, he walked upstairs. And there I stood, frozen in ce, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.


    When Jacob''s gaze had met mine, I saw a storm raging within those normally calm eyes. It was as if he held the weight of the world on his shoulders, each burden threatening to consume him whole.


    This was not okay....he was not okay.


    Soon, I heard the sound of the door being shut, indicating he''d walked to his room.


    I looked at Enzo and Rosaline, both looking worried for him just like me. And I slowly walked over to them.


    Their expressions shifted, mirroring a mix of shock and concern. Rosaline''s arms enveloped me, offering sce


    ¡°Oh, darling, why didn''t you tell us sooner?" Her lips pressed gently against my temple. "You must have been terrified. I''m so sorry you had to endure that."


    "It''s okay. I''m okay. But Jacob..." My voice trailed off, heavy with worry.


    Enzo''s touch brushed against my cheek, "You should be with him, Evie. He needs you."


    A soft smile tugged at my lips, "Yes, I should." With a nod, I ascended the stairs, each step a silent pledge to stand by Jacob''s side.


    Enzo was right¡ªJacob needed me. And I couldn''t bear the thought of him facing it all alone.

 Chapter 118 Walls Crumbling

    Chapter 118 Walls Crumbling


    Evelyn


    I stood before the door, my hand hovering, hesitant to knock. I knew Jacob was in a tough spot, regardless of whether he wanted me near him or not. The truth remained he didn''t deserve to face it alone.


    He needed me.


    Take a deep breath, Evelyn. You can do this.


    With resolve, I raised my hand and rapped gently on the door, "Jacob?"


    Seconds ticked by in silence, no response forting. My concern reached its peak.


    Another breath, another knock. "Jacob, do you want to talk?"


    Still, the only reply was the echoing silence of the room.


    "Can we please talk?" My voice trembled. I didn''t even know the extent of what he was going through, but I couldn''t fucking bear the thought of him suffering alone. I wanted to be there to offerfort-I did not want to be absent when his tears would fall, I wanted to be the one to wipe them away and make sure they''d not fall again just like he had always done.


    "Just open the door, Jacob," I pleaded softly, my forehead resting against the cool surface. "You don''t have to face this alone. I''m here for you. Let me


    in."


    Once again, silence enveloped the space, his response absent. I pressed my palms against the door, feeling lost for words, unsure of what else I could say to coax him out.


    Questions swirled in my mind as I spoke once more, my voiceced with concern. "I want to be there for you, Jacob. I understand it''s not easy, but you don''t have to bear it alone. Let me be by your side, please."


    As the silence persisted, I began to question whether my intrusion was warranted.


    Was it right to interrupt him when he was perhaps trying to seek a moment of peace alone?


    Perhaps Jacob needed some time alone, a moment to gather his thoughts and emotions. I didn''t want to encroach upon his breathing space, to force him into a conversation he wasn''t ready for. Even though I wanted to be there for him I respected his need for personal space. I was not willing to take that away from him because of my concern.


    No, I can''t do this.


    If he wants to be alone, I should let him be.


    "Okay, fine," I exhaled softly, "You don''t have to open the door now. I''ll leave. Take your time. But please, remember, I''m always here for you. You''re never alone. You will never be alone I''ll always be there for you. Always."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    With a resigned sigh, I stepped away from the door, preparing to walk away. Just as I was about to turn and leave, the sound of the doorknob turning filled the air, and the door swung open.


    Meeting Jacob''s gaze, I observed the disheveled state of his hair, the redness in his eyes betraying the tears he had shed, his breathsing heavy. Before I could utter a word, he seized my hand and pulled me into the room with him.


    His arms enveloped me as he sank onto the bed, my knees finding purchase on either side of hisp. He buried his face into my chest, his voice trembling with remorse. "I''m sorry," he whispered, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. "I screwed up. I''m sorry."


    God! My heart never fucking ached so much.


    "You didn''t screw up anything," I murmured, fingers gently threading through his hair as I pressed a tender kiss to the crown of his head. "It''s alright. Everything is alright." My hand moved in soothing circles against his back, offering reassurance andfort in the midst of his turmoil. My poor Jacob...


    He held me tightly, his sniffles barely audible but palpable against my chest.


    "Hey, look at me," I whispered, gently cupping his face and guiding his tear-stained gaze to meet mine. His eyes, teary and red-nosed, reflected a vulnerability I had never seen before this was Jacobid bare, fragile and exposed.


    I brushed away his tears and pressed a tender kiss to his lips. "Whatever you did, it was out of anger, a mistake, and mistakes happen. You don''t need to punish yourself, you don''t need to dwell on it-it''s alright," I murmured against his lips, reassuring him with each tender caress. "Okay?"


    "It''s going to put us in a lot of


    trouble, Evelyn," he sighed, intertwining our hands and shaking his head in defeat. "It''s not like I regret what I did. If I had the chance, I''d do it again for what they did to you. But I think it was all a ploy to tarnish my image in the media again. I''m sure it''s Tyler behind all of it. I just made it easier for him to enter our lives by acting in anger. I should have thought more before taking such a drastic step. I fucked up."


    "It''s okay," I cooed, enveloping him in a hug, my fingers tracing soothing patterns along the back of his neck. "We can''t change what''s happened. Whateveres our way, we''ll face it together. Tyler can''t do anything. People like him never win, Jacob. They always end up losing everything in the end."


    "More businessmen will pull out funds from thepany now, Evelyn. It''s going to be a tough journey from here on," his voice quivered with uncertainty. "I don''t want you to go through any of it...I don''t want you to go through these dark phases."


    "If I don''t stay with you through the dark phases, then what kind of love


    you


    would it be, Jacob?" A soft smile graced my tips as I ran my fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp. His breaths were slow against my chest, "I want to be with through all phases, whether dark, bright, or rainy. I love you, Jacob, and I want to be a part of your life¡ªnot just the brightest parts of it. Life isn''t perfect, but together, we can weather any storm." Content


    belongs to


    "I shouldn''t have kept it from you. If I had told you about the phone call, you would have stopped me, and I could have prevented all of us from getting dragged into this mess," he sniffled, "I''m sorry."


    "It''s alright," I murmured, enfolding him in a tight embrace, drawing him closer to me just as he clung to me as if he never wanted to let go, "And everything will be alright. It''s just a rough patch, but it will pass if we stick together. Just believe in yourself."


    "What if it doesn''t get better?"


    "It will get better, Jacob," I assured him, cupping his face in my hands and brushing my thumbs over his cheeks, "Everything is going to be alright. Trust me." A soft smile graced my lips as I kissed his forehead, feeling the tension in his body melt away beneath my touch. "It''s okay... everything is going to be just fine."


    "I love you, Evelyn. I can''t even bear the thought of losing you," he whispered, his eyes reflecting his vulnerability and fear.


    "You will never lose me, ever," I dered, brushing his hair away from his forehead, "I love you. You''re the meaning of life to me how could I ever let


    go of my life?" I whispered, and as if in response, he leaned in, his hand cradling the back of my neck as our lips met.

 Chapter 119 Meeting The Devil

    Chapter 119 Meeting The Devil


    Evelyn


    The news spread like wildfire, consuming every media channel and socialwork. Jacob''s image was tarnished beyond recognition. The media did the rest of the job that Tyler couldn''t manage.


    I watched helplessly as everything fell apart, and Jacob struggled to piece it back together. I had never seen him so scared. He was afraid that things wouldn''t remain the same. His doubts weighed heavily on him, and the biggest question haunting him was: what if he couldn''t give me what I deserved? The fear in his eyes troubled me so much that it was tough for me to even breathe properly. I despised seeing him suffer, and I loathed Tyler even more for being the architect of our misery.


    I absolutely fucking hated that piece of trash!


    For the past week, I only saw Jacob when he returned to the apartment. He worked tirelessly every day, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion, with no respite in sight. I wanted to tell him to rest, but circumstances wouldn''t allow it. It was fucking agonizing.


    Everything felt so messed up.


    We had moved back to his apartment five days ago, after everything was resolved. Most days, Jacob was out working while I remained alone in the apartment, fretting about the uncertainty looming over us.


    Would our lives be torn apart because of this storm? Worse I had no idea at all.


    Our meals consisted mainly of fast food. I didn''t know how to cook properly, and Jacob didn''t have the time for us to learn together. So, fast food has be a staple in our chaotic lives.


    Today, amidst the turmoil, I found the courage to attempt a recipe I had stumbled upon. Now, as I searched for the nearest grocery store on Google Maps, impatience gnawed at me. Unable to wait any longer, I called Rosaline, thankfully seeding in locating the store.


    I set off for the store, knowing we were short on ingredients. It was a small step, but perhaps, in the midst of chaos, it was a glimmer of control-a semnce of normalcy amidst the storm.


    I got out of the cab, paying the bill. "Grazie, o il pagamento."


    "Molte grazie, buona giornata!"


    Entering the grocery store, I momentarily forgot the list of items I needed. Thankfully, I had written it down on my notes, opting for a proper list instead of relying solely on my poor memory.


    To be honest, when I stepped into the shop, I expected nothing more than a routine shopping trip. However, something unexpected, perhaps the most unexpected thing of the century, urred. A male voice called out my name.


    "Well, well, isn''t this Mr. Adriano''s most precious treasure?" A faintly familiar and despicable voice rang out.


    I turned to see none other than Tyler, dressed in a ck shirt and white pants, making his way toward me. His imposing figure and presence attracted the attention of women around us as he stood beside me.


    What did women even see in this asshole? He looked totally shitty to me.


    I despised the smell of his cologne. Everything about him filled me with loathing. Though I had only met him once before, if this encounter counted, then twice, I already knew I detested him to the core.


    He was fucking disgusting. Just disgusting.


    "Well, isn''t this the most despicable and vile human being ever?" I remarked, crossing my arms over my chest and leaving my hold on the trolley. I saw him stifle a smile behind his hand as he scratched his jaw, seemingly amused.


    "You know, I have to say something-this is the most amazing coincidence in my life," he chuckled. "I totally hadn''t expected to see you here, but here we are again."


    "God didn''t want us to meet. He would never subject me to such a fate," I scoffed, turning away to grab a pack of cheese, followed by a pack of lettuce. "Maybe it was the devil exacting revenge on me."


    "You have a smart mouth, Evelyn," Tyler moved closer, standing right beside me. "No wonder why Jacob fancies you so much. You''re surely one of those things people would love to snatch."


    "And I''m one of those things you can never snatch," I retorted in a sing-song voice, though all I wanted to do was punch him in the face. But I couldn''t -I didn''t want to end up in jail.


    "And how did you know that I want to snatch you?" he cocked an eyebrow, leaning against the shelf, his gaze making me feel ufortably exposed. Something about his gaze made me want to hide myself somewhere.


    "You''ve already made it fucking


    obvious with your gaze, Tyler," I shot back. "I am not naive to unsee all of it. You''re one of those despicable pieces of shit who consider women nothing but objects, and you just want to add me to your collection. That''s something I''m never going to let happen." Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "That''s going to happen, Be Donna," a smirk spread on his lips. "It''s only a matter of a few days until you''re mine. I''m going to snatch you from Jacob and take everything else he loves. Ruining your boyfriend has been my longest dream, and now, I have another wish-to have you all to myself."


    "Some wishes nevere true, Mr. Ri," I met his gaze with intensity. "Consider me one of those wishes,, because even if Jacob and I are ruined, I''m never going to be yours. No matter what you do-I''ve seen your cheap games, how you Bribed Jacob''s uncles and used the media to ruin his image. Do whatever you want, I''m not leaving him. Ever."


    "It''s still a bed of roses for you, Evelyn. I haven''t even started putting those thorns in your lives," Tyler stepped closer, our faces mere inches apart as we locked eyes. My fists clenched at my sides, resisting the urge to punch him and rid myself of that temptation.


    The fact that he was capable of ruining our lives made me want to fucking kill him.


    "You realize that you are rotten to the fucking core Tyler, don''t you?" I seethed, my gaze hardening as I met his stare. "Try to ruin Jacob''s life all you want¡ªI''ll be there to help him pick up the pieces. Do whatever you want! I''m never leaving him, ever."


    "One way or another, you''ll have to leave him, Be Donna. I''ll make sure of it," he chuckled, looking at me with twisted amusement. His eyes briefly roamed up and down my body. "By the way..." he paused for effect.


    "The body you have could drive anyone crazy," he said, moving to stand behind me. I remained rooted to the spot, my fists still clenched. "But your ass... it could bring a man to his knees. Has Jacob fucked it yet?"


    This piece of....


    Before I could retort, he continued, "You know, Jacob was a fan of asses. And Chloe''s happened to be his favorite."


    And to my surprise, my body froze on the spot.

 Chapter 120 There It Goes

    Chapter 120 There It Goes


    Evelyn


    As my body seized with tension, his words cut through me like a knife.


    Chloea€"she was that one perpetual sore spot in our rtionship, a shadow that loomed over us, casting its darkness on everything we tried to build. The trauma she left behind, the havoc she wreaked, the way she still haunted our livesa€"it would never fade. It would fucking linger, an ever-present specter, forever.


    "What... What did you just say?" My voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and anger, my eyes boring into Tyler''s, searching for any hint of deceit, but finding only amusement dancing in his gaze.


    Jerk!


    A smirk tugged at Tyler''s lips, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight as if relishing the difort he stirred within me. He reveled in the chaos he wrought, convinced of his ability to manipte the fragile threads of our rtionship.


    I could tell a€" he was fucking enjoying it.


    "Well, you don''t know how much of an ''arse'' guy Jacob is, do you?" he taunted, a chuckle bubbling in his throat. "So, I''ll assume he hasn''t explored that territory with you yet. I guess he doesn''t know what he''s missing." His eyes trailed to nce at my ass, triggering my nerves.


    "Mind your own damn business, Tyler," I snapped, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "I don''t need to hear about Jacob''s past preferences or his sexual history. I fucking know what I need to know, and I trust him. So spare me your feeble attempts to drive a wedge between us. Save your fucking breath."


    "I see, you trust him a lot, don''t you?" Tyler''s amusement only deepened, hisughter echoing in the space between us, grating on my nerves like sandpaper. A gnawing doubt crept into the recesses of my mind, fueled by his insidious insinuations.


    I had this question in my head even if I didn''t want toa€"Why hadn''t Jacob broached the subject of anal sex with me, especially if it was something he liked?


    Was it peculiar that a man who supposedly loved having anal sex hadn''t even mentioned it with his girlfriend? Should I just trust Jacob or sumb to the seeds of doubt Tyler had sown?


    Fuck. didn''t know.


    I was just doubtful. Really doubtful.


    "Tell me, how is it that he was a fan of Chloe''s ass and hasn''t even considered fucking yours?" His eyebrow arched in mocking curiosity, his tone dripping with disdain. "Could it be that he''s less interested in you? Or perhaps he believes there''s no better ass to fuck than Chloe''s?"


    "You piece ofa€"" I seethed, my anger boiling over, but Tyler''s interruption cut through my retort like a de.


    "It makes me wonder why he hasn''t taken your sweet ass yet," he continued, his wordsced with venom. "As far as I can see, yours is bigger and better than Chloe''s. I''m sure it would be far more enjoyable. I''ve had Chloe in every way imaginable, I have fucked her in holes and none of it was as satisfying as I''d hoped. But I think you''d feel like heaven around me. And I am dying to fuck you, Be Dona. I want to know how you''d fucking feel around me."


    To be honesta€"I wanted to kill Tyler Ri. I want to cut him into small pieces and make him disappear. His tant disrespect and disregard for boundaries fueled a fire within me.


    I wanted to put this fucking bastard in his ce.


    "Let me make one thing clear, you despicable asshole," I spat, my words dripping with venom. "You will never have me. Jacob is the only man who has touched me, and he will always be the only one. No matter where he is, no matter what happens, if he ends up on the streets or his business falls off, I will stand by him. I will be there with him every step of the way. So you, you can fuck off!"


    "Well, sooner orter, you''lle running to me," he chuckled, undeterred by my defiance. "Women like you, Evelyna€| you''re a rare luxury. You belong in pces, not on the streets. You need to be fucking worshipped not just taken care of."


    Before I could respond, he closed the distance between us, trapping me against the shelf behind me. I recoiled, repulsed by his proximity, his cologne suffocating me.


    "And, Evie... I''ll be the one to take your ass," he whispered, a sinister smirk ying on his lips. "Since Jacob seems to prefer Chloe''s, I''ll show yours the love it deserves. Trust me, I can fuck you better than Jacob ever could. Give me a chance, and I''ll show you what it''s like to be fucked right." "That''s never going to happen."


    "I will make it fucking happen," he dered, his voice dripping with confidence, Everything I''ve ever wanted has either been handed to me on a silver tter or snatched and if not that, then earned. And if I can''t snatch you, Evelyn, I''ll damn well earn you. Trust me, I haven''t even begun to inject venom into your life. Once I do, you''ll be running to me to save yourself from it."


    With those chilling words, he retreated, leaving me seething with anger, my veins pulsing with fury.


    I strode to the counter, abandoning my shopping intentions, and paid for my groceries in a blur of frustration. As I stormed out of the store, my mind raced with thoughts of Tyler, his arrogance, and his audacity.


    Who did he think he was? Some kind of king, entitled to whatever he desired?


    I was Jacob''s and Jacob''s alone. If anyone were to touch me, it would be hima€"no one else. Just none.


    I hailed a cab and sank into the seat, my mind consumed by thoughts of vengeance against Tylera€"I wanted to fucking kill him and dispose of his body somewhere where none could ever find him.


    But amidst the rage, a nagging question gnawed at the edges of my consciousness: Why hadn''t Jacob taken my arse yet?


    Was it true that he considered Chloe the best he could ever have?


    God! Just the thought of it was fucking infuriating and it made me want to just kill him too.


    "Calm down, Evelyn," I whispered to myself, attempting to rein in my emotions. But the anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to erupt at any moment.


    I knew Tyler''s intentions were malicious, his every word and gesture designed to drive a wedge. between Jacob and me. His eyes, his words, and his very presence reeked of danger, and yet, I found myself grappling with the unsettling notion that there might be some truth to his words.


    Fuck it.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    But I can''t ignore it too.


    Jacob and Chloe had a fucking history behind them. A huge one that had so many chapters behind it. And I only knew a few. There could have been


    so many things between us and I was unaware of most of it.


    So, how could I just not believe it? I had to hear it from Jacob''s mouth before I could actually calm down.


    Jacob and Chloe''s had a fucking


    long history. There were chapters in their story that remained a mystery to me, secrets hidden behind closed doors that I could only specte about. How could I trust what I didn''t know? How could I believe in us when there were pieces missing from the puzzle?


    As I stepped out of the cab and entered the apartment building, my mind raced with questions, each one more agonizing than thest.


    If Jacob had had anal with Chloe, why hadn''t he with me? What was it about her that he found appealing, that he hadn''t found in me?


    I paid the cab fare in a haze of frustration and rode the elevator to our floor, my heart pounding. Tyler''s words echoed in my mind, poisoning my thoughts with doubt and insecurity.


    When I walked into the apartment, Jacob was there, his presence both afort and a source of turmoil. His concern for me was evident in the furrow of his brow, the worry etched into his features.


    "Evie, where were you?" he asked, moving toward me, his coat falling to the floor in his haste. "I was just about to call you."


    His words hung in the air, but I couldn''t bring myself to respond. Instead, the question that had gued me since I left the store spilled from my lips, raw and unfiltered.


    "Why haven''t you taken my ass yet?"

 Chapter 121 Take Me

    Chapter 121 Take Me


    Evelyn


    The atmosphere in the room crackled with tension as Jacob''s expression morphed from concern to sheer disbelief. His eyes widened, and his lips parted as if he were grappling with an answer that eluded him.


    He should better fucking find his answers soon because I was totally running out of patience.


    "What do you mean by that?" His voice trembled slightly, betraying the shock that rippled through him like an unexpected storm.


    This man....


    I tossed the bag aside with more force than necessary, my frustration boiling over, "You know what I fucking mean."


    Closing the distance between us, I seized his cor, my fingers trembling with anger-That Tyler had totally fucked-up with my head.


    "Why haven''t you fucked my ass yet?" My words sliced through the air like a de, raw and unfiltered.


    The corner of Jacob''s mouth twitched, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. But the weight of my gaze silenced hisughter, forcing his mouth shut," "Are you seriously upset about that? That we didn''t have anal yet?" His attempt at levity fell t, drowned out by the intensity of my stare. "Okay! I''m sorry, Evie. It''s just... unexpected. Why are you bringing this up now? Did something happen?"


    The vulnerability in his voice touched a nerve, a reminder that beneath his confident exteriory a man who had been through shit. Yet, my own emotions surged like a tidal wave, drowning out any sympathy I might have felt.


    Fuck this!


    "Just tell me why," I demanded, pushing him back onto the couch and straddling him, my gaze piercing through theyers of his defenses. Anger pulsed through me¡ªI was furious, but not at him, but because of that asshole named Tyler and his overconfidence when he''d said that he''d be the first one to have me there, "Why haven''t we had anal yet? Do you doubt that I''m enough? That my body can''t measure up to your past conquests? You think I am not a better fuck than those women?"


    Jacob''s jaw ckened, his expression once again telling me that he was absolutely fucking shocked by my questions.


    His touch was gentle as he cupped my face, his thumb tracing circles on my cheek, a silent plea for understanding. "Evie, what''s going on? Talk to me."


    I recoiled from his touch, the bitterness of my words echoing in the silence between us.


    "I won''t fucking tell you anything until you answer me. Why haven''t we done it when you im that you are fucking obsessed with every part of me. Then why? Do you prefer someone else''s body over mine?"


    He emitted a low sigh before speaking, ¡°I just thought you wouldn''t befortable with it so soon, baby," he murmured, his voice soft with understanding. "There''s nothing else. Why would you even think I''d prefer anyone else when I have you? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? No one in their right mind would chase another woman''s ass."


    "Or maybe you couldn''t forget Chloe''s yet?" I challenged, my hand sliding to his jaw, fingers tightening.


    Jacob''s eyes widened, disbelief shing across his features like lightning in a summer sky. "Are you serious right now? Why are you even bringing that woman''s topic between us? Evelyn, tell me what happened. I want to know. Did she say something to you?" His hands reached to touch me but I refused to relent, my grip on his jaw tightening, pushing his head against the sofa cushions.


    "If you don''t prefer her ass, then prove it to me now," I demanded, my breath hot against his lips, the heat of our proximity igniting a primal hunger within us both. "Fuck me, right now."


    I felt the tension ripple through his body, his bulge pressing against me. In that charged moment, there was no room for doubt that he was already more than just ready to do what I''d asked him to do.


    For a heartbeat, silence hung heavy between us. Then, like a predator sensing its prey, Jacob''s gaze darkened with a familiar hunger, his hand tangling in the strands of my hair as he tilted my head back. "If that''s what''ll make you believe me, then so be it."


    And with that deration, he captured my lips in a fierce kiss.


    ***Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Evelyn


    "You know I''d still prefer to fuck you after you tell me what caused this sudden reaction from you,¡± Jacob''s deep voice resonated from behind me as he prepared me, his fingers slick with lubricant sliding inside my tightness. With his hand gripping the back of my neck, he pressed my face into the mattress, raising my hips.


    Oh well....


    It already felt good. I could say fuck to that slighest bit of difort-It just didn''t matter.


    A soft moan escaped my lips as the unfamiliar sensation overcame me as he stretched me. "I said what I¡ª" Another moan interrupted my words as he added a second finger, sending a shock through my body.


    Struggling to maintainposure, I managed to finish my sentence, "I said what I said. You won''t get anything out of me until you prove it."


    "Oh, trust me, I''ll get plenty out of you," his deep chuckle echoed. Leaning in, he pressed his nose against my back, tracing a line down to my lower waist before biting my buttcheek, eliciting a startled scream from me.


    "I''ll draw out those sexy screams," he said, before kissing the spot he''d bitten, then quickly curling his fingers inside me. My body


    responded with a jolt of pleasure


    moan slipped past my lips. I hadn''t expected it to feel this fucking intense, but Jacob was proving me wrong, "I will get these moans out of you."


    With a swift motion, he withdrew his fingers before thrusting them back in, eliciting a whimper from me. "I''ll make you cry," he murmured against my shoulder, a hint of a smirk on his lips.


    "You made a mistake doubting your worth to me, Evie," his voice turned firm. "You deserve to be punished for even thinking about it. It''s a sin to question your ce with me. And you need to be fucking punished. So bad."


    "It''s only natural for a woman to wonder why her man hasn''t shown interest in her ass when he''s been a fan of asses his whole life, yet hasn''t fucked hers even once," I voiced my thoughts, feeling his fingers moving inside me, deepening their thrust and stretching me.


    "And who told you I''m a fan of asses? Yes, I''ve enjoyed many beautiful backsides in my time, but that doesn''t mean I prefer to bury myself there. I''d rather be buried in your sweet pussy for eternity than in any other woman, no matter how tight her ass might be."


    Before I could protest, he seized my right cheek, squeezing it beneath his palm. "Although, I must say, yours is the best ass in the world. The most round and perfect one." With a swift motion, he pped my ass, causing a whimper to escape me.


    The anticipation was agonizing. Just from the slightest pration and his touch, I could feel myself edging closer to orgasm. It could happen anytime


    now.


    As I''d said countless times before,


    l


    nothing in this world affected me like his touch did. It was perfection personified, overwhelming yet deeply satisfying. With just his touch he could ignite fire in every inch of my skin and every bone in my body. That was the power he held over me, one that he''d always


    possess, regardless of what happened.


    He began to move his fingers gently in and out of me, slowly stretching me. The pressure built gradually, and to be honest, it felt even better than being prated in that way.


    "Almost ready for me, baby..." Jacob murmured, slowly withdrawing his finger before bringing his hardened member closer to my back entrance. My body tensed as he pressed the tip of his cock against me.


    "Rx for me, Evelyn," he said softly, loosening his grip on the back of my neck. "Keep your breaths normal. I won''t do anything to hurt you."


    Holy....


    I knew that...


    el


    I knew he wouldn''t hurt me, not even in his dreams. But the truth was, this could feel like being deflowered all over again. I''d never been prated there before, so I had no idea how much it might hurt or how ufortable it could be. While his fingers had brought pleasure, made me feel like I was in heaven, I feared the pain, especially considering Jacob''s size. He was undoubtedly massive.


    Slowly, he entered his tip into my back entrance, and my body jolted slightly. But it wasn''t as painful as I''d anticipated. With each inch, I rxed a bit more, and when he was fully inside, a soft gasp escaped my lips. It felt strange, but not painful.


    "Oh..." I gasped softly, gripping the bed sheets as he began to move in and out. With each thrust, the tension built, and a small knot formed in my lower abdomen. Pleasure started to overtake me as he moved rhythmically, igniting desire within me.


    Tingles shot down my spine, my hips quivering as he quickened his pace.


    "You are absolutely fucking perfect, Evelyn," Jacob groaned, his words a mix of pleasure and admiration. "There''s no one else I''d rather have. You''re simply the best woman anyone could ever have. You may not see it, but trust me, every man who crosses paths with you knows it."


    "Oh, Jacob..." A loud moan escaped my lips as he quickened his movements, sending waves of pressure building at my core, driving me wild.


    Fuck. I was so close....


    "You''re heaven itself from every fucking angle, baby," he growled, seizing a fistful of my hair and tilting my head back as he thrust deeply into me. "And you should fucking know your worth. To me, you''re worth more than the whole worldbined."


    Damn! His words!


    His words never failed to stir something deep within me. The way he spoke, the way he made me feel like I was falling in love with him all over again. That was Jacob Adriano and his magic-it never ceased to amaze me or fill me with butterflies.


    "I''m close..." I squeezed my eyes shut, my breaths heavy, the pressure building down there, the sensations overwhelming, causing my pussy to throb with stimtion. I was seconds away from release.


    "Well, you''re about to get even closer," he said, adjusting his angle to prate even deeper. I moaned loudly, my toes curling, my hands gripping the sheets tightly, and my eyes shutting tight.


    "Oh... god."


    "Beg me, baby. Not your god," he chuckled, his lips grazing my shoulder and neck as his free hand cupped my backside, intensifying his thrusts from behind. My body trembled, the sensation sending waves of pleasure through me, making it impossible to resist. He was pounding into me and I fucking loved it....


    I clenched the sheets tighter, my body trembling, my skin covered in goosebumps, sweat trickling down the side of my forehead as the orgasm crashed over me, leaving me trembling beneath him, my mind in a frenzy. He slowed down his speed as the orgasm hit me, my walls around him tightening at the feeling.


    As my body calmed slightly, Jacob''s kisses trailed down my shoulder and neck, his whisper shattered the momentary peace, "I''m going to fucking destroy you, baby," he murmured, his voice husky and seductive. "And you know what? I haven''t even begun yet."


    And a shiver ran down my spine.

 Chapter 122 I Am Not Going Back

    Chapter 122 I Am Not Going Back


    Evelyn


    It took three rounds for Jacob and ten more orgasms for me to finally call it quits for the day. As wey there, entwined in each other''s arms, his hand traced delicate patterns along my back, soothing the ache that lingered in my muscles.


    He totally destroyed me like he''d said he would.


    We were both drenched in sweat, our breaths still heavy and our hearts racing, though mine seemed to be pounding louder than his. But who could me me? After all, my body had borne the brunt of our passionate encounter.


    Yet, I couldn''t bring myself to assign me. I had brought this to myself, and every moment of it had been an electrifying indulgence.


    Fuck. Just to remember it made shivers run down my spine.


    I absolutely fucking loved it. If it hadn''t been for Jacob, I''d have never known that getting destroyed could feel that good.


    Jacob''s fingers found their way into my hair, trailing down to my breasts as he reached for a cigarette. After taking a drag, he leaned in to capture my lips in a kiss. I breathed in the smoke, the kiss deepening before we reluctantly parted, exhaling the intoxicating fumes into the air.


    Breaking thefortable silence, I finally spoke up, knowing that Jacob had been waiting for me to break it.


    "I bumped into Tyler at the grocery store this morning," I confessed, "and he said some things that got under my skin."


    Jacob''s jaw clenched at the mention of Tyler. "What did that bastard say?" His protective grip around me tightened.


    "He mentioned something about you admiring Chloe''s ass and stuff, and suggested that you preferred anal over regr sex," I admitted, my words hesitant. "And then my mind started racing, I lost my shit, wondering why we hadn''t tried it yet when you and Chloe apparently did. I So I got mad at you and me overthinking everything messed it up. I messed it up by caring too much about Tyler''s words."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    The tension in the air was palpable as I awaited Jacob''s response.


    "You didn''t mess up, Evie," he sighed, pulling me closer as he kissed my temple, my head resting on his bicep as he turned to me, cupping my face. "Your reaction was totally normal. Anyone in your ce would have felt the same. But that bastard, he needs to be fucking taught a lesson."


    I rested my hand against his face, tracing my fingers along his jaw. "No, don''t do anything," I urged softly. "He''s already trying to destroy your career and business. Don''t let him back into our lives. If you spare him a reaction, it means he''s seeded. The more we keep him out of our thoughts, the better it is for us."


    "You don''t know how much I hate that bastard, Evie. I can''t stand him-even the sight of him," Jacob confessed, his frustration evident. "No matter how much I try to make amends, he and his sick obsession to bring me down would never end. For real, how did he even know that Chloe and I had a thing for anal? We only did it once or twice, other than that, with Chloe, it was always in and simple, well, boring even," He let out a small groan. "I want to ask him if it was him I''d screwed in the arse, for him to be so sure that I have a thing for them."


    "But, did... did you actually like Chloe''s arse that much?" I couldn''t help but ask.


    Well, seeing Tyler''s confidence has lessened mine a bit.


    "Fucking hell, no. Evelyn," He sighed, frustrationcing his tone. "I was never fixated on one particr part of any woman. I''ve never been obsessed with anyone like that. That bastard is just trying to brainwash you. Tell me, what else did he say?"


    Should I tell him? I didn''t know. Maybe not.


    No, I shouldn''t tell him. He was already stressed enough, and revealing the exact words Tyler used would only infuriate Jacob further. I didn''t want him to get mad and take another step that couldplicate things further. He was already in a big mess right now.


    "Nothing else," I shook my head, forcing a small smile. Leaning in, I ced a kiss on his lips. "Forget about him. The more we dwell on him, the more he seeds. Let''s not give him that satisfaction."


    He emitted a sigh, his eyes soft but his expression hesitant, as if he was about to voice something that might displease me. I knew Jacob well enough to read his face.


    "What is it?" I asked before he could speak, moving closer and rubbing my fingers against his jaw. "What do you want to say?"


    "It''s just..." He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "I think you should go back to America for a while, Evelyn."


    His words made me freeze on the spot.


    Was he actually serious right now?


    17.


    "There''s Danica there until Samuel and rae back, so you can spend some time with your mom. Here in Italy, these days, I''m not giving you enough-nothing. Sex isn''t enough for a woman like you Evie," he murmured, his toneden with regret. "You deserve so much more. The more I give, the less it will be from my side. I brought you with me so we could spend time together, and live together for a while, but these business rivalries and everything else are taking so much away from us. Away from you. That shine in your eyes-it''s fading, my love. I-"


    "Jacob, listen to me¡ª"


    "No, baby. Please listen to me," he interrupted gently, his thumb soothingly tracing circles on my cheek. "I don''t want you to get involved in any of my mess. These are my responsibilities, my troubles, and things that I am failing to fix. You don''t need to bear the weight of them. I want to give you my whole world, but only when I am able to collect the pieces myself. Right now, nothing''s okay, and perhaps it won''t be anytime soon. Tyler ys dirty, which I can''t and I don''t want you to get caught up in this rivalry."


    "First of all, Jacob, you might be thirty-four, but sometimes you have the maturity of a sixteen-year-old," I snapped, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "Secondly, your n to serve me the perfect version of your world is absolutely foolish-nothing in this world is ever fucking perfect. You can''t serve me the perfect version of your world, and even if you somehow manage to, I''d be a total bitch to stay with you only when things are going well. I told you once, and I''m telling you again, Jacob, what kind of rtionship is this if we don''t stick by each other''s side in the toughest times?"


    "But, Evelyn..."


    "No ''buts'', Jacob. I want to stay with you through the journey, not just the best parts. Most of all, I want to be the shoulder for you to lean on when youe home tired. Make me your home, not your world. Because if you do..." I sighed, pressing my forehead against his. "No matter where we are in the world, we''ll always know when and where our home is. And no matter what you''ve lost, you''ll always have a home toe back to."


    Slowly, his body began to rx, his tensed muscles easing, and his racing heart calming down.


    ¡°God, what did I do to deserve you?" he emitted a small, breathy chuckle, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled me closer and pressed his lips against my forehead. "I love you, Evie. I love you." he sniffled.


    A smile tugged at my lips, knowing that the idea of sending me back to America had already slipped away from his mind. "I love you too."

 Chapter 123 Falling Apart

    Chapter 123 Falling Apart


    Evelyn


    Two days had passed since my conversation with Jacob, and everything between us had been rtively calm. He hadn''t brought up the sensitive topic again, and fortunately, I hadn''t crossed paths with Tyler, despite my two trips to the store, both times forgetting the list of items I needed to buy. I was getting forgetful these days. I didn''t know whya€"perhaps it was just stress or perhaps something else. Anyway, it didn''t matter.


    Lately, I have been putting my cooking skills to the test. Surprisingly, I found that I was at least on par with my dad''s culinary prowess, if not quite up to Jacob''s level yet. Jacob knew how to cook really very well!


    Another thing happeneda€" Dad had called twice, clearly stressed out about the situation of the recent media scandal. He and ra had even contemted canceling their trip anding to visit us in Italy, but Jacob and I managed to persuade them otherwise. Me and Jacob, we literally had to beg them to stop.


    Dad had offered to help Jacob out of the financial mess caused by the investors pulling out. I urged Jacob to ept the offer, but he remained adamant about resolving the situation on his own. He didn''t want assistance from his father, my father, or any of his friends. Despite my understanding of his pride and determination, it was hard to witness him struggle, especially when his reputation in the media had been tarnished by that bastard Tyler''s deceitful actions. It was going to take a long time to recover from the damagea€"that''s what I''d understood till now.


    As for Jacob''s ns moving forward, I was kept in the dark. I respected his need for privacy and didn''t want to pressure him into revealing anything he wasn''t ready to share. Right now, his business decisions were just one piece of the puzzle. He was facing a tough situation, and while I wanted to support him in every possible way, I couldn''t help but feel helpless.


    What was there that I could offer him other than emotional support? Nothing.


    A small sigh slipped past my lips as I grabbed a chocte bar from the fridge, unwrapped it and took a bite, then absentmindedly scrolled through my social media feed. A photo of Nancy and Mason together popped up, with Jennie vaguely visible in the background, absorbed in her phone. The caption apanying the post brought a smile to my face.


    "The light''s missinga€"that''s Evie."


    With a smile, I typed out ament, "I miss you too, Idiots. Don''t forget about me and don''t party too mucha€"I wille back soon!"


    As I mindlessly scrolled through the feed, my fingers suddenly halted at the suggestion of a profile on Insta. It was none other than Tylera€"the storm of our lives.


    My jaw clenched, my grip on the phone tightened. I wanted to delete my ount right then. Why, out of all the people, did Insta have to suggest this piece of shit''s profile to me?


    God! This was infuriating!


    I clicked into his profile, fully intending to block him, but then I saw his followersa€¡±500k. Holy fucking shit. Was this piece of shit that famous? Why did I even care?


    Curiosity gripped me, and I scrolled down his profile. But when I saw his first post, my entire body froze, the bar of chocte slipping from my hand. I blinked twice, trying to believe whether what I was seeing was real.


    Tyler''s recent post featured a picture of Jacob''s Office, the entire building sealed off.


    The caption read, "Today marked the end of the Adriano Corporation.


    Drowning in debt and after the


    el


    recent media firestorm, it seems the corporation couldn''t survive any longer. Investors filed awsuit against CEO Jacob Adriano, resulting in the closure of his office and all ongoing projects. Unless he r¨¦pays the loan and investment he''d taken, nothing will be returned. It''s truly sad to witness the downfall of such a huge real estate entity. But as they say, lofty beginnings often yield arduous ends. Sess isn''t guaranteed for everyone. Perhaps, it was the same for Mr. Adriano."


    My heart fucking stopped when I saw the post stood up, sweat sliding down my forehead. Exiting, his profile, I quickly searched online to verify if the news was true.


    Countless articles confirmeel. B


    worst nightmarea€"Tyler''s post about Jacob''spany was real.


    I freaked out, hands shaking as I hurriedly stood up and dialed Jacob''s number, but he didn''t pick up. I tried again, but still no answer.


    Two missed calls from Dad and one from Rosaline lined up in the list, indicating that everyone else was as taken aback by this sudden storm as me.


    "God, Jacob. Pick up, pleasea€|" I pleaded, anxiety rushing through me. But once again, the call went unanswered.


    My breathing grew heavier, panic surged through me, and my thoughts raced loudly.


    Was he even okay? There was no way he could be okay after everything fell apart so suddenly.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    I''d witnessed how hard he was


    trying to restore things to how they were before. He was working tirelessly, yet everything crumbled in an instant. I couldn''t even begin to imagine how he must be feeling.


    Should I go there? Maybe I should. There seemed to be no other way to find out what was happening.


    But what if my presence made things worse? I didn''t know what the fuck I was supposed to do.


    Sighing heavily, I sat back down on the couch, a cold bead of sweat sliding down the side of my forehead as I buried my face in my hands. Then, suddenly, my phone rang.


    Hope ignited in my heart as I grabbed the phone, almost ny percent convinced it would be Jacob. But to my surprise, an unknown caller ID shed on the screen.


    Confusion etched my features as I answered, "Hello?"


    "Hello, Be Dona," a very familiar voice buzzeda€"the only man in the world whom I despised from the core of my being. "Did you see the news yet?"

 Chapter 124 Breaking Paradise

    Chapter 124 Breaking Paradise


    Evelyn


    Every fiber of my being tensed at the sound of that fucking despicable voice. Hatred surged through me like a tidal wave. If only I could reach through the screen and throttle that bastard, watch him choke on his own venom.


    There was only one emotion I felt for him and that wasa€" deep-rooted hatred. I fucking hated him more than I had ever hated anyone.


    "So it was you, wasn''t it?" I hissed, my jaw tight with fury. "You probably greased the palms of those investors to pull the rug out from under Jacob just when he was trying to make things right. What the hell do you want, Tyler? Why are you so obsessed with tearing my man down? What the fuck is wrong with you?!"


    Tyler''s voice oozed with sickening charm. "My, my, you sound even sexier when you''re angry, Evelyn. Oh, the fantasies I have about you... I wonder how those lips of yours would feel against mine, how would it feel when I''d grab your waist and fucking dive deep into you when you''d quiver beneath me. Fuck! You drive me fucking insane, Evelyn. I can''ta€¡±¡°


    "Shut your fucking mouth, Tyler," I spat, my anger rising. "Let me make one thing clear for youa€"you''d never have me. You will never fucking have me. No matter how much you drag down Jacob, no matter how much you try to put distance between us, try to get close, enter our lives, burn bridges, and daydreama€¡±I will never ever be yours, Tyler Ri. Jacob Adriano is the only man to ever touch me, and he''d always be the only one to ever touch me."


    He chuckled nonchntly. "You don''t even know what you''re talking about, Evelyn. Be devoted to a man who can give you the whole world,y every fucking possession youy your eyes on beneath your feet, not someone who would struggle even to bring food to the table. Judging by how everything in your life is going downhill, trust me, that day is not far away when Jacob wouldn''t even be able to bring a te of food to your table. Be with a man, not with a failure."


    "Jacob is not a failure. Do you fucking hear me? You did this. You did all these conspiracies to bring him down. It''s your fucking games that got our lives torn between these situations, and if there''s anyone to me, that is you and your sick motives," I seethed, my fists clenching to my sides. "And I''d rather die than be with a man like you, Tyler. I don''t care what you have, what your so-called possessions are, what your so-called abilities are. For me, one reason is more than enough to stay with Jacob for the rest of my ifea€¡±I fucking love him. And I''d love him till myst breath." "Evelyn, life isn''t a fairy tale. Love won''t quench your thirst or put food on the table. It won''t give you security or take your kids to school. Love won''t buy you thetest fashion or shelter you from the storma€"love doesn''t do any of that. It is just a twisted illusion, Be Dona. It clouds our judgment, fucks with our minds, makes us settle for less, and fills our heads with doubts. Love ruins usa€"it''s in its nature. And you, you should destroy it before it destroys you. I may not offer you love, but I can offer you everything it promises. You wouldn''t even know the difference unless I told you." "You know what, Tyler? I pity you," I scoffed. "Your twisted perspective will lead to your downfall, mark my words. One day, you''ll regret every decision you''ve made, and it''ll be toote to fix it. Those lives you''ve ruined will haunt you. You''re headed for self-destruction, Tyler. You think you can have it all, but you''ll end up with nothing. Take my advicea€"change before the world forces you to because when it does, you''ll lose everything you''ve taken."


    "That''s your opinion, Evelyn," Tyler chuckled. "But from where I stand, the one who can hold onto what they''ve taken will alwayse out on top." "You won''t win, Tyler. Nevera€¡±"


    "Who are you talking to?" Jacob''s voice sliced through the tension, making me startle. My phone slipped from my hand, the noise shattering the silence as it hit the carpet. Jacob''s gaze was intense, his jaw clenched as he picked up the phone and put it on speaker.


    Man, I hadn''t even realized when he had walked in.


    "Is this Tyler?" Jacob''s voice was low and dangerous.


    "Oh, Mr. Adriano, enjoying the view of your closed office?" Tyler''s voice dripped with arrogance. "How about mytest gift? It''s been a while since I sent you anything, hasn''t it?"Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "How did you get my girlfriend''s number?" Jacob''s voice was icy, his anger palpable. There was something else in his demeanor, something dark and unsettling. I couldn''t quite put my finger on it, but it sent shivers down my spine.


    "What if I say she gave it to me?" Tyler''s response was like a dagger in the heart, chilling me to the core.


    That piece of shita€|


    "I see what you''re trying to do, Tyler. But listen carefully, I''ll say this once and for alla€"You may have destroyed my career, but don''t even think for a second that you cany a finger on Evelyn. You know the saying, don''t you? A man with


    el.ne


    nothing to lose has no fear


    voice dripped with menace, his tone dropping dangerously low. "I''ll kill you without a shred of remorse. Don''t test me, Tyler. Just don''t. Or I''ll drag you out of your mansion, slit your throat in broad daylight, and watch every drop of your filthy blood drain out. Death holds no fear for


    mea€¡±I''ve never feared it." Content


    belongs to


    A gasp escaped my lips as I listened to Jacob''s chilling words, my hands trembling uncontrobly. Was this the same Jacob I knew?


    "I know you don''t fear death," Tyler


    taunted, his v?ice oozing with confidence, "But mark my words, you should fear living while watching your world crumble around you, will strip you of everything, and Evelyn will be the final piece. She will be mine, Jacob. No matter what, she''ll end up in my arms, on my bed, under me, and you''ll watch it all unfold, helpless."


    With that, Tyler ended the call, leaving a heavy silence hanging in the air. Jacob''s attempt to contain his rage failed miserably; the veins on his forehead and neck pulsated with fury.


    As I took a hesitant step toward him, his growl made me freeze in ce. With a violent motion, he hurled my phone against the wall, shattering it into pieces that scattered across the room.


    I recoiled, taking several steps back, my eyes wide with shock and fear. This wasn''t the Jacob I knewa€|.this just wasn''t him.


    His back was turned to me, his heavy breaths echoing his simmering anger.


    "J-Jacob?" I stuttered, but he remained silent, his rage palpable in the tense air around us.


    "You didn''t telkme the whole truth


    about that meeting with Tyler, did you?"


    acob finally turned to me, his


    usatory tone slicing through the air. "You knew his true intentions. You knew he was trying to fucking get to you and take you away from me."


    "Jacob, please listen..." I began, summoning all my courage to approach him. "I was going to tell you, but I held back becausea€"" "Because of what, Evelyn?" His voice dripped with frustration. "There''s no fucking excuse that justifies hiding this from me. It''s messed up."


    "I didn''t tell you because you were already dealing with so much," I raised my voice, desperation creeping in. "I didn''t want to burden you with more problems when you were already overwhelmed."


    "That''s themest excuse," Jacob scoffed bitterly, his disbelief evident.


    Did he not believe me? Was he doubting my words?


    "Are you doubting me, Jacob?" My finger trembled as I pointed it at myself. "Are you seriously fucking doubting me right now?" I shouted, my frustration boiling over.


    "Yes, I am!" He exploded, kicking a chair across the room. "After what you just did, I have every reason to doubt you. Why would you hide it from me that another man is trying to fuck you, especially knowing the history between me and Tyler?"


    Before I could respond, he continued, his tone resolute.


    "You know what, Evelyn? I don''t have time for this shit. I think we need some space for a while."

 Chapter 125 Mending Promises

    Chapter 125 Mending Promises


    Evelyn


    As his words crashed over me like a relentless wave, every fiber of my being throbbed with an avoidable pain. For a brief moment, I couldn''t fucking fathom that Jacob had actually said it.


    Did he really? Or was it just my mind ying cruel tricks on me?


    No, there was no mistaking ita€¡±he had indeed uttered those heartless words. And worse yet, he did so without a hint of hesitation.


    How could he?!


    I approached him, my gaze empty, devoid of any emotion, any tears, my hands shaking, "What did you just say?"


    He remained silent for a beat, avoiding my gaze, but I refused to give him an outa€"I wouldn''t budge until I got the fucking answers I demanded. He was not going to get away with it.


    "You heard me, Evelyn."


    This piece of shita€|.


    "So, say it again," I demanded, my voice rising. "Fucking say it again."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "Evelyn..." His hesitation was palpable.


    "What?! What''s stopping you from saying it again when you have already said it so easily the first time? What''s wrong, huh?" Despite my fury, tears began to well in my eyes, a sensation I loathed. "Just say it!" I shoved him, backing him against the wall.


    "Listen, it''sa€""


    "Don''t you dare try to dodge it after you''ve already said it, you heartless bastard! Say it again!" I shoved him once more, the force propelling him against the unforgiving surface.


    "I said we should take a fucking break, Evelyn!" He blurted out finally, his words cutting through the air like a knife.


    And in that instant, without a single shred of hesitation, I raised my hand and delivered a resounding p across his cheek. The impact reverberated through the silent apartment, my hand stinging from the force of the blow. His head jerked to the side, a red welt forming at the corner of his lips.


    I wished I could just fucking kill him.


    "You''re nothing but a heartless monster masquerading as love," I seethed, the bitterness coating each word. "You know what? You''re the biggest mistake of my life. I should''ve never wasted my love on someone like you. I''m done."


    I turned to leave, but his hand snaked out and sped mine. "Evelyn, I''m sorry," he pleaded, the determination reced by guilt in his eyes. For a moment, I wavered, almost sumbing to the sincerity in his gaze. But then I remembereda€"he''d crossed a line today that couldn''t be uncrossed. Not just one line, he crossed every fucking line he shouldn''t have crossed.


    Enough was enough. I was not going to stay with him, not anymore.


    "I don''t give a fuck about your apologies. This isn''t the first time you''ve pulled this stunta€"every time you hit rock bottom, you push me away. You do this. All the time. Every fucking time!" My words dripped with frustration. "So fine. If you want me gone, I''ll go. I''m done with your indecision. Do whatever the fuck you want. I am not some shameless desperate bitch to stick around when you clearly don''t want me by your side."


    I yanked my hand free and stormed into the bedroom, grabbing my suitcase and flinging open the closet. With reckless abandon, I began shoving my clothes inside, the violence of my actions a reflection of the turmoil in my heart. I didn''t even want to see his fucking face.


    Unexpectedly, he followed me, his desperation palpable.


    "Baby, I didn''t mean it," he implored, reaching for me once more. But I recoiled, tears now streaming down my cheeks.


    "Stay the fuck away from me, Jacob. Don''t even try," I warned, pointing an using finger at him. "You said we needed a break, and I heard you loud and clear. Now let me do what needs to be fucking done."


    "You know I didn''t mean it, Evie," he sighed, his voice trembling. "I''m sorry. Please."


    He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close as if trying to erase the chasm that had opened between us. His fingers brushed away the dress clutched in my hand, and I found myself melting into his embrace, my back against his chest.


    "I''m sorry," he whispered, his forehead resting against my shoulder.


    God, Evelyn. Don''t let his words affect you.


    "Let me fucking go!" I tried to free myself from his grasp but he held me tighter.


    I wanted to push him away, to scream and curse him, and simply tell him to fuck off, that was how mad I was at that moment but at the


    same time I was ensnared in the


    I


    labyrinth of emotionsa€"helpless, hopelessly entangled in love. Instead ofresisting, I found myself turning in his embrace to meet his gaze.


    Fuck me.


    "Why do you do this to me every time?" My voice quivered, tears streaming down my cheeks unchecked. "What have I done wrong? Why do you always push me away? What''s my fault in all of this?"


    His expression softened as he cupped my face gently in his hands. "I''m sorry," he murmured, brushing away my tears with his thumbs, "I shouldn''t have said that. I am so fucking sorry."


    "It hurts when you do this, Jacob," I choked out a sob, attempting to pull away, but he held me fast, drawing me closer until our foreheads touched. "I''m sorry," he whispered again, his voice heavy with regret.


    "It''s not okay, Jacob!" Another sob wracked my body. "Pushing me away every time things get tougha€"it''s not okay. We can''t keep doing this to each other. One day, one of us will walk away for good."


    "I know what I did was wrong," he


    admitted, his tone filled with anguish. "I shouldn''t have said that. I didn''t mean it, Evelyn. I want you my side, especially now. But I want to give you the life you


    by


    deserve. I don''t want to offer. S. et


    a


    life where you''d have to constantly struggle. You are my queen and I want to treat you like one. But thisa€|my state right now, it won''t allow me to do so. I am going bankrupt, Evelyn." Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    "You''re an idiot, Jacob," I said, cupping his face in my hands, and locking eyes with him. "I don''t want a perfect life. I want you. Whether it''s chaos or a fairy tale, I want you."


    "Things are falling apart," he confessed, his voice low, "Our situation might not get any easier."


    "It doesn''t matter," I insisted. "What matters is that we face it together. You and me against the world. Trust mea€"I will make it better."


    "I trust you, Evelyn. I just fear losing you," he confessed, tears glistening in his eyes.


    "Don''t think about that," I urged, wiping his tears away. "We''re in this together, no matter what."


    "I''m sorry."


    "It''s okay," I reassured him, a soft smile ying on my lips. Leaning in, I pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, then brushed his hair back. "I love you, you big baby."

 Chapter 126 Its About To Go South

    Chapter 126 It''s About To Go South


    Evelyn


    A week had passed since Jacob and I had our fight, and to put it mildlya€¡±and bluntlya€"things were far from okay.


    Againa€¡±To put everything inly and emphaticallya€¡±The issue didn''t lie solely between us; rather, it was the turbulent circumstances enveloping us. Every effort Jacob made to restore order seemed to slip through his fingers, leaving him increasingly disheartened. It was evident, we were far from okay.


    Nothing was bing any better.


    While we managed to avoid bickering, I couldn''t shake the sense of hesitation emanating from Jacob. Our conversations had dwindled this week, a casualty of his relentless pursuit to mend what was broken, leaving little room for anything else. Our rtionship, it was not as before nowa€"the spark, it was withering away.


    A peculiar unease crept over me, a lingering suspicion that Jacob still harbored doubts, unspoken but deeply felt.


    But for now, the pressing concern was the duration of our journey back to normalcy. Were we ever going to have that life back? I didn''t know. The timeline remained uncertain, and I was prepared to stand by Jacob''s side for as long as it took. Leaving him wasn''t an option, and I doubted it was one he desired either.


    I''d rather die than let him go.


    Oh, and I forgot to mention somethinga€" Recently, I noticed a hip sk with him, a rarity that hinted at recent liking to alcohol. Though tempted to inquire, I restrained myself. If alcohol offered him sce in these tough times, I was willing to turn a blind eye. Besides, I trusted myself to recognize if his drinking became excessive. That was a bridge we could cross if needed.


    "Things are slipping out of hand, ra," I exhaled into the phone, running my hand down to my mouth, "The media''s filled with unfounded rumours about Jacob, each one worse than thest. It''s unbearable to see him like this. They are fucking ruining his image."


    "Take a breath, Evelyn," ra''s voice soothed. "We''reing back to America, and then we''ll head to Italy next week. Hang in there, sweetheart. We know it''s tough seeing Jacob struggle, but shit happens, we can''t stop the problems and I believe in youa€" you both can weather this storm together."


    "I''m trying, ra," I confessed. "But I fear Jacob will push me away. He doesn''t want me to shoulder his burdens; he wants me to have the best, but in doing so, he forgets I want to be there for him. If I walk away during this crisis, I''ll never forgive myself."


    "I understand, darling," ra murmured, her tone gentle. "But keep calm. Rtionships aren''t smooth sailing, Evie. Doubts will arise, problems will surface, sometimes, you might even hate seeing each other''s faces, and sometimes you''d even want to walk away but that doesn''t mean love has faded. Exercise patience, and handle things delicately. Don''t rush into decisions. Give it time, and if necessary, give Jacob space to find his footing. Men aren''t infallible, Evie. They''re most vulnerable in their weakest moments. Approach everything with care, alright?"


    "I''m trying my best, ra. Believe me, I am," I confessed, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. "I just hope everything returns to how it once was. I can''t bear to see Jacob endure this turmoil any longer. I just hopea€"" The sound of the door creaking interrupted me, prompting me to halt. "ra, I think Jacob''s here. I''ll catch up with youter. Take care."


    "Goodbye, Evie. You take care too. We''ll be there soon."


    With that, I ended the call, setting the phone down just as the door swung open, revealing Jacob. He looked drained, and weary, his disheveled hair and somber gaze telling a tale of disappointment.


    My face fell.


    Clearly, things hadn''t gone well.


    Forcing a smile, he shrugged off his coat and greeted me with a subdued "Hey."


    My heart softened at his effort, and without a word, I crossed the room and enveloped him in a hug, my hand soothingly tracing circles on his back. My poor Jacoba€|.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "It''s alright..." I murmured, knowing all too well from his expression that his meeting with thewyers hadn''t yielded positive oues.


    He returned the embrace, his tense frame gradually rxing as he nestled his face into my neck, his arms encircling my waist and drawing me closer. "I''m sorry..." His voice was heavy with guilt. "I''m failing."


    "You''re not failing," I countered softly, my fingers gently stroking his hair, offering reassurance. "It''s just a rough patch, and it''ll pass. Don''t worry."


    "What if things don''t improve?" His


    question pierced my heart, the pain of witnessing his struggle


    el


    unbearable. He had poured his heart and soul into building his dreams, only to have them dashed in a matter of days. I despised what that despicable piece of shit had done to him, but what could I do for Jacob? My hands were tied. He refused even a loan from his father, let alone mine, and I couldn''t push him, knowing his fragile state of mind.


    He was incredibly fragile at the moment, and I knew I had to tread carefully, as delicately as one would on eggshells.


    "Things will improve," I asserted,


    pulling back to meet his gaze, my fingers tenderlybing through his hair. "Life isn''t a bed of roses,


    Jacob, but it''s not a bed of thornset


    either. We''ll find our happiness again, even


    even if we have to build it from scratch. You have the r¨¦silience to rebuild tenfold what you''ve lost. It''s just a matter of time. So, keep pushing forward. We know what we''re capable of if reiming it isn''t an option."


    He sighed, leaning in to press a kiss on my forehead. "I don''t know what I''d do without you," he murmured, cing another kiss on my temple. "Have you eaten anything yet?"


    "No, I was waiting fora€""


    Before I could finish, his phone rang. An unknown caller ID shed on the screen, and I noticed the slightest hesitation in his movements before he nced at me. "Give me a second, baby."


    He disappeared onto the balcony, his conversation veiled in secrecy, his demeanorposed, revealing little to me. These unknown calls had begun to unnerve me after what happenedst time.


    After a brief exchange, he returned,


    his eyes meeting mine. "I have something urgent at work, baby. I need to go," he announced, and my heart sank. I struggled to believe his exnation. "Please, have your dinner, alright?" He crossed the room to press a kiss on my lips.


    Was it really work or something else?


    It might not bea€|.


    "Do you really have to leave?" My words faltered.


    I had a sinking feeling this wasn''t just about work.


    "Yes, I do, baby," he replied, sounding slightly hesitant. "But I''ll try to return soon. Take care of yourself while I''m gone, okay?" With onest smile, he exited the apartment, slipping on his coat.


    Without a second thought, I grabbed my own over-coat and hurried after him.


    Call me foolish, but after what transpiredst time, I couldn''t take any chances. I needed to check on him myself.


    As I reached the street, I spotted his car pulling onto the main road. I hailed a cab, urgency coursing through me.


    "Follow that car."

 Chapter 127 Nothings The Same

    Chapter 127 Nothing''s The Same


    Evelyn


    As the cab trailed behind his car, my surprise morphed into apprehension when it bypassed his office without halting. Suspicion intertwined with worry as God, the memory of the past incident loomedrge in my mind,"I dreaded the notion of enduring such turmoil again, especially with the weight of our current struggles pressing down upon us. Tyler had spared no effort in tarnishing his image, and the mere prospect of history repeating itself threatened to shatter Jacob irreparably.


    I couldn''t let that happen, at all costs.


    Amidst the whirlwind of my thoughts, my gaze remained fixed on his car up ahead, witnessing ite to a halt in front of a hotel. He stepped out, prompting me to urge the cab driver to pull over a few feet away, ensuring we remained unnoticed, a request he thankfully obliged.


    I hastily settled the fare, striving to keep him in sight as he disappeared into the hotel.


    Why would he be at a hotel?


    Was he meeting someone? Damn it, this situation was spiraling out of control.


    Regardless, I trailed after him, striving to maintain a low profile, noticing his unusualck of awareness of his surroundings,"uncharacteristic for Jacob, who typically had a keen eye for his environment. Today, however, he seemed lost in his own thoughts.


    What was happening to him? He seemed....drunk.


    Had he drunk all the way to the hotel? God, no!


    I observed him pause at the reception desk, engaging in conversation with the receptionist. Though I couldn''t hear their exchange, her gestures indicated a room number, likely on the third floor,"possibly 326, if I deciphered correctly from the subtle movements of her lips.


    He nodded in acknowledgment, likely expressing gratitude, before proceeding to the elevator. As the doors closed, I hurriedly entered the adjacent lift, selecting the third floor, cing my faith in luck and intuition.


    My nerves frayed, emotions roiling within, consumed by a potent blend of worry and curiosity. Deep within, I grappled with the fear of who might be waiting for him at the hotel, driving him to deceive me. The specter of his past deceit haunted me, a stark reminder of his vulnerability in times of decision-making. I couldn''t bear to witness him stumble into another folly, not now, not ever.


    If I didn''t stop him from fucking it up, then who would?


    The lift doors parted, and as they did, Jacob came into view, heading towards room 334. Well, it seemed I misread the receptionist''s lips afterall spying on a grown man wasn''t exactly my forte.


    He knocked on the door, and momentster it swung open, allowing him entry.


    My heart raced, urging me to move closer. As luck would have it, the door was ajar, invitingly open, as if the upant inside couldn''t be bothered to secure it.


    Could this be another trap set by Tyler? Another ploy for scandal?


    No way!


    I couldn''t let that happen.


    With cautious steps and jittery hands, I grasped the door handle and eased it open, the murmurs of two voices reaching my ears. A shiver ran down my spine as I recognized the voice other than Jacob''s.


    Entering the room, my body trembled, my heart pounding against my ribs, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead. The sight before me froze me in ce, my soul seemingly departing with each caress of their lips, his fingers tightly entwined in her hair.


    God!


    Was this real or a nightmare?


    Losing my bnce, I staggered backward, struggling to breathe. Colliding with a table. He finally snapped out of the daze at the sound, his gaze meeting mine with a look of shock.


    "Oh, Evelyn!" Chloe''s voice broke the tension, a smirk ying on her lips as she wiped her mouth, "What a pleasant surprise!"


    This was real! not any nightmare.


    They kissed...


    He kissed her.


    Breathe, Evelyn. Just breathe...


    My chest tightened, my throat constricted, and I felt as though I were suffocating. Was this what dying felt like?


    "Evelyn...." Jacob''s voice trembled with horror, guilt clouding his eyes as he attempted to approach me. I instinctively recoiled, extending a shaky hand to halt him.


    Tears welled up, streaming down my cheeks. Yet, inexplicably, the sobs remained trapped within me, somewhere inside my chest, at some corner closer to my heart, the pain too intense to articte.


    How do you put pain in words? The pain of being torn from within?


    The agony of betrayal, both


    emotional and physical, defies description It''s a visceral ache that gnaws at the soul, tearing through every fiber of one''s being. Words feel inadequate, like trying to contain a tempest in a teacup. I didn''t want to understand it because I knew no amount of words could encapste the torment I felt at that moment.


    "Stay away from me," the words escaped my trembling lips as I sought support against the console. I attempted to steady my ragged breaths, to gather the shattered pieces of myself, but the tears flowed relentlessly.


    So this was the purpose of his visit? To have sex with this woman?


    Why couldn''t I fucking ept it? Why did my love for him overshadow the trust I had in myself?


    Why was it all so agonizingly difficult?


    "So...So this is why you came here, Jacob?" I questioned, a bitter chuckle escaping despite my efforts as I regarded him. His expression betrayed nothing but guilt, his eyes pleading to convey a thousand apologies his mouth couldn''t articte. "To have... to have sex with this woman?" My voice quivered with anguish.


    "What else does it seem like to you?" Chloe interjected, her tone dripping with malice. "Isn''t it obvious? I warned you, didn''t I? He''d alwayse crawling back to me. Besides, who would choose a dull, inexperienced, young girl like you over me? You''re nothing, Evelyn. Utterly worthless and¡ª¡° Before she could finish her vile tirade, Jacob swiftly turned towards her, his hand closing around her throat, squeezing the life out of her. "If you dare utter another word, Chloe..." His voice was low,ced with a dangerous edge as he pinned her against the wall, "I swear to God, I''ll fucking kill you right here, right now."


    Fear flickered in Chloe''s eyes as she struggled against his grip, gasping for breath. Momentster, Jacob released her, and she crumpled to the ground, coughing and wheezing, the stark reality of her mortality dawning upon her.


    "Evelyn, listen to me..." Jacob''s voice trailed after me as he approached, but I didn''t give him a chance to speak. Without hesitation, Inded a tight p across his cheek.


    There was no room for another sob story.


    No. I''d endured enough. I didn''t care about the exnations or the stories behind his actionsa€"I cared about what I witnessed, what I saw with my own eyes: him kissing another woman. That was all that mattered.


    1


    "I''ve had enough of your excuses, Jacob. I''ve tried everything, I tried to understand you, tried to support you, sacrificed my own life for you, went back to you again and again even when you pushed me away, I seethed, my anger simmering at its peak "I fucking gave my all to be the person you could lean on, and this... this is how you repay me? By stabbing me in the back and being here with this woman who''s hell-bent on destroying us?! Is this what I get?! Is this what I get for loving you?!"


    "It''s not what it looks like, Evelyn. That kiss...it didn''t mean anything," His words stumbled out, his speech slurred, as if he were intoxicated. It only fueled my rage. "I can exin. Please, just listen."


    "I don''t need your fucking exnation, Jacob. I''ve seen enough," I dered, dismissing him with a wave of my hand. "And thank you. Thank you for opening my eyes. I''ve been blind, thinking you needed me, when all along, all you wanted was this woman. Be with her. We''re over!"


    ¡°Evie, please, just listen,"" He reached out for my hand, but I jerked it away, my eyes zing with fury.


    "Don''t even try to touch me. You''ve lost that right."


    With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the hotel room, feeling his presence trailing behind me as he pleaded for a chance to speak. I entered the elevator, and he attempted to follow.


    "No, don''t!"R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    He froze just outside the elevator, hesitant to take another step forward, as the doors slowly closed, separating us. My sobs echoed in the empty lift,


    my knees threatening to buckle beneath me, tears streaming down my cheeks.


    I still couldn''t fathom why he chose to kiss that woman.


    He imed he had no feelings for her...


    He said it...


    God! How do I navigate this emotional battlefield, where my heart urged me to drown in its dark abyss?


    Just as I felt myself unraveling, my phone buzzed in my pocket. With trembling hands, I retrieved it and saw an unknown number. For a moment, I hesitated to answer, but against my better judgment, I found myself swiping to ept the call.


    "Hello."


    "I told you before, didn''t I? You don''t


    deserve to be needed; you deserve to be desired, And I can make you


    mine, if you want," A chillingly familiar voice greeted me from the other end, sending shivers down my spine, not of desire, but of realization. ¡°Be mine, Evelyn. I can give you the whole world whereas Jacob can''t even give you a fraction


    of it."


    "Send me your address, Tyler."


    nov

 Chapter 128 I Am Staying

    Chapter 128 I Am Staying


    Evelyn


    It turned out that the address Tyler had given me led to a hotel, though a different one from where I''d stumbled upon my boyfriend locking lips with his ex-a sight as sweet as a lemon wedge in an open wound. Very very sweet indeed.


    Life seemed to have a knack for fucking with me from every angle, but hey, at least I was getting a firsthand tour of Rome''s swanky hotels and a crash course in Italian social dynamics.


    So far, the three Italians I''d encountered-Jacob Adriano, Tyler Ri, and Chloe the bitch-had left me less than impressed. Not that I was painting all Italians with the same tainted brush, but were they all cut from the same dysfunctional cloth? Hard to say. And frankly, I wasn''t sure I cared to find out.


    My experiences with Italians thus far had been nothing short of nightmarish and weirdly fucked-up. So, forgive me if I wasn''t exactly eager to cozy up to another Italian male, especially not the innocent, put-together types like Jacob, or the ones whose corruption oozed from their pores like Tyler. Rotten to the fucking core.


    Approaching the receptionist, I stered on my best fake smile. "Hi there, could you please tell me the room number for Mister Ri?"


    "Tyler, ma''am?" Her surprise was evident, and I could almost see the gears turning in her head. "Are you Evelyn?"


    Ah, so that slimy bastard had even managed to rope the receptionist into his little game.


    "Let me guess, this is his hotel?" I inquired dryly, and she nodded, her smile unwavering, as if thrilled to be the bearer of such invaluable information.


    "Yes, ma''am. This is his hotel, and you are most wee here," she chirped, handing over a keycard with practiced efficiency. "He left this for you. The suite''s on the tenth floor. Enjoy your stay, ma''am."


    "Thank you," I muttered, snatching the keycard and making a beeline for the elevator. With each passing floor, my anxiety skyrocketed. People entered and exited, oblivious to the turmoil churning inside me. Meanwhile, I stood there alone, having watched my world crumble, piece by agonizing piece, in someone else''s embrace.


    Regrets flooded my mind like a torrential downpour.


    God! Loving Jacob had been a profound error, a catastrophic misjudgment that eclipsed all other blunders of my existence.


    Why did I even fucking love him?


    As the lift doors parted, I drew in a steadying breath, feeling the mmy sheen on my palms. I approached suite number 837 with a head swirling with conflicting thoughts.


    Swiping the keycard, I pushed open the door, summoning every iota of resolve as I stepped inside. There he was, seated at the bar, pouring himself a ss of whiskey.


    "So you''re finally here..." His words slithered out without a nce backward. "Come, Be Donna, have a seat."


    Iplied with his request, but instead of perching on the stool beside him, I chose to stand opposite, leaning against the bar, fixing him with an unyielding stare. His appearance was as immacte as the first day Iid eyes on him-his shirt tailored to entuate his muscles and lean form, his hair meticulously styled with a few rebellious strands framing his forehead, all contributing to the fa?ade of a charming, attractive, and well- mannered man. Yet, it wasn''t his outward perfection that seized my attention; it was the reality lurking beneath a grotesque visage, concealed beneathyers of deception. This was the true Tyler Ri- rotten to the core.


    "You know I''ve been waiting for you," he finally acknowledged, raising the ss to his lips, his gaze unwavering. "And it was damn difficult to wait knowing what I was getting after you are here...and now you are finally here," He appraised me with a lecherous gleam, his tongue darting out to moisten his lips.


    "I can''t believe this day has finally arrived..." His chuckle danced through the air as he turned slightly, pouring another ss of whiskey before extending it to me. "Have a drink, Evelyn. It''ll help you forget about your so-called cheating boyfriend when I''m inside you."


    "Sure thing. Thanks-I think I could use one," I chuckled, epting the ss from his outstretched hand, sensing a smirk curling on his lips.


    "I''m always here to-" His hand lifted, perhaps to make contact, but before he could finish his sentence or touch me, I raised the ss and flung its contents directly into his face.


    Oh, so this is what they call peace?


    "You fucking piece of shit..." My words spat out, a torrent of pent-up rage and frustration unleashed. "Do you truly believe I''m here to bed you? Over my dead body, Tyler! You repulsive bastard!"


    His body tensed as the liquid struck him, his jaw clenching before he slowly rose to his feet, wiping away the whiskey with his hand. It was a sight to behold, witnessing his facade of gentility dissolve along with the whiskey, staining his pristine white shirt and disheveling his meticulously styled hair.


    "So, you are one who fucking


    orchestrated sending that woman to manipte Jacob''s desperation and stage a spectacle for me to witness," I seized his cor, pulling him closer, my gaze piercing into his. "What was your n, huh? Did you think I''d witness Jacob and Chloe kissing, and then willingly fall into bed with you for some twisted revenge scheme? I''m not a child, Tyler. And this little game you''ve started only proves that you''re nothing but a coward a pathetic, desperate, vile excuse for a human being who deserves to rot in hell. I''m not leaving Jacob, no matter what you do! Do you fucking understand me?!"


    He emitted a bitter chuckle at my words, scoffing disdainfully as he wiped the content from his face with his hand. "So you''re justifying his actions. Remarkable. I didn''t take you for such a naive woman, Evelyn. But you''ve proven me wrong quite foolish, aren''t you? Your boyfriend sneaks behind your back to kiss his ex, yet you''re finding ways to shift the me onto me?"


    "Because you''re the one to fucking me! I fucking know you and Chloe are scheming to tear Jacob and me apart, and won''t be fooled. I won''t believe you''re some knight in shining armor, the savior I need from the mess Jacob created," I dered loudly. "Listen to me, Tyler. I''m not leaving Jacob until myst breath-I''ll stand by him until he sorts everything out and gets back on his feet. So quit these games, stop wasting our energy, because it''s not going to work."


    "So you''re going to stay with a man who cheated on you?" he raised an eyebrow.


    "Yes, he made a mistake and if I am forgiving him or not, that''s upto me. But one thing, you should fucking know is that even if I am staying,I am staying with the man I fucking. love. And I''ve already figured out why he ended up with Chloe and kissed her I don''t need your version. More so, I don''t need you."


    "It doesn''t matter what I did, Be Donna. If he wanted to, he could have chosen not to kiss her."


    "Things don''t always go as nned,Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Tyler. I won''t judge him because if I


    were in his shoes, perhaps in desperation to piece his life back together and provide for his loved ones, I might have done the same thing, spat. "I love that man, Tyler. Do you fucking hear me? I fucking love him. And I''d die to keep him safe. So remember, if I can die, I won''t hesitate to kill you if you dare to y such games again. You''ve done enough already, enough to bring him down. Congrattions! Now get the fuck out of our lives."


    "I''ll be there every step of the way, Evelyn. Until you''re mine!"


    "Then you''ll always lose your way, Tyler, because the only destination I know is Jacob. I don''t need a thousand reasons to stay with him, I just need one, and I found it the day his lips met mine. I''ll hold onto that reason until the end. A thousand Tylers like you coulde our way, but I''ll be there, holding his hand. You can''t break us apart."


    He remained silent for a moment before speaking, his voice chilling, his eyes darkening. "Your decision, Be Donna... it''s going to make Jacob lose everything. And believe me, you''ll end up in my bed, one way or another. I''ll make sure of it."


    "Your games won''t work for long, Tyler," I chuckled bitterly. "The tables always turn. And I see your downfalling sooner than you think."


    With that, I turned and walked away.

 Chapter 129 Evermore

    Chapter 129 Evermore


    Evelyn


    My feet seemed to resist every step toward Jacob''s apartment. Every fiber of my being yearned to distance myself from him. Yet, I knew I had to go back. Despite the turmoil that life and Tyler had thrown our way, I understood Jacob''s desperation to find a solution.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Even though I wanted to me him entirely for kissing Chloe, I couldn''t.


    Taking a deep breath, I opened the apartment door and stepped inside. Jacob was pacing back and forth, his face damp, likely from sshing water on it-judging by the open tap at the sink. His movements were frantic as he continuously called, presumably for me.


    Well...My phone died halfway here. I''d received numerous calls from him during the taxi ride, but I couldn''t bring myself to answer.


    "God, Evelyn. Please pick up," he pleaded, his restlessness palpable.


    Just as he turned, perhaps to leave the apartment in search of me something he likely did multiple times judging by his disheveled appearance our eyes met.


    His eyes widened in surprise, but a momentter, his shoulders sagged in relief.


    "Baby..." he began to approach me, but I raised my hand and delivered a tight p across his face as if it had been itching to do so, just when he tried to hug me.


    Finally...peace


    His head turned from the force of the blow, reopening the small cut I had given him at the hotel while catching him with Chloe. After a moment, he looked at me, "Yes, I deserved it. But can we please " Before he could say anything more, Inded another p across his face.


    "You don''t deserve just a few ps. You deserve so much worse than that, you piece of shit," I seethed, grabbing him by his cors and pulling him closer, my gaze piercing into his eyes. "You fucking kissed her! Do you even fuckingprehend what I felt watching you kiss that bitch?! Do you even have an idea of what you did?!"


    "I''m sorry, baby..." he sighed, guilt evident in his eyes. "That kiss...please, trust me, it didn''t mean anything. I know I screwed up, but¡ª"


    "Yes, you fucking screwed up, again. Just like you did in America," I spat. "Just tell me one thing, Jacob. Just one thing, and I''m willing to forget it all, okay? Just tell me... when will you fucking stop letting your ex get into our lives? When are you ever going to do that?!"


    "Evelyn..." he sighed, his voice low, tears welling in his eyes. "I''m sorry. Trust me, I didn''t want to. It just¡ª"


    "I don''t care about your pathetic exnations. All I care about is what I saw," I interrupted. "You lied to me, went behind my back to meet that bitch, and kissed her! I can forgive all your mistakes, Jacob, except when it''s another woman!" Tears streamed down my cheeks, the emotional turmoil overwhelming me. And those moments kept reying in my mind-how his lips met hers. I couldn''t just forget it, and I doubted I ever would. "Baby, listen to me..." he cupped my face, drawing me closer, his fingers finding their way to my cheeks as he wiped away my tears.


    "No, let me go..." I tried to pull away, but he held me firmly, pulling me down to sit on the ground with him. He cradled the back of my head and gently rubbed my back.


    "I''m sorry..." he whispered, repeating the words continuously as his hand continued tofort me until the first sob wracked through my body. "You bastard..." I cried, my voice barely more than a whimper. "You kissed her!"


    "I''m sorry-I know it''s the worst thing I could have done. I''m sorry, and it''ll never happen again," he confessed, his voice heavy with remorse, and I hated how much I wanted to believe him already.


    "A sorry doesn''t fix it!" I pulled away to look at him. "You let her fucking touch you. You let her have what was mine. You gave my right to someone else, even if it was just for a moment-what matters is that-you still fucking did it. I might never be able to forget it. Forgiving often creates a wall that never goes away. Do you understand what you''ve done? I could have decided to sleep with Tyler out of revenge, out of the same desperation like you. What would have happened to us then? Do you understand how dangerous your desperation can be for us?"


    He stayed silent for a few moments, his shoulders slumped, his eyes teary as he let out a trembling sigh. "I don''t know how to fix this, Evie. I... don''t know. And it''s tearing me apart to even think about what I''ve done. But trust me, that kiss didn''t mean anything know it doesn''t make it any better to say so, but it''s the truth. She called me, telling me she had proof of how Tyler spread those false media reports and paid female employees in mypany to lie that I''d touched them inappropriately. I was desperate, dying to make things better for us, drunk, and not thinking straight, so I agreed to kiss her. And it happened because of that-not a single part of my body enjoyed it, Evie. I hated it from the moment my lips touched hers. It was sickening, it made me feel sick to my core. Please forgive me, baby..." he sniffled, grasping my hands, his tears falling on the back of my hand,


    twisting my heart. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    God...


    I knew he wasn''t lying. His eyes had never lied, and just like every other time, today too, his eyes told the truth.


    "Is this the whole truth?" I found myself asking. "Are you hiding anything else from me?"


    "I swear on my dead mother, Evie. I''m not keeping anything from you," he promised. "Please trust me one more time, baby. Just once more."


    Should I forgive him just like that? Forgiving him wouldn''t erase the scene from my mind-it would linger for days, maybe months, or even years. But what was I supposed to do? Push him away and be another of his problems instead of his home?


    No. I refused to be his problem. We had our whole lives to work through these issues, but in this tough time, if I let go of his hand because of my anger and pain, I''d never forgive myself.


    "It''s okay," I finally sighed, extending my arms. "Come here."


    Without hesitation, Jacob embraced me, pulling me as close as he could, and burying his face into my chest "I''m sorry..." he sniffled, "I know screwed up again. And I know an apology won''t fix it, but I''m sorry. I''m so fucking sorry, Evelyn." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "It''s okay," I assured him, pushing his hair back and cing a kiss atop his head, rubbing his back. "We''re okay."


    "Please don''t leave me," his voice trembled. "I won''t make it without you by my side. Please."


    "I''ll never leave you, Jacob," I whispered. "From the moment I realized I loved you, I was there to stay and I will be there. Always and forever. Evermore."

 Chapter 130 A Promise

    Chapter 130 A Promise


    Jacob


    "This is ourst hope," he whispered, his voice tinged with a mixture of hope and anxiety, "We have a witness who can testify against those women using me of harassment in the office. All those fake texts and edited videos spreading through the media, it could alle to an end if this n suceeds."


    "Everything''s going to be fine," I reassured him, reaching out to gently squeeze his hand. "Let''s hope for the best."


    "If things go as nned, I''ll get mypany back, and even if I can''t prove Tyler''s behind it all, just getting back on the field will be a victory for now," he sighed, standing up and slipping on his shirt.


    I covered my naked body with the duvet, pressing my back against the headboard as I took a deep breath. I was nervous. I desperately hoped everything would return to normal. Seeing Jacob weighed down by this constant gloom-it tore me fucking apart. I was ready to face any struggle with him, but I knew Jacob wasn''t prepared for this fight. He didn''t deserve to struggle after everything he''d worked so hard to build had been unjustly taken from him.


    He truly didn''t deserve to be going through all of it.


    "I''ll pray for us."


    He shed me the softest of smiles in response before leaning in to kiss my lips gently. "I love you," he murmured.


    Returning his smile, I pulled him back in for another kiss, deepening it as my fingers tangled in his soft silky hair. His lips against me, this feeling, this was enough for me to fight the toughest of storms. After a moment, we parted, and I rested my forehead against his.


    "Are you sure you don''t want me toe with you?" I asked softly. "I could join you. It''s not a big deal."


    He let out a sigh and settled beside me, cupping my face in his hands, his touch gentle against my cheekbones. "I know what you''re worried about, and trust me, I won''t screw anything up again," he murmured, his eyes filled with understanding. "Mywyer and I are meeting with that woman today, and hopefully, things will go smoothly. Plus, we''ve gathered evidence proving these allegations are false. By the day of the hearing, we''ll have enough proof to show I''ve been set up."


    "Okay," I replied after a moment of silence, leaning in to press a kiss to his forehead, feeling the tension in his body ease at the touch of my lips. "I love you," I whispered.


    "I''ll be back soon," he murmured, his thumbs caressing my cheeks. "Wait for me."


    "Always," I replied with a smile, which he returned before getting up, grabbing his coat, and walking out of the room.


    ***


    I waited, my eyes glued to the clock, anxiety gnawing at my insides. Nearly five hours had passed since he left, and it was starting to bother me. It wasn''t supposed to take this long. Was I overthinking? Was I being stupid, imagining the worst scenarios where he got caught up in trouble again? | tried to stay sane, but the worry crept in nheless.


    I battled with my thoughts, my phone clutched tightly in my hand.


    Should I call him?


    But what if he''s busy? What if I end up disturbing him?


    Man! I had no idea how long legal matters took. There could be procedures and lengthy meetings with thewyer, or it could simply be nothing and prove to be that Jacob was in trouble again. But my mind kept racing with possibilities, each one more unsettling than thest.


    God! This was enough.


    "Maybe I should just call him," I muttered to myself, scrolling through my contacts and tapping on his name to make the call. It rang once before the front door of the apartment opened, and Jacob walked in.


    My eyes snapped to the doorway, hope flickering in my chest as I stood up, a smile spreading across my face. But it faltered when I saw his expression.


    I didn''t know. I was an overthinker, and I''d always fucking overthink, no matter what.


    My eyes darted to the doorway, finding him entering the room while I remained seated on the sofa. I quickly cut the call, standing up and dashing towards him, a hopeful smile stered on my face. "I was just about to call you..." I began, moving to pull him in a tight hug, but my smile faltered as I noticed his expression.


    Oh no...


    "Please don''t tell me something went wrong..." I slowly whispered, my voice shaking whilst my hands dropping to my sides.


    Silently, without uttering a single


    word, he shrugged off his coat, the fabric whispering as it cascaded to the ground. With a hesitant stillness, he approached the sofa, his


    l.n


    movements carrying an unspoken weight. Each step seemed toecho in the emptiness of the room until, with a heavy sigh, he sank onto the cushions, burying his face in his hands.


    So something went wrong...


    I approached his side, taking a seat beside him, unsure of how to start a conversation or if I should start one at all.


    I didn''t fucking know. He definitely didn''t look okay.


    "Hey," I began softly, reaching out to grab his hand and pull it away from his face, intertwining our fingers. "It''s okay..."


    He remained silent, his eyes speaking volumes, telling me that something didn''t just go wrong-it went terribly wrong. It was as if the weight of the world was now on his shoulders, pressing him down, making it hard for him to breathe.


    I pulled him into a hug, sighing softly as he held onto me tightly, his trembling voice breaking the heavy silence.


    "I am doomed, Evelyn. Everything''s ruined..."


    I didn''t say anything, simply holding him tighter as his chin rested on my shoulder and he buried his face into my neck "We''ve lost ourst chance Tyler bribed thewyer, a all the evidence my team gathered has been destroyed. The witness has been sent out of the country, and there''s no way to contact her. We''re trapped, perhaps forever."


    Oh god...


    My throat tightened as his first sniffle broke the silence. "What do I do, Evelyn? I''ve lost everything I''ve built over the years. All those sleepless nights, the hard work, the years... it''s all gone to waste."


    Don''t cry, Evelyn...


    DON''T CRY!


    "It''s okay," I whispered, moving to cup his face and make him look at me. I wiped away his tears, struggling to steady my own trembling voice. "We''ll rebuild. You''re a fighter, Jacob, and fighters don''t give up, do they?"


    "I don''t have it in me, Evelyn. I... don''t," he admitted, his voice heavy with despair. I don''t think I can deal with this anymore. Seeing you like this, watching Mom and Dad all the time, these shitty days...! can''t


    Handle it. Having nothirryBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    makes me feel as helpless ast was when my father used to beat my mom, and I could only watch. You don''t know what these situations are doing to me-I never liked feeling helpless, because it only brings back memories of my past. I can''t even exin it. It sounds like nonsense, but it''s... it''s-"


    "Shh..." I pressed my forehead against his, my breath mingling with his. "I understand. It''s okay... I know what you''re talking about. I know it all."


    He remained silent for a few moments, his body tense, his breathing ragged, betraying his inner turmoil.


    "You should leave me, Evelyn. I''m afraid I''d ruin everything..." he finally whispered, his voice heavy with despair. "I don''t trust myself anymore. This... all of this, it''s too much."


    There he goes again with those words.


    God! I wished I could make him believe that no matter how he was, no matter the state of his life or the circumstances, I only fucking needed him. No one else. Nothing else.


    "I''m not leaving you, ever," I said softly, my voice unwavering. "I''m staying. No matter what you be, no matter how everything turns out, even if we end up on the streets. I''m still staying."


    "Evelyn... I''m not good for you. Please, listen to me. Let''s not think emotionally and-"


    "I swear to god, if you bring this up one more time, I''m going to fucking kill you," I interrupted, my voice still soft as I wiped away his tears. "Now, shut


    up."


    As tears streamed down his cheeks, his vulnerability hung in the air, fragile like ss. Each word I uttered had the potential to either mend his broken spirit or deepen his wounds.


    It fucking hurt me to see him like this, in so much of the same pain that I wanted to shield him from.


    "Come here," I pulled him close, and once again, he buried his face into my neck, silently crying and letting go of the tears that I knew he didn''t want me to see. "Everything''s going to be okay, Jacob. I promise you."

 Chapter 131 Losing It All

    Chapter 131 Losing It All


    Evelyn


    I slipped into the robe, moving quietly so as not to disturb Jacob as he had finally drifted off to sleep after a long hour of reassurances. Truth be told, I wasn''t entirely sure what I was reassuring him about-I was simply trying to shield him from the pain. And if the truth was the source of his suffering, then I''d shield him from it. He didn''t need to face it if it meant enduring even more agony.


    Picking up the packet of Jacob''s cigarettes and his lighter from the table, I made my way to the balcony. Leaning against the railing, I retrieved a cigarette, lit it up, and ced it between my lips.


    Yes, this was basically my first time smoking, but I already knew I could handle it judging by the extreme amount of stress pressing down on me right


    now.


    As I took the first drag, the ashy, bitter taste of the smoke stroked my throat, and I exhaled slowly through my mouth and nose.


    Well...


    No wonder ra smoked when she was stressed. This shit definitely felt like an escape.


    I took another drag, tapping the ash onto the railing carelessly.


    Opening the recent news on the web, my chest tightened as I saw news rted to Jacob everywhere. The fucking media... they ruined it for us more than Tyler did. Of course, they were paid to do so. I scrolled through, frustration building with every headline that popped up.


    "Fuck that bastard," I muttered, exhaling the smoke.


    Lost in my own thoughts, struggling to find a way out of this nightmare Tyler Ri had created for us, my phone suddenly buzzed. With the advantage of it already being in my hand, I quickly silenced it, ncing back at the room to make sure I hadn''t woken Jacob.


    Looking at the phone screen, I saw the number was private.


    "Not again," I groaned before reluctantly picking up the call.


    "What the fuck do you want now, you piece of shit?" I snapped the moment I answered.


    "Well, not even a hello?" He chuckled, his voice grating on my nerves. If there was anything I''d love to hear or see, it was him choking on his own blood. "Quite the hot-headed one, aren''t we?"


    "I''m not here to chat with you at this fucking hour, Tyler. You can fuck off!"


    Just as I was about to end the call, he spoke up again. "Tell me the reason for why such a beautifuldy is smoking at this hour, and I''ll hang up." Wait, what?


    My body froze.


    That bastard could see me...


    For a moment, I was speechless, not knowing how to respond. The fact that he could fucking see me made me feel ufortable and terrified at the same time.


    I found myself looking around, searching for any signs of him in nearby apartments, but there were none.


    "You can''t see me, Be Donna," his voice came through the phone, making me flinch. "But I can. I have to admit, even from afar, you look as exquisite as ever."


    "I can report you to the police for stalking me like this, Tyler. And then you''ll have no less of a scandal than the one you trapped Jacob into." "And I can buy the police like I have countless times," he mused. "So drop these idle threats. They''re not going to work on me."


    "They''re not just idle threats, you piece of shit. You y the social media game quite well, don''t you? Stir up some drama and then sit back. Well, I can y that game too. You think the media wouldn''t love a juicy scandal for more clicks and views? I could easily y the victim card and gain sympathy, while you''d be caught in a scandal. I doubt that would bode well for Ri Corporation, now would it?"


    "I''ll hand it to you, you''re sharp," he chuckled. "But let''s be real here. You know you''re not going to pull any of that because you understand how much worse I''ll make it for your precious boyfriend if you do. So, let''s cut to the chase for now."


    Before I could speak, his voice cut through. "I called you tonight to give you an offer, Evelyn. A fair one that could help you save both your lives from a lot of pain and separation."


    "And what makes you think I''ll agree to anything you have to offer?"


    "Because that would be the wisest move right now," he continued with a twisted smile. "The smartest choice for you, as I''m on the brink of stripping everything from both of you, is to spend one night with me and reim all that I''ve already taken away."


    This bastard...


    "Spend one night with me, Evelyn. And in return, I promise, you''d have every single penny back that I''ve snatched from your boyfriend."


    Over my dead body will I ever sleep with him.


    "And here''s some fair advice for you, Tyler. Shove your ridiculous offer right up your ass, and get the hell out of my life." "You''re making a mistake, darling," he cooed. "It''s only going to put Jacob in more trouble."


    "Whatever obstaclese our way, we''ll face them together. You might think you can tear us apart, but you''re mistaken. You won''t win. I won''t let you win. So, bring on whatever schemes you have up your sleeve. I''m standing by Jacob, and you won''ty a finger on me. Remember this-you''ll never have control over me."


    With that, I cut the call.


    ***


    I sat in the bedroom, anxious and fumbling with my fingers as I heard the conversation between Jacob and the investors who had bothered to show up at our ce.


    "So what''s your n, Mr. Adriano? What do you suggest? We twiddle our thumbs while you try to sort out your mess, knowing full well there''s no way you''ll ever recover from what you''ve done? You''ve screwed over your employees. It''s not our concern to sit idly by, hoping you''ll magically bounce back. We want our money back, and we want it pronto."


    God! They were all jumping at him like hyenas.


    I found myself standing up and creaking the door slightly to have a view of the scene. Jacob stood opposite them, taking in all their frustration and shouting.


    My poor Jacob...


    "I am not suggesting anything. I am just asking all of you for a little bit of time until I get things sorted. And besides, those news, those are just allegations. I just need to find a way to prove that I have been set up," he said.


    "Nobody''s going to buy into this ''set


    up'' story after everything we''ve witnessed," the man in the impably tailored white suit


    interjected, his British ent


    dripping with skepticism. "Last


    st time


    you bounced back, you didn''t have


    nearly as much on the line asy


    you do


    now. But with your projects halted, and assets seized, you''re in a bind. You''re out of funds and out of


    options to dig yourself out of this mess."


    "Moreover, our alliance was purely business. With yourpany tanking and assets frozen, there''s no incentive for us to linger. So, fork over our damn money-we need it to invest in more promising ventures and turn a profit, not drown in debt," another man chimed in.


    "I''m not saying I won''t pay you back, for fuck''s, just calm down," he finally snapped. "All I''m asking for is a little more time to sort things out. It''s not a small amount we''re talking about here. I owe you all millions, and my bank ounts could be frozen at any moment. I need to take care of that first before I can repay you!"


    "God, Guarda il suo atteggiamento,"


    the one who appeared younger than the rest chuckled. "You''re the one in debt to us, yet you''re the one throwing a tantrum? Impressive, Mr. Adriano, You''ve hit rock bottom. You''re on the edge of homeless and yet your ego remains intact," he rose to his feet. "Let me offer you some sound advice: starbbehaving like a decent human being because soon enough, that''s all you''ll be. You''re no longer a millionaire. Tyler really did a number on you this time."


    My eyes widened with realization.


    So, these people were here because of that bastard...


    He was behind it again.


    "So he was the one who sent you," Jacob lowly chuckled. "No wonder why, out of all the investors, you six decided to show up here."


    "Even if he has, it''s still none of your damn business. We''re here for one thing only¡ªour money back, pronto," the younger man interjected sharply. "So quit yapping like a mutt and cough up what you owe."


    No, this was not going to end well.


    "Listen up, you worthless piece of shit," Jacob growled, his temper ring as he seized the man''s cor, pulling him close. "Just because I owe you money doesn''t give you the right to treat me like garbage. You dare disrespect me again, and I''ll make sure you fucking regret it for the rest of your


    sorry existence."


    "What are you going to do, huh?"


    "I am gonna tear you down into pieces."


    "Oh shit..." I ran out of the room, quickly reaching Jacob, brushing past those men, and grabbing Jacob''s hands.


    "Jacob, stop it."


    "I might have lost mypany, but I haven''t lost myself. And let me tell you, I won''t think twice about greasing some palms and giving you a taste of


    your own medicine," Jacob spat with venom. "After all, society has already pped me with everybel in the book-criminal, womanizer, you name it. So why not be it?"


    God! He was uttering nonsense again, and judging by the smirk on that man''s face, I knew this was what he wanted. God knew if any of them had any hidden cameras on them or not.


    "Jacob, please calm down..." I pleaded. "Don''t do this-please."


    "You should listen to your woman, Mr. Adriano," another man spoke up. "After all, she seems smarter than you."


    Jacob''s dangerous stare fixated on him made me scared; he wanted to hit him-I just knew it.


    "Listen up, Mr. Adriano. You think


    you''re ready to throw down? Sure, you might have the muscle for a fistfight, but in the arena of wealth I''ve got the upper hand. With one stroke of my pen, I could buy up everything you hold dear. So in the long haul, you''re fighting a losing battle. My advice? Take a cue from yourdy friend and loosen your grip on my cor before it''s toote."


    "Jacob, listen to me..." I whispered, desperate. "He wants you to hit him. Trust me. He wants just that don''t let him win. Let him go. Please. For


    God''s sake-let him go."


    I saw his muscles stiffen, his veins protruding on the side of his neck and forehead, and his hands-he wanted nothing more than just to rip him apart


    -I could tell.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "Jacob, please..." I begged, and a few momentster what seemed like an eternity, he finally let go of his cors.


    "All of you, get the fuck out of my apartment," he spat. "Right now!"


    "Sure thing, we''ll wait," the man replied with a malicious glint in his eyes. "But just a little reminder for you, Mr. Adriano-you''ve got three days to


    cough up our money. Otherwise, you''ll be spending some quality time behind bars. So, best of luck." With that, he strolled past Jacob, leaving the


    apartment.


    "The clock''s ticking. You better hurry," the British one chuckled before he followed suit and walked out with the rest of them.


    As they left, I looked at him. "Jacob..."


    "I need a few moments alone, Evie. Please excuse me," he said before walking into the bedroom and mming the door shut.


    A sigh slipped past my lips as he went out of my sight, and I dropped onto the couch. I had to do something....


    Things were getting out of hand.


    I grabbed my phone and dialed Bianca''s number. As she picked up, I spoke, "Ho bisogno del tuo aiuto, Bianca."

 Chapter 132 I Am Never Going To Be Yours

    Chapter 132 I Am Never Going To Be Yours


    Evelyn


    My hands trembled as I dialed his number, the early morning light casting a dim glow through the curtains. Jacoby asleep, unknown of the turmoil raging inside me, cocooned beneath the duvet. I had tucked him in just moments ago, my heart heavy with the weight of what I was about to do.


    I didn''t know what the fuck I was doing. All I knew was that it had to be done, and it had to be done right.


    The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before he finally answered, his voice thick with sleep. "Hello?"


    So, the bastard was indeed sleeping. Probably in some other woman''s bed, given his notorious reputation. I was sure he had different women depending on the days.


    "Hello, this is Evelyn," I forced out, trying to keep my voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside me.


    "Evelyn?" There was a note of surprise in his groggy voice.


    "Yes, it''s me. Though it''s a wonder you don''t recognize my voice, considering your apparent obsession with the idea of sleeping with me." "Well, it''s not that I don''t recognize your voice, Be Donna. It''s just that I didn''t expect you to call me at this ungodly hour, especially before I''ve had the chance to send the bigger bombs your way," he chuckled, his cockiness oozing through the phone line, making my skin crawl. "But, pray tell, what has prompted this early morning call?"


    "I don''t have time to answer your questions right now. Just give me your address," I demanded, my grip on the railing tightening until my knuckles turned white. I couldn''t believe I was actually going through with this. The mere thought of it made me sick to my stomach.


    "Anything for you, my love," he replied smoothly. "Take note: Via del Corso, 123, 00186 Roma."


    "I''ll be there this evening."


    "I''ll be waiting," he said, his voice dripping with anticipation, a sickening smirk evident even over the phone.


    ***


    Donning the scarlet elegance of Jacob''s chosen dress, I found myself in a paradoxical situation, wearing something intended for moments far removed from this one. Yet, necessity demanded it, pushing me into the arms of a man I abhorred from the depths of my being. I still couldn''t believe that I was doing this.


    Why was I doing this? Well, I guess it was no secret-I needed to save Jacob from more pain.


    With each swipe of crimson lipstick and the soft click of pearls settling around my neck, I grappled with the weight of my actions. Betraying Jacob''s trust gnawed at my conscience, a bitter pill swallowed in the face of an unforgiving reality.


    Jacob wasn''t at home. He had gone out, presumably for a meeting with his business associates, likely in search of thest remaining pieces of evidence that could help him navigate out of this perilous situation. However, I doubted Tyler Ri would let that happen. From what I had gathered about him, he wasn''t the type to yield easily. At any cost, if he desired something, he would go to great lengths to attain it even if it meant destroying someone''s whole world¡ªthat''s what he did to us-he destroyed us. With just a snap of his fingers.


    Unfortunately, my misfortuney inR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    the fact that Tyler Ri wanted me, and in his pursuit, he was


    .n


    systematically dismantling the life of the most precious person to me-Jacob. Whether it was a cruel twist of fate or simply Tyler''s malevolent nature, the fact remained that out of all the women in the world, he had fixated his gaze upon me. I couldn''t attribute it solely to my own allure; I knew that another reason for his obsessiony in his perverse desire to strip everything away from Jacob. He derived pleasure from witnessing Jacob''s destruction, and piece by piece, that''s precisely what he was achieving.


    If I didn''t intervene, he would soon erode the very foundation of the rtionship between Jacob and me until there was nothing left. Tyler possessed formidable power-I was acutely aware of that. To wrest that power from him, I would need to offer him something in return, or perhaps....y yet another game, akin to his own.


    Taking a deep breath, steeling myself for whaty ahead, I stepped out of the apartment, rode the elevator down, hailed a cab, and directed the driver to Tyler''s estate. As the cab pulled up to the property, I couldn''t help but notice the ostentatious disy of wealth-a manifestation of his wickedness both in its d¨¦cor and its owner-meticulously arranged and eerily perfect.


    However, I had little interest in the grandeur surrounding me; my mind was consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and anxieties. I didn''t want to embark on this path, but I saw no other recourse I had to save Jacob.


    I stepped out of the cab, and as I stood before the entrance, the guard promptly demanded my identity.


    This bastard was a simple businessman yet his security measures rivaled those of a mafia boss. Shitty little bastard.


    After disclosing my name, his eyebrows shot up in surprise before he reluctantly granted me entry. One of the guards escorted me inside, summoning a maid to guide me through the sprawling mansion. As we ascended the grand staircase, a looming figure of a master bedroom emerged at the convergence of both staircases, its door tightly shut.


    "Mr. Tyler is waiting for you, Miss," the maid announced with practiced politeness. "Please proceed."


    I emitted a sharp breath, steeling my


    My


    nerves as my hands clenched tightly around my purse. I fought to suppress the rising tide of nervousness threatening to overwhelm me. But despite my efforts, it was consuming me. mind raced, unable to focus on anything other than Jacob''s potential reaction if he were to discover my current predicament. I knew he would sacrifice everything, even his own safety, to spare me from such a situation. And that''s precisely why I couldn''t bring myself to tell him about this-he would never allow me to proceed. Content


    belongs to


    Adjusting my dress to conceal everything, I knocked twice on the door. His voice, beckoned me inside, "Come in."


    I slowly pushed the door open and


    stepped inside. The room greeted me with dim lighting, the windows tightly shut, and an atmosphere permeated with the mingling scents of cigarettes and liquor. The


    furnishing''s boasted a beige hu


    e


    while the floors gleamed with. pristine white marble. Above the ceiling soared to heights unlike any I had ever seen before, adorned with intricate decorations that graced every corner. Paintings adorned one side of the room, adding a touch of sophistication to the space. And at the far end, a small bar


    beckoned-of course, he had to have a bar set up in his room. How


    convenient.


    And then, his voice shattered the silence, causing my eyes to snap up and meet his gaze.


    "Well, I''ve been waiting for you. So, tell me, what''s the reason for the honor of having thedy herselfe to my apartment?" He asked, a strange familiar glint in his eyes as he eyed me up and down, noticing everything as he raised his ss to his mouth taking a sip of the whiskey-the same one Jacob always had.


    "You asked for one night, right?"I cut straight to the point, "If I spend the night with you, will you return everything you have unfairly taken from him through your false reports in the media?"


    "Yes, Be Dona," he replied, rising from his seat with a sly grin,ing closer to me. So close that I could feel his breath on my skin, "I''ll return everything to him," his cold rings grazed my skin as he traced my shoulder down to my finger, where he noticed my ring with Jacob''s initials.


    "However, there''s one thing I can''t return to him," he fixed his gaze on my face. "You."


    "It''s just for one night, Tyler. I''ll never be yours."


    He leaned closer to my ear, I felt his lips curve into a smirk, "Fine, then let''s just get started."

 Chapter 133 Expect The Unexpected

    Chapter 133 Expect The Unexpected


    Evelyn


    My throat went dry at his words, breath hitching as it quickened its pace. A peculiar kind of fear wed at my insides, coiling and threatening to overwhelm me. But retreat wasn''t an option; I had to see this through, no matter the toll it exacted.


    His hand reached for my jaw, fingers spreading wide as he pulled me closer. His breath, warm and heavy, washed over my face, his hungry gaze fixed on my lips as he licked his own. Despite theyers between us, the primal desire in his eyes was unmistakable, a beast lurking beneath the surface he was a monster. A sickening filthy monster.


    "Why waste time when we both know what you''re here for?" His voice was a dangerous murmur, dangerously close to my lips. "Tonight, you belong to me. And I''ll have you any way I fucking please. God! This is surely going to be better than any of my dreams."


    He leaned in for a kiss, but I turned my head at thest moment, refusing to yield. My breath came in ragged gasps, my chest rising and falling heavily with revulsion. Every fiber of my being rebelled against his closeness, a visceral reaction I couldn''t suppress. I hated it. I despised the feeling of him near me from my very core.


    "So, all of this... all of this was just to get me into your bed?" I demanded, my voice trembling. Finally, I met his unwavering gaze, "You framed Jacob, destroyed his reputation, bribed those employees to lie, and turned investors against him¡ªall for a chance to sleep with the woman he loves to his very core?"


    He fell silent for a beat, his darkughter cutting through the tension. "Well, it seems you''re not one to be swayed easily. It''d still take a lot of effort to get you on that bed," he remarked, stepping back, "But let me answer your question: Yes I did it. I orchestrated all of this to im you, to have you in my bed for just one night. To have you bent over my bed and fuck you for as long as I pleased. And while Jacob''s feelings for you certainly sweetened the pot, they''re not the only reason. I want to uncover the mystery beneath thoseyers, Evelyn. I want to fucking see you, feel you, have you in my ways. Ever since Chloe showed me your picture, I knew I had to have you. No matter the cost. And here you are."


    "So you destroyed Jacob''s career?" I scoffed, incredulous at Tyler''s audacity, "You orchestrated a calcted smear campaign, manipting his uncles to provoke him into a physical altercation, then coerced businessmen to withdraw their support, systematically dismantling every aspect of his livelihood. That was your n to destroy him, wasn''t it?"


    "Destroyed? No, I simply directed a strategic shift in the trajectory of Jacob''s career," Tyler retorted coolly, his tone devoid of remorse. "It''s all part of the game, Evelyn. If someone stands in the way of what I desire, I remove them. If I don''t get it-I snatch it. Simple as that."


    A secondter he spoke again, "Why are you even asking me these questions, Evelyn? This is a waste of time. It''s not like you don''t know about the truth you fucking know it."


    "Jacob had nothing to do with those scandals. You ruined his entire fucking life, Tyler, simply because you wanted to fuck me. Do you even grasp the depth of your depravity? Youbeled him a sexual offender before the entire world when he was fucking innocent! How could you perpetrate such a twisted act merely to attain something you believe you''re entitled to? I am not yours! You don''t own me that you feel like you are allowed to do everything in order to gain me! How could you fucking do that someone even if he''s your enemy?"


    His sigh pierced the air, a sound of pure irritation that grated against my nerves. It tempted me to abandon all restraint and p him senseless, but I forced myself to maintainposure.


    Calm down, Evelyn.


    Stay focused.


    You can''t mess this up.


    "Because that was the only way I could bring you here. Tell me, if I hadn''t taken those steps, would you be standing here now? Absolutely not. So, are we going to have this discussion, or are you going to join me in bed?" He rose from his seat, his wordsced with arrogance. "I the bed isn''t your preference, we have plenty of options. The bar the bathroom, the floor-anywhere you desire," He leisurely undid the top buttons of his shirt, closing the distance between us. I instinctively stepped back, and he chuckled. "And let''s not forget about the door. It could serve as an excellent surface," He nodded towards it, a suggestive gleam in his eyes. "We could do it standing, too. Doesn''t sound too bad, does it?" A smirk tugged at his lips, but the mere thought of his touch repulsed me. The idea of allowing him any part of me, even just my fingertips, filled me with revulsion-I''d never fucking let him have me.


    "You''re a despicable, vile, repugnant excuse for a human being, Tyler," I seethed, my anger boiling over. "I''ve heard enough tales of devils and viins, but none of them could ever match your level of wickedness. You''re rotten to the fucking core."


    "And tonight, Be Donna, I''m going


    to corrupt you this devil you are branding me as, is going to fucking taint you," he dered, advancing towards me with a sinister intent Roughly, he cupped my face in his hands. "I''ll im you. Make you mine. And you''ll endure it because you''re desperate to save your sorry excuse of a boyfriend. You''ll have to endure this devil fucking you for the rest of the night."


    Before I could utter a word, the sound of rapid footsteps and the door bursting open interrupted us.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    I spun around in shock, my heart pounding in my chest. Standing in the doorway was thest person I expected to see-Jacob.


    "Jacob..." I gasped, my mind reeling. His eyes bore into mine with a fierce intensity, brimming with fury that sent a shiver down my spine. This was not good. It must have seemed like something entirely different to him.


    "Well, you got the message a little too early, didn''t you?" Tyler''s voice cut through the tension, tinged with disappointment. "I was hoping you''d walk in on us in the midst of me fucking your girlfriend. But Evelyn here has been wasting precious time. How about you wait outside until morning? Then, when I''m done with your girlfriend, you can take both her and yourpany back."


    Before I could process what was happening, Jacob was lunging forward, his fist connecting with Tyler''s face with a satisfying thud as he toppled to


    the floor.


    Shit!

 Chapter 134 Time For You To Leave

    Chapter 134 Time For You To Leave


    Evelyn


    I watched as Jacob''s fist collided with Tyler''s face, sending him crashing to the floor. The resounding thud and the sickening crack of the punch reverberated through the room, making me shiver. My eyes widened in shock, a gasp escaping my lips as I struggled toprehend the unfolding scene. Reality hit me hard; I knew I had messed up, big time.


    In mere moments, before Tyler could even recover, Jacob seized his cor, hauling him to his feet, and unleashed a barrage of harsh blows. Relentlessly. Surprisingly, Tyler didn''t attempt to evade the onught. Amidst the flurry of punches, a chuckle escaped his lips. "You''re getting yourself into trouble, Mr. Adriano. You''ll have to pay for this, in worse ways." His tone said that he meant it and as far as I had gotten to know Tyler- he sure wasn''t going back away from his words. Not now. Not anytime soon.


    "Do I seem scared to you?" Jacob chuckled darkly,nding yet another blow. Blood gushed from Tyler''s nose, staining Jacob''s knuckles. A gash formed beside Tyler''s lips, threatening to worsen with each merciless strike.


    God! Jacob might end up killing him. Who knows!


    No, this couldn''t happen.


    I couldn''t let it.


    I rushed towards Jacob, my heart pounding in my chest. "Jacob, please stop," I pleaded, grasping his arms, but he shook me off.


    "Stay the hell out of this, Evelyn," he spat, his eyes shooting daggers at me. He was beyond furious.


    "Jacob, he''s going to die! What the hell are you doing?"


    "That''s none of your damn business. If this bastard dies by my hand-stay out of it!" Jacob growled, shoving Tyler against the wall and delivering another punishing blow.


    Panic seized me as I frantically tried to intervene. If Jacob seriously injured Tyler, he could end up in jail, and I knew Tyler would do anything to ensure that happened. I couldn''t let that fucking happen.


    "You could end up in jail, Jacob. Do you want fucking that?" I pleaded, tugging at him forcefully. "This is insane. Stop it, now!"


    His jaw clenched, and his fiery gaze bore into me, sending a shiver down my spine. I had never seen him so enraged. Yes, I had witnessed his anger before but never directed at me in this way. The way he looked at me, it was as if he was repulsed by the sight of me as if he wanted nothing more than to look away.


    Finally, he released Tyler''s cor, allowing him to copse to the ground once again. Tyler groaned, coughing as Jacob turned his furious gaze on me. "You know what''s insane, Evelyn? You im that you fucking trust me, that we can rebuild everything from scratch and promise the world, only to show up here at this bastard''s mansion to sleep with him-choosing the easy way out."


    Easy way out?


    "W-what do you mean?" I stammered, taken aback by his usation. Did he really think sleeping with Tyler was an easy option for me?


    "You know exactly what I mean," he spat, advancing towards me. Surprisingly, I found myself stepping back, his intensity unnerving. "What did you promise, huh? You swore we''d face everything together, weather every storm side by side. And then what did you do? You walked into this bastard''s den to sleep with him? Did you think I''d be pleased to have you back after selling yourself to another man? Do I seem like a coward to you? What made you think I''d ever fucking ept something, whether it''s mypany being taken from me or something I didn''t earn, in exchange for you selling your body to another man? What''s fucking wrong with you?"


    "Jacob..." I whispered, his words piercing through me.


    "Don''t even say my name, Evelyn," he growled, devoid of any warmth. "You lost that right the moment you walked into this mansion with such intentions. You know what, Evelyn? You''re the first woman who made me believe in myself that I was enough, and you''re also the only one who''s made me feel utterly worthless like none ever has."


    "Please, just listen to me, once-"


    "Hey, lovebirds," Tyler''s amused


    voice interrupted, breaking the


    el


    tension. "I''d rather you continue this sweet quarrel at your own ce. I''m tired of this shit already." He wiped the blood from his nose and touched his lips, emitting a hiss, however, his smirk remained evident. "Besides, my evening is already ruined. Evelyn, you''re wee toe back anytime. You seem to be the only one with sense between the two of you. Your boyfriend here prefers to act on his emotions. He seems to forget that business shouldn''t involve feelings, which is probably why it was so easy to take everything from him." Hisughter filled the room, a bitter sound.


    "You" Jacob lunged forward, but I grabbed his hands, pleading with my eyes.


    "Please, let''s just go home and talk about this," I begged, tears welling in my eyes. "Please."


    It felt like everything was crumbling, like disaster was imminent. The feeling that tells you that within a matter of few seconds, you''d lose everything....gripped me.


    The knot in my chest tightened, making it hard to breathe.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "Do you even think that''s a home anymore?" Jacob''s voice was low, devoid of any humor. "It''s not a home, Evelyn. I can''t even look at you the same way anymore. The sight of you...it''s not the same." His words cut deep, leaving nothing but pain in their wake.


    If only he knew how much his words were hurting me.


    "Well, you''re not the same man anymore, are you?" Tyler chuckled, interrupting with his unweementary, "Homeless, jobless, penniless- worthless, in one simple word. How could ''home'' remain ''home'' when your circumstances forced your home toe here to me? You should be ashamed of yourself-even your woman doesn''t trust you."


    "Shut the fuck up, Tyler!" I snapped, my anger boiling over as I shot him a fierce re. "Don''t you fucking dare utter another word."


    I saw Jacob''s hands clenching at his


    sides, his knuckles turning white,


    el


    and the nails of his thumbs digging into his skin. His clenched jaw, bulging veins, andbored breathing all signaled one thing-he was on the brink of losing control. And him losing control again wouldn''t make anything better for any of us; we were all trapped in a situation that was tearing our lives apart.


    "Jacob, please...I beg you," I pleaded, tears welling up as I grasped his hands. "Let''s go home-I''ll tell you everything. Just give me onest chance." He stayed silent for a few tense moments, while Tyler dragged himself to the bar, ignoring his injuries and pouring himself a ss of whiskey. "Fine," Jacob finally conceded after a few more agonizing moments that seemed to stretch on forever. "Let''s go home. For onest time."


    He grabbed my wrist and before I could fully process hisst words, he turned to Tyler, his gaze burning with intensity. "You better pray you''re dead, Tyler. Because even if I end up behind bars, the day I''m out I''ll make sure you regret every breath you take."


    With that, he ushered me out of the


    room and soon out of the mansion. He opened the car door, pushing me inside before taking the driver''s seat. The entire ride home was silent; every attempt I made to speak was met with silence from Jacob. When we arrived at the apartment building, hepulled me to the elevator, his movements rough and careless-a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. This was the first time he


    was treating me like this and it hurt...


    As the apartment door closed behind us, the weight of the silence pressed down on us both. My throat felt tight, my heart racing in my chest, and my hands mmy. I had never witnessed Jacob''s rage before, and now that I was seeing it, it was terrifying a side of him I waspletely unprepared


    for.


    "Jacob..." I finally summoned the courage to speak, his back turned to me as he stood a few feet away, gazing out at the balcony. The soft breeze drifted in, but it did nothing to ease the tension in the room. If anything it did was to make the cold within me, cover my insides, coil like a viper ready


    to attack.


    And then, his voice cut through the silence.


    "You wanted toe home, I brought you home. But it''s time for you to return to your real home, Evelyn. Pack your bags."

 Chapter 135 Broken Paradise

    Chapter 135 Broken Paradise


    Evelyn


    My body seized at his words, a vice gripping my throat, my chest tightening as my heart pounded against my ribcage, threatening to burst forth. How was I supposed to react to this misunderstanding? The logical choice screamed for rity, for truth to sever through the fog of confusion enveloping us. But inexplicably, I found myself mute, incapable of articting even a single syble. I stood there, stunned and speechless.


    Tellig him the truth would the best option but why couldn''t I speak? What was wrong with me?


    A chilling fear slithered up my skin.


    Was he serious? He couldn''t be.


    God, what was I supposed to do?


    "Jacob, what are you talking about? Please, listen to me "I managed to let out as I ventured closer, reaching for his hand, but he jerked away, putting distance between us before finally facing me. It hurt how he recolied as if my touch disgusted him.


    This Jacob infront of me...he didn''t even look like the tiniest bit of the Jacob I knew.


    "I meant what I said, Evelyn. Pack your bags-you''re returning to America. Today."


    No...


    "Jacob, listen to me. What I did¡ªI had my reasons," I stuttered, mustering the strength to speak louder. "Let me exin, if you''ll just let me speak!" "What''s left to say, Evelyn?" His voice rose, bordering on a shout, his fists clenched and eyes aze with anger. "Do you evenprehend how it felt to receive that text from that bastard, informing me that you were headed to him?! To fucking sleep with him?! Do you have any idea how it tore me apart not to trust his words, only to return home and find you gone?! I didn''t trust him, Evelyn-I didn''t fucking trust him!" He closed the gap between us, gripping my arms with painful intensity, shaking me as his nails dug into my skin, oblivious to the whimper that slipped past my lips in pain-he didn''t ever hear it. "But I was wrong, and I found you there, in his mansion, in his fucking room, with him all over you! I was proved wrong that you wouldn''t do that when you actually fucking did!"


    "Jacob, please, just listen," I pleaded, tears welling in my eyes. "It''s not what you think. I didn''t go there to be with him. I went there to¡ª"


    "Don''t you dare fucking lie to me, Evelyn," his voice sliced through the air like a de, charged with raw emotion however feeling like nothing but venom, "You''re only worsening the situation. You were fucking there, thinking your boyfriend is worthless who can''t get things right and the only way for you to return to that little paradise you are used to is to take things in your hands, get everything back, by simply spending a night with Tyler Ri. That didn''t seem like a big issue for you since you were doing it behind my back, did it? If I wasn''t worth fighting for, why did you love me, Evelyn? If I meant so little, why love me at all, Evelyn? Was it love, or just a fleeting whim?" he shouted making me flinch.


    Please let me speak....


    Please.


    "Listen to me. I am not lying, I am¡ª"


    "After all, you''re young and beautiful. Men would line up at your feet with just a snap of your fingers," he sneered, his crease forming between his brows, his breaths ragged. "Why struggle for a man like me, huh?"


    "It''s not like that... Trust me, Jacob. You have to trust me-The reason is different," I pleaded desperately, but he wouldn''t even give me a chance to exin. His words cut deep, each one a painful blow-I didn''t know how much more I could endure, how long I could stay. Leaving him was thest thing I wanted, but I prayed he wouldn''t push me to that point.


    "I can''t trust you. That''s the only thing I can''t do right now," he chuckled bitterly. "You just proved my fears right. You can''t live without the luxuries you''re used to... You don''t need this version of me, do you? The version where you only see failure, where you see me as a failure. You liked the confident man, the one with his life put together. Now that I''m falling apart, you choose the easy way out. Thinking it''s easier to sleep with someone than to work through the struggle."


    Damn his words...


    He chose them so carefully as if they were just meant to hurt me. They were calcted, chosen and directed exactly where it''d hurt.


    He chose his words like a surgeon wielding a scalpel, each one honed to inflict maximum pain and he got that sore spot. His doubts and insecurties, they were finally tearing us apart.


    "Do you really think of me that way?


    That I am with you for you are an awfully rich businessman?" My voice quivered, emotions boiling over. "I didn''t fucking date you because you were some rich businessman, or had paparazzi trailing you everywhere, or had millions stacked in your bank ount-I didn''t fucking need any of it because I already had everything I needed in my life! I dated you because I fucking love you! I dated you because you were the first person to ever make me feel something even when you had none of this wealth! I didn''t care for what you had-I cared for who you were! I loved you," exploded, the words tearing out of me like shrapnel.


    "If there''s anything you loved that was the better version of me!" he shouted back.


    "That''s just your twisted perspective, Jacob. Your fucking thoughts, your stupid view of things-it''s all twisted!" I screamed, finally losing control. "I''ve been trying so fucking hard to hold us together, but you and your damn words keep tearing us apart every fucking time."


    "What did you even see, Evelyn?


    What struggle have you faced that


    you pretend is so terrible when in reality, you haven''t faced a damn thing. I shielded you from everything like a man should, I did my best, tried my best gave my best, and yet, it wasn''t enough for you. The easy way out, that''s all you wanted-sex isn''t that hard, is it?" He uttered the words with such callous indifference that they sliced through me like sharpened daggers, ripping through my heart, lungs, and every fiber of my being in mere seconds. The pain was excruciating, leaving me feeling as though I teetered on the edge of oblivion. It was a relentless agony, one that cut so deep it seemed to eviscerate my very soul. And the most unbearable part? The realization that he likely didn''t give a damn about the wreckage he''d caused-he probably fucking wanted it to hurt. "You could have your fun and go back home, pretending like nothing happened. That was your n, wasn''t it?"


    Tears streamed down my face, and without another word, I raised my hand and pped him across the cheek. His head snapped to the side with the impact, his breathing ragged. Moments passed, his fists clenched at his sides, before finally, his gaze settled back on me.


    "You know, one thing I never thought I''d fucking regret was loving you, but today, you made sure I regret every fucking bit of it!" I spat, my words dripping with bitterness. "You crossed a line, Jacob. One that can never be uncrossed, no matter what you do. We are over."


    "And yet, you act as if showing up at Ri''s house meant nothing," he chuckled humorlessly, seemingly unfazed. "Before you point fingers, take a good look at what you did, Evelyn. You''ll find your own damn answers."


    "I don''t need your answers because I know exactly what I did and why I did it. And now, I realize you don''t deserve any of it. You''re sick, twisted, rotten to the core-thank you for showing me this side of you, or else I''d never have known what kind of monster I loved!"


    Without another word, I turned away,


    stormed into the room, and began shoving my clothes into my luggage


    with reckless abandon. Tears streamed down my face, my heart aching unbearably, my mind in turmoil. I was consumed by anger, madness, and hurt. His words and his callousness tore me apart, and he could see it, but he couldn''t care less.


    I packed my bags without a second thought for what I was leaving behind. Once everything was crammed inside, I marched out of the room and headed for the elevator, ignoring Jacob''s presence as he stood with his back to me, staring out at the balcony.


    "I''ll have my parents drop you at the airport. They''ll make sure you get there safely," his voice echoed behind me, causing me to pause and turn.


    He had to be joking.


    After everything he''d said, this token gesture of kindness was thest thing I needed. I didn''t need his kindness or his so-called care.


    "You''re not responsible for me, so save your kindness for someone who needs it," I managed a bitter smile, a hollow chuckle escaping my lips. "Besides, I can find my own way home. I may have been lost, but not anymore."


    With that, before he could say another word or try to reel me back in, I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.


    As the doors began to close, I saw him move closer, his expression torn with emotion. My heart raced at his approach, but I held up a hand to stop


    him. "Don''t."


    He froze just outside the elevator, his hands hovering uncertainly, his gaze pleading.


    "Evelyn..." he whispered my name, his voice thick with emotion, but I couldn''t bring myself to care. I didn''t care about anything anymore. He had hurt


    me deeply, knowing exactly what he was doing.


    "Goodbye, Jacob," I said softly as the doors shut, cutting off any further words.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

 Chapter 136 Back To Home

    Chapter 136 Back To Home


    Evelyn


    "Here it is, Bianca. He confessed everything," I said softly, extending the camera to her. It had been concealed in my dress during my visit to Tyler''s mansion-the sole purpose of my visit being to extract his confession, not to sleep with him. But in the end, it seemed inconsequential. Jacob was inclined to believe what suited him, and I no longer had the energy to fight for truth when he had already inflicted enough pain upon me. Far more than I could bear.


    It had been Bianca''s and my n all along: to deceive Tyler into confessing without him realizing it. I would pretend to y into his desires, coaxing the truth out of him under the guise of granting his wishes. And it worked, but unfortunately, not in the manner I had anticipated.


    "Are you sure you''re alright, Evie?" Bianca''s concern was evident in her eyes, her furrowed brow, lines of her forehead, and uneven breaths betraying her worry. "I understand Jacob royally fucked it up. He''s impulsive and foolish, and I totally understand what you''ve been through. But could you please consider speaking to him onest time? He''s been searching for you everywhere since you left. He''s genuinely concerned. Maybe we could at least let him know you''re here?"


    "No, Bianca. Please, don''t," I whispered, brushing away the tears that had welled up in my eyes. Despite my attempts to blink them away, they persisted. "If you truly want to help me, please keep me away from Jacob for thesest few hours before I leave for America. I''m not in a state to even bear the sight of him. Please, try to understand..." Panic began to rise within me, my breaths growing heavier. "Just don''t... I beg you, please¡ª" "Hey, Evie... it''s okay," Bianca reassured me, gently taking hold of my hand and giving it aforting squeeze as she noticed my distress. "I won''t say anything to him."


    Her words prompted a sigh of relief to escape me. She wouldn''t disclose my whereabouts to him. Yes, she wouldn''t.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "If I were to see him now, Bianca, I know I''d start fucking hating him..." I exhaled, pulling my knees closer and wrapping my arms around them, resting my chin on top, a heavy sigh escaping me, my words trembling, "And I don''t want that. I can''t bear the thought of hating him. So it''s better that it all ends like this. Maybe not on good terms, but at least in a way that if we cross paths in the future, neither of us would need to turn away. This is how it has to remain, for the better. I''ve forgiven all his transgressions and turned a blind eye to so much, but I can''t lose myself in the process anymore. I''m done putting him before myself. Not anymore. So, please try to understand. I know you''re his sister, and it must be painful for you to witness this, but trust me, it''s better for him to stay away. Because if he shows up here, I''ll end up hurting him more than he''s ever hurt me."


    Bianca let out a small sigh, her hand gently rubbing my back. Her touch provided some sce, reminiscent of ra''s, and I found myself longing for her presence. I missed Dad too-I wished I could hug him tightly and let my tears flow freely. I knew being close to him would lessen my pain, maybe not in a significant amount because the heartbreak Jacob gave me today would forever sting, but maybe just a little bit, to help me with the pain and simply live.


    "I don''t know what to do with you two," Bianca finally murmured after a while, "You two can''t live without each other," this time her voice was barely audible, almost a whisper, yet I heard it clearly.


    "Life goes on, Bianca. It doesn''t wait for anyone," I replied softly after a brief pause. "And I''m sure Jacob will find a way to carry on, just as I will. Leaving his house in anger may have seemed impulsive at first, but the more I reflect on it now, the more I believe it was the right decision. Sometimes, it''s best to walk away before things deteriorate to a point where reconciliation bes impossible. I gave him numerous chances, did everything I could, but he disappointed me in ways I never thought possible and now, I need to focus on picking up the pieces of my own life. No one else can do that for me; I have to do it myself, and that starts by staying away. It''s what''s best for me. I lost my way for a while, but now it''s time to find my way back home."


    "Have you told Samuel yet?" Bianca inquired gently.


    "Yes. He''snding in America tonight, and tomorrow he''ll pick me up at the airport," I replied, my grip around my knees tightening. I fought back tears, but every fiber of my being yearned to release them-it felt like an internal battle, tearing me apart.


    "Let it go, Evie," Bianca whispered, her gaze soft, "Don''t hold yourself back. Let it go."


    "I... I can''t," I managed to croak out, my throat constricting with emotion as the words struggled to escape.


    "Holding back will only increase your pain, sweetheart. Allow yourself to feel it," she urged gently, her words carefully chosen. "Crying won''t harm you. It''ll only ease your suffering."


    With a sob escaping me, the sound reverberating through the silent hall, the first tears streamed down my cheeks, Catching the moonlight peeking through the window and glistening like tiny crystals. "He broke my heart, Bianca. He did... just with his words."


    "I know. He''s an idiot," Bianca murmured, her touchforting as she patted my head. "I''m sorry."


    "Don''t apologize for his mistakes," I


    sniffled, another sob breaking through. "He''s not sorry. He''s never been sorry for what he''s done-not when he kissed Chloe, not when he constantly pushed me away. He wasn''t sorry tonight when he said those hurtful things without an ounce of remorse. He was


    never....sorry."


    Before Bianca could respond, I continued, the words tumbling out, "I''ll never forgive him for this... ever He promised he''d never hurt me, but he''s done it so perfectly. He made sure I felt every bit of it," I confessed, my voice thick with emotion. I can''t love him anymore, Bianca. Before I start to hate him, it''s better for us to part ways."


    "Are you sure you want this, Evelyn?" Bianca''s voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "I won''t impose my thoughts on you, and I won''t defend my brother''s actions, but I need to ask-are you truly certain about this? About parting ways?"


    It took me a moment to consider her question. Despite having made my decision, I found myself hesitating. Why was it so difficult, even though I believed it was the right choice? But ultimately, my mind remained steadfast in its resolution.


    "Yes," I finally replied, my voice steady. "This is what I want, Bianca. It''s what needs to happen."


    "Alright," Bianca nodded in understanding, tenderly brushing away my tears and cupping my cheek. "I''ll take you to the airport tomorrow. But for now, let''s have some wine. Your favorite?"


    A small, bittersweet smile touched my lips. "Sure."

 Chapter 137 Win Her Back

    Chapter 137 Win Her Back


    Jacob


    I watched, frozen, as Bianca handed me the small camera supposedly belonging to Evelyn during her visit with Tyler. My breath caught in my throat, my hands trembling because of the exhaustion from a night spent searching for her and the weight of my own mistakes settling heavily upon me. Disbelief washed over me as I stared at the camera.


    She did this for me... Sacrificed for me.


    God! What the fuck have I done?


    "Why didn''t you fucking tell me she was with you?" I blurted out, my voice thick with frustration. I barely had any control over myself. "I could have gone there and brought her back home! How could you just let her leave like that?!"


    "The same home you made clear wasn''t hers anymore?" Bianca shot back, her anger searing. "You fucking forced her to go away! She didn''t even want toy eyes on you just because you''re my brother doesn''t give you a free pass to make her suffer, to force her to stay when she wants to leave. Any woman in her right mind would do the same after everything you put her through! You screwed up, uttered terrible things to her, and hurt her beyond you can ever fucking imagine. She did the right thing by leaving you after everything you did!"


    Bianca''s fury washed over me, but it was the crushing realization that Evelyn was now on a ne, poised to leave, that truly stung. I hurt her... irreparably. With my fucking words, my actions, and the mess I''ve made of everything I''ve destroyed her, all while knowing the pain it would cause. How could I be so blind?


    I stared at the hidden camera, my vision blurring with unshed tears.


    She went to Tyler''s house to help me, and I repaid her love for me with all those words full of cruelty...


    God! I fucking despised myself.


    My anger, my hurtful words, my own fears and insecurities, my desperation, weakness-all of itbined to drive her away. I pushed her so far that now, I had nothing. Nothing left at all.


    "How could you say those things to someone as innocent as her? For fuck''s sake! She''s barely twenty, Jacob! You can''t expect her to be as mature as a woman in her thirties! Yet she tried, she tried so hard to be everything you needed even as she needed care herself, and you treated her with such recklessness-you shattered her, you bastard!" Bianca''s voice cracked with frustration and anger. "She refuses to even look at you. She said she''d end up hating you if she did-you pushed her to that point! If only you''d seen her eyes when she said that you''d have never been able to look at yourself the same way again!"


    I won''t be able to look at myself the same way anyways...


    I hurt Evelyn. My Evelyn-the one person I wanted to protect with all my life...I broke her beyond repair.


    I copsed onto the couch, shoulders sagging, hands trembling along with my breath.


    She did it all for me, and in a fit of rage and insecurity, I used her of the worst...


    How could I have fucking done that to her?!


    "I fucked up, Bee," I confessed, a solitary tear sliding down my cheek before I buried my face in my hands, elbows resting on my knees. "What do I do now? Have I truly lost her?" I lifted my gaze to hers, desperation evident in my eyes. "I can''t... bcan''t live without her. I can''t even breathe when she''s not near. You don''t understand how much she means to me-she''s my everything."


    "Then you should''ve damn well thought before spewing those poisonous words at her," Bianca hissed, her frustration and concern palpable. "You let your anger consume you, and in the process, you destroyed what you two had have warned you from the very start to choose your words carefully, Jacob-I have been telling you the same thing forever but you and your goddamn anger ruins everything. What exactly do you think you can do now? Now that you realize everything she did was for you-she went through all that trouble just to keep you out of jail, and yet here you are, with nothing! And in case you still have any doubts about her-I gave her that n. It was my fault, not hers!"


    I remained silent, words failing me. It felt like my entire world had crumbled. Evelyn''s absence weighed heavily on my heart, leaving me feeling hollow -utterly alone. She was the one beacon of light in my life amidst the chaos, and I had pushed her away, destroyed that light until it turned to ashes- leaving her wary of trusting anyone else, fearing the same betrayal.


    How would I even mend what I have broken?


    Taking a deep breath, I steeled my resolve. "I can''t live without her, Bianca. I have to win her back," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I can''t go on like this. I need her back¡ª¡± Without another thought, I rose from the couch and headed for the door.


    But Bianca grabbed my wrist, halting me in my tracks. "The flight''s already departed. There''s no point in going to the airport."


    Her words hit me like a freight train, my chest constricting with despair.


    I couldn''t lose her...


    But even as the urge to go after her surged within me, I couldn''t deny the crippling fear that gripped me. How could I face her? How could I ask for forgiveness when my words were unforgivable?


    "What do I do, Bianca?" I pleaded, tears streaming down my cheeks. "I can''t lose her... I just can''t."


    Bianca''s expression softened, her own voice wavering as she guided me to the sofa. "You''re thirty-four," she chided lightly, wiping away my tears. "Don''t cry like a baby. We''ll figure something out.¡±


    "I''ve hurt her, Bee," I admitted in a hoarse whisper. "I don''t know how to make it right-she shouldn''t forgive me, and yet... I can''t imagine living without her. I can''t even breathe when she''s not here. What am I supposed to do?"


    "First, you need to address what she wanted to fix, Jacob," Bianca said gently, her words carrying weight. "Evelyn went through all that trouble to gather evidence against Tyler, and you can''t let her efforts go to waste. I''ve already distributed copies to some media channels; Tyler will be arrested soon. So, focus on


    reiming yourpany. Then,


    when things have settled a bit and


    you''ve gathered enough strength to face her, go to America and find her."


    "She loves you," Bianca assured, squeezing my handfortingly. "Sooner orter, she''ll forgive you. She knows how much you love her. But for now, she needs time, just like you do."


    She was right...


    I didn''t have the courage to confront her now, and she likely wouldn''t want to see me either. She needed time to heal, and if I were the source of her pain, it would only set her back. I couldn''t bear to hurt her any further¡ªnot anymore.


    "Okay," I finally breathed out, after a few moments of heavy silence.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Just a few days, and then I would be there... with my Evelyn.

 Chapter 138 An Ending, A Start

    Chapter 138 An Ending, A Start


    Evelyn


    "Yes, Dad, I''ve boarded the flight," I reassured, sinking into the seat, the hum of the ne aforting backdrop. "Don''t worry about me I''m fine."


    The quiet on the other end spoke volumes. Dad had a thousand words bottled up, I could tell. But he held back, reserving them for our reunion, whenever that might be. His reluctant response was a single, "Okay."


    God. I wish I could just give him a hug.


    "I''ll hang up now, Dad, alright?" I offered, understanding his concern all too well. I knew the weight of his worry, the whispers from ra beside him urging him to ask more, to probe deeper. They were both anxious beyond measure. And I didn''t like it¡ªI hated watching them concerned. But, I didn''t know what to do.


    I wanted desperately to offer reassurance, to ease their worry, but the words eluded me. To im ''I am not in pain'' or ''I am totally fine'' would be a falsehood, transparent to them given how well they knew me they''d catch my lie in a single blink. Therefore.... Dishonesty wasn''t an option, yet admitting the brutal truth-that I was in excruciating pain-was equally daunting. The agony transcended mere emotional anguish; it manifested physically, rending me apart in every sense. Despite my efforts to evade it, the pain clung to me, unyielding and merciless, a relentless force tearing me asunder without respite.


    I was sick and tired of it but there was no escape too....


    I felt stuck. So stuck.


    "Okay. I''ll be waiting at the airport," he murmured softly, as though promising to whisk away all my pain. But deep down, I knew better. This pain was mine to bear alone. None could ever take it away from me it''d clung to me. Forever. Constantly. Relentlessly. Endlessly.


    "Goodbye, Dad," I said softly, ending the call.


    Opening one of my social media apps, I saw messages flooding in from friends. Despite having sent just one text to Jennie, news had spread like wildfire to others like Mason and Nancy, bombarding my inbox. Among them, Mason''s messages came in a flurry.


    Before I could respond, a notification from a news channel I''d subscribed to caught my attention, a habit I''d formed to keep tabs on Jacob''s life in the media-something I supposedly wouldn''t need anymore. Unconsciously, I found myself clicking on the news.


    There, the secret video clip I''d taken of Tyler and his confession popped up.


    As I read the article stating Jacob would regain hispany soon, a strange sense of relief washed over me. I frantically checked other channels, all reporting the same news. A weight lifted from my chest.


    So, the video clip worked...


    Despite leaving Jacob, I couldn''t deny my worry for him. Despite everything he''d put me through, I was still concerned. Knowing he''d reim his former life, free from Tyler''s grasp, eased my mind. I could leave him knowing he was in a better ce. That was my own kind of peace-one that I felt guilty of.


    But then again, at least now, I wouldn''t agonize over whether I did the right thing. He wouldn''t have another reason to me me, as he had before. A small sigh escaped me as I exited the news app, fighting back tears.


    Finally, I was leaving him. For good.


    I regted my breathing, refusing to let more tears fall-I''d shed enough already. Crying for someone who didn''t deserve it wasn''t how I wanted to spend my life.


    Suddenly, a message broke through the silence thest person I expected: Tyler Ri.


    "It might be over for now, but not forever. One way or another, you will be mine, Evelyn. Just wait and watch-I will be back."


    Ignoring it, I powered off my phone and gazed out the window as the flight ascended.


    This marked the end of our story-the ultimate conclusion.


    ***


    My Dad''s Bestfriend: Book 3: Healing Hearts, Renewed Love Sneak peak:


    I leaned back against the bar, my fingers aching to reach out to him as his face drew closer to mine, his eyes aze with lust, sending electric currents down my spine. My nipples tightened against the fabric of my dress as I watched him, acutely aware of the dampness pooling between my thighs.


    I was so fucking wet...


    "You mentioned how much you enjoy his touch..." His body pressed against mine, his fingers slipping beneath the hem of my short dress, toying with the stic of my panties. "Tell me honestly now, whose touch truly sets this body of yours on fire? His or mine?"


    God....


    My breath caught in my throat. "It''s irrelevant," I countered, my gaze defiant. "You''re my past, he''s my present and future."


    A smirk tugged at the corner of his


    e


    lips, his emerald eyes sparkling in the dim light. "Do you really think I''ll stand by and watch that happen, sweetheart?" His voice dripped with determination. "I''d fucking tear down this whole world to have you back with me. So what if he''s just a boy? I''ll fucking make sure he''s out of my way in a matter of hours."


    Did he just...did he just really said that?


    "You will do no such-" Before I could finish my sentence, his hand mped over my mouth, muffling my words in a way that left me bewildered. Then, his hand slid beneath the fabric of my panties, making contact with my bare pussy. My eyes widened, my body jerking at the sudden sensation, but before I could fullyprehend what was happening, he delivered an even more shocking blow.


    He thrust his fingers into me. Deep.


    Oh no...Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ***


    I believed I''d finally shaken him loose.


    Yet here he stood, relentless in his pursuit, determined to reim what he believed was rightfully his-Me. And here I was, torn between the urge to resist and the undeniable pull he had over me. How could


    turn away when his pr


    set me aze, wet and aching? When every fiber of my being ached for his touch? When his very gaze made me want to tell him to rip my clothes off and fuck me like he owned me?


    Was it not twisted to crave something from the one who left no scopes in causing me pain?


    I knew I had to put an end to it. But how? Could another man provide the key to breaking this cycle?


    Maybe, yes....

 Chapter 139 Hey Beautiful

    Chapter 139 Hey Beautiful


    Evelyn


    Sixteen days hade and gone. Well, more precisely, sixteen days, eight hours, and forty-five minutes¡ªI''d always been weak with numbers, but now I was sharp-pretty sharp. Thanks to Jacob, who might have messed up most aspects of my life, but inadvertently helped me strengthen my weakest point-math.


    Did I owe him a thank you? Hell, no.


    He''d shattered the most resilient part of my being-trust. Now, I knew better than to dole it out like candy on Halloween. There was a hundred percent chance it would get fucking trampled, just like that Italian bastard had done. He fucking ruined me.


    God! I might never be able to fucking trust anyone!


    With a groan, I rolled out of bed, my feet sliding into cozy slippers. I silenced the godforsaken rm and stood up, stealing a nce at the mirror. The reduction in my dark circles was a wee sign-I was making progress, and moving on. So were my dark circles, apparently.


    Could I finally consider I was getting over him? Maybe, yeah.


    My phone chimed, breaking the silence of the morning. Grabbing it from the nightstand, I unlocked the screen to find the familiar ID glowing¡ª Cameron. Cameron ke.


    My newfound distraction.


    I tapped into our conversation, and his text lit up the screen "Awake, beautiful?"


    "Just stirring, Charmer," I replied.


    ¡°Just have to be enough of a charmer to charm you."


    "Well, if you hadn''t charmed me, we wouldn''t be talking," I found myself smiling this time.


    "I am ttered! Anyways, don''t bete-I will be waiting for you at the cafe."


    "I am neverte."


    "Funny! That''s why you made me wait ten days."


    "That was to test you."


    "So did I pass the test?"


    "Yup-That''s why we are meeting today. Now bye-I gotta go and get ready."


    I left my phone resting on the desk this time and strolled into the bathroom. The warm water cascaded down in a proper shower-I shaved, shampooed, and cleansed every inch of my body, ensuring that when I stepped out, I exuded the sweet scent of vani-perfect!


    Today''s n? Uncertain. Certainly not nning to end up in bed with him, but they say first impressions matter, don''t they? So, I put effort into presenting myself as anything but a woman trying to mend her shattered heart after loving a man who treated it like dirt, crushed it underfoot, andughed in my face. There was no need to let Cameron glimpse into that past or let him know the scars it left.


    Speaking of Cameron, we''d been conversing for a mere twelve days, all in my desperate attempt to evict Jacob from my mind a futile effort, I must admit. Nevertheless, I persisted. I refused to be that stereotypical heartbroken woman who spends years weeping over a sick bastard. I wanted to move forward, and Cameron stumbling upon my social media after all these years, reaching out to me, felt like a sign. He remembered me from high school, where he saw me as the most beautiful girl in ss a perception I certainly didn''t share, but perhaps in his eyes, I was. He was the nerdy, shy kid back then, often bullied for his e-ridden face, yet now, here we were, connected by some twist of fate.


    I pondered how he looked now-still a nerd?


    His words didn''t sound like he was one. He''d developed quite the flirting skills, which I admired. So, what about his face? It remained a mystery. His social media was sparse on photos, with only a few decent side profiles, but I''d stumbled upon some abs pictures...and they were, well, you know- enough to make a girl swoon, but still not enough to make me forget how Jacob Adriano looked in a in shirt and cks.


    Damn it! Why was I even thinking about him?


    Because you still love me the bitch in my head spoke.


    Yet


    I groaned, spritzed on some body mist, and slipped into a red short dress, pairing it with beautiful red high heels. Grabbing a small beige bag, I quickly applied makeup, and styled my hair, striving to look my best. As surveyed myself in the mirro felt satisfied-this was the best I''d looked in days. After the breakup, I''d been burying myself in food and sleep, a futile attempt to escape thoughts of him. It helped me forget during the day but did nothing to spare me from the dreams where I found myself tucked in his arms and honestly those were actually the best parts of these days I''d spent without him. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I missed his arms around me. His scent. His breath against mine. His lips on mine. I missed him-every part of him. As mine. When he was mine.


    My gaze flickered to the


    phone-another missed call from him. He''d been calling and texting incessantly, and I''d been avoiding him like the gue. I didn''t want to talk to him, no matter how much I missed him. I didn''t even want to see his damn face after what he did-he didn''t deserve me. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.OrgR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "Can we please talk?"-His text shed on the screen, sent fifteen minutes ago. I''d made the right choice by muting him, but I still couldn''t help but check his messages every few hours. It became a habit.


    A knock on the door shattered my thoughts.


    "Come in."


    ra entered, her eyes widening in surprise at my appearance. "Wow! You look stunning, Evie," she approached me, awestruck. "Everyone''s going to be floored seeing you like this."


    "Don''t steal my spotlight now, only I canpliment that way," I chuckled, adjusting my dress.


    "Oh,e on, you really do look stunning," she chuckled back, nudging my arm with a yful smile, ¡°Tell me, who''s the lucky guy?¡± she nudged my arm with a sheepish smile.


    "It''s just someone from school, same grade. Apparently, he''s had a crush on me for a while. So, I thought, why not make his evening?" I chuckled, "After all, my days are mostly spent dwelling on a jerk who didn''t give a fuck about me despite iming to love me."


    "Forget about him," ra urged, trying to lift my spirits, "Today''s about your date-just enjoy it and forget everything else."


    "You''re right," I said, distracted by the sound of my phone chiming. It was a text from Cameron.


    "Well, looks like you''re runningte."


    Fuck!


    "Shit, he''s already there," I grabbed my bag and dad''s credit card from the drawer before giving ra a quick hug. "I gotta go. Bye." Before she could say anything else, I rushed downstairs and bolted out of the building.


    "Where the hell do you think you''re going, Evelyn?" Dad''s voice rang out from the garden as I slid into the car, starting the engine.


    I rolled down the window and yelled back, "On a date."


    And before he could protest ore any closer, I sped off, nearly running the red light, finally reaching the caf¨¦ using a shortcut.


    I quickly fixed my hair in the rearview


    mirror before stepping out of the car


    vel


    and into the caf¨¦. It was filled with unfamiliar faces engrossed in conversations. Suddenly, I felt someone standing behind me, and before I could turn around, he spoke up, his voice close to my ear.


    "Hey, beautiful."


    The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at the sound of his deep voice, and I clutched my bag tighter, slowly turning to face him.


    And damn me...


    It turned out I was wrong to think there could never be anyone as good-looking as Jacob Adriano, because as Cameron ke stood before me, it became clear-Jacob wasn''t the only man who could make me feel nervous.


    "Oh, hi..."

 Chapter 140 One Chance

    Chapter 140 One Chance


    Jacob


    I leaned against the wall, watching that bastard practice shooting with an apple perched on my head like some kind of twisted gangster game. But what could I say? I needed his support to get to his daughter, and if I didn''t y along, he wouldn''t let me near her.


    Fuck my luck!


    He was furious. Completely and utterly furious, and I couldn''t me him. Any father would feel the same-I messed up. Big time. Not just once, but in multiple ways. And in the midst of it all, I ended up fucking hurting her, which I should''ve avoided at all costs.


    Bang.


    The shotnded perfectly in the middle of the apple, and I clenched my fists at my sides. It wasn''t that I was afraid of the bullets-I knew these bullets were harmless since it was just a balloon shooting gun. What angered me was that Samuel''s tantrums were wasting a lot of my time.


    I needed to see her.


    It had been sixteen whole days, and I hadn''t even caught a glimpse of her. I was dying inside. To hold her in my arms. To feel her warmth. To taste her lips.


    God! I fucking missed her so damn much.


    "Change it," Samuel instructed his so-called helping hand and suppressing a chuckle the guy ced another apple on my head. This was the seventh


    one.


    At this rate, the bullet could hit my face any time. He wasn''t too skilled with shooting; his aim had always been shaky.


    "How''s Evelyn?" I found myself asking as he loaded the gun.


    "She''s doing great, actually. You''d be d to know she''s on a date, having the time of her life. The guy, unlike you, isn''t an oldie. He''s handsome, I guess, and definitely not a jerk."


    She''s on a date?


    Damn it! This is spiraling out of control.


    I bit the inside of my cheek, seething-I couldn''t stand the thought of her being with someone else. I''d fucking kill that guy.


    "Why did you-" Before I could finish my question, he fired, and once again, the apple exploded, bits of it showering down on my shoulders, the juice messing up my hair-I''d have to take another shower now.


    I wished I could kill this piece of shit right now. But there were two reasons why I couldn''t-first, he was my best friend. Second: He was my love''s father.


    "Why did I let her go?" He chuckled dryly, aiming at the apple as hisckey set it on my head, "Surely I wouldn''t want my princess to be waiting for a thick-skulled bastard like you."


    Bang.


    I cringed as bits of the applended on my nose, quickly wiping it off along with the juice on my forehead.


    Man, this is disgusting!


    "Look, I know I screwed up, but I''m here to fix everything," I attempted to speak, but was interrupted by the guy cing yet another apple on my head. I shot him a re, and he suppressed a snicker before backing off. "Let''s just talk, alright?"


    "Stand right there, you asshole. If you dare to move an inch, I will shoot you in your fucking head," Samuel hissed, firing once again, the bullet grazing so close to the apple that I almost felt it.


    Samuel was totally asking for a punch.


    Forget the best friend part. If he weren''t Evelyn''s father, I''d shot him up in his fucking asshole.


    "I''m not here to y your fucking stupid games," I spat, irritated. "I''m here to fix everything."


    "You shouldn''t have hurt my princess in the first ce, you asshole!" He barked, clearly enraged. "I neverid a finger on her in my entire life, and you fucking piece of shit broke her heart. Do you even have any idea how much you hurt her? I trusted you with her-yet you fucking shattered her. I would have killed you if you weren''t my friend!"


    Bang.


    His anger was justified. He had


    every right to yell at me as much as


    he wanted, but I was desperate-l


    wanted to see Evelyn. I did


    el


    everything I fucking could; wrapped 11 up things with my business, attended court hearings, made sure Tyler was in jail, and put everything back in ce in these sixteen days. And the moment I was done, I was here in America to get my baby back. These sixteen days had already felt like forever. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    But now it seemed I had another task-to get Samuel''s help first to reach her.


    "Look, I know I screwed up¡ª"


    Bang.


    "Yes, you fucking screwed up, and on top of that, you let my princess suffer alone for these days you camete!"


    Bang.


    "Because I was fixing stuff she


    wanted to fix. She got that video clip


    and everything for me. She went


    through all of that for me if I hadn''t


    fucking done it right, then all of it would have been in vain. I couldn''t let her struggle go to waste-she would have hated me for that," I spat. "I know I made a terrible mistake, but I''m here to fix her. I''ll do anything, beg her, grovel at her feet, do whatever she asks. Just fucking help me!"


    "You''re a fucking idiot for doing that to her, you know that? How could you fucking doubt her?"


    "I wasn''t doubting her. I was beyond pissed after finding her at that bastard''s house, and you know what my anger does to me it makes me someone else. And I regret every fucking word I said I want to be a better person, and Evelyn made me one. I can''t live without her, Samuel," I sighed. "Please, give me one chance. I''ll do anything to make it better."


    "Can you fix her broken heart, you asshole?" He shouted, his voice as loud as before.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    "I don''t know, but I''m willing to try for


    she


    as long as it takes. I''ll do anything-I love her. More than my life. I can''t...can''t even think of living without her. She''s everything to me My life starts with her and ends with her-you don''t even know what means to me," My words trembled. "Please, I know the mistake I made, and I''m ready to bear any consequences for it, but just give me this chance. I swear on my dead mother-I won''t screw it up this time. I won''t hurt her ever again."


    Samuel emitted a frustrated groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. "ce another apple on his head," hemanded the helper, who obliged, making me sigh in annoyance as he shot it.


    And the next second, he spoke up, "Fine, you got it," he let out, sounding not so happy with his decision. "You cane, stay at my house, try to fix everything you fucked up. But if you dare to hurt her again¡ª"


    Before he could finish his sentence, I found myself rushing towards him and pulling him into a hug. "Thanks, man!" I let out, finally rxed. "Thank you so fucking much."


    "Fine, fine," he feigned annoyance as he pulled away. "Now get lost."


    "I''m staying at your house, remember?" I chuckled. "Treat your guest nicely."


    "Guest? My arse. The moment you start bing a pain in the arse, I''ll fucking kick you out. And if you hurt my Evelyn again........"


    "I won''t hurt her, Samuel. I''ve learned my lesson¡ªtrust me, if there''s anything I want, it''s to kiss away her tears, have her in my arms, and never let


    her go again."

 Chapter 141 The Date

    Chapter 141 The Date


    Evelyn


    I observed him as he lifted the cup to his lips, his blue eyes sparkling from the get-go, his muscles subtly defined even beneath the fabric of his shirt. His skin appeared wlessly smooth, his hands noticeablyrger than mine, and his lips adorned with a natural pink hue. Sun-kissed locks of blonde hair cascaded in waves, framing a face boasting chiseled features and an undeniable rugged charm¡ªthis was far from what I had anticipated. Cameron was, without a doubt, drop-dead gorgeous and utterly breathtaking.


    Seated across from me, every gesture he made seemed to flow with an effortless grace, as if he were following a dance choreographed by the gods themselves. The rich aroma of coffee enveloped the air around him, mingling with the subtle hint of his cologne, despite the appropriate distance between us.


    He smelt good. Too fucking good.


    While I struggled to maintain myposure in his presence, his demeanor was both rxed and confident, entirely at ease in his own skin.


    Man. This was not good for me I shouldn''t feel this nervous Was this truly the same Cameron I thought I knew? With each passing moment, it became increasingly difficult to believe.


    How did he change so fucking much?!


    "Well, if I may inquire..." I cleared my throat, setting my own cup down. "What sparked this sudden transformation?¡±


    A slow, seductive smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he paused, lowering his cup. That small smirk blossomed into a full-fledged smile. "To ensure my crush isn''t disappointed with thepany she''s keeping."


    My cheeks zed crimson at his words, and I bit the inside of my cheek to stifle a smile. "Surely that''s not the actual reason," I stammered, trying to brush it off.


    "Well, that''s exactly the reason," he chuckled, leaning back against the couch. "Care to share why you chose this location? I always thought Evelyn, the most popr girl in high school and presumably college, preferred fancy restaurants. Why a simple caf¨¦?"


    "I''ve grown tired of fancy things," I replied, my voice wavering for a moment before steadying. "They tend to... bore me."


    "I see," he nodded, though it seemed he caught that subtle crack in my voice but chose to let it slide. "You know, I had little to no expectation that you''d respond to my text. When you did, I nearly fainted."


    "And you know, I find it astonishing how even after bing so handsome, you''re still stuck on that high school crush."


    "So my transformation was worth it," he chuckled. "To be called handsome by you-it made it worth it."


    Once again, my cheeks flushed. "Oh, shut up."


    "I can''t seem to when you''re in front of me, Evelyn. Your photos don''t do justice to you-you''re gorgeous. Enough to take anyone''s breath away," he said, his eyes darkening slightly as he spoke, his expression conveying the sincerity of his words.


    God! He was making me nervous....


    His suddenpliment caught me off guard, and all I could manage was a simple, stammering, "Thank you," before I lifted the cappino to my lips.


    As I lowered the ss, he emitted a


    soft chuckle and leaned closer, reaching out. Before I couldprehend, his thumb brushed against my lips, wiping something away You had a little something on your lips, beautiful,¡± he whispered, his face still close to mine, not pulling away.


    Holy shit!


    "Oh," I exhaled, visibly nervous and struggling to figure out how to react with him so close-truth be told, it was hard to tear my eyes away from him. But at the same time-I didn''t feel those familiar butterflies, those sparks, those urges-it was just nervousness, like being in the presence of a beautiful, nearly


    perfect specimen. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    His intense gaze lingered on me for a few heartbeats before lowering to my lips. I watched as his jaw hardened, his muscles tensing, before he slowly pulled away and settled back against his seat.


    I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, attempting to steady my racing heart¡ªI didn''t understand why it was pounding so wildly, as if his gaze held some inexplicable power over me.


    "So tell me something, beautiful," he began, breaking the tension. "I know it''s a bitte to ask, but are you single?"


    His question dissipated some of the tension in the air, earning a chuckle from me. "Do Ie across as a cheater to you?"


    "Well, certainly not," he chuckled, scratching his jaw. "You could simply be exploring."


    "If that''s your concern, then let me assure you-I''m not talking to anyone else besides you," I replied. "For now, you''re the only one."


    A small smile yed at his lips, as if he could tell there was not even a drop of lie in my words. But then he said something that made me freeze in ce, ¡°Well, your choice certainly won''t disappoint you. I can satisfy you to the point where you''ll never want to leave me."


    I nearly choked on my cappino, staring at him wide-eyed. "Wait, w-what?"


    I saw him suppress a smile before rifying, "With your choice, I mean. You''ll be d you chose to talk to me that''s what I meant."Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    It didn''t quite make sense, but at least he attempted to diffuse the tension.


    "Oh..." I rxed my shoulders, but my heartbeat still raced. He meant what he said that part didn''t just serve to ease the situation; it meant exactly what I first thought.


    "Take a sip before it gets cold," he urged, taking a sip from his own cup, his eyes locked onto mine with such intensity that it sent shivers down my spine. I''d always assumed boys my age would be immature, foolish, weak, yboys, but Cameron proved me wrong-everything about him spoke of man. He was a man. An intimidating one.


    ¡°Sure, thanks,¡± I murmured, taking the cup and sipping, feeling his gaze linger on me the entire time.


    So far, Cameron ke felt like the man who could help me forget my past. Move past Jacob Adriano.

 Chapter 142 Not Anymore

    Chapter 142 Not Anymore


    Evelyn


    On my way back home, thoughts of Cameron consumed my mind entirely. The interaction with him had been nothing short of exhrating. But I couldn''t shake the doubt that I felt this way because so much of him reminded me of Jacob-hisposed presence, his confident demeanor, his boldness-it all harkened back to him. I hated that I liked it.


    "God, why am I even thinking about that jerk?" I groaned, pressing down on the elerator, speeding the car.


    Speaking of cars, I loved Cameron''s. It was a fiery red beast, one I might have epted a ride in if I hadn''t declined his offer to pick me up for our date. Although he had his conditions before I left-next time, if I deemed him worthy enough, he would pick me up and drop me home. I wasn''t sure what he found appealing about it, but it seemed to be something he desired, so maybe next time I''d allow it.


    But then again, I wasn''t certain if I wanted another date. It wasn''t about him-it was about me. I couldn''t get that one man out of my head, and using Cameron as a distraction, would that be fair?


    "Fuck what''s right or wrong, Evelyn!" I hissed. "You liked that guy, so you''re absolutely fucking going on another date. Get that bastard out of your damn head."


    Engulfed in a flurry of internal arguments, I finally arrived home. I parked the car in the garage before stepping into the house.


    "ra, Dad, I''m home," I announced, hanging up my keys and stepping into the hall. But as I entered, I saw thest thing I expected. There sat my heartbreaker on the sofa, seemingly waiting for me, his eyes locked with mine, and I froze.


    My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.


    No, he couldn''t possibly be here. My mind must be ying tricks on me I''ve had enough of these hallucinations already.


    I blinked twice, attempting to adjust to the scene and convince myself that he was actually here.


    I watched as he slowly stood up, looking barely put together unlike all the other times. He appeared tired, homesick perhaps, with an expression that hinted at being on the verge of giving up.


    I held my breath at the sight.


    He was actually here.


    Don''t cry, Evelyn. Don''t you fucking dare shed a tear.


    "Evelyn..." My name fell from his lips just as it had before the elevator on that day I left him.


    He seemed at a loss for words, and so was I. But I knew staying silent wouldn''t fucking solve anything.


    ¡°What... what are you doing here?" I managed some stability in my voice.


    I wasn''t going to allow myself to weaken. Not now.


    "Baby, I''m here to-" He attempted to approach me, but I frantically took steps back, holding out my hand to motion him to stop.


    "Don''t you dare try to step closer..." I uttered, my words trembling. "Don''t you fucking dare!"


    "Baby, please give me a chance to exin. Talk to me... just for once," His eyes softened, his features drawing me in just like they always did his green orbs, his smooth plump lips, his tanned skin that made my fingers itch to touch, and the stubble details of his silky hair where I had run my fingers through countless times¡ªhe was my broken dream that utterly shattered me and left me in pieces.


    My heart... it wanted to give him a chance. Already.


    And that''s how I knew his presence here wasn''t fucking right for me and the decision I had made.


    "Dad!" I called out loudly, "Dad!" I rushed to the kitchen then to the television room to find him, and as I returned to the hall, I saw him descending the stairs.


    "Evie, what happened, princess?" he asked, his face filled with concern.


    "What the hell is he doing here in our house?" I demanded, pointing at Jacob, refusing to look at him, tears welling up in my eyes. "What are you nning?!"


    "Evie, listen to me," ra came down and stood beside me, "Calm down. We can exin everything."


    "So you''re in on this too, ra? |


    thought it was just Dad. But you? How could you?" Tears streamed down my cheeks. "I can understand Dad''s actions because obviously, he''s his best friend and he has a soft spot for him. But you know


    everything, don''t you? You kveget


    how much I''ve been hurting because of that man. Yet you two decided to let him in? What''s the fucking point of it? What do you two want? For me to forget everything and end up with him again so that he can break my heart again?!"


    "Evelyn, it''s not what you think," Dad stepped closer to me, his eyes gentle, his voice soothing. "Jacob''s here because he believes he owes you an apology. He wants to fix things, but that doesn''t mean any of us are allowing him to force anything on you. No one''s asking you to forgive him and mend things back-this is just the chance he deserves. Onest chance that''s it."


    Before I could speak, Jacob interjected, "Evelyn, I''m here to fix everything. I know I screwed up, but


    I also know I can never live without you. I''m well aware of how much I hurt you He let out a shaky sigh weakening my resolve, but I pushed back against every ounce of emotion that threatened to


    overwhelm me. I refusedove


    make


    the same mistake again-falling for his words just because I glimpsed his face. "And I know you should never forgive me, but I... I love you, Evelyn. You know how much I love you and what I''d do for you-give me onest chance."


    "I didn''t give you just one chance, Jacob. I gave you many-countless! But you screwed up every fucking time, and I''m done with your shit! I''m done dealing with it. And where were you all these days? Where the hell have you been for the past sixteen days? While I was crying myself to sleep, developing habits I never had, doing everything to somehow get through the effects of the shit you put me through-where the hell were you?!"


    "You know where I was, Evelyn. You know it," His voice remained soft, infuriatingly maniptive. "I was fixing everything so I could be back here with you as soon as possible. I was working on putting that piece of shit behind bars, saving my business-the reason why you did all that, getting the video and doing something you might have hated doing, I was making sure I didn''t let your efforts go in vain."


    ¡°Lies," I scoffed. ¡°You were fixing everything because you wanted to get your position back¡ªafter all, you can''t live without the luxury, can you?" Yes -I had said the exact thing he had said to me and he should know how much it hurt because it actually tore me apart when he''d said that I couldn''t live without those luxuries when all the while, I was there, only for him.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    His eyes shed with hurt, knowing why I''d used those words. "You know I don''t give a damn about money, Evelyn. You know it, and you also know you''re saying this only to hurt me, which you should. But trust me, Evie, I didn''t mean any of those things I said that was just my anger. The worst side of me that I hadn''t seen in so long. I''m sorry, baby. Please give me onest chance to make it up to you."


    I knew he didn''t give a damn about the money.


    I knew every word he said, he meant it.


    I also knew he was hurting as much as I was hurting now.


    And that was the worst


    part-knowing it. Yes, that was just the worst part. I didn''t want to let myself down again, I''d done enough, borne enough, tried enough, and


    now it was time to find ice P


    arms


    just throw myself back into again. I needed to respect myself,


    the boundaries I set, and getting back with Jacob might put me in the same cycle again. He didn''t hesitate that time before breaking my heart into pieces, what was the guarantee he wouldn''t do it again?


    Without a word, I turned to Dad. ¡°Dad, I understand he''s your best friend and you have a soft spot for him. It''s only natural for you to want this rift between us to end. And I respect your choice to let him stay here, but let me tell you one thing straight I''ve made up my mind, and there will be no change in my decision," I sucked in a breath, trying not to break into sobs. "So if you even think of helping him worm his way back into my life¡ªyou''ll


    lose me."


    Dad''s expression softened, his eyes filled with concern, clearly grappling to find the right words. But before any of them could speak, I turned around, stormed upstairs, and mmed my door shut.


    I still loved Jacob....but I didn''t want him in my life. Not anymore.

 Chapter 143 Will The Distraction Work?

    Chapter 143 Will The Distraction Work?


    Evelyn


    The air in the room constricted around me like a vice, every breath a struggle against the weight of the situation bearing down on my chest. As I sank onto the bed, the gravity of it all seemed to amplify, squeezing out any semnce of ease I had left in me. Hands trembling, I fought for air, the echoes of his venomous words from that time wing their way back into my consciousness. And now, like a relentless barrage, his recent words,den with sincerity, reyed in my mind, tormenting me with their conflicting truths. How could someone be so cruel and yet so convincingly sincere? "I will never fucking forgive you, you bastard," I muttered, the words bitter on my tongue as tears traced a path down my cheeks. Alone in that suffocating space, it felt absurd to engage in a conversation with myself, yet I couldn''t help but vocalize the turmoil within. How foolish I must have seemed, reminiscing about the moments shared with him, reying them like a broken record.


    Damn it! I had convinced myself that I could finally break free from his grip, but here I was, tangled in the same fucked-up, screwed-up, absolutely frustrating emotional web once again.


    It felt like I hadn''t budged an inch from where I started. He lingered, stubbornly entrenched in the depths of my heart, just as he had since I was a naive kid, having this stupid crush on her dad''s best friend.


    When would I ever break free from this suffocating grip? This toxic cycle was beyond unhealthy; it was downright sickening.


    Why did I even fucking love him?!!!!


    "I''ll never fucking forgive you for how ruthlessly you shattered my heart," I whispered through clenched teeth, drawing my knees in closer, seeking sce in their embrace as I buried my face against my arms, muffling the quiet sobs that escaped.


    The realization hit hard; that asshole had shattered me with such ease.


    I was exhausted. Exhausted from the incessant thoughts of him, exhausted from his pathetic excuses, his twisted methods of inflicting pain, only to return with hollow apologies, expecting forgiveness on a silver tter. But not this time. I had reached my limit; I wouldn''t let him back in, not again. Brushing away the tears that refused to fucking stop, I focused on steadying my breath, willing myself to stop shedding tears over that despicable man. Just as I managed to regain a semnce ofposure, my phone buzzed, interrupting the silence of the room.


    Cameron''s name lit up the screen, and without hesitation, I opened his message.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "Well, I know it''s too early to ask, but is there a chance that we can meet again?"


    Without a second thought, I replied, "I was thinking the same thing. Let''s meet again."


    ***


    Today had gone surprisingly smoothly, likely because of my decision to remain holed up in my room for the majority of it, avoiding any chance encounters with Jacob. I had no intention of risking an encounter with Jacob, not willing to revert to that weakling who crumbled at the mere sight of him.


    Thankfully, both ra and Dad respected my need for space. Even Jacob seemed to understand, choosing not to intrude or coerce me into conversation. It was a small relief, a temporary reprieve from the turmoil his presence stirred within me.


    And now as the night descended, the truth remained unchanged-I had spent the entire day consumed by thoughts of Jacob. Not even avoiding him could dispel his hold over my mind and heart. That man was embedded in every fucking cell of my body. He was there-running deep in my veins, setting them on fire-every single moment.


    Yet amidst the relentless whirlwind


    of emotions, I''d add one thing-there was a brief respite I found in conversations with Cameron. Hispany provided a wee distraction, albeit tinged with guilt for using him as such. But for once, I


    allowed myself to be seAfter


    all had learned the hard way that selflessness only led to misery. Now, I was determined to pursue my own happiness, to explore avenues that didn''t lead back to Jacob Adriano. I was not going back to him-ever.


    Suddenly, the craving for wine began to gnaw at me, a familiar urge in times of stress. It would dull the edges of my anxiety and perhaps lull me into a semnce of sleep, however elusive it seemed.


    But what if I run into him?


    Fuck this!


    Enough. I needed to rip off the bandaid anyway¡ªit wasn''t as if I would be able to avoid him during his entire stay. Afterall we were under the same roof. So why waste energy on worry?


    With a resolve that bordered on


    desperation, I left thefort of my bed, slipped on my cozy slippers, and descended the stairs. The silence enveloped the house,


    amplifying the pounding of my heart as I made my way to the kitchen. Yet, my apprehension materialized the moment I stepped inside-there he was, Jacob, leaning against the counter, effortlessly opening a bottle of beer with his teeth, the cap ttering to the floor in sync with the pounding of my heart. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Moonlight filtered through the window, casting an ethereal glow upon his features. His presence was maic, drawing my gaze to his sculpted physique, his biceps, his abs, his sun-kissed skin begging to be touched. Sixteen days had passed since Ist felt his touch, his lips on mine, his hands on me and my hands on him...sixteen fucking days, well now, it was seventeen.


    ???


    A careless spill of beer traced a path down his chin, a tantalizing invitation for my fingers to erase the evidence. His tousled hair framed his face, a wild contrast to his controlled demeanor, tempting me to abandon reasons and run my hands through the silky locks. I longed to taste him, terun my fingers through his tousled hair, to inhale the familiar scent of his shampoo. My lungs ached for it-for the scent of him to penerate deep into them. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    But as his eyes met mine, reality crashed over me like a tidal wave. Instead of freezing in his gaze, I forced myself to act with rationality for once. Without missing a beat, I turned to leave, my body moving on autopilot. But just as I reached the threshold, his voice, deep and familiar, halted me in my tracks.


    Just as I reached the threshold, his voice, as deep and resonant as ever, shattered the silence. "Don''t mind me, Evelyn. This is your house anyway."

 Chapter 144 Its Not Over

    Chapter 144 It''s Not Over


    Evelyn


    I clenched my teeth at the sound of his voice, not because I loathed it, but because of the unsettling effect it had on me, pulling every fiber of my being toward him. My hands balled into fists at my sides before I summoned the courage to turn and face him. A sharp intake of breath almost escaped me as our eyes met once more those piercing green eyes of his never failed to captivate me.


    You have got this, Evelyn. You can do it.


    "Well, Maybe I was leaving because I simply didn''t want to look at your fucking face," I shot back, a hint of venomcing my words. A faint smirk tugged at his lips, as though he doubted my sincerity. In truth, he probably did.


    I so badly wished he couldn''t read me so easily.


    "I don''t think you hate seeing my face," he said, setting the beer bottle down on the counter with a soft clink. The kitchen was far from silent-the wind outside whispered through the open window, tousling his already unruly hair and adding to his ethereal allure.


    It was such a fucking cruel irony. He was breathtakingly beautiful. So enchanting and tempting. Yet, I couldn''t allow myself to sumb to him again. He was a beautiful disaster-a force that had already shattered me once, and I couldn''t afford to be broken again¡ªit''d fucking ruin me.


    "Well, you should, because your face disgusts me," I spat out the words, determined to wound him. As expected, hurt shed in his eyes, the light dimming for a moment before he masked it with augh. He''d always beenposed when he wanted to and those few times when he''d lost hisposure, he lost it so bad that now we were standing here as nothing more than strangers with memories that hurt.


    "For some reason I find that hard to believe," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Your words are hardly trustworthy now."


    "You should believe me, because you''ve lost me," I retorted, venom dripping from every syble. "All that''s left of me for you now is something akin to hatred."


    For some inexplicable reason, despite the hurt etched on his face by my words, doubt still clouded his eyes. I was intimately familiar with the nuances of his expressions - not a flicker of belief in a single word I uttered. His features betrayed a suspicion that I harbored intentions to inflict pain upon him. He might actually know about it because as much as I could read him, he could read me too.


    "You don''t hate me, Evelyn," he sighed, closing the gap between us with measured steps, mindful not to encroach too closely, leaving a few feet of space that somehow failed to buffer the palpable warmth radiating from his body. It could have been a residual sensation, a haunting memory of the contours of his frame pressed against mine, or perhaps the lingering fragrance of his cologne, stirring recollections buried deep within me, but then again, it could all be real, belonging to this moment, "You can never hate me," he murmured, his breath a whisper against the tumult of my thoughts. "You''re simply saying these words to wound me, to push me away. But you must understand, I won''t give you up willingly. I will fight for you for as long as it takes."


    His proximity intensified, the scent of his cologne suffusing the air, making it difficult to draw a steady breath - a tangible presence, so it was not merely a memory.


    "It''s irrelevant now, Jacob. You''ve already let me down - shattered everything we once shared, in fact, you fucking crushed it under your foot." I dered, fighting to steady my voice, to prevent the tremor of vulnerability from betraying me. "So it doesn''t fucking matter what you do from here on out. I''ve made my decision to expunge you from my life¡ªyou no longer hold a ce within it. Every path I choose will lead me farther from you. That''s what I damn well want."


    A brief silence hung between us, shattered by his decisive action as he closed the distance, preempting my attempt to retreat, his arm encircling my waist, drawing me nearer.


    Fuck.


    A surge of electricity coursed through me, a hunger for his touch, for his proximity, reigniting as if stoked by long-buried embers, until I could feel his breath mingling with mine once more.


    God! For once.... Let me have the strength. Please.


    "I''ll walk every conceivable path that


    leads to you and you alone," he whispered, his gaze intense, his words sending electric shockwaves coursing through my veins, igniting desires that threatened to consume me, leaving me on the precipice of surrender in his arms, yearning for him to piece me back together to mend what he''d shattered. "I''m aware of the mistakes I''ve made, Evelyn. I know the gravity of my actions, the weight of my ws, the consequences of my shorings, and yet you choose to love me still. Despite it all, you love me-that is what matters; I''ll do whatever it takes to mend your heart, to mend what I''ve broken, and to make us whole again. I love you, Evelyn-and people don''t give up on love. You are my life, and I am going to get my life back."


    No, Evelyn.


    You can''t fall weak.


    I drew in a breath before pressing my hands against his chest, momentarily tempted to check the beating of his heart but refraining, pushing him away.


    Truth be told-it took an immense amount of strength to push him away, but I was thankful that I did, or else I knew I would have ended up forgetting and forgiving everything, ultimately ending up kissing him.


    "Take my suggestion¡ªgive up," I said, making a move to turn and leave.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    But then his voice sliced through the room, echoing. "I won''t."


    "And mind telling me what sick hope is making you think that you have a chance of worming your way back into my life after what you did? What makes you think that I will be willing to let you in again?"


    He remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes studying me, making my skin itch under his


    scrutinizing gaze. "Love''s my hope, Evelyn. You made me believe in it,


    Evelyn


    and know this is what will bring us back together. I am not letting you go... Ever."


    It took a few moments to actually open my mouth. "I am noting back to you No matter what you do-whether you turn the world upside down, whether you beg, badly you realize that you messed up and want to make everything better. It''s not going to work-I have made up my mind, Jacob. We are over."


    grovel or cry about how ea


    And just like that, without giving him another nce, I turned around and walked away.

 Chapter 145 Words

    Chapter 145 Words


    Evelyn


    As the sunlight filtered through the curtains, dancing with the breeze that gently stirred them, I found myself lost in a battle of distractions. With each crunch of a chip, I attempted to drown out the relentless thoughts of that infuriating man, burying myself in the pages of a book. Yet, even the storyline of my chosen novel failed to captivate me, paling inparison to the chaotic drama of my own fucking life-a tragic fucked-up movie that audiences would devour when the characters would go through shit, feel like shit and maybe even look like shit!


    Fuck this.


    I am going to move forward, leave him and his memory behind once and for all¡ªthat''s final.


    "Caroline didn''t want to be with Edward, yet she knew he held the key to her heart, igniting a fire within her that no one else could replicate a spark destined to burn eternally," I read aloud, my jaw tensing with each word.


    It seemed the universe conspired against me, even influencing my choice of reading material-a cruel reminder of what I was desperately trying to escape.


    With a frustrated growl, I mmed the book shut and sat up, a wave of agitation washing over me. As I headed to the bookshelf in search of a distraction, a sudden knock shattered the silence of the room.


    Who was it now?


    "Come in," I muttered absentmindedly, my fingers grazing over the spines of various books until I settled on a thriller. There was no chance this genre would trigger thoughts of him; if anything, it would fuel my imagination with psychotic fantasies of revenge-a thought I''d shamelessly entertain. I would kill him, slowly and painfully-yes!


    "Well, what have we here in the early hours?" ra''s voice echoed, drawing my attention away from the shelf.


    "Just losing myself in a book, ra-trying to make productive use of my time," I replied, flopping back onto the bed in my usual manner, legs raised as I sprawled across the mattress. "Finishing a book might provide a sense of aplishment, don''t you think?"


    "I see," ra mused, joining me on the edge of the bed, her eyes skimming the cover of my chosen novel. "A thriller-not your typical choice."


    "I''m trying to shake things up, ra," I sighed, flipping through the first few pages. "No point in sticking to the same old routine, the same old choices. People change, after all."


    I felt the softening of ra''s gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the underlying meaning behind my words. She knew me too well to overlook that. No doubt, her arrival, especially at this hour, hinted at a conversation rted to Jacob''s stay, a maneuver orchestrated by Dad to soften the blow of his impending apology. I was pretty sure he''d be here once ra gave him the green signal.


    "Can I ask you something, Evie?" ra''s voice pierced the silence, drawing my focus to her.


    "Go ahead, ra."


    She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before plunging into the heart of the matter. "Do you truly don''t want Jacob in your life anymore?"


    My throat constricted at her directness. I hadn''t anticipated such a blunt interrogation, but now I was obliged to respond.


    I found myself hesitating, emotions swirling like a tempest within me, my pulse quickening with each passing second.


    Did I genuinely want him out of my life?


    Damn it! That was a tough question. At this moment, I was consumed by anger, hurt, and a profound ache-I wanted to revel in these emotions, make them permanent even, to shut him out indefinitely. But what if my feelings changed in the days toe?


    No! I couldn''t allow that to happen. Allowing him back in would only invite further heartache-he''d break me again. For sure.


    "No, ra," I finally admitted, a weary sigh escaping my lips. "I don''t want him in my life anymore I''ve closed the chapter that includes Jacob. He''s no longer a factor."


    ra nodded understandingly,R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    reaching out to gently grasp my


    hand in hers, offering aforting squeeze It was as though she


    sensed the monumental effort


    took for me to voice those words. "We respect your decision, Evie. Your happiness is all that matters to us, and we only want what''s best for you."


    Then, she shed me a soft smile. "But I want to tell you one thing. I know you''re not pleased with Jacob staying here, but believe us, we only agreed because he truly wanted it. He''s determined to make things right with you, to make you stay. He doesn''t want to lose you and promises to make amends. That''s why we allowed it¡ªnot to interfere, but to give him a chance to prove himself to you. We want Both of you to find happiness, without any regrets. So, by letting him stay, we''ve given him an opportunity to earn your trust back and given you a chance to reconsider your decision-a chance that both of you deserve. We never want you to regret anything, Evie. Ever. I hope you can understand and forgive your dad and me."


    "I understand, ra. It''s okay that you allowed him to stay. Regardless of our rtionship turning sour, he''s still Dad''s best friend, and just because things didn''t work out between Jacob and me, Dad shouldn''t have to lose a friend," I


    el


    marmured, "As terrible of a boyfriend as Jacob may have been can''t


    deny that he''s loyal and a good


    friend. So, there''s no need for any of


    you to apologize to me." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    ra offered a gentle smile and tenderly brushed her fingers against my cheek. "Our Evie is all grown up now, huh?"


    "Stop it, ra. You''re making me sound like I''m fifteen."


    "No, you''re twenty," she chuckled, cupping my face and nting a kiss on my forehead. "And far more sensible than most twenty-year-olds."


    "Are you going to get sentimental now? Please don''t unleash the waterworks again," I teased.


    "No, I won''t," she assured me, rising from the bed. "I''ll go tell your dad the good news so he can stop stressing out. He''s a mess, Evie¡ªyou can''t imagine how much he''s freaking out."


    "Fine," I chuckled. "Go and deliver the good news to your hubby."


    "Absolutely." With that, she exited the room, leaving behind a brief moment of silence. But soon enough, the tranquility was shattered by the sound of


    a message alert.


    A familiar ID shed on the screen, and I opened his text.


    "Ready for our date, beautiful?"


    Well...therees my distraction.

 Chapter 146 Burning Edges

    Chapter 146 Burning Edges


    Evelyn


    I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, d in a pristine white gown that hugged my figure, entuated by matching high heels. With meticulous care, I let my hair cascade in loose curls, using the curling iron after ages. A spritz of perfume and I grabbed my purse before exiting the room. It had been ages since I wore white-I had grown ustomed to Jacob''s favorite-ck. Everything ck. But never in my life, even for once had I thought he''d leave me in ck just like that that. He tainted everything with that colour and snatched the rest of the colours away from my palette. Descending the staircase, I treaded cautiously to avoid any mishaps. Yet, just as I thought I had navigated thest fucking step, I collided with an obstacle so solid it felt like mming into a brick wall. A groan escaped me as pain radiated through my forehead, but before I could fully register the impact, a familiar scent enveloped me, dispelling the notion of a wall. It was him. My heartbreaker. My Ruin.


    Rubbing my forehead, I opened my eyes to find him standing before me.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    "Are you alright, Evelyn?" His voice, warm and concerned, drew closer as he approached, d in a simple ck t-shirt and grey trousers, exuding effortless charm that only added to his allure. Despite Cameron''s undeniable appeal, my mind involuntarilypared him to Jacob, finding thetter infinitely more captivating in every aspect. More tempting. More sinful. More of everything.


    That was the crux of it-Jacob Adriano still held sway over me, the power to fucking ruin mepletely. I would sooner allow anyone else to break me than permit him to do so again.


    "Not exactly fine after colliding with a solid mass," I retorted, feigning indifference as I attempted to mask the tumult of emotions swirling within me. "Perhaps watch your step next time.


    I attempted to sidestep him swiftly, eager to put distance between us, but his firm grasp on my wrist halted my escape. His touch ignited a ze along my skin, the sensation akin to fiery bands encircling my wrist, apanied by the soft crackle of embers and the warmth of his breath against my neck. We stood too close, a proximity that I hadn''t fullyprehended until that moment.


    Fuck. Let me have my shit together-please god!


    "Where are you off to, looking like that?" His question hung in the air, a subtle challenge beneath his words, just as my phone began to ring. Silently I withdrew my hand from his grip, though the lingering sensation of his touch lingered, an unwee reminder of his presence. I answered the call without checking the caller ID.


    "I''m right outside your ce, beautiful," Cameron''s voice filtered through the line.


    Jacob''s gaze narrowed as I spoke into the phone, making arrangements without acknowledging his presence, "Okay. I will be right there."


    Despite his silent scrutiny, I tucked my phone away, only to be met with his voice once more, this timeced with an authoritative edge, as if he still wielded some im over me, a im he had long since forfeited.


    "Where are you going?"


    For a fleeting moment, I almost entertained the notion of disregarding him entirely, of walking out of the house and leaving him behind¡ªan unequivocal statement that he could indeed "fuck off." But that wasn''t what I wanted. No, I desired something more from him. The satisfaction of seeing him unsettled, perhaps even jealous, at the prospect of my date with Cameron was far more enticing. And so, I did just that.


    "On a date," I dered, crossing my arms defensively over my chest, "But I fail to see how that''s any of your fucking business, Mr. Adriano."


    His jaw tightened, a flicker of


    §á§Ö§ã§ß§Ö


    jealousy dancing in his eyes before it was overshadowed by a surge of rage, intensifying the emerald hue to something darker, something that stirred a primal urge within me, advanced, closing the distance until our faces were mere inches apart, his breath mingling with mine, igniting a fierce battle against the rising desires I struggled to suppress. The sight of him was fucking intoxicating. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Who?" Jacob''s voice was low, sending a shiver down my spine, an unfamiliar thrill coursing through me, mingled with apprehension and anticipation. "Once again, none of your concern," I countered, refusing to yield under his prating gaze. I wasn''t one to retreat-if he expected me to fucking bend, he was sorely mistaken.


    "Does Samuel know about thistest boy toy of yours?" His eyes flicked toward my father, who was engrossed in watering the flowers of the garden, oblivious to our exchange.


    "And why should that matter to you? Are you suddenly the guardian of our moralpass? What are you? My Grandpa?" I scoffed, though in truth, Dad was already informed. ra had spilled the beans, yet hisck of interference or inquiries about Cameron signified his tacit approval of whomever I chose to spend time with. I needed to extricate myself from the clutches of the man standing before me, and I was prepared to do whatever it took to move on from him. And Cameron was the first move-not sure if it was exactly working or not but atleast I got high hopes.


    "So this is what we''re going to do every time we fucking talk? Argue?" he asked, frustration seeping into his tone. "Is that what you want?"


    "No, not at all. I''d rather we didn''t talk at all," I replied with a shrug. "That would be preferable, if you ask me."


    His jaw clenched, fists tightening at his sides. For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze locked on me as if trying to decipher my thoughts, frustration evident as he realized there was nothing to glean. I didn''t offer any clues-how could he find something that wasn''t there?


    "You''re taking it too far, Evelyn..." he muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of desperation and warning. "Don''t do this." Taking it too far? He had to be fucking joking.


    "You went to a hotel and kissed your fucking ex, and now you''re here lecturing me about going on a simple date being ''too far''?" I scoffed, disbelief coloring my tone. "Seriously, Jacob, have some decency. I can''t believe you!" I attempted to move past him, but he grabbed my arm, halting me in my tracks.


    "I fucked up. I know it but that doesn''t mean you have to follow suit," he whispered, yet his voice was carrying a strength that I could never match. "You don''t want to end up regretting it like I do."


    "I''d rather have regrets than spend my days mourning a jerk who didn''t give a damn when he broke my heart!" I wrenched my arm from his grip. "I don''t know how many times have to say this, but you and I are done. So next time, don''t bother asking about my life, my dates, or who I fuck." His eyes darkened at my words, as if I had struck a nerve-which I undoubtedly had. But I didn''t care. Without another nce in his direction, I stormed out of the house, feeling his gaze burning into my back with every step. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    As soon as I stepped outside, I spotted Cameron''s car parked in front, his windows rolled down. He removed his sunsses, shing a smile in my direction.


    Well, a handsome distraction should better fucking work.

 Chapter 147 It Begins

    Chapter 147 It Begins


    Jacob


    As she stormed out, rage simmered beneath my skin, wing its way through flesh and bone-I was seething. More furious at myself than her; if only


    I had treated her as she deserved, none of this would be happening. She would still be in my arms, where she belonged. Yet, I couldn''t deny the anger I felt towards her too-the mere thought of her with another man ignited a sadistic fury within me. God, I swore I wasn''t a sadist, but the thoughts swirling in my mind tempted me to envision a myriad of ways to kill her new date, to make his demise agonizing each and every time. A very slow and painful death-every fucking time.


    A guttural groan escaped me, drawing the attention of my friend who was casually tending to the nts, but then he decided to ignore me. This jerk was also to be med-Evelyn had his fucking attitude-snarky, moody, stubborn.


    I stormed outside, entering the garden with purpose. "You know she''s fucking going on a date?!" I barked, my fists clenching at my sides. I had to restrain the urge tosh out and beat the shit out of him-after all, he was the father of the woman whose affection I was desperately trying to win back. Beating him wouldn''t be an advantage on my side right now.


    His gaze snapped to me, initially registering confusion before recognition dawned. "Ah, that..." he murmured, his tone casual. "I''m aware. Cameron''s a decent guy."


    So, that pup''s name was Cameron...


    And decent? Surely he wasn''t. I knew Evelyn''s choice-she chose me. So there was no way she was looking for decent. She wanted something bad -Hard. Rough. Thrilling. Exciting enough to make her forget me.


    "Why the fuck did you let her go?" I growled, my anger palpable. If he wasn''t her father, I might have given in to the impulse to pummel him senseless.


    "Why shouldn''t I?" He turned off the water, his demeanor unwavering. There was a hint of amusement in his voice and eyes, as if he relished the opportunity to provoke me. "You screwed up, Jacob. It''s on you. I''m not going to advise her to wait around for you. If she finds someone better, especially someone younger, she should go for it. Atleast I wouldn''t have to call my best friend''s child ''grandkids''-it''ll be a much better scenario for me." A smirk tugged at his lips as he observed my expression darken with seriousness.


    "You''re really being an ass right now, you know that?" I muttered through gritted teeth.


    "Well, if this means being an ass then I''ll dly wear the title. I''m not going to stand in her way-if she finds someone who can treat her better, handle his temper more responsibly, and not mess things up, then I''ll support their rtionship," he retorted, a sarcastic smile ying on his lips. Stepping closer, he stood directly in front of me, amusement dancing in his eyes. "So if you don''t want to lose her, Jacob, you better get moving. Time''s ticking." With a pat on my back and a chuckle, he strolled past me, leaving me seething in his wake.


    That bastard....


    I remained rooted to the spot, struggling to contain my anger and frustration.


    It was painfully clear-my best friend had no intention of assisting me. In fact, he seemed to revel in my suffering, harboring resentment for what I had done. And it was equally apparent that Evelyn was determined to chip away at every shred of self-control I had managed to muster sinceing to America.


    I didn''t want to resort to my old ways...


    But it seemed I had no other choice.


    ***


    Evelyn


    I walked back into the house, bidding Cameron goodbye with a hug. The date was amazing. Cameron wasn''t rushing things; it felt more like two old friends catching up after an age apart. He made me feelfortable, like I didn''t have to be on guard every second. So far, Cameron was a green g. But what would happen next? Another date, perhaps, and then another. Eventually, we''d have to move forward, wouldn''t we?Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Damn. I hadn''t thought about it until now.


    We had to...


    God, it was terrifying.


    The mere thought of another man touching me, except for-


    Shit! Why was I thinking about him?


    "Argh, Evelyn! You need to fucking move on," I grumbled under my breath, kicking off my heels as I made my way upstairs, relishing the freedom of bare feet. Finally!


    Heels were such a hassle, all that struggle just to look a few inches taller-totally not worth it.


    As I approached my room and pushed open the door, a sudden iron grip seized my wrist, pulling the door shut behind me. My back pressed against the now firmly closed door, and my eyes locked with the culprit who had imprisoned me-Jacob. A soft gasp slipped past my lips.


    He looked... well, what could I say?


    He looked stunning as always, his hair now tousled, likely from running his hands through it repeatedly, his lips carrying the faint scent of beer and his green eyes exhibiting a hint of intoxication-he was absolutely mesmerizing, just like always But with the moonlight streaming through the window at the end of the corridor, casting an ethereal glow upon his face and


    entuating the depth of his emerald eyes, he wasn''t just


    stunning... he was dangerous-to


    my soul, to my heart, to me. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    This is how you know, you have met the man who is your ultimate destruction.


    "Had fun with your little date?" he rasped, his voice sending vibrations through my chest, betraying his agitation.


    "The best date I''ve ever had," I replied, fully aware of the effect my words would have. And sure enough, his gaze narrowed, his jaw clenched, and his breathing grew heavier.


    "Oh really? So Cameron was that interesting, huh?" He raised an eyebrow, his stare piercing into me, daring me to provoke him further.


    I couldn''t help but wonder how he knew Cameron''s name, but the curiosity faded as quickly as it arose. It had to be my dad-no one else would do it.


    "Much more interesting than you ever were," I chuckled, "And much more of a gentleman than you will ever be," & made an attempt to step away, but he looped his arm around my waist, mming me against the door. His body pressed fully against mine, igniting a sudden need for friction.


    "But that''s the thing," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous, "You never liked gentlemen. You craved someone who could satisfy your desires, fuck you right and keep you in line. You need to be tamed, Evelyn. You need to be fucking owned¡ªnot just cared for."


    His words stirred something primal within me, conflicting emotions swirling-insult and truth tangled together. I needed to be owned, to be tamed, for my own good, and deep down, I knew only he could do it right.


    Damn him! He was the bane of my fucking existence.


    "I''ve seen what you brought me in the end-how you shattered me. Maybe this time, I need freedom more than I need to be tamed," I retorted, defiancecing my words. "So I''do as I please, Jacob. I went on a date with him, and next time, I may even sleep with him if I want to. You have no say in this. You don''t own me. Not anymore."


    His eyes zed with rage and frustration, but instead of responding, he mmed his fist against the door before whispering, "You''re going to regret this, Evelyn..." Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his heavy footsteps echoing his departure.


    A smirk tugged at my lips as I watched him go.


    I had found yet another way to infuriate him, and while I knew it wasn''t right, I didn''t care. I was going to do it anyway.

 Chapter 148 Hot And Aching

    Chapter 148 Hot And Aching


    Evelyn


    In the dark, the strong hands stealthily slipped under the cover, pulling down my panties and gliding upwards to cup my breasts still encased ince and silk.


    I moaned at the feeling, my back arching, I involuntarily ended up pressing myself more into his body. It was him-I didn''t need to open my eyes to realize that. His familiar cologne enveloped me, a heady concoction that stirred memories and desires. The warmth of his body pressed against mine, igniting a fire that threatened to consume us both. And his touch, oh, his touch-it could only belong to one person. Him-unmistakably him-My Ruin.


    His lips brushed against mine, his warm breathing fanning my face, my breathing constantly getting heavier as his hand slowly moved tond on my bare, wet, aching pussy, and he rubbed slow yet ruthless circles there.


    Oh god...


    I couldn''t dare to open my eyes because I knew if I did I would crumble into his arms. Completely.


    "Will you meet that guy again?" He asked, lowly, a possessive edge to his voice. His free hand molded my breast, pinching my nipple through the fabric of thecy bra, and a soft moan slipped past my lips, but I didn''t dare to answer. I still kept my eyes closed.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    A growl rumbled in his chest at my silence, "Fine, your way then," and suddenly his fingers suddenly thrust inside of me, causing me to jerk and gasp loudly. My eyes flew open at the sudden pration and our eyes locked.


    Holy...


    "I need my answer, Evelyn," he said, cupping my jaw tightly, his lips inches away from mine-I wanted him to kiss me. So bad.


    But I couldn''t surrender to him, not when it meant handing him the satisfaction he craved. I refused to grant him that power. No, I wanted to challenge him, to push him to the brink just as he pushed me. So, I held back, withholding the answer he sought, knowing it would only fuel his desires.


    I wanted to see him equally frustrated, teetering on the edge just as I was.


    "You won''t give up so easily, will you?" A smirk curved at his lips, he probably understood my game....


    And then before I could progress what he was about to do, he started moving his fingers in and out of me. Slowly fucking me with his fingers, I shamelessly rocked against him, pushing myself further into his palm as he fucked me. And then he increased his speed, from starting to move very slowly to ruthlessly fucking me and making the bead beneath us shake and squeal.


    "Oh fuck!" I cried out, holding onto the sheets as tight as I could, my back arched, and my hips shook. The sound of my own wetness echoed the room making shivers run down my spine.


    His gaze, intense and unwavering, bore into me, dissecting every flicker of emotion, every subtle reaction. I found myself ensnared, unable to tear my eyes away from his prating stare. His face, absolutely fucking mesmerizing, drew me in deeper, especially at such close proximity, making it even more challenging to focus on anything else.


    His fingers curled inside of me, drawing more wetness out that it slid down to my butthole, and pulling out his fingers Jacob slowly circled my puckered butthole, pressing a thumb inside.


    "Ahh," I screamed but his hand came over my mouth silencing me, his smirk evident.


    "Don''t worry I am not going to fuck you there yet," He chuckled, "I was just checking if it still feels how it felt thest time I took you there. And fuck..." His eyes darkened, "It feels even better."


    I looked at him, my eyes watery from all the torture of his ministrations and he slowly pushed his fingers back inside of my pussy again, and this time they didn''t even start slow, the moment he''d thrust them inside of me, he began to move with absolute ruthlessness. Too fast and rapid. Hitting spots that made me stars behind my eyelids.


    "Oh my god..." I cried, my cries muffled because of his hand over my mouth and my orgasm neared.


    I was so fucking close....


    My walls began to clench and unclench around his digits, my body shook, and my hips rose but just then he pulled out his fingers, leaving me painfully hanging.


    "No, please," I pleaded through tears, my voice trembling with desperation. "Don''t stop."


    A smirk crept across his lips, his face looming closer to mine as he removed his hand from my mouth, his gaze fixed on me. "Then give me what I want, Evelyn," he demanded, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.


    I gasped for air, my lungs struggling to fill with oxygen amidst the onught of sensations.


    It was agonizing, the nearness of the climax teasing but elusive, withholding its release.


    And then, in a moment of raw vulnerability, amidst the haze of desire and overwhelming need, I confessed the one thing I never thought I would. "I won''t... I won''t meet him anymore."


    el.n


    A glint of triumph shed in his eyes, his hand curling around my throat as his smirk widened, victorious. "Now, that wasn''t so hard, was it?" he whispered against my lips, his fingers descending to trace delicate circles over my clit, reigniting the mes of desire.


    "Please..." I begged, aching for him.


    "Just get thing one thing straight in your head, Evelyn," He whispered, his voice low, as his fingers continued their slow sensual movements on my clit, trailing down my slick folds, "You are fucking mine..." stopping his movements for a second, and with practiced ease he slid down his trousers, followed by his brief, freeing his cock, "And I will make


    sure every fucking man in this world


    knows it." and then without any


    warning he mmed his cock inside


    of me.


    The orgasm crashed over me like a tidal wave, my eyes snapping open in shock. I sat up abruptly, my hips trembling uncontrobly as the overwhelming wave of ecstasy engulfed me, leaving my mind in a whirlwind and my body quivering with aftershocks.


    Gripping onto the sheets for dear life, I rode out the intensity of the climax, slowlying down from the dizzying heights of pleasure.


    Fuck.


    This was just a sex dream.


    But the orgasm was real....


    Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.


    I just had a sex dream of the man I was trying to avoid at all costs.


    "Shit, Evelyn. What the fuck are you doing?" I muttered, running a hand through my hair and a cold bead of sweat slid down my forehead. The orgasm...was intense. The first one I fucking had after I left Jacob in Italy.


    Peeling the duvet away from my body, I discovered the sizable wet patch on my panties, and a shiver ran down my spine as the memory of the dream flooded back. It had felt to real... the sensation of him so close, his breath mingling with mine, his touch igniting every nerve ending within me-it had felt too good.


    But it was a fucking bad news! Because now I fucking knew, it was going to be way tougher to resist Jacob than I''d imagined it''d be.


    I sighed burying my face into my hands.


    Things were not going to be easy....but I at least knew what I needed to do.

 Chapter 149 Green Eyed Monster

    Chapter 149 Green Eyed Monster


    Jacob


    As I paced back and forth in the dimly lit room, the early morning light barely making a dent in the heavy shadows, I felt the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me like a physical force. Sleep had eluded me, slipping through my grasp like sand through clenched fists, as thoughts of her, and only her, tormented my mind. Evelyn Fernandez-the woman, wrapped in indifference and fury, who seemed to had sworn to make my life a living hell for me. And indeed she was seeding.


    Like for real-Her tant disregard for me, like I was some kind of contagious disease to be avoided at all costs, cut deeper than any knife. And as if it wasn''t enough, she chose to gallivant off with random, meaningless, stupid boys. It was evident-she wanted to torture me and she was clearly winning this game.


    I was teetering on the edge of insanity, consumed by rage and desperation. But what recourse did I have? She was a locked door, impervious to reason or plea, reveling in the misery she inflicted upon me. I pushed her to the stage and now I had to suffer there was no way out.


    "Why don''t you just confront her? Have a real conversation about your rtionship," Bianca''s voice shattered the heavy silence, her words piercing through the haze of my thoughts. "Stop tiptoeing around it like you''re discussing the weather over tea. You can''t just avoid it!"


    "I''ve tried," I confessed, my voice heavy. "But I can''t rush it. I need time to gather my thoughts, to mend what I''ve broken. I want to take it slow, for both our sakes. But instead of giving a damn about me, she''s out there with every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Can you believe it, Bee? That little vixen is not giving single flying fuck about me. I can''t fucking take it!"


    To my astonishment, Bianca''s response was a slow, deliberate murmur, "Perhaps she should..."


    My blood boiled at her audacity. "What the fuck did you just say?" I demanded, my patience snapping like a brittle twig.


    "Nothing," she shrugged it off with augh, "But listen to me. She''s hurt, furious even. And what better way tosh out than by being in the arms of another? She wants to see you squirm, to feel the sting of your jealousy like ash across your skin. So, if you want any chance of salvaging this mess, you need to stop ying into her hands. And for god''s sake, make sure she doesn''t wander into the arms of some lowlife. Heartbroken women are easy prey for predators. You need to fucking protect her, even if she sees you as the enemy."


    "But she won''t let me," I spat bitterly, frustration bubbling up like bile in my throat. "To her, I''m nothing but the viin in her twisted narrative." Bianca''s words hit me like a p in the face, each sybleced with a biting truth that I had been desperately trying to ignore. "Because you broke her damn heart, you idiot," she snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a razor. "What did you expect, Jacob? A warm fuzzy hug and a kiss on the cheek? You screwed up, big time, and now you need to step up and fix it. Take your time, endure her actions, and find the right moment to make things right."


    "You don''t understand, Bianca," I sighed, ¡°It''s not as simple as convincing her. She''s reveling in this twisted game, and the only way to win her back is to outy her."


    "What the hell are you talking about? This isn''t some stupid video game-it''s a rtionship," Bianca retorted, her frustration palpable.


    But she didn''tprehend the stakes, the burning desire wing at my insides. "You won''t get it," I dismissed her with a wave of my hand, ending the call before she could protest further.


    "No wait-"


    Alone in the dimly lit room, I tossed my phone onto the bed, its screen flickering in the darkness. I stripped off my shirt and headed for the bathroom, the cold water hitting my face like a wake-up call. My nerves were already on edge, my mind racing with the urgency of my mission.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    I had to win Evelyn back before someone else swooped in to im her. And if that meant resorting to tactics I never imagined, then so be it.


    I knew I fucking broke her, that I should be begging for her forgiveness, pleading for another chance. But patience was a luxury I couldn''t afford, not when every fiber of my being screamed for her touch, to feel her, to have her close and her legs spread before me on the bed- I burned for her, a fire raging out of control, consuming me from the inside out.


    I needed to get her back. At any cost.


    It was hard to even breathe when she wasn''t near me.


    The mere thought of another man''s hands on her, his lips tracing her skin, ignited a primal fury within me. "No," I growled, running a hand through my damp hair, the strands clinging to my skin. "I won''t allow it. No one else will have her-none."


    ***


    The morning took a surprising turn,


    one that sent a jolt through my senses. I never expected my little vixen to orchestrate a pool party with her friends. It was clearly a spur-of-the-moment arrangement, judging by Mason''s tardy arrival. He shot me a venomous re as he brushed past me in the hallway. But his disdain was nothing new-I was used to being the object of their collective ire. Evelyn included. So, that was causal now. Nothing to worry about.


    I lingered on the balcony, sipping my coffee with feigned nonchnce, surveying her gathering from afar. Familiar faces mingled with unfamiliar ones -Mason, Nancy, and Jennie, they were the only familiar ones and the new ones? Well, I didn''t quite like their vibe but I wasn''t here to pass judgment on her circle. No, my sole purpose was to locate Cameron.


    I was certain Evelyn would drag him here, fueled by her relentless determination to make my life a living hell.


    As I observed her, I couldn''t deny the


    electricity that crackled between us. She was acutely aware of my gaze, yet her confidence remained unshaken. d in a daring red bikini, the scant fabric struggled to contain her curves, drawing my attention like a ma. The triangles barety concealed her ample breasts that I wanted to squeeze knowing they''d fit perfectly in my palm, tempting my eyes to linger, while her pump arse beckoned to be touched, to be imed. God! I wanted to bite


    her-all over.


    I wanted to have her beneath me, with her pussy filled with my seeds, her body red and covered in my marks. I wanted to hear her cry, scream and beg when I''d fuck her, diving deep into her cunt every time.


    Sensations traveled directly to my crotch and it hardened beneath my pants.


    With every subtle movement, she tantalized me, igniting a primal hunger that simmered beneath my skin.


    That body.....God, that body of hers! It would be the death of me someday.


    I could actuallye just from the sight of her and I hadn''te in my pants, since seventh grade, to be exact.


    Suppressing a guttural groan, I took another sip of my coffee, attempting to drown out the overwhelming need coursing through me. But the bitter taste did little to distract me from the sight of Evelyn, tantalizingly close yet maddeningly out of reach. My thoughts spiraled into a whirlwind of longing -I wanted to touch her, to taste her, to lose myself in her.


    I wanted to fuck her. Hard.


    Then, like a siren''s call, I heard Evelyn''s voice pierce the air, "Cameron."


    My eyes narrowed as I watched him, his gaze hidden behind dark shades, rendering his intentions inscrutable-it was hard to tell whether he was checking my girl out or not, but I think, he indeed was. It was hard for any man in their right senses to avoid her when she looked like that.


    Evelyn approached him, her hand resting on his shoulder as she whispered something in his ear pointing at Mason who was drowning himself in champagne, and my blood boiled with jealousy.


    With clenched fists, I bore witness to their exchange, a simmering rage bubbling beneath the surface.


    Evelyn didn''t know but she was bringing a lot of trouble for herself. A whole lot of it.


    Cameron''s whispered words elicited genuineughter from Evelyn, a sight that simultaneously warmed and tore at my heart knowing that the person who made herugh was not me, but someone else. The urge to im her as my own surged within me, eachugh, each touch fueling the fire of possessiveness that raged inside.


    I wanted to storm down there, to


    seize her in my arms and brand her as mine for all to see. I wanted to


    kiss her in front of everybody and let them fucking know that she


    restraint held me in ce, rookel


    belonged to me-only me. But


    to


    the spot as if shackled by invisible chains. Yet, when Evelyn abruptly rose and disappeared into the mansion, an unbidden impulse propelled me forward, my feet carrying me towards her without conscious thought.


    I knew where she was headed.

 Chapter 150 Better?

    Chapter 150 Better?


    Evelyn


    I could feel his eyes on me the whole time, stripping away the scant clothing I wore. I fucking knew how much he wanted to touch me, to have his hands on me, lips on mine. His struggle only fueled my own desire of increasing his turmoil.


    That''s where Cameron came in to help. I was d I invited him to this impromptu pool party and more d that he showed up. Unlike me, he was totally invested in whatever that was going on between us. I wouldn''t dare to put a name on it. So yeah, it was only natural for him to be there and try to spend time with me. Honestly, I did enjoy talking to him. Cameron was a good guy¡ªa gentleman. But he didn''t ignite those sparks, didn''t make me feel the breathtaking chase and thrill that Jacob did. He didn''t make my skin crawl or my heart race, nor did he evoke that deep urge to watch him for hours without blinking. He made me feel nothing-absolutely nothing.


    And could this ever suffice for someone who was used to feeling everything at once?


    I wondered if we''d ever move past this friendship phase because I certainly didn''t feel anywhere near ready.


    My throat grew dry, my cheeks burning under the harsh sun. What was even harsher was Jacob Adriano''s gaze, heating me all over.


    "Excuse me, guys," I began, removing my hand from Cameron''s shoulder. "I''ll be back from the kitchen."


    "Why are you going to the kitchen?" Jennie asked from the pool, downing her drink. "We have all the drinks here."


    "Ice," I replied inly, knowing it would suffice. They knew how sensitive I was to the sun, but whatpounded this sensitivity was my ex- boyfriend''s lingering gaze. I couldn''t tell them; they''d kill me if they knew I was still as attracted to Jacob as before.


    They wanted me to move on, but moving on from something so intoxicating, so sinful, and so perfect in every way wasn''t possible. Okay, fine, I knew Jacob wasn''t perfect; he had his ws, too many to ignore. But still the way he was, he was perfect to me. A perfection that ended up hurting me¡ª ruining me.


    "Sensitive to heat, beautiful?" Cameron asked, removing his sunsses, his sea-blue eyes fixed on me.


    "Kinda," I replied with a smile.


    "Do you want me toe with you?"


    "No, there''s no need," I chuckled. "I''ll be right back. In the meantime, you can enjoy my friends''pany. Although they are total assholes, I promise they''ll be nice to you."


    "Hey, we aren''t assholes!" Mason protested.


    "Oh, really? Thanks for letting me know," Iughed, turning around and heading into the mansion, with Mason''s protests fading behind me, mixed with Cameron''s chuckle and a few moreughs.


    Entering the kitchen, I continued to giggle and shake my head, but theughter died on my lips as I took the first step inside.


    There stood my ruin, casually leaning against the kitchen counter, right beside the thermal ice box. His eyes locked on me, taking a slow tour of my form-from my thighs, as if he wanted to sink his teeth into them, to my belly, as if he wanted to trace his lips all over it, to my breasts, where we both knew his desiresy, and then to my neck, as if he was deciding where to leave his mark, finally meeting my gaze.


    Don''t freak out, Evelyn. You can do it.


    You can fucking do it!!!


    "Well, hello," he said in a low voice, his eyes never leaving mine, sending a nervous flutter through me.


    He looked stunning. Too tempting, with his sky-blue shirt boasting a few undone buttons that offered a tantalizing glimpse of his abs, and those white jeans that clung to his long legs. I fought the urge to reach out and y with the gold chain around his neck-I missed the way it felt against my skin. Oh, how I remembered the cold sensation of it when our chests would meet, his body pressing into mine, thrusting deep.


    Fuck! I needed to regain control of myself.


    Deciding not to respond, if only for the sake of my sanity, I walked past him to grab ice from the box. But I realized I had ventured too close when I found myself standing right beside him-Fuck.


    I attempted to retreat, almost abandoning my n to retrieve ice, but Jacob had no intention of making things easy for me.


    His hand slipped slowly around my waist, igniting a fiery trail on my bare skin as he backed me against the counter. Standing before me, winds blew in through the window, sending a shiver down my spine.


    Holy....


    He leaned closer without a word, his breath warming my face as he gazed at me¡ªhis eyes conveying temptations that stirred me. God, his green eyes-they were the greatest weakness I''d ever known.


    My breathing quickened, my heart pounding in my chest.


    "What the fuck... What the fuck are you doing?" Damn it, I was stuttering.


    "I should be the one asking that question, shouldn''t I?" he replied, raising an eyebrow, not backing away or making it any easier for me.


    He was sexy...


    Get a grip, Evelyn. Pull yourself together!All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Technically, you shouldn''t be asking me anything at all," I managed to say, clearing my throat.


    "But I think I should," he murmured softly. "I''m watching my girlfriend cozy up to some new guy, seeing them get closer, and to top it off, I''m forced to keep my distance. Do you still think I shouldn''t be asking you anything?"


    "First of all, I''m not your fucking girlfriend anymore-we''re over. So, no-you shouldn''t be asking me anything."


    He let out a chuckle, looking


    amused. "You''re still my girl, Evelyn,"


    We are,


    he whispered lifting his hand to brush his thumb against my lower lip, pulling it down gently. "Denying it doesn''t change anything. We both know that no matter where what we''re doing, or what the circumstances are, we''re always fucking dying to be near each other. Isn''t that the truth, Evelyn? Can you change the truth just by denying it?"


    I had always known he had a way with words, but it seemed he also had a knack for exposing truths I''d been desperately trying to avoid. Heid my bare, vulnerable truth before me, and worse, he intertwined it with his own. Yet, while his truth didn''t weaken his intentions, it weakened me. All I had been trying to do was push him away from my mind, body, and soul.


    "That''s your truth¡ªnot mine," I breathed out, my words shaky as I struggled to maintain eye contact under his intense gaze.


    A smirk yed on his lips in response to my statement. "Making denial your escape?" he questioned, reaching behind me to grab something. The shuffling noise alerted me to the fact that he was retrieving ice.


    "This is why you came here, isn''t it?" he continued, showing me a few cubes.


    From the look in his eyes and the smirk on his face, I could sense something brewing in his mind, and it certainly didn''t bode well for me.


    But I couldn''t muster a response to his question. I simply stared at him, wide-eyed, breathing heavily, as if a prey watching the most dangerous predator of all time.


    "Your cheeks are red," he remarked, lifting his hand and dropping a few cubes, keeping one between his fingers as he pressed it against my cheek. My eyes fluttered shut for a moment as the cool sensation met my burning skin.


    It felt... good. In many ways, actually.


    "Does it feel any better?" he asked softly, and my body responded instinctively with a slight nod of my head. My eyes flew open at the realization.


    His eyes burned with dark intensity, sending a shiver down my spine and making me want to clench my thighs together.


    You''re in trouble, Evelyn...


    "You know I can make it even better,"


    he murmured huskily, his gaze


    devouring me whole. With that, he ced the ice cube between his teeth and pressed me against the counter with his body. His free hand lifted my thigh, and before I couldprehend what was happening, his lips descended on my neck with the cube pressing against my skin. I pressed my hands t against the counter behind me, a moan escaping my lips instantly.

 Chapter 151 Evoking Fire

    Chapter 151 Evoking Fire


    Evelyn


    My moan, which slipped past my lips, resounded in the kitchen, and another sound climbed up my throat as his lips, cool with the touch of ice, trailed along the delicatework of veins on my neck. His hand on my thigh tightened as his hips ground against mine, making sure I felt every bit of his hardness and the memory of him once inside of me, hard and throbbing came crashing over my mind.


    God! Now that he was this close, I knew how much I missed the way he fucked me. His hard cock inside of me.


    I was already so fucking aroused, and what made it worse was that I had missed feeling this wet. Only he could make me feel this way. Only he had the power to draw forth such raw desire from within me, every nerve tingling with anticipation, every pore slick with sweat, every inch of my being aze with need.


    His grip on my thighs tightened as he pressed against me, coaxing forth a whimper and coaxing my eyelids shut in response.


    I shouldn''t be enjoying this.


    We were done! He broke my heart-end of the chapter. But fuck, I still wanted him to break my bed-I wanted him to fuck me. To feel him against every inch of my skin.


    I shivered against his touch as he traced downwards, the ice slowly melting against my skin as he descended it, his free hand slowlying upwards, and he slipped the small triangle of my bra to the side, exposing my hardened nipple. His fingers gently circled it before he pinched it, causing a zap of electric shock to travel straight to my pussy. The heat of his body, the cold of the ice, his hardened bulge straining against his pants, and his warm breath fanning my skin-all of it sent a pulsing heat straight to my core.


    It felt too good...


    But, fuck! It shouldn''t.


    I should stop him. Yes, I fucking should.


    ¡°Jacob¡ª¡° I finally opened my mouth, but then the next thing that left it was a loud, strangled moan as he pressed the ice cube on my hardened nipple. His lips brushing against my breast and the ice cube pressed against my nipple.


    Jesus Christ!


    I pressed myself against the counter as much as I could, just so I wouldn''t end up pressing myself against Jacob Adriano, who was already making me see stars behind my eyelids in the scorching daylight.


    My body arched into his touch, and my thighs pressed together as he slid his free hand down my ass, giving it a rough squeeze, causing more wetness to flood down my pussy. That same hand traveled upwards, grabbing my other breast and molding it in his hand.


    My body shook, my breathing came out in heavy pants, a cold trail of sweat covered my forehead.


    I didn''t know if it was physically possible or not, but I felt like I coulde just from this. His touch, his body heat, and this goddamn ice cube. I was so fucking turned on, and with Jacob''s sight right in front of me, I might actuallye.


    And just like that, the chill of the ice cube vanished, reced by the unmistakable sound of it ttering against the tiled kitchen floor, its echoes reverberating through the room. Little did I know then, the abrupt end of that icy sensation was only the beginning of something far more unexpected...


    "Jacob, let me " Before I could finish my sentence, his lips came hot on my nipple, taking it into his mouth as he squeezed my other breast. Holy shit!


    I threw my head back, a loud moan slipping past my lips, which I instantly regretted. My friends were outside, as was Cameron. If any of them happened toe here and watch this-all my ns would go in vain.


    I was trying to forget this man, this very man...who now had his mouth around my nipple, his hand on my breast, and my thigh under his grasp with his crotch so fucking close to my pussy that was throbbing in need.


    Every part of me wanted him. I wanted him to fuck me hard¡ªjust like he always did but, I knew that was thest thing I should be wanting. He was no good for me he was my ruin. The one who already ruined me once.


    But despite everything, I still wanted him to ruin me between the sheets, in every aspect of life, everywhere and anywhere imaginable.


    He sucked on my nipple before his hand, which was groping my breast until now, set between us andnded on my pussy, palming me over my panty.


    "Shit!" I hissed, my hips bucking at his touch. Even my pussy missed his touch.


    It was as if the universe itself


    conspired against me, orchestrating every twist and turn to lead me back into Jacob''s arms. Even my own body betrayed me, responding to his touch with a hunger I couldn''t deny. And as for my soul? Well, it seemed to have its own agenda, inexplicably drawn to Jacob like a moth to a me, despite all rationality


    screaming for me to resist. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    But this man, this man made of fire, he would fucking destroy me. I knew it because he already had. He slowly released my nipple with a pop before he leaned closer to my ear.


    "I know you want me to fuck you, Evelyn," he chuckled darkly into my ear, his lips grazing my earlobe. "Remember those moments? When I fucked you, having you bent over the bed, every inch of you exposed and your pussy dripping for me?"


    Hell, I wanted to say no-but I did. I remembered every little detail of it, and my body craved the exact same thing again. But I couldn''t tell him that, could I? Or else all this


    resistance I''d shown until nowal


    would go in vain. Man, it was actually going in vain right now as I was, pressed against the counter with his body, and his cock so close to my wet heat. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Right now, I want to fuck you just like that. Have you screaming my name when you''de around my hard cock buried deep inside of your tight cunt."


    My throat dried up, my heart hammered against my chest, and my pussy throbbed with need.


    Get a hold of yourself, Evelyn. If you let him fuck you once you''d never get out of that cycle ever again.


    "So tell me, Evelyn..." A smirk curved at his lips as he slowly rolled my nipple between his fingers, "What would you do if I slid this panty of yours to the side, and shoved my cock into you and fucked you hard against the kitchen counter with all your friends out there totally hearing what is going on here?"


    The thought of it sent a shiver down my spine, but some sort of anticipation gripped me. I didn''t, even in the slightest way, hate the thought of him actually doing that. Half of me was more than willing to let him fuck me right now, but the other half of me was torn between decisions.


    I couldn''t let him wrap me around his fingers again.


    I couldn''t risk being heartbroken again. Trade pleasure for the ultimate pain.


    "You''re mine, Evelyn. No matter what you do, how hard you push, or how far you try to run, nothing will erase me from your mind," he murmured his voice a low, possessive whisper. "Only can fuck you right, Evelyn. I know every inch of your body, every secret pleasure, every hidden desire. It would take Cameron years to even scratch the surface of what I can do for you, to even figure out how to make you cum in just a minute."


    As I parted my lips to respond, the sound of approaching footsteps sliced through the air, drawing my attention to the imminent intrusion. Panic seized me as I registered the presence someone. With a surge of adrenaline, I pushed Jacob away, hastily readjusting my bra to conceal any hint of arousal, willing my flushed cheeks to cool.


    My gaze darted to the entrance as Nancy strode into the kitchen, her eyes narrowing in scrutiny as they flitted between Jacob and me. Suspicion radiated from her as she demanded, "Well, care to exin what''s going on here?"


    Of course, she''d know where two people like Jacob and me were in the same room, something must have happened.


    Before I could answer, Jacob decided to open his goddamn mouth, "Actually.." He drawled out, "I was helping your friend calm down with some ice. Such a hot summer, no?" he chuckled, staring at me. A smirk curved at his lips while my cheeks turned red remembering how his mouth was all on


    my nipple.


    "Enjoy the party, Evelyn," he said, shooting me a wink before he walked out of the kitchen, without another nce back at us.


    Nancy rested her hands on her hips, suspicion etched across her features. "What happened here?"


    ¡°Just a chat, Nancy," I chuckled, attempting to brush it off. "Nothing serious."


    "Girl, your nipple''s half out, and you''re iming it''s just conversation?" Her blunt observation caught me off guard, and I nced down to confirm her assessment.


    ¡°Damn,¡± I muttered, hastily readjusting my bra.


    ¡°So, did you let him fuck you against the counter?¡± Nancy''s direct question hung in the air, demanding a response.


    "Absolutely not!" I protested. "Nothing of the sort happened."


    "Lies won''t save you, Evie. Tell me the truth," she insisted, arms crossed in front of her, her expression unwavering.


    "I''ll fill you inter. Right now, everyone''s waiting for us outside," I deflected, making a swift exit.


    ¡°Evelyn! You can''t just run away from this!"


    Ignoring her protests, I hurried toward the pool area, banking on Nancy''s reluctance to cause a scene in front of others.

 Chapter 152 Not For Me

    Chapter 152 Not For Me


    Evelyn


    The evening unfolded, setting the stage for a casual barbecue on the patio. Mason and Eliot had taken up the roles of chefs, with Mason offering his help, albeit in a manner that made me wish he hadn''t bothered. Outside, the air carried a chilly bite, the grass beneath my feet teasing my skin with its gentle tickle. Jacob''s gaze seemed to linger on me persistently, subtle yet undeniable.


    This felt good. Atleast, distracting enough.


    Jacob, ra, and Dad had joined us just half an hour earlier, settlingfortably on the patio. It had been Jennie''s suggestion to invite them, and they graciously epted, offering a few guidelines to navigate our somewhat chaotic cooking session.


    Slipping on a loose white shirt over my bikini, leaving a few buttons undone, and allowing my messy hair to fall over my shoulders, I took a seat beside Cameron. He lit a cigarette, the smoke curlingzily as his blue eyes met mine. The simple act of him cing the cigarette between his lips brought forth memories of Jacob doing the same countless times and a shiver ran down my spine as the memories attacked my mind. ncing across at Jacob, seated opposite Dad, I found him staring back at me, unnerving me almost instantly.


    Those moments, those memories he''d given me they were etched into my mind, impossible to erase. They were the most beautiful moments of my life, and yet, I couldn''t help but resent the fact that they were gifts from him-the same person who fucking shattered my heart into a million pieces.


    I needed to forget him. At any cost.


    As Jacob poured himself a ss of whiskey and raised it to his lips, his gaze still remained locked with mine. I felt my throat getting dry at the sight. Those lips had been on my nipple earlier this morning...and countless times before that. They had been on every part of my body-every single inch of my skin.


    "Shit, Evelyn, get a grip," I muttered to myself, clenching my jaw and balling my hands into fists as I tore my gaze away from Jacob.


    "Care for a drag?" Cameron''s voice broke through the tense silence, drawing my attention away from Jacob.


    I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "I''d rather not risk invoking Dad''s wrath and ruining the party for us both."


    "Well, I can''t exactly me him for being protective. It''s only fair if he catches me leading his daughter astray," Cameron said with a smirk, taking another drag and exhaling a plume of smoke into the air.


    "Evelyn, who''s that hot guy?" Anabelle piped up from beside me, her gaze fixed on Jacob.


    "Yeah, he''s...god, he''s ridiculously handsome," Ruby added. "Is he a rtive of yours or something?"


    Something about their question ignited a bizzare storm within me, stirring my blood into moltenva that seared through my veins, igniting a ze of rage within me. The feeling itself irritated me but I couldn''t shake it off.


    "A hot guy?" I scoffed incredulously, feigning disdain, "What about him could possibly be considered attractive? He''s a total zero in my book. And no, thankfully, he''s not a rtive-I don''t have any ugly family members."


    "Ugly? Are you serious?" Anabelle''s voice held a note of disbelief, as though my statement was the most absurd thing she''d ever heard. "He''s easily one of the most attractive guys I''ve ever seen."


    "If you think he''s attractive, then you''ve clearly been looking at sloths," I retorted sharply.


    "Fine, maybe he''s another of the sloths," Ruby conceded, "But we need to know his name because right now, that ''sloth'' looks very, very delicious." "Gross," I grimaced at their words. "Get a grip, guys. You''ve definitely seen better."


    "Nope, he''s definitely up there," Anabelle insisted. "Now, can you please tell us his name?"


    I bit down on the inside of my cheek, torn between the desire to strangle her and the need to maintainposure. A part of me wished they''d agree with my assessment of his appearance that he was unattractive. But deep down, I knew that was wishful thinking.


    "Jacob Fucking Adriano," I spat out his name, the bitterness evident in my voice.


    "So he''s Italian," Ruby whistled lowly. "Fuck, Evelyn, suddenly the barbecue doesn''t seem as appetizing."


    "Because you''re hungry for something else," Anabelle teased, and they shared a high-five.


    "Guys, seriously, can we dial it down a notch?" I interjected, my frustration mounting. "He''s old enough to be your dad, for god''s sake."


    "A hot daddy, then," Anabelle moaned, promptingughter from Ruby and even Cameron, who was trying to suppress his snicker.


    "You have quite the entertaining group, Evelyn," Cameron remarked, drawing my attention to him.


    "I seriously don''t understand what


    they see in him," I groaned in frustration. mean, really-there''s nothing special about him. He''s just an overconfident, annoying, rude asshole, and yet my friends a


    practically drooling over him.


    Unbelievable!"


    "I get that you think he''s totally ugly," Cameron chuckled, "But if I may ask why do you hate him so much?"


    His question caught me off guard, causing my hands to feel mmy and my throat to tighten.


    Why did I hate him?


    Did I even hate him?


    Perhaps not. I couldn''t bring myself to hate him, no matter how hard I tried. But I was certainly making the effort, though I wasn''t sure if I''d seeded even a little.


    "I just... I just don''t like him," I shrugged, attempting to brush off the question. "He''s irritating."


    "Does he rat you out to your dad or something?" Cameron asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.


    "No, why would he?" I replied, puzzled by the suggestion.


    ¡°Because he certainly seems like your dad''s close buddy and it''s only natural that he''d tattle on you if you get into trouble."


    "Fair point, said, lowly, ¡°But no. I don''t like him because I don''t like him-that''s it. Sometimes, though, there are just people you don''t click with for no apparent reason. He''s that one person for me." Content


    belongs to All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "I see," Cameron hummed, extinguishing his cigarette with a deliberate stomp. His gaze returned to me, intense and unwavering. "But you like me, right?"


    His question caught me off guard, my cheeks flushing with warmth at his words.


    "W-what?"


    "I am pretty sure you heard me."


    Yes, I did.


    "Um, I¡ª"


    Before I could respond, he leaned in, tucking a loose strand of hair behind


    vel


    my ear. Oddly, as his fingers brushed against my skin I felt nothing at his touch-just an emptiness. He made me feeb nothing. Nothing at all.


    "You don''t have to answer right away," he said softly, shing me a gentle smile. "Take your time. I''m not going anywhere."


    I nodded, taking a deep breath, but I couldn''t shake the sensation of Jacob''s eyes boring into me, burning with an intensity I couldn''t ignore. Fuck. It was going to be tough resisting Jacob, even tougher to resist my feelings for him.

 Chapter 153 Losing It

    Chapter 153 Losing It


    Jacob


    I watched as my ex-girlfriend secretly downed one shot after another, oblivious to Samuel''s absence. She hadn''t realized that she didn''t need to worry about him, since Samuel and ra had left nearly forty-five minutes ago, leaving me in charge of the kids who were not-so kids in reality. But she didn''t notice. Of course, how could she? She was too engrossed with her boy-toy and friends to even nce at anyone. Especially me.


    It was as if I didn''t fucking exist to her, and it bothered me. It really fucking did. I was so used to having her attention all on me, only me, that now, deprived of it, I felt like a teenager craving the attention of his favorite girl in college. It was fucked up, but it was the truth.


    I wanted Evelyn''s eyes on me as much as my eyes were on her. She was fucking mine to take and I didn''t fucking like the idea of sharing but right now basically everyone had her but...not me.


    I watched as she took another shot, Nancy sneaking it to her. Cameron chuckled as the liquor spilled at the corner of her mouth, and he raised his hand to wipe it away. My fists clenched, my jaw tightened, and my gaze hardened as anger coursed through every fiber of my being.


    That bastard...


    "Thank you," I heard Evelyn muster, her words almost slurred.


    God! She was fucking drunk. A mess of wild hair and flushed cheeks, a beautiful disaster.


    "And it''s time for a dance!" a girl who had been sneaking nces at me announced. She stood up on the bench, swaying her hips as she took a drag from the cigarette in one hand and held a beer bottle in the other. "Get up, guys!"


    Mason, already way too drunk to be around without the risk of vomiting and ruining this already shitty party, turned on the music on the box and stood up. His legs wobbled, yet his enthusiasm was surprisingly high. "Let''s go!" He pped, before attempting a whistle-though it sounded more like a broken squeak.


    "No dance for me I am too tired!" Jennie whined. "I need some tight sleep-I have a date tomorrow. So, bye!" She stood up, grabbing her bag, ready to leave. She looked sober, but not enough to be driving on her own.


    "Hey," Nancy snapped. Despite downing a lot of shots like a total drunkard, she lookedpletely sober. "You can''t drive. You''re drunk."


    "Who said I am driving?" Jennie shed a sheepish smile. "Someone''sing to pick me up."


    "That date?" my little vixen blurted out, followed by a hup. She was too drunk to be around Cameron.


    "No, someone else." Jennie''s reply caught me by surprise, and I found it hard not to let my jaw drop.


    The kids these days! God, they were fucking wild.


    "Jesus Christ! Two dicks, Jennie? Damn! You''re lucky," the girl in the red top said, taking a drag of her cigarette as she leaned against the chair. "I wish I were you."


    "Hey, we are not fucking yet," Jennie chuckled. "Besides, that date I mentioned-It''d be the first meeting. So let''s see how many inches of surprise he has or maybe not."


    "You guys are gross!" Evelyn grumbled, taking a sip of the beer in her hand. Her tiny grumble and that little nose scrunch made a small smile spread across my lips. Cute.


    "Oh, shut up. You know nothing about real fun! After all, the only person you ever fucked¡ª" Jennie stopped halfway, her eyes trailing to me before she decided to drop the subject. "Anyways! I am off. Bye."


    As Jennie left, their stupid party resumed. I leaned against the couch, crossing my arms over my chest as I watched them. The music sted at full volume, likely guaranteeing Samuelints from the neighbors tomorrow. They danced like crazy bulls, shaking their hips, butts, and whatnot. Mason''s wobbly twerking became the center of attention for a second, while Nancy pretended to be... well, doing the man''s job.


    It was official-Evelyn had terrible fuckingpany. No wonder she learned to be bold because as long as I knew Samuel and Danica, none of them were bold. They were like rabbits too gentle. They''d stick with one carrot forever. But Evelyn, she was different. She was on the hunt for men. And she got herself a boy. Naive little thing.


    As I watched her stumble around and grab yet another beer bottle before settling down onto the chair once again, my blood boiled. This was too much-her drinking was totally out of control. After so many shots of tequ, she shouldn''t be indulging in beer now. For god''s sake, she was barely above twenty!


    I found myself standing up, shoving


    my hands inside my pockets as I walked over to them. All eyes turned to me. Mason''s horrible twerking stopped, Nancy froze, and everyone else did too. The two new girls in the circle Doked at me with interest, their eyes scanning me up and down, sizing me up just like I sized Evelyn every time. What were their names? I probably heard them amidst their conversations a few times, but I didn''t think it was important enough to remember.


    "Looks like Jacob wants to join us, Evie," the one in the yellow top spoke up, twirling a lock of her curly hair around her finger as she took a sip of her drink. If she thought she looked seductive or even attractive, she was in for a


    disappointment-there was


    nothing


    about her that attracted me. Surely she might have caught the eyes of other men, but not me. My eyes were only for one woman, who now stared at me with curiosity, her hands gripping the beer bottle tightly on herp and her eyes boring into me.


    "Well, he''s not wee," she let out, her tongue dryly licking her bottom lip. "It''s our party."


    I saw disappointment sh across those girls'' faces, but before they could speak, I spoke up.


    "Well," I matched her tone, "I''m sorry to inform you, but your party''s over."


    "What?" She sounded shocked, taken aback.


    "You heard me," I shrugged. "It''s past two in the morning and way past the deadline Samuel gave. Yet I allowed all of you to linger here and do whatever the shit you all have been doing total spoiled brats. And now it''s time for all of you to pack your things and go home. Party''s over!"


    "It''s not fucking over!" Evelyn stood up, her hands fisted at her sides, her eyes sending daggers at me. "You can''t tell me what to do and what not to do. The party will go on."


    "Don''t test my patience, Evelyn," I warned, lowly, matching her heated gaze. "Get inside the house, right now."


    Her breath quickened, a flicker of defiance still in her eyes, but she knew better than to push me further. The tension between us crackled like electricity. Her friends watched in stunned silence, the music still sting in the background.


    "You fucking-" She tried to step closer, but Cameron stood up and grabbed her hand.


    "Evelyn, I think Jacob''s right," he spoke up, turning out to be the only sensible one yet still annoying as fuck. "It''ste and everyone''s drunk. Before things start spiraling out of control, we should leave."


    "Nothing will spiral out of control,


    Cameron," she seethed, her gaze burning through me as she stepped closer. Cameron''s grip around her wrist automatically loosened before slipping away as she stood right in front of me-so close that I could smell the scent of beer on her, the Smell of the night and wind, the delicious smell of her skin that tasted absolutely fucking divine. "The party won''t be over anytime soon. You can fuck off!" Content


    belongs to


    My jaw clenched at her words, my fists tightening. I wanted to bend her over myp in front of everyone and spank her into submission, but that was something I couldn''t do right now.


    "I am giving you onest chance, Evelyn. Get inside the house-right now."N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    "I won''t fucking do that," she spat. "You are not my dad. You are his friend, a guest who we are giving more than enough respect. So instead of stepping into myfort zone, my party, my crowd, my fucking space-stay the fuck away!"


    "Evelyn, calm down. It''s alright, he''s just saying the right thing," Cameron looked a bit confused at her reaction. Of course, except for Nancy and Mason, none of them knew the actual reason behind her rage. And of course, everyone was noticing how she was blowing it out of proportion.


    "Nothing he says is ever right, Cameron. He''s a fucking liar, a coward a stupid fuck," Evelyn spoke, her eyes still focused on me. "What are you waiting for, Mr. Adriano? Get the fuck out of here."


    "So you won''t listen to me, huh?" I smoothed a hand down my jaw, eyeing her up and down. My temper was rising, barely under control-just by a few small threads, and I knew she''d snap them the very moment she opened her mouth again.


    "Yes I won''t listen to a fucking loser and let him ruin my night."


    That''s it.


    She asked for it.

 Chapter 154 On The Edge

    Chapter 154 On The Edge


    Jacob.


    In my mind, I counted to three. Slowly, I took control of my rage, my pent-up frustration, and my sexual desires that were teetering on the edge as I watched her, all riled up. Even in her anger and drunkenness, she looked beautiful.


    But beauty didn''t excuse her misbehavior.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    She thought she could do whatever she wanted-she needed to think again.


    "Don''t me meter. You fucking asked for it." Without a shred of doubt, I leaned down, slid my hands around the back of her knees, and hoisted her over my shoulder. Her perfectly round butt was so close to my face-I almost had the urge to bite it, but then again, we were in front of her friends.


    God! I couldn''t even describe my emotions-I was mad, pissed, and, above all, I was incredibly horny. She turned me on as much as she made me angry.


    "What the fuck!" she yelled, throwing her tiny fists against my back-they felt like raindrops against my skin. "Let me go, you fucking asshole!" I ignored her and shed a smile towards her friends, who watched the scene with utter bewilderment.


    "Bye, guys. Drive home safely."


    With that, I turned around and walked into the house with Evelyn.


    "You have no fucking right to tell me what to do, you lying, despicable piece of shit!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, but her words were weak-she was too drunk to form proper sentences, and I still wondered how she had managed to spit those words out moments ago-maybe for a moment, her anger had overpowered the drunken haze.


    "Let me go! Jerkface!"


    "Mind you, you''ve sat on this face more than once."


    I felt her freeze for a split second, but then she was back at it. "Let me fucking down, you bastard!"


    "I''m not a bastard. Your dad might be."


    I stepped into her room and dropped her onto her bed. Her silky smooth hair fell out of its messy bun, sprawling all over her face. She hurriedly pushed it back, emitting a huff before her expression suddenly changed. It seemed like it took her a few moments to register my words, and then anger shed across her face. "You fucking-"


    She stood up on the bed and charged at me with her fists, but I grabbed her wrists, pressing her down onto the bed, trapping her beneath me. Our faces were inches apart. "If I were you, first of all, drunk as a skunk; second of all, having pissed me off by letting that boy-toy get near you; third of all, disrespecting me in front of those kids who don''t give a damn about the world and drink like there''s no tomorrow; andstly, daring to run that fragile mouth I''ve fucked so many times I would mind my words," I spoke against her lips, noticing how her breathing quickened and how she shivered beneath me. "You and I both know, if I want to fuck you now, there''s nothing you''d say or do to stop me. You''ve always been on the edge when drunk, haven''t you?"


    I locked her wrists with one hand and let the other travel down her side, stopping at her waist. She was still in that bikini with just a shirt over her beautiful body. I could easily strip her and fuck her until she dropped her stubbornness and started acting right. Maybe she wouldn''t forgive me, but at least she''d stay away from those young boys looking for a fresh piece of pussy and nothing else.


    "Get off of me," she breathed out after a few moments of silence, avoiding my gaze by looking to the side. I realized she was probably wet by now, and I was tempted to slip my hand inside her panties, but I held myself back.


    She was drunk. She''d let me do anything, and in the end, it would mean nothing.


    I wanted to fuck her when she was sober. And I wanted to fuck her senseless. Spank that ass of hers for letting Cameron get near her, touch her, even catch a whiff of her.


    "And what if I don''t?" A smirk curved at the corner of my lips, and unable to resist, I leaned in and brushed my nose against her slender neck, inhaling her sweet scent. A growl rumbled in my throat as her body froze against me, her breathing quickened, and her scent infiltrated my senses.


    Fuck! I missed this.


    I could tell she was struggling. Her chest rose and fell heavily, her breasts almost pressing against my chest each time she exhaled. It made me realize how fuckable she was right now. Heat shot straight to my crotch-I was so fucking turned on just by the sight of her.


    "Tell me, Evelyn. What if I don''t let


    you go?" I asked again, grabbing her jaw and making her look at me. As our eyes locked, I swear to all the gods, I felt a shiver run down my spine. Those eyes of hers... God! They were the literal definition of heaven with thousands of golden, hazel, and brown shades blending together in a beautiful hue.


    She remained silent for a while, her eyes briefly ncing at my lips before she gulped and looked back at my face.


    "You can''t do this to me, alright?"


    she finally breathed out. "I want to forget you! Do you get it?" Her words trembled as rage filled her tone. "And I am doing whatever it takes to forget you, no matter the


    consequences, no matter whom might hurt. I will do what it takes to get you out of my system," she said, not breaking her gaze. "I gave you a thousand chances and you blew every one of them. You hurt me, Jacob. You said you loved me, but all you did was hurt me. I loved you right, didn''t I? But you couldn''t love me even a fraction of how I loved you. And-"


    "I love you, Evelyn..." I cut her off, pressing my forehead against hers. "I fucking love you. Yes, my ways aren''t right, might not know how to express it properly. I''ve said terrible things, made terrible mistakes, but I can''t fucking see you with someone else. If wanting you back makes me the worst guy in the world, then so be it. But I am not letting you go and be with someone else unless," my throat tightened, and it took all my strength to let out the next words, "I know they can love you better than me."


    She fell silent. I could tell she wanted to speak, but it seemed like words failed her.


    As shey silently beneath me, I couldn''t take my eyes off her. She was the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me.


    The moonlight filtered through the gap in the curtain and fell on her face, making her skin shimmer and her eyes glow. Her beautiful hair shone, and her pink, plump lips invited me. I wanted to kiss her and never stop.


    I almost leaned in for a kiss, and she closed her eyes in response, her lips parting, inviting me. But then the smell of alcohol on her brought me back


    to my senses.


    She''s drunk, Jacob! Get a hold of yourself.


    Gathering every ounce of strength within me, I slowly pulled away. Her eyes opened, looking at me with confusion, rage, pain, and so many other emotions, but she didn''t say anything.


    I got off the bed and pulled the duvet over her frame, tucking her in and pressing a kiss on her forehead before whispering, "Sleep, it''ste."


    With that, I turned around and walked out of her room, suppressing all my urges even though they pierced through everyyer of my skin. If I need to stay away from Evelyn for more days... I''d fucking die.

 Chapter 155 Nothing Fading

    Chapter 155 Nothing Fading


    Evelyn


    The morning light pierced through my eyelids, stirring me from my slumber. As I blinked open my eyes, I winced, immediately assaulted by a pounding headache. No, I hadn''t just be aware of it; the ache had been lurking even in my dreams.


    Fuck this!


    A soft groan escaped my lips as I pressed my palms against my throbbing temples. Memories fromst night floated hazily in my mind, elusive and fragmented. I recalled being with my friends, pretending to have a good time, Jacob, ra, and Dad on the patio. Then Dad and ra had apparently left, but what happened next?


    Fuck! What did I do after they left?


    I pushed myself upright, bracing my weight on my hands as I sat on the edge of the bed.


    "Think, Evelyn. Get your shit together and think," I urged my brain to piece together the events ofst night, but all I got in return was a surge of pain, likely a consequence of drowning myself in alcohol. The sharp ache shot from my eyebrows to the back of my skull, and another groan slipped past my lips.


    This headache was definitely an alcohol-induced one. My hangovers were usually just like this.


    How many shots did I takest night? Did I stick to beer, or, worse, did I down every concoction Mason and Nancy brought?


    Fuck! I just hoped I hadn''t smoked any marijuana.


    Probably not, considering Jacob was there. He would have probably snatched it away before I could even take a drag.


    As I rose from the bed, I noticed my slippers neatly ced by the rug, which struck me as odd. I never bothered with slippers; usually, I''d endure the cold floor due to sheerziness. Before I could ponder further, my attention was drawn to the unusual sight on the nightstand: a tablet lying there. Slipping on the slippers, I made my way to the nightstand and picked up the tablet. It was the same pill I took to dull my headaches. ra!


    This had to be her doing. To spare me from Dad''s wrath, she must have left this tablet here for me.


    I grabbed the ss of water and swallowed the tablet.


    I couldn''t thank her enough. Facing Dad''s interrogation with a pounding headache would have been unbearable. Deciding not to dwell on the events ofst night, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up, vigorously brushing my teeth to rid myself of the lingering scent of alcohol. But beneath it, there was another familiar scent, one I refused to acknowledge as his.


    I must have been preupied with my friendsst night. Even though I couldn''t recall anything, I could trust myself enough-I wasn''t about to let him near me again. Not ever.


    Once I''d taken a proper shower and scrubbed away every sign of tiredness, I dried my hair and slipped on afy t-shirt and shorts. As I descended the stairs, the inevitable sight that I dreaded, greeted me in the morning: Jacob, sitting on the couch in his casual sweatpants and a ck t-shirt that hugged his muscles like a second skin.


    My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. This was the very sight I deep down missed every damn morning-the messy hair, those beautiful veins in his arms standing out, and lips that looked plumper than ever. The morning view of him was worth a billion dors, but even if I had a billion dors, I wouldn''t give him a single penny after what he did to me.


    He noticed my presence, his eyes trailing from my feet before settling on my face, totally fixated, and I knew they wouldn''t budge. Knowing him, I knew it for sure. So, without wasting my time, I headed for the kitchen, feeling his gaze track every step until I disappeared into the kitchen.


    ra was already in the kitchen, preparing our breakfast. I stood beside her. "Good morning, ra."


    "So, you''re awake," she chuckled. "Had quite the funst night, didn''t you?"


    "Yeah," I rolled my eyes, "Too much that I don''t even remember what happened. By the way, thank you for leaving the pill for me my headache was killing me."


    ra''s response was unexpected. "Pill?" She looked at me confused, her hands pausing from slicing the tomato. "What are you talking about?"


    My body froze in realization, dread crawling up my insides. "So, was it Dad?! God, I''m so dead. Did he see me drunk?"


    "Wait, what are you talking about?" She dropped the knife and turned to me, her hands on her hips. "Did you get drunkst night?"


    What the hell?


    She didn''t know?


    Wait. What was going on?


    "You didn''t know?" I looked at her, bewilderment covering my face. "Did you leave before Dad?"


    "No, I didn''t leave before your dad. I


    went to bed with him, leaving you kids for Jacob to take care of," she rified. "But only Jacob was there not us. So, as for your worry, your §Ö dad didn''t catch you drunk, nor did I, and didn''t even leave you that pill. But none of that matters. What matters is, why did you get drunk, Evelyn?" Her expression turned serious. "You know how terrible headaches you suffer from them, don''t you?"


    So, ra and Dad weren''t therest night...


    Which left only one person to be in charge of taking my drunk ass to my room and tucking me in bed. Fuck!


    I had been drunk with Jacob, and I didn''t even trust myself enough to not do anything sexual around him. Did we do anything? Kiss, hug, make out? Shit! Shit! Shit! I can''t even remember anything.


    "Evelyn." ra''s voice brought me back to the present, my eyes snapping to her.


    "Don''t worry, ra," I mumbled, walking over to the fridge and retrieving the bottle of chilled orange juice¡ªa staple in our household because Dad knew how much I loved it, more than beer. "I took the med that apparently neither you nor Dad left on the nightstand. It''ll help."


    "Well... maybe Jacob left it?"


    "I guess he did. There''s no one else I can think of in this house where only four of us are living right now, given that one is an unwanted guest," I shrugged, feeling something strange crawl up my skin. I couldn''t shake it off, even though I was trying to avoid feeling anything at all after this


    sudden, shocking, and dangerous discovery that opened up


    possibilities of so many things that could have or might have happenedst night.


    My hands tightened around the ss bottle, a cold bead of sweat forming on my forehead, and my heart pounding against my chest.


    Suddenly, shes of his face being close to mine, the moonlight filtering into the room, his body pressed against mine, and his breath mingling with mine took over my mind.


    "Fuck," I muttered, closing my eyes tightly.


    "Evie, are you alright?"


    "Yeah, ra. I''m fine," I took one big gulp of the orange juice, soothing the dryness of my throat.


    He had been close enough, but... nothing more than that could have happened, right?


    "I will head upstairs, ra. Can you send my breakfast to my room?" I asked, and ra seemed to take the cue, nodding.


    "Sure thing, sweetheart. Go on."R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    He was too perfect. And if it hadn''t been for him, I''d have never known that destruction could look so fucking beautiful.


    Would it be worth it to let him destroy me again? Would it be worth going through yet another possible heartbreak by letting him in? Maybe it was


    worth-


    Shit, Evelyn. Get your head straight.


    I shook my head, tearing my gaze away from him before I hurried up the stairs, feeling his eyes tracking every step I took. I darted into my room, mming the door shut behind me. Pressing my back against the cold surface of the door, I felt my heart hammering against my chest, my breathing quickening, my eyes squeezing shut.


    I was weakening there was no denying that my heart was beginning to falter, the walls starting to crumble, and my resolve reduced to ashes.


    Jacob Adriano was worming his way back in, and it seemed like my heart had never let him leave in the first ce. He''d been here, right here, the whole damn time, even during those sixteen days he wasn''t physically present.


    Suddenly, a ping from my phone shattered the deafening silence of the room and my loudest of thoughts. I crossed over to my desk and picked up my phone.


    "Well, an evening with ice cream, cupcakes, and a walk at the beach wouldn''t be so bad, would it?"-Cameron.


    I found myself releasing the tight breath I''d been holding and replied to his text, knowing it would be the perfect distraction. "Pick me up at 6."

 Chapter 156 Wasted Efforts

    Chapter 156 Wasted Efforts


    Evelyn


    "You didn''t tell me you had a party going on here on the beachside I thought it''d just be a walk by the beach," I chuckled, swaying with the music as it thumped around us, the star-filled sky above, the wind tousling my hair while Cameron gently tucked a few loose strands behind my ear.


    "I was afraid that scary-looking friend of your dad wouldn''t let youe if he got even a hint," heughed, sliding his hand around my waist and pulling me closer. Suddenly, I grew aware of our proximity, my senses heightening. "So, I kept it a secret." He kissed my cheek, and though my body froze, I didn''t pull away. I didn''t want to.


    I needed this distraction. Wasn''t this what I wanted? A connection that progressed smoothly, nothing too fast or frantic, just smooth sailing? But that came with its own downsides-no butterflies, no flutters of your heart, and no sparks.


    "Well," I slipped my hands around his neck, our bodies swaying with the music, in perfect rhythm. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Mason a sucking the lips off of a guy, and Nancy doing body shots with a blonde-she wasn''t gay, but she''d fuck literally anyone.


    "You''re already so scared, huh?" I teased. "What are you going to do if someone else snatches me right in front of you? Will you still keep it a secret and have a secret affair with me then?"


    A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and he leaned closer to my ear, his breath caressing the side of my neck without evoking the visceral response that even a single nce from that cursed Italian bastard would. "I''d steal you," Cameron whispered.


    I''d kill him and snatch you back-Jacob would have said.


    Fuck, Evelyn-don''t think about him.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    "That''s not very brave, is it?" I tried to keep my thoughts from drifting back to him.


    "You don''t need bravery to win, beautiful," Cameron chuckled, turning me around so that my back pressed against his front, his chin resting on my shoulder. "You just need to be smart. And I think I''m smart enough to snatch you from anyone in this world-though I''d appreciate it if Jacob doesn''t stay on the enemy''s side," he joked.


    Well... he is the enemy here.


    "Cute," Iughed awkwardly before I pulled away from him. "But I need a drink to find your joke funny," I said, heading over to the bar, with him following me.


    "Hey, it was a good one," he protested while I ced an order. A few seconds passed by.


    "Not at all, Cameron," I sighed as I grabbed the drink from the bartender and downed it in one go. "You need to work on your jokes. Especially if you''re trying to make them funny when they involve that Italian I absolutely fucking hate.¡± Another drink down.


    As I reached for a third shot, Cameron took it from my hand. "Slow down, baby," he chuckled. "If I drop you off at your house, drunk out of your wits, do you think I''d have any chance of bing your family''s favorite? Hell no. I can''t risk that."


    ¡°Trust me¡ªif I like you enough, I''d go against my family and every fucking moral," I pulled him by his cor, feeling him freeze for a second as I grabbed the drink back. "I''ve done it before. It''s not my first rodeo."


    "Oh really?" he cocked an eyebrow. "So do I get to know who had the fortune toe to you before me?"


    "Trust me, you''ve already seen him up close," I chuckled as I downed the third shot. I was already spewing nonsense; it seemed like thest two shots had made their way into my system too soon, and the gripping effects of the alcohol were all over me already.


    "Mason?" he quipped, augh tearing from my throat.


    "Now that was funny-didn''t know you''d improve so quickly."


    ¡°To get a girl like you, one has to improve quickly, Evelyn,¡± he grabbed the edge of the stool I was sitting on and dragged it closer. My breathing hitched for a second, but then I found myself trapped under his gaze. "Or else someone else will take you away, and I''d be left with nothing. So it''s better I work fast when there are so many risks around, isn''t it?"


    A guy like Cameron should have been the choice from the very first time. He was well-spoken, soft, careful, and always putting in effort¡ªan ideal choice for any girl. But that was the thing-guys my age never interested me, nor did guys like Cameron, in fact, none ever did except for him. It was as if God had made only one person for my eyes to love from my very being, and it was Jacob.


    As I looked at Cameron, I didn''t feel the sparks, the deep urge to run my fingers through his hair or caress his skin. I didn''t burn with the desire to pull him in for a kiss and never break away. I didn''t feel the hunger of desire, that familiar fire I was used to, or even mere embers of it. I didn''t feel anything... at all.


    "What are you thinking?" Cameron asked softly as his hand rose to cup my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek.


    He''s the guy I should like, even if he makes me feel nothing. At least, I was far away from the pain of heartbreak-Cameron would never hurt me.


    "Nothing," I forced a small smile. "It''s


    just that-" Before I could finish my sentence, he suddenly leaned in and pressed his tips on mine, causing me to freeze on the spot. His fingers tangled into my hair as he pulled me close diving in. For the briefest of moments, in the intoxication of the alcohol and memories of Jacob, I began to imagine the touch of Cameron as Jacob. As Cameron''s lips brushed against mine, mine only parted because I thought it was Jacob kissing me, not him. Content


    belongs to


    He kissed me, slowly and softly. But my imaginations began to fade, and reality started to set in.


    It was not Jacob.


    It was actually Cameron who had his lips on mine, and suddenly the realization reduced all the warmth to ashes. I didn''t feel anything anymore. I didn''t find the urge to kiss him anymore. My hands, raised halfway to tangle themselves into his hair, dropped to my sides as I abruptly pulled away from the kiss. My heart hammered against my chest.


    This felt wrong....


    Every part of it felt wrong, as if my body and soul had a strange sort of loyalty embedded in it for him and only him.


    ¡°Evelyn, what''s wrong?" Cameron seemed to notice my expression.


    "It''s just " I struggled to speak as I looked at him. He was the type of guy you should go for, Evelyn. He''s perfect for you. "I just... I''m sorry." breathed out, getting on my feet. am really sorry, I just-" I couldn''t put my words together. I was a mess, and for once I knew, it was not the alcohol-it was me. My thoughts. My feelings for Jacob that would never change.


    "Hey," Cameron came closer, softly grabbing my hand. "It''s okay. Maybe I just rushed things. It''s totally alright.


    God... him being so understanding was what made it worse, because it now felt like I was betraying two people at once. Hurting one and having chances of hurting the other one with my feelings that might never be his.


    "No, it''s not your fault. It''s me," I let out. "It''s just that I can''t-"


    "Evelyn, it''s all right," he grabbed my arms, gently pulling me closer so that I stood away from the crowd behind me. "There''s no need to talk about you, and next time, you initiate it whenever you feel it''s right. No more talking about it, okay?" He shed me a gentle smile, and this time I nodded, my shoulders rxed for some reason.


    "Thanks, Cameron," I let out, leaning in and pressing a cheek on his cheek. "I really mean it, thank you." I caressed his cheek. He was really a good guy. The best one. Maybe if I had met him before Jacob, I would have fallen for him.


    "Can you drive me home?" I managed to muster the question after a while. "I am just really tired right now."


    ¡°Sure thing, beautiful," he smiled, and he slid a hand around my shoulder, leading me out of the crowd of people grinding against each other.


    "Thanks for the ride, Cameron," I said, unbuckling the seatbelt and stepping out of the car.


    "You''re wee. And as for leaving the party earlier, you owe me another date," he remarked, eliciting a smallugh from me.


    "Yeah, right. And you still owe me that walk beside the beach."


    "Anytime, madam," he replied with a grin.


    "Bye, Cameron." With a wave, I


    el


    walked back into the house. Closing the door behind me, I let out a low breath. Kicking off my heels, exhaustion flooded over me as I made my way down the dark hallway. Not a single light was on, signaling that Dad and ra were likely sound asleep. I couldn''t risk facing their lectures, not aftering home from the party


    smelling of alcohol. Well, Cameron could be smelt but I doubted whom


    it concerned was still awake.


    As I slowly ascended the stairs, a voice broke the silence of the darkened house. "How was your little date?"

 Chapter 157 Breaking Point

    Chapter 157 Breaking Point


    Evelyn


    I halted in my tracks, his voice slicing through the silence like a knife. Then came the click, and suddenly the bar lights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the staircase and illuminating my figure. A peculiar heat crept up my skin, seeping into my flesh and bones-his voice, resonant and deep, carried an edge that sent my heart into a frenzy.


    Summoning my courage, I clenched and unclenched my fists before finally turning to face him, meeting his gaze head-on. There he sat on a bar stool, his appearance starkly different from the morning encounter. Shirtless, every contour of his sculpted muscles on disy, the veins in his arms prominent. Strands of hair fell across his forehead, offering tantalizing glimpses of his enchanting green eyes. In his hand, a ss of whiskey, his favorite brand-ironic, considering Dad despised it yet still brought it home upon Jacob''s arrival, despite iming to loathe his best friend now. Strange, wasn''t it?


    Everyone still fucking loved Jacob Adriano, because it was damn near impossible not to love a man like him. And who knew that better than me? Life just had to throw those curveballs.


    "Why does my dating life interest you so much, Mr. Adriano?" I challenged, crossing my arms over my chest as I cautiously approached, leaning against the end of the bar. Despite the few feet of distance between us, the space seemed to shrink, closing in around us. I fought the urge to reach out, to feel the warmth of his body against mine-damn, I hated myself sometimes.


    "Shouldn''t it?" he countered, his voice as measured as always. "People chase after their exes for years, even after a breakup. It hasn''t even been a month since you left me."


    "Because you fucked up," I shot back, my toneced with bitterness.


    "And I''m not denying it," Jacob suddenly rose from the stool and closed the distance between us with purposeful steps. My fingers tightened around the edge of the bar, gripping the marble as if it were my lifeline. He halted just before me, his palms resting on the bar behind me. A shiver ran down my spine as his hand brushed back his hair, sending my mind spinning in a direction I desperately didn''t want to go, but my body... it yearned for him.


    I was so damn ustomed to his touch that the absence of it felt like starvation.


    "I messed up, more times than I can count. But I''m here to make it right, to do whatever it takes to win you back. What I won''t fucking stand for is you throwing yourself at other guys, trying to convince yourself they''re better than me," Jacob''s words were harsh, his voice rising in intensity. His left hand settled on my hip, while his right remained nted on the bar, trapping me between him and the counter.


    "They are indeed a thousand times better than you," I retorted, finding my voice amidst the chaos. "Leaving you was the best decision I ever made. Cameron is perfect for me the one I deserve."


    "Oh, really?" Jacob chuckled, his eyes filled with mocking amusement, as if he could see right through me. "Tell me, what about Cameron makes him so perfect for you?" His hand on my hip began tracing slow circles, his proximity igniting a fire beneath my skin. My throat tightened, my palms grew sweaty, and my breath quickened.


    Struggling to maintain myposure, I locked eyes with him, feeling utterly powerless yet strangely intoxicated by it. Jacob had a way of making me feel so many conflicting emotions, and the way he could render me powerless was both infuriating and exhrating.


    He could make me surrender and still make sure I fucking loved it.


    "Answer me, Evelyn," he demanded, a smirk ying at the corner of his lips. "I need to hear you say it."


    He didn''t believe me, not for a second.


    I had to make it convincing enough to buy myself some time.


    But my body was already betraying me, craving his touch with a desperation that was almost embarrassing. My pussy was wet, clenching in anticipation as the moments passed between us.


    "It''s his touch-it''s like he''s woven from the fabric of desire itself. Every graze, every caress, it''s as if he''s tracing the map of my soul with his fingertips. He discovers the secrets of my skin as if he''s been studying me for a lifetime, igniting fires I


    didn''t even know were smolderinge


    With each stroke, he leaves me fucking trembling, wanting more, asking for more. And just when I think I can''t bear another moment of anticipation, he draws it longer, teasing out every ounce of pleasure until I''m aching with need. Cameron understands thenguage of my body like it''s written in his own blood. He doesn''t just touch me, he speaks to me through his touch, fulfilling desires I didn''t even know I had, until I''m gasping for more," I let out, my voice heavy, heat creeping into my skin, "He knows exactly what I fucking need and he makes sure I get it."


    Truth be told, it wasn''t Cameron''s description-I had plucked details from my memories with Jacob, all Jacob''s, because those were the moments that still haunted me. I knew it would infuriate him, even if he saw through my lie.


    "And why does that description remind me of the moments we shared?" Jacob''s smirk widened into a wicked grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Are you sure those are Cameron''s moments?"


    "If arrogance had a face, it would be yours," I spat, refusing to let him see through my facade, even though I knew he already had. "Let me enlighten you¡ªtonight, it was Cameron who touched me. Cameron who kissed me senseless, who drove me to the edge and beyond, made mee not just once, not twice but thrice over. It was all him."


    This time, the amusement inR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Jacob''s eyes faded, reced by a deep-seated cage that sent a shiver down my spine. He leaned in closer, causing my heart to skip a beat. His other hand found its ce on my hip, his body pressing against mine. Despite the anger in his eyes, there was something else there, something darker and more primal-a lust that sent a thrill


    through me even as it terrified me.


    He was turned-on. Angry. Frustrated even. And so was I, consumed by a tumult of emotions that had been building since the moment I walked away from him.


    It was high time he got a taste of his own medicine.


    I leaned back against the bar, my fingers aching to reach out to him as his face drew closer to mine, his eyes aze with lust, sending electric currents down my spine. My nipples tightened against the fabric of my dress as I watched him, acutely aware of the dampness pooling between my thighs.


    I was so fucking wet...


    "You mentioned how much you enjoy his touch..." His body pressed against mine, his fingers slipping beneath the hem of my short dress, toying with the stic of my panties. "Tell me honestly now, whose touch truly sets this body of yours on fire? His or mine?"


    God....


    My breath caught in my throat. "It''s irrelevant," I countered, my gaze defiant. "You''re my past, he''s my present and future."


    A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, his emerald eyes sparkling in the dim light. "Do you really think I''ll stand by and watch that happen, sweetheart?" His voice dripped with determination. "I''d fucking tear down this whole world to have you back with me. So what if he''s just a boy? I''ll fucking make sure he''s out of my way in a matter of hours."


    Did he just...did he just really said that?


    "You will do no such-" Before I could finish my sentence, his hand mped over my mouth, muffling my words in a way that left me bewildered. Then, his hand slid


    beneath the fabric of my p


    making contact with my bare pussy. My eyes widened, my body jerking at the sudden sensation, but before I could fullyprehend what was happening, he delivered an even more shocking blow.


    He thrust his fingers into me. Deep.


    Oh no...

 Chapter 158 Embrace The Fire And Burn

    Chapter 158 Embrace The Fire And Burn


    Evelyn


    My eyes widened as my breath hitched and my heart pounded against my chest. Sweat slicked my skin in seconds, and a bead traced a slow path between my breasts, catching Jacob''s gaze. I screamed into his hand as his fingers thrust deep inside me. His other hand gripped my thigh, lifting it slightly as he pressed me firmly against the bar, his fingers curling within me. A gasp escaped my lips, muffled by his hand.


    "Bet Cameron never made you this wet," he whispered, his breath hot against my face, his hand still silencing me. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Can he, though? Can he make you as wet as I do?" His thumb found my clit, and I jerked, my hips trembling as his fingers began to move.


    Fuck!


    This all reminded me of that day at the pool. The first time he touched me, when his fingers, just like now, thrust deep inside me, and he fucked me so well with his fingers that I came within minutes. He could read my body as if every detail was written in his own blood, and I could never take that away from him. Never.


    I whimpered as his fingers quickened, my hands flying to clutch his shoulders, clinging to him for bnce even though he had only just begun. "Well, you don''t seem to mind my touch for someone who ims to have a solid connection with Cameron, who made youe not once, not twice but thrice...." he chuckled, mocking me, his deep voice making my pussy clench. "The way you''re squeezing around me, wanting it, begging for it¡ªit only proves you''ve been deprived of this for quite a while. So tell me, Evelyn, should I make youe or not? Or should I leave this task to your new boy-toy Cameron, whom you im can do it better than me?"


    No!


    I didn''t want him to stop because it felt too fucking good. I hadn''t realized how much my body had been craving this, how it was dying for this, and he was giving me exactly what I''d been secretly wanting but had been resisting.


    His hand came off my mouth, and I moaned, "Please..."


    I wanted it so badly. So fucking badly. I knew I could never make myselfe like he could. No one in this world could. Only Jacob Adriano-my ruin, my destruction, my sin, my guilt, and my regret-could make mee apart so hard that I would see stars behind my eyelids.


    "So you want it, huh?" he murmured, taking my bottom lip between his teeth, rolling it, and biting down as his fingers quickened their pace further more. "Even when you deny wanting me, you still want toe with my fingers fucking your cunt?" He chuckled, releasing my lip, his thumb circling my clit while his fingers pumped in and out of me.


    Holy shit, it felt too good.


    "I need to hear it from your mouth, Evelyn," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "Do you want it or not?"


    I didn''t answer because I didn''t want to. I just wanted this to continue without uttering those words that would prove I had absolutely no control over myself around him.


    There was still a part of me that had a hard time believing he had his fingers deep inside my pussy right now. It felt like a dream, and at the same time, it felt threatening to my resolve, to the boundaries I had set, and to the things I wanted¡ªhe''d broken every single one of them in just a matter of seconds, and I hadn''t even realized how effortlessly he did that.


    When he saw I wasn''t speaking, even as our eyes were locked and his fingers were brutally fucking me, his lips so close to mine, he pinched my clit, causing a loud scream to slip past my lips. Amidst the haze of pleasure, my eyes widened, realizing we were actually at my parents'' house, not like in Italy, fucking everywhere we wanted, being as loud as we could-this was different.


    "What? Are you scared they''ll hear you?" Jacob shed a cocky grin, and I could see the n forming in his darkened eyes. "Then you better answer me, Evelyn. Or else, I will spread you over this bar, fill you with my cock, and fuck you so hard that even the neighbors will hear you screaming. Don''t test me, baby-you know I can do that."


    His threat actually sounded tempting.


    But even though I''d lost most of my resolve, I still had enough left to resist this. I certainly didn''t n on Dad and ra walking in on Jacob fucking me. And I didn''t need a reminder of how good he fucked; I doubted my sanity because once he started, I might not want him to stop, even if Dad and ra walked in.


    "Please, Jacob," I finally whispered,


    my voice barely audible. I gripped onto him as tight as I could, wetness sliding down my thigh and my bnce, well it was non-existent. My legs were like jelly and on top of that, I was wearing these god damn high heels that made it hard to simply walk let alone stand straight while being pushed closer to a


    mindblowing fucking orgasm, in the hands of the man, every fiber of your body, craves, desires and loves.


    His eyes shed with triumph, but he didn''t slow down. Instead, he leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "Well, I didn''t quite hear it. Say it again baby. Tell me you want it."


    This devil....


    "Ahh," I gasped as his fingers rubbed my clit, resuming those tortuous circles as his fingers thrust deeper, my body betraying me constantly, "Oh fuck." I wanted to clench my thighs together and pull away from his touch because of the sensitivity that''d build there at this point but at the same time, I needed to fuckinge. I needed that release to simply breathe!


    With Cameron, even a single kiss had felt so wrong, but with Jacob...everything felt right. Even the fact that I was losing my mind felt right. God, I must be out of my wits!


    "I need to hear you, Evelyn. Or else you are not getting it," Jacob whispered, his lips trailing a line on my neck. I threw my head back, the edge of the bar pressing into my spine, causing a tinge of pain, but none of it mattered. I wanted this so badly...


    "Yes, God! Please make mee!" |R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    cried out, tears gathering at the corners of my eyes as his fingers moved from slow to fast, then agonizingly slow again. He knew all too well the moves that would push me to the edge yet not give me what I craved. I hated how he knew so much about me while I felt like I knew so little about him. I could never get the amount of control over myself that Jacob had, and it was maddening.


    "That''s the thing...baby," Jacob


    began, his voice low and full of intent as his lips hovered over mine. "You ask to be burned when you can''t ept the fire. You want to be


    ruined when you can''t bear the havoc that will follow. And you want


    the storm but not the aften ble


    His fingers stopped, leaving me painfully hanging. I whimpered, arching into his fingers, trying to convey how much I needed it, but he didn''t touch me. "And things don''t work that way. If you want this to happen, you have to fucking get back to me. Be mine again. Or else, you aren''t getting it. I am not going to give it to you knowing the next day you''d be out on a date with another guy to piss me off. If you want it-get back to me. Be mine.


    And you''ll have it all." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    With those words whispered against my lips, he pulled away. The warmth of his body, the heat of his fingers, and the pulsating orgasm on the edge all vanished at once, leaving me wanting more. Dying for more.


    I watched as he, with a victorious smirk, knowing he''d ruined my entire night with that half-hanging orgasm, casually walked away and headed


    upstairs.


    FUCKING DEVIL!!!!

 Chapter 159 Tension That Never Fades

    Chapter 159 Tension That Never Fades


    Evelyn


    As I had fucking expected, I couldn''t get a wink of sleep the entire night. Wine didn''t help, sleeping pills didn''t help, and even trying to bring myself to orgasm didn''t help, most probably because I refused to imagine his face. He was both my dream and my nightmare, my pleasure and my pain, the object of both my love and hate, my desires and regrets. Sometimes I wished I could erase every single memory of him, but then I realized how meaningless my life would be without them.


    He made me miserable but at the same time he made me feel alive.


    Fuck! How am I supposed to forget him?


    I shook off my thoughts as I washed my face. "God, Evelyn! This is not the time to get fucking emotional and think of all the reasons why you should go back to him because, in reality, you fucking shouldn''t!"


    Grumbling a few curses, I finished my routine and freshened up for the morning. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I noticed my puffy face despite not having slept at all. I might not show signs of exhaustion, but anyone looking into my eyes would see the frustration.


    Being sexually inactive was a pain; being sexually frustrated was torture. But being sexually frustrated because you were left on the edge, right before you coulde, was sickening. And that bastard knew it. That''s why he did it.


    It must have been a n. To sit there, all sexy and glorious, half-naked and tempting, to lure me into a conversation and do that to me. And guess what? He seeded. He fucking excelled!


    "Argh! I hate him!" I groaned, walking out of the bathroom, and drying my hair with a towel. I wasn''t in the mood for a blow-dry today. My mood was shit, and I didn''t even want to go downstairs for breakfast, but my stomach was growling with hunger-I needed to eat. So, I made my way downstairs.


    I thanked all the gods in my head as I saw only Dad and ra seated at the breakfast table. I took a seat. "Good morning," I mumbled, diving into the pancakes ready for me, just the way I liked-covered in chocte syrup. ra! I didn''t know what I''d do without her.


    "Well, good morning," ra smiled, sipping her juice. "How are you feeling today? Any headaches?" ra''s question confused me until I remembered I''d told them I was going out with Cameron. They probably assumed I''d drunk myself out of my wits.


    "No headaches, ra. I didn''t drink," I lied.


    "Well, that''s a lie," Dad said, speaking up for the first time and putting his newspaper down, eyeing me suspiciously. "You came hometest night, and you were drunk."


    My stomach clenched as I met Dad''s gaze. "I wasn''t drunk," I insisted, forcing a smile. "I just had a long night."


    "A long night doing what?" he pressed, his eyes narrowing.


    "Just...talking," I said, ncing away and hoping he''d drop it.


    "Talking?" ra echoed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Well, you must have had quite the conversation."


    I bit my lip, focusing on my pancakes. Thest thing I needed was for them to pry any further. "Yeah, something like that."


    "Well, Evelyn," Dad sat straight from his leaning position, his gaze fixating on me, "Your n has failed because we know you were drunk. Jacob told me he was awake when you came home, all drunk and tipsy."


    That piece of...


    How dare he!!!


    "Is that what that asshole told you? No, I wasn''t drunk!" I shouted, frustration boiling over at the mention of Jacob. God, I wanted to kill him, choke him to death.


    "I smelled it on you," Jacob''s voice suddenly boomed, and I watched as he walked out of the kitchen, holding a bottle of his protein shake. "So, there''s no way you can cover this up with your lies." He took the seat opposite me, his messy hair making my fingers itch to touch him. The sight of his beautiful pink lips made me want to brush my thumb over them and then take them into my mouth¡ªI wanted to kiss him even as he pissed me off.


    "And mind telling me what exactly you smelled on me?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest, and challenging him. "What did I drink? Since you know I was drunk, you must know what I drank. You''re quite a fan of alcohol, aren''t you? Driving up to your ex to meet her in a hotel, all drunk, kinda proves how much you adore alcohol that it takes you back to your past."


    His jaw tensed at the mention of the incident, and the atmosphere thickened. Dad emitted a low whistle, probably enjoying this, and judging from his reaction, he''d probably forgive me about this alcohol thing. ra looked at both me and Jacob in horror before shooting Dad a pointed stare.


    "Vodka," Jacob said after a few moments of silence. "It was vodka."


    I had to stop my jaw from dropping on the floor.


    He guessed it right. Fuck! How the hell did he do that? Well, certainly he was too close to mest night, with my lip between his teeth and all, but that didn''t give him the guarantee that he could guess it so effortlessly, did it? Well, maybe it did.


    I red at him, clearly mad that he exposed my secret. Asshole!


    Upon my silence, Dad''s amusement turned into seriousness. He looked at me with a stern re. "Is it true then? You were drunk?"


    Okay...maybe he wasn''t going to forgive me that easily.


    "Well..." I attempted to shake off the tension, scrambling for excuses, but it seemed futile. "Cameron threw a party, so I had a couple of shots. I wasn''t exactly stered."


    "Didn''t I forbid you from drinking because of those damn headaches you get afterward?!"


    "Dude, I don''t have a headache today, chill out!"


    "Chill? And I''m not your ''dude,'' you spoiled brat!" Dad''s hand connected with the back of my head, sending a sharp pang through me. "Why the hell did you drink?"


    "Because I was with my friends, having fun, and clearly your friend couldn''t handle seeing me enjoy myself," I retorted with a scoff. "And why don''t you ask him how he even smelled it on me? Isn''t that your job?"


    Dad''s eyebrows shot up as he finally caught on, his gaze turning to Jacob. "How the hell did you smell it on her?"


    "Trust me, even someone standingR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ten feet away could smell it. She was absolutely hammered," Jacob lied smoothly, his hand gripping my thigh beneath the table. A surge of electricity shot through me as his touch crept upward, tracing over the fabric covering my pussy, magically finding my clit, sending shivers down my spine. "Though I''m not saying I was ten feet away. His voice dropped to a whisper as his gaze locked onto mine, igniting a fiery heat that spread throughout my body. Memories flooded back of his skilled fingers exploring me, igniting a desire that still burned within me, though now, sober and withouth his breath falling on my face and my mind not clouded by alcohol, I could see the mistakes he had made. I wanted him to fuck me but I''d not let him after how badly he screwed up.


    But damn, his hand...


    His rough, reckless, and sensual hand.....


    It could drive me fucking crazy.


    "What did you just say?" Dad''s attention snapped back to the conversation, apparently missing thest part. Judging by Jacob''s expression and the smirk ying on his lips, it seemed he was about to provoke Dad further. However, just as Jacob opened his mouth, the doorbell chimed, diverting all our attention from the escting tension.


    Thank god!


    "I''ll get the door," ra offered, starting to rise from her seat. But Jacob''s persistent touch, his fingers skirting dangerously close to where my senses were already on edge, moving up and down, creating motions that made me desperate to escape his grasp. With a sense of


    oving


    urgency, I got up.


    "No, I''ll do it," I interjected hastily, trying to conceal the breathlessness that already betrayed my heightened state. I saw Jacob''s smirk widen, a silent acknowledgment of his power to drive me wild. Damn him; he was probably reveling in this, relishing my torment. Fucking bastard!


    "Oh," ra seemed momentarily taken aback before she relented with a shrug. "Okay."


    "But we''re not finished here," Dad''s voice cut through the tension, his gaze fixed sternly on Jacob, who remained nonchnt, casually sipping his protein shake. He was infuriatinglyposed while I felt like a bundle of nerves¡ªhow I loathed it.


    Attempting to tune out their silent battle, I made my way to the door, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. However, as I swung the door open, I was greeted by an unexpected sight.


    "Well, I just woke up with this idea," Cameron leaned casually against the doorframe, a charmingly boyish grin lighting up his face. "Thought someone might appreciate roses."

 Chapter 160 Roses And Throns

    Chapter 160 Roses And Throns


    Evelyn


    My eyes widened slightly at the sight of the roses and Cameron standing there early in the morning. My brows lifted in surprise as I breathed out softly, my hand instinctively reaching to take the bouquet from his hand. "That''s...that''s so sweet, Cameron," I whispered, my gaze fixed on the roses. A strange guilt gnawed at me, knowing how much effort he put in for me, while I could never reciprocate even a fraction of it. "I-I...thank you so much."


    God. I felt so fucking guilty.


    Why was he so nice to me? I so badly wished he was not this nice because it would have made it easier.


    "Who is it, Evie?" ra''s voice boomed from inside, snapping me back to reality. Standing in the doorway, I blocked their view of Cameron. They could only catch a glimpse of his blonde hair and hints of the red jacket he wore. Not even Jacob could see him, and the thought of getting on his nerves overshadowed the guilt I''d initially felt when I initially saw the roses.


    I was a horrible person. So fucking horrible.


    "It''s Cameron," I called out, knowing Jacob would hear it all too well, "He brought me flowers!"


    "Oh really?" ra''s excitement was palpable in her voice, and then she proved it bying to the door, her eyes darting between me and Cameron with a yful smile. "Flowers and all... Well, not bad!" she mumbled, pinching my arm. I shot her a re.


    "Hey, ra," Cameron shed one of his dazzling smiles, "Nice to meet you again." Ever the polite gentleman, he offered his hand to her, and she shook it.


    I should really like this guy....


    But why couldn''t I? What was wrong with me?!Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "Nice to meet you too, little boy," ra smiled, "Now get inside. We''re having breakfast together, and you should join us."


    "No, ra. It''s alright. I just came "


    "Bring him in, ra. I have a few questions to ask him." Dad''s voice boomed from inside, and I froze.


    Great... He was definitely going to ask aboutst night''s drinking.


    "I drank too muchst night," I whispered to Cameron, my horror evident. He chuckled softly.


    "Well, it''s only fair I take responsibility for that since I took you out. It was my duty to keep you...well, controlled? Is that the right word?" He chuckled again before ncing at ra. "So, I guess I''ll have to ept your invitation, ra. Because Samuel has a few questions for me-more like an interrogation, right? Since I took his princess out, I may as well answer his questions and apologize for my blunder."


    "I like him," ra chuckled, patting his back. "Get inside, kiddo."


    As she walked back inside, Cameron followed, with me trailing behind. "Technically, it isn''t your fault. I drank too much-it''s my blunder, not yours." I whispered, tugging at his jacket from behind. His eyes glinted with amusement.


    "Doesn''t matter, beautiful," he said, "I should be the one saving you, no matter the situation. That''s what a man should do."


    "So you think you''re a man?" I chuckled, biting my bottom lip. His eyes flicked toward mine, and for a moment, he seemed to stiffen as his gaze fell on my lips, but then he shrugged it off.


    "If I were just a boy, would you ever hang out with me?" He cocked an eyebrow. "I know your type, Evelyn. I''ve done my research." Holy....


    "So you stalked me?"


    He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "A lot more than stalking."


    I couldn''t tell if he was joking. The thought was terrifying. If he knew my type, he probably knew about Jacob and me. We never hid it, but we also didn''t ster it all over. social media. We were too busy with


    each other-more likely fuel


    each


    other. Cameron was smart, and Jacob never bothered to hide it, even around Cameron. What did that mean? Did he know about Jacob?


    Fuck! Maybe I was overthinking...


    "So, tell me about my dates," I said, clearing my throat. "Who''s the man you think I dated? Any names?"


    A smirk yed on his lips. "Do you really want me to?" he asked. "I don''t prefer dwelling on the past, but if you insist-"


    Suddenly, Dad''s voice boomed. "Hey, you two. Enough talking. Get over here."


    I nearly jumped. I''d been so engrossed in the conversation with Cameron that I forgot my parents-and my ex-were watching. The feeling of daggers being shot at my back became all too real. Jacob was watching everything.


    Good. I wanted him to watch.


    "Sorry, Samuel," Cameron scratched the back of his head. "We were just nning how to avoid your wrath."


    "So none of you are avoiding it.


    Come here," Dadmanded, arms crossed over his chest. My eyes flicked to Jacob. His expression had darkened, his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful. He was trying to hold back, every part of him itching todash out, maybe even kitt


    Cameron?


    I didn''t want Cameron dead, but I''d love to see Jacob try. I wanted to see that rage, that jealousy, that fire. I wanted it all.


    "Okay,¡± Cameron suppressed a chuckle as he took a seat at the table. I followed, sitting next to him. The whole time, Jacob''s gaze remained locked


    on me.


    ¡°So tell me, Cameron-" Dad began, but ra interrupted, serving a te for Cameron.


    "Guys, why not finish our breakfast first?" she offered, always the peacemaker. "We can discuss everything after that."


    "No, but "


    ¡°Samuel, Cameron''s a guest. You shouldn''t interrogate a guest," she said, taking her seat. "So, cut it off. What''s gone is gone. He''ll take care of it next time, won''t you, sweetie?" She smiled at Cameron, who rxed visibly.


    "Yes, ra. It won''t happen again."


    Dad opened his mouth to argue, but ra spoke first. "Then it''s settled. No further discussion. Start eating, kids. Evelyn says I make the best pancakes ever."


    And just like that, even though I sensed Dad''s reluctance and his desire to continue the conversation, the tension faded. The atmosphere shifted to a peaceful breakfast, like a typical family.


    Except for one thing-Jacob. His


    clenched jaw and fists never rxed.


    This wasn''t a typical family


    breakfast because in a typical


    family, the girl doesn''t date her dad''s best friend and that best friend certainly doesn''t screw up so badly and breaks her heart. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

 Chapter 161 Things That Never End

    Chapter 161 Things That Never End


    Jacob


    I mmed the door shut, groaning in annoyance. She and that boy-toy were in her fucking room. I had to give it to Samuel for not letting the door be locked, but at the same time, I was furious with him for letting that goddamn Cameron stay here with Evelyn. My Evelyn.


    But did I have anything to say to him? Absolutely not. I couldn''t.


    Because he was pissed at me, so fucking pissed and there was nothing I could do about it unless Evelyn forgave me, which now seemed like a distant dream.


    "Argh!" I groaned, mming my hands against the coffee table in the corner of my room. Frustration crawled all over my skin, and rage burned within me. I was so mad that all I wanted to do was stride into her room and break Cameron''s neck-no, slice his skin, chop up his flesh, shatter her bones, and feed it to the dog.


    God! Never in my life had I thought I''d be jealous of a twenty-one-year-old boy. For fuck''s sake.


    Evelyn messed me up really badly. And she was still ying with me, using that boy. God knew what they were doing in that room.


    Was she letting him kiss her?


    Touch her in those ces only I used to touch?


    Caress her, fondle her, embrace her?


    Fuck! This shit was driving me insane.


    I paced back and forth in my room. The day kept passing by, and every time I walked out, I found the door still closed but not locked. I had this urge to stride inside, grab Cameron by the cor, and drag him out. I wondered what they were doing, but I knew I had no right to interfere. She expressly told me she wanted that boy-toy, whether it was true or not. It was her word, and I had to respect it, even though I didn''t want to.


    I reached for the doorknob, my hand moving on its own, but I grasped it with my other hand and forced myself away, turning around and walking back into my own room. Supressing my rage beneath my skin.


    I was fighting a literal battle with myself or specifically my hand. After the struggle, I ended up back inside my room, on the chair, pressing my back into it as much as I could, trying to control my rage, my hands forming fists.


    "Get a hold of yourself, man!" I groaned, burying my face in my hands and blowing out a heavy breath.


    Every inch of me, every part of me, every single limb, and every fiber wanted to kill Cameron and punish Evelyn.


    And her punishments? Man, they wouldn''t be able to stop once I started. I would make sure she''d never look at another man or even think about it.


    I looked at the clock.


    Thirty minutes. Yes, only thirty minutes, and then I would go in there and do whatever it took to get Cameron out of this house and away from myPublished by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    woman.


    Maybe in a polite way, but I''d still do it.


    I was done going easy on her. She would get the other side of me now, and I was sure she wouldn''t hate it.


    ***


    Evelyn


    Spending time with Cameron was amazing. He was sweet, attentive, and funny. I really liked the idea of having him in my life as a friend, even if we didn''t get to the point he wanted us t¨°. Actually, I wasn''t looking for a romantic rtionship, but I wanted to try-to forget Jacob and give Cameron a chance As we talked and spent time together like friends, I began to realize he


    mattered to me-I didn''t want to hurt him. He was doing everything he could to make this work, and I wasn''t going to let his efforts be in vain. I would let him know he was appreciated and valued through my behavior and whatever else I could do.


    He had a beautiful soul and I wasn''t going shatter it like my love did to me. I knew the pain and I''d do everything in my power to make sure, any of my close ones have to go through it.


    "Idiot," I chuckled, yfully pping


    the back of his head at another of his silly remarks. He was bad with books, really bad, but at least he was trying. "It''s a monologue. She''s just pointing out the good things they had even though they are not together anymore. She is talking to us-the readers. Telling us about the..." I hesitated for a second, my voice faltering, "the good and bad sides of love."


    "You know a lot about books," Cameron said, lying on his back on my bed and emitting a sigh. "Books are boring-so overrated!"


    "Hey," I sat up, snatching a pillow from the side and hurling it at his face. "Don''t you dare say that again, asshole!"


    He seemed shocked by my sudden move, but then his eyes transformed from pure surprise to sheer mischief as he sat up. "You are so done!" he dered, lunging to tickle my sides. Giggling, I hit him with the pillow again and again, trying to evade his grasp. I stood up, and he followed, trying to catch me.


    "You''re choosing these books over me," he teased, chasing me as I ran to the other side of the room, using the pillow as both shield and weapon. "You aren''t getting away with it so easily!" He annouced.


    "I will choose books over everything!" I emphasised, unable to stop myughter, "And how dare you call them overrated?!" I hurled the pillow at his face again, and this time he caught it. We struggled to gain` control of it for the next strike, and suddenly, before either of us realized what was happening, I slipped. My body fell onto Cameron''s, knocking us both to the floor. Content belongs


    to


    Cameron groaned from the impact of his back hitting the solid floor, and I groaned from falling onto Cameron''s rock-hard body.


    "God! What are you made of? Stone?" I let out another groan as I tried to sit up, but before either of us could respond, the sound of someone clearing their throat broke through.


    My eyes snapped to the door, followed by Cameron''s, and I froze at the sight of him. He casually leaned against the doorframe, the door now wide open, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes stern and dark as they took in the sight of me partially on top of Cameron.


    Fuck!


    For some inexplicable, absurd reason, I found myself jolting upright. Why did I care if he saw us like this? Wasn''t that the entire point? I wanted him to witness another man iming me, to watch helplessly while someone else made me theirs, while all Jacob could do was stand by and observe.


    Then why did this strange sensation grip me?


    "Are you okay?" Cameron''s voice cut through the charged air as he rose to his feet, extending his hand toward me. I epted it, standing up and smoothing down my rumpled top. Heat prickled across my skin under his intense gaze-there was something in his eyes that stirred a dormant part of me, a part I hadn''t felt for days untilst night and now.


    I nodded softly to Cameron, my eyes still locked with Jacob''s. His expression was... unsettling, tinged with a simmering anger that sent shivers down my spine.


    Jesus....


    It was terrifying in a way, the way he red at us and even more because the way he look gave away what he wanted to do to me. Knowing him, I knew his ways and I hated the fact that they excited me. But there was also a twisted allure to it...his gaze, an inexplicable maism that sent goosebumps cascading across my flesh.


    And then Jacob annouced, "Well, I think it''s time for Cameron to leave, no?"

 Chapter 162 Lucky Day

    Chapter 162 Lucky Day


    Evelyn


    "Why... why should he leave?" I mustered the courage to ask, though my nerves danced on a razor''s edge. His stance, his prating gaze, the weight of his question-allbined to fray myposure. There was an undeniable force in his presence, his fucking aura, one that threatened to bring me to my knees.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    "Because I said so," he retorted, his voiceced with icy resolve, his eyes daring me to challenge him. Despite the cocktail of nerves, guilt, and desire swirling within me, I found the strength to respond.


    "Your word may bew in your domain, but not here," I countered, arms folded defiantly across my chest. "Cameron stays."


    Jacob''s jaw tightened, his fists clenched at his sides, and a storm brewed in his gaze, anger palpable in every line of his body. I knew he wouldn''t harm me physically, but his methods were unpredictable. Would it be a stern reprimand or something far more... intriguing? Well no, it''d be wicked. Absolutely fucking wicked.


    "Evelyn, it''s fine," Cameron interjected, ever the peacemaker. "I can go. We''ve had a good day together¡ªI couldn''t ask for more. It''s okay." He offered me a gentle smile, seeking to diffuse the mounting tension.


    "No, it''s not just because he said so that you''ll leave," I insisted, seizing his hand as he began to retreat, locking eyes with Jacob. I refused to let him assert dominance unchecked. He may think he holds all the strings, but I was not his puppet.


    "Okay, since my word isn''t sufficient," Jacob''s voice cut through the air, firm and unwavering, his gaze piercing and unsettling at times. "Would it be eptable if your father were to decree his departure? It''s been quite the conversation from what I can gather, with you two locked away in this room for who knows how long, doing what. Doesn''t seem quite gentlemanly for him to linger in your room for such an extended period, does it?"


    Cameron''s jaw tensed visibly at Jacob''s words, and for a moment, a silent battle raged between them, their eyes locked in a challenge. Unbeknownst to me, Cameron''s gaze flicked momentarily to mine as I remained fixated on Jacob, torn between the urge to kiss him or fucking kill him. Then, with a dismissive chuckle, Cameron shrugged off Jacob''s barb and addressed him.


    "Alright then!" Cameron raised his hands in surrender, a lighthearted grin ying on his lips. "I''ll take my leave, sir. My apologies for overstaying." "No, Cameron¡ª" I attempted to interject, but he cut me off.


    "It''s alright, Evelyn. We''ll catch up again, no harm done," he reassured me, his smile softening my resolve. "Besides, I wouldn''t want to cause you any trouble. I already found myself in hot waterst night; can''t afford to be on the wrong side of the father of the woman I''m trying to impress." With a yful wink in my direction, he sauntered toward the door where Jacob stood, offering him a friendly pat on the shoulder.


    "Easy does it, man," Cameron quipped, his grin likely adding fuel to Jacob''s simmering irritation, evident in his stone-cold expression. As Cameron made his exit, the tension in the room seemed to thicken, and Jacob and I found ourselves locked in a silent standoff, our mutual anger palpable. Amidst the turmoil, my nerves crackled like embers, my body a conflicting mix of heat, desire, and frustration, burning with both anger and aching need. And I knew, he could sense how hot, wet and needy my body was right now.


    "You seemed like you were having quite the time..." Jacob''s voice, barely above a whisper, sent a chill down my spine as his gaze roamed over me, scrutinizing every inch of my skin, perhaps searching for any traces of Cameron''s touch. My mind raced with possibilities, contemting the consequences if any marks were found, knowing full well the delight it would bring to anger Jacob. And oh, how I relished in provoking him, a dangerous game I couldn''t resist.


    "Of course," I replied, trying to


    maintain myposure despite the tremble in my knees, a desperate longing stirring within me. It had been too long since I tasted him, felt his skin against mine, had pleasure of his touch, his lips on mine, my fingers through his silky hair locks and his cock inside of me. But I dared not sumb to such desires, knowing the inevitable pain that would follow. "That was until you


    decided to barge into my room uninvited and ruin it all. You still enjoy disrupting my peace, don''t you?"


    He remained silent at my usation, but a smirk twisted his lips, darker and more enticing than usual, a harbinger of impending chaos. It was like the calm before a storm, the warning sign before the chaos unfolds.


    And then, in swift motion, he stepped into my room, mming the door shut and locking it behind him. As he advanced toward me, a predator closing in on its prey, my breath hitched in my throat, my heart pounding in my chest. Being near him meant losing control, and I couldn''t afford to lose it, not when he knew how to wield it to his advantage.


    "So, you''re iming you''ve found peace with Cameron, huh?" His words hung heavy in the air as he slowly advanced, and I instinctively retreated, a dance of steps back and forth until the footboard of the bed halted my movement.


    He loomed over me, his hands encircling my wrists, my futile attempts to break free only resulting in his firm hold. In one swift motion, he pushed me onto the bed, his weight pinning me down, our faces mere inches apart.


    Fuck! He was too close.


    "Shall I demonstrate what you''re missing out on by choosing this supposed ''peace,'' Evelyn?" His voice was a seductive whisper, sending shivers down my spine, igniting a longing that shed with my resolve. "What this peace is truly costing you, robbing from you? Shall I show you?" Don''t fall weak, Evelyn...


    Don''t!


    "If anything, this peace is saving me from you," I managed to retort, though his smirk only widened.


    "Because there''s no one in this world who can rescue you from me," he whispered, his grip on my wrists tightening as his free hand traced a tantalizing path from my neck to my waist, disappearing under my shorts.


    "What are you¡ª" My protest was cut short by a gasp as his fingers found their mark, on my bare pussy, the realization of goingmando on the worst possible day hitting me like a freight train.


    "Well..." His voice was a low murmur, a devilish grin spreading across his face as he leaned in to whisper in my ear, "Looks like it''s my lucky day."


    Fuck!

 Chapter 163 Too Sweet

    Chapter 163 Too Sweet


    Evelyn


    The moment his fingersnded on my soaking-wet, aching, and bare pussy, I knew he would make sure I lost this battle before it even began. Suddenly, I couldn''t speak, breathe, or think straight. All I could focus on was his touch-those goddamn fingers on me. They had just made contact with my pussy, and already, my body was on fire. Untameable, wild, ferocious fire.


    I gasped at the sensations exploding in my lower abdomen, my heart hammering in my chest, my eyes locked with his, unblinking.


    God! Save me.


    "His touch doesn''t leave you this shaken, does it?" A smirk curved his lips as his fingers began drawing slow, soft, torturous circles on my clit.


    Fuck!


    Don''t moan, Evelyn.


    Don''t you dare moan.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I struggled against his grip, but my chest pressed against his, the heat of his body seeping into mine, driving me insane. Our faces were too close, and the urge to kiss him overwhelmed me. I wanted to kiss him. So badly. But at the same time, I didn''t want to ''want to'' kiss him. Did that make sense? Fuck it. Even if it didn''t, I didn''t care. Around Jacob, none of my reactions made sense and I doubted they ever would.


    "Let..." A moan tried to interrupt my sentence, but I suppressed it before choking out, "Let me go!"


    "You sure?" He slipped two fingers inside me, my wetness making it easy for him to slide in. "Because from what I can feel," he slowly moved his fingers in and out of my pussy, brushing his lips against my jaw, "your cunt is pretty much begging to be fucked!"


    I bit down on my bottom lip, my hips shaking and my body arching into him as his fingers quickened their pace, the sounds piercing through the silence of the room. A moan slipped past my lips.


    "Well," he smirked, biting onto my breast over my t-shirt. I could feel his teeth through the thince bra underneath, goosebumps covered my skin, every inch of my skin set on fire, burning with untamable heat only he could subside, "So, you do want to be fucked, Evie. Your boy-toy just left, and you''re already ready toe apart in my hand?"


    I tried to stifle my moans, to tear my gaze away from him, but I could only look at him. Only him and his mesmerizing green eyes, now full of lust and desire.


    Yes. I wanted it.


    I wanted him to fuck me. Hard.


    But I wasn''t going to admit it. Not even over my dead body.


    Jacob quickened his pace, his fingers moving in a frantic rhythm, in and out, making my body tremble. My hands, still caught under his wrists, clenched into fists as I struggled against his grip-not to push him away, but to hold onto him, his broad shoulders or maybe his arms, just to hold onto him tightly. But he didn''t let me fucking go.


    He was fully in control. Just like he had always been.


    He kept fucking me with his fingers, my wetness flooding down my inner thighs, my orgasm building at my core. His thumb rubbed my clit, drawing circles, the motion frantic, driving me fucking wild.


    "Oh god!" I finally cried out, tears gathering at the corners of my eyes. Jacob''s eyes lit up with amusement.


    "Giving up already, baby?" he chuckled lowly, brushing his nose against my neck, inhaling my scent before kissing and biting my skin. "I thought you didn''t want me."


    "Bastard!" I managed to huff out between moans. When he suddenly curled his fingers, hitting my G-spot directly, I screamed, my hips jerking. He chuckled, his chest vibrating against mine.


    "If you call me that again..." he murmured, leaning close to my ear, "you won''t get the orgasm, Evie," his threat terrified me, "so try me."


    I bit the inside of my cheek. Despite every part of me screaming to call him a bastard again and test his nerves, I swallowed my pride and didn''t utter another word. Instead, I let my eyesmunicate my hatred, even though I didn''t truly hate him.


    A grin spread across his lips, and he suddenly pushed his fingers deeper, making me yelp and my body jerk. He brushed his nose against my temple, his thumb continuing its torture, his fingers fucking me rough and fast. "Good girl," he murmured, and another brazen sound broke through my throat.


    "Ahh!"


    "Moan for me, baby," he growled, his teeth grazing my neck, leaving marks. "It''s been so fucking long since I''ve heard those beautiful sounds. Damn, bless my fucking ears!"


    Another moan tore through my throat as I felt the knot tightening. I was so close...so fucking close.


    "God! I''m gonna cum," I cried out, my hips shaking, my fists clenched so tight that my nails dug into my skin, forming crescent marks. And just when I was seconds away, Jacob suddenly pulled his fingers out, leaving me shocked and astounded.


    I didn''t even call him a bastard. Then why?


    "Why did you?" Before I could finish my question, he flipped me over and pulled down my shorts in one swift movement. The cool air hit my pussy, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body again. A shiver ran down my spine.


    Before I could realize what he was about to do, he raised my butt, my face still t against the mattress, and dove into me with his tongue from behind.


    And, God, oh God...his tongue. The feel of his tongue on me after so long....


    "Oh my God," I cried, clutching the bedsheets as tight as I could, my hips shaking vigorously as he licked me, eating me like a hungry man. When his tongue brushed past my back hole, my eyes almost rolled to the back of my head and my knees gave out, but Jacob''s hand around my stomach held me stiff, keeping me just where I fucking was.


    I just hoped I wouldn''t faint. I just...hoped.


    His tongue moved in every precise motion, his teeth grazing my clit as he sucked, teased, and licked it. He knew every part of me, every single spot, like the back of his hand.


    My pussy clenched and unclenched around his tongue and fingers, which didn''t stop their relentless thrusting, driving me to the edge.


    I cried out, trying hard not to say his name, but after all my struggle, the moan slipped past my lips anyway, "Oh, Jacob!"


    "Keep saying my name like that, baby," he spoke against my folds, his voice sending electric shocks through my body. "Moan for me." As always, my body obeyed, and I moaned his name, burying my face into the mattress to muffle the sound, but it came out too fucking loud anyway.


    Jacob pped my ass, biting each cheek, leaving marks before diving back into my soaking, aching pussy. "Fuck! You taste so good!" Within seconds, the orgasm was there. Onest movement of his tongue, and I knew I''de the hardest I ever had. Then he gave it to me¡ªa roll of his tongue, a graze of his teeth, and a few flicks before thrusting his tongue into me. I came, spasming around him,ing apartpletely.


    Dots of ck appeared in my vision, stars bursting behind my closed eyes as the orgasm rocked through my body. My breathing came in ragged pants, my body barely steady as Jacob savored every drop.


    My heartbeat started to normalize as I came down from my high, the effects of the orgasm still lingering. Then Jacob turned me around again,ying me on my back. His eyes bore into mine as he leaned closer, his lips covered in my cum,


    threatening a blush to taint my cheeks. Judging by his widened


    smirk, I knew the blush had indeed


    reddened my face. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    Shaking and trembling, I looked at him. I wanted him to kiss me, but I couldn''t ask for it. One kiss would threaten to make me forget everything and embrace him again.


    God! I was so fucking confused. I didn''t know what I wanted.


    I wanted Jacob, but I didn''t want the fucking damage!


    With that, he got off me and walked out the door, closing it shut behind him without another nce, as if he hadn''t just eaten me out.


    "Bastard!" I finally let out, but panting.

 Chapter 164 This Means Nothing

    Chapter 164 This Means Nothing


    Evelyn


    After that mind-blowing orgasm and Jacob''s final touch, another night was slipping by in terrifying silence. I tossed and turned in bed, restless, unable to get a wink of sleep. My mind raced with thoughts, loud and unkind, questioning my dignity and the self-preservation I had until I let Jacob finger- fuck and lick me to a shattering climax that I could still feel between my thighs. The sensitivity was still lingering there.


    I was so fucking stupid to allow him to do that because now, I stimply couldn''t get him out of my head.


    If there was anything I should have felt for him, it should have been hatred. But no, I felt everything else the fire, the warmth, the urge, the craving, the hunger-every fucking thing except the one emotion I believed I should have felt for him: hatred.


    God, Maybe, I could never ever hate him and this realization was sickening.


    I emitted a soft groan, trying to banish his image from my mind. He had looked so incredibly hot with my essence on his lips, hovering over me, his face so tantalizingly close to mine. He looked breathtaking.


    I still loved him...


    Why the fuck did I still love him?!!!


    "God, Evelyn! Get him out of your head," I muttered, sitting up and finally getting out of bed. I knew sleep was nowhere near me, so a stroll in the garden it was. Wine? I doubted there was any left. I had seen ra and Dad take nearly three bottles up to their room. One would have done the job, but they didn''t want me anywhere near any kind of drink-sly hedgehogs that they were!


    I wrapped the shrug around my body, bracing for the possibility of a chilly night. You can never trust the weather.


    Slowly, I walked downstairs, opened the ss door, and stepped into the garden. But then....My body froze the moment my bare feet touched the grass.


    There stood Jacob Adriano, his bare, strong back facing me, hands tucked into his trouser pockets as he gazed at the sky, at the moon. A sight I could only describe as ethereal.


    Unconsciously, I took a few steps forward, bringing his side profile into view. It didn''t take me a second to realize he was deep in thought, distant. It was uncharacteristic of him to look so far away, deep in thoughts as if buried in some secluded corner of his mind that he wouldn''t let anyone discover. He''d always beenposed, calm, and controlled.


    Before I knew it, I found myself asking, "What are you doing here?"


    His eyes shifted to me slowly, unsurprised. "I couldn''t sleep." His answer was as simple as his gaze. As much as I knew him, I could tell he was trying not to n anything, unlike other times there was nothing going on in his mind. But he looked....sad.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    "What happened?" I asked, stepping closer. I didn''t care what was going on between us, whether a fight, a war, or a growing distance that might never be bridged again. When he was at his low, I couldn''t stop myself from going to him. It was an invisible pull-like a string attached that I never might be able to cut off.


    I stood in front of him, looking up with soft eyes. My hands fought a battle, longing to cup his face and kiss him gently, again and again, until all the pain in his eyes was gone.


    But instead, I crossed my arms over my chest, forcing my eyes to show only curiosity when all they held was love.


    "Nothing," he shrugged, trying to mask his vulnerability with a facade of indifference. He turned to walk away, but I grabbed his hand, stopping him. "Tell me," I insisted. "What is it?"


    His eyes met mine, filled with something I couldn''t exin. He remained silent for a few seconds, ncing from my hand on his wrist to my face. A soft, mncholic smile curled his lips. "You still care?"


    I hurriedly released my grasp, realization hitting me. I rubbed my arms, trying to erase the ufortable feeling as his gaze lingered on me a little too long.


    "You could say I''m a bit curious," I stammered. "I''d even ask my enemy why he looks sad if he happens to look sad."


    "Oh really?" he asked with a chuckle, but itcked its usual yfulness, sounding weighed down by an untangled knot in his chest. Perhaps he couldn''t untangle it, or needed someone to help and I already wanted to be the one to help, fuck, I was never going to get over him, was I?


    "So, what am I? Your enemy now?"


    "Nothing less than that," I shrugged, tucking my hair behind my ear as the wind whipped around us. The weather was beautiful tonight¡ªa sky full of stars, the moon shining brightly-yet it all felt dull because of theck of shine in the eyes of my ex. I was foolish, wasn''t I?


    He emitted another chuckle, this one just as lifeless. "I see," he whispered, looking at me with a mncholic smile. Our eyes locked, and we looked at each other in the wind that brushed our skin softly, yet felt as sharp as knives. His smile slowly faded, and then he uttered, "It''s... it''s my father''s death anniversary."


    My body froze at his words, my eyes widening slightly in realization. Jacob hadn''t had the best childhood.


    I remembered the night he mentioned how his father died, and how his mother met an untimely death as well. I knew about his childhood, the pain he endured, the things he and Bianca tolerated, and how it left marks that would never fade away.


    Before I knew it, I was moving closer to him, closing the gap between us, reducing it to mere inches. I reached out and caressed his face. All my thoughts vanished; I was still mad at him, of course, but at this moment, nothing mattered more than to wipe away that expression from his face. I wanted to do something, anything, to ease his grief.


    "Is it bringing back the bad memories?" I asked softly, unable to tear my gaze away from him, my thumb softly brushing against his cheek.


    His hand moved to rest over mine,


    and he grabbed it, a sigh slipping past his lips as if my touch soothed him. His intense gaze fixated on me. "The regrets.." he whispered, answering my question. "Regret that if only I had been brave enough then, I could have perhaps saved my mother from that fate. Bianca fi from those scars that still mar her skin. And maybe myself from a lifetime of trauma and memories that never leave me. I am not sorry for his death, Evelyn-I just wish he had died sooner. That we all had a better life, away from him. Somewhere safe. Life could have been better if


    only he hadn''t been so consumed by his addiction and nature, never


    bothering to change."


    God...


    I wished I could take his pain away, erase those regrets, and those memories, and make him whole. But some wounds ran too deep, and no matter how deep I dived, I could never mend them. They would always be there with him.


    I moved closer, raising my other hand to cup his face. Pressing my forehead against his, I felt his free hand settle at the small of my back, pulling me


    closer.


    "Some things are beyond our


    control-sometimes it''s fate that decides the course of our lives, who stays, and who is taken away. We can''t change that," I whispered, inhaling his scent deeply. "But that doesn''t mean we have to waste this gift of life on regrets, on things we couldn''t change. We have the choice tedive with the good memories, to push the terrible nights into some dark corner of our mind, and to remember only the sunny, bright days when it all gets too much. This is life, Jacob. Things will happen that we don''t like, things that might feel like nightmares. But that''s life."


    I brushed my nose against his, tracing his bottom lip with my thumb.


    "You are so much more than those regrets. You are someone who overcame everything, who fought battles for others, a loyal friend, a good human being, and-"


    "A failed lover..." he interrupted my sentence with a sigh, his hold on me tightening, "How do I let go of that regret, Evelyn? How do I push those nights away and remember the bright sunny days when they had only been with you the light has always been you."


    My throat tightened at his words, and I lightly shook my head. "Let''s not talk about it right now."


    "But we should..." he whispered. "I can''t do this anymore. Not without you." His hold tightened. "I can''t fight you, Evelyn. It''s tough. Because no matter what, I''d always lose, even after winning, if it''s against you."


    I wanted to forget everything so badly.


    My heart ached. It wanted to forgive him and move on.


    But...


    What had emotions ever given me? Only heartbreak.


    "Shh..." I whispered, leaning into his touch. "I''m going to do something now..." I drew in a breath.


    Stupid decision, Evelyn. Stupid decision.


    Don''t do this.


    "But it should mean nothing to you in the morning," I said, slowly moving my thumb away from his lips, my eyes closing as I breathed in his scent. "This changes nothing." And with that, I pressed my lips against his.

 Chapter 165 Torn Hearts

    Chapter 165 Torn Hearts


    Evelyn


    I shouldn''t have done that. It was the only sentence that echoed in my mind. Nearly four hours had passed since that kiss, and the sounds of birds starting to chirp outside my window in the garden didn''t escape my ears. Morning.


    I shouldn''t have done that.


    As Inded strokes on the canvas, the beauty of his mesmerizing green eyes slowly came to life. Each detail made them look more real, weakening me with every passing second. But I kept painting. Even though I didn''t want to feel close to him, painting him was doing exactly that. Yet, I knew I needed it¡ªI needed to feel close to him. Because that kiss, though I told him it meant nothing, meant everything to me.


    A kiss thatsted only a minute, yet with a few strokes of his tongue, our fingers tangling in each other''s hair, our heartbeats syncing, our bodies melting, worlds colliding, winds stopping inches from our skin because of the sudden heat radiating from our lips touching, all that happened at once... could never mean nothing.


    It meant everything-everything we once were, everything we once experienced, and everything we have be now.


    Fuck! The kiss was a bad idea. I couldn''t speak for Jacob''s state, but it had put me in a tough situation. I couldn''t get it out of my head-the kiss, the way his lips felt against mine, the way his hands gripped my hair as he pulled me closer. It now felt like he was in my goddamn lungs!


    And then came the sting. I had to pull away, despite every fiber of my body, every inch of my being, every fraction of my soul begging me to embrace him and never let go. But I pulled away. Without turning around, I walked back into the house, not daring to glimpse his face because I knew I''d lose it if I did.


    Since then, after walking back into my room and mming the door shut, I had gathered my art supplies and began painting him. I felt numb after breaking the kiss, and I needed to feel something. Only Jacob, in this entire world, had the power to make me feel alive.


    Iid more paint on the canvas, blending the shades to create his perfect skin tone. God, his skin... I missed the warmth of it, the way it felt so perfect against mine.


    My throat tightened as I painted him. My eyes started burning, my chest constricted, and my breathing grew heavier-it became hard to move my hands and even harder to stop the sobs crawling up the back of my throat, trying to escape.


    Slowly, tears gathered in my eyes. My legs started giving out, but I continued. I painted him,ying the details of Jacob Adriano that always remained wide awake in my mind, forever etched there, onto the canvas.


    As I reached his lips, detailing them, my hands trembled even more, reminding me how much I actually wanted them against mine. How badly I wanted to kiss him despite everything he had done, knowingly or unknowingly, to hurt me beyond measure.


    "I hate you!" I muttered, the tears blurring my vision as I angrilyid strokes all over the painting, smearing everything with ck marks. "I fucking hate you!" I shouted, dropping the palette and throwing the brush against the canvas.


    Yet, as I looked at the painting, he looked as ethereal as ever. The image of him, how I saw him tonight under the moonlight-his skin glowing, his frame as tall and broad as ever, his eyes ever so beautiful and captivating, never failing to mesmerize me. Those few scribbles of ck didn''t make him hideous or lessen how ethereal he looked, how damaging he was to my heart, how dangerous he was to my resolve. If anything, I might have just discovered another form of art-painting heaven and adding scars to it.


    Slowly, I dropped to my knees in front of the painting, tears gliding down my cheeks, the first sob slipping past my lips.


    "Why did you do it, Jacob?" I cried, staring at his likeness. "We were so fucking perfect. Why did you let your demons ruin all of it? Why?!"


    I grabbed the freshly painted canvas off the frame, holding it close to me. "God, I fucking miss you," I whispered, tracing my fingers over his cheek. The half-dried paint covered my fingers. "But I can''t risk being broken again," I sobbed, tears falling onto the moonlight painted behind him and slowly gliding down his broad arm. "I never wanted us to end like this. But this has to end."


    And then I cried-just cried, sobbed, and mourned. Probably for the entire night, until my eyes finally closed on their own. Iy there, sleeping in my own tears beside the painting of my heartbreaker, my ruin.


    ***


    "Why are your eyes so puffy?" Nancy asked, munching on a packet of chips as she sat across from me, leaning against my bed''s headboard. "And you refused to join anyone for breakfast. So that means..."


    "This bitch cried the whole night," Mason scoffed, rolling his eyes, clearly annoyed. "I can''t fucking believe you''re still not over that asshole!" "Mason, I don''t want to talk about it now," I sighed, hugging my knees and resting my chin on them. "I just need some time alone."


    "So that you can cry some more?" Jennie spoke up, rifling through my book rack along with Mason. "No, thanks."


    "Honestly, I still can''t believe you had the audacity to paint that asshole!" Nancy gave me a condescending stare. "Are you even alright? He broke your heart. End of the chapter. Why are you so fucking persistent on going back to that asshole?"


    "I am..." My voice came out more like a shout, but then I controlled myself. "I am not nning to go back to him," I said gently this time. "That painting means nothing. It''s just something I did to keep myself sane. There''s nothing else going on."


    "Then what about these new books, huh? I bet most of them are about heartbreak, rebound, and love renewed," Mason, who was going through my books, popped the question out of the blue. "Are you shameless? That piece of garbage put you through shit, and yet you''re still mourning for that good-for-nothing rtionship?!"


    Good-for-nothing rtionship?


    This bastard...


    How dare he?!


    I almost opened my mouth to unload every curse word I knew at him, but I refrained. After all, it wasn''t like my rtionship with Jacob had ended with a


    mind-blowing, adventurous,


    el


    fairy tale finish. In the end, we lost. No matter how beautiful it had been, this rtionship would be


    considered a nightmare because of the way it ended.


    "I seriously don''t want to talk about this right now, guys. Please, either shut up or get the fuck out of my room!" I finally snapped, not knowing how else to shut them up.


    "Well, we have been invited. Why


    would we go? Nancy tossed another chip into her mouth, the crunchy sound irritating me. I knew she meant to irritate me-they all did. They were trying to get on my nerves to distract me. But little did they know, the only thing that could distract me from Jacob was death. Nothing else would work.


    "Invited? Who the hell invited you?"


    "Your dad," Mason said, throwing himself on my bed, popping a bubble with his gum as he propped his chin on his elbow. He shed me a sly smile.


    This asshole...


    "Don''t you dare bring my dad into¡ª"


    "Goodness, Evie," Jennie chuckled. "Samuel actually invited us because we are all going for a pic."


    "A pic?" I looked at them, bbergasted. I had been informed of nothing of the sort. "What do you mean?"


    "As far as we now, a pic means a pic-when you eat packed meals outdoors at your preferred location. So, I don''t know which part of this you don''t understand, bitch."


    "You asshole! I mean, Dad hasn''t informed me about any such ns! Don''t take my confusion as an excuse to bully me!" I kicked him in the chest, and he fell on his back on the bed, groaning.


    "You dirty bitch!" he cried out, his hand flying to his chest. "I could have died." He groaned.


    "Then why didn''t you die already? Asshole!" This time I threw a pillow at him.


    "I will shove you into Jacob''s arse! Don''t try me!" Mason sat up, ring at me, and I red back, reaching for another pillow to hurl at his ugly face. He grabbed my plushie as a weapon.


    "You piece of¡ª" Just as I was about to throw it and let the battle begin, Nancy and Jennie interrupted us. Jennie snatched the plushie from Mason''s hand, and Nancy grabbed the pillow from mine.


    "Enough, you two!" Nancy snapped. "We have no time for this nonsense. Samuel told us to get you ready and downstairs because we are about to leave soon."


    "I am not going anywhere."


    "Good thing! Because all you''d do there is think about sucking Jacob''s dick-so the farther you stay away from him, the better!"


    "You bastard¡ª"I tried to reach him, to w at his face, but he moved away and stood in the corner of the room, acting brave but clearly scared.


    "Guys! Stop it!" Nancy shouted, stomping her foot on the floor. "Enough! We are gettingte. Go and get ready, Evelyn. And Mason, get out, right


    now!"


    "I am not going to the "


    "If you''re not going, then who''s gonna take care of your new boy toy?" Mason, despite being told to leave, stayed rooted to the spot, now leaning against the door of my closet.


    "What?" I asked, taken aback by this sudden revtion. "Cameron''sing?"


    "Well, certainly not inside you anytime soon because you''re still obsessed with your goddamn ex. But to the pic? Yeah!" he shot back with a low


    blow.


    "Who invited him?!" I asked, looking at Nancy, ignoring Mason because if I continued this, it could go on all day.


    "Samuel," she answered. "Now would you please go and get ready? We are gettingte."


    "B-but-"


    "Evelyn, please! Go and get ready.


    ver


    We are alreadyte, and I promise we are going to have a good time," Jennie, desperate to convince me, came to my side. "Please, sweetheart. Go and get ready Please!"


    ton


    SAll content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Sighing and seeing no other options, I got off the bed, shoved Mason away from the closet door, and walked inside.

 Chapter 166 Closer To You

    Chapter 166 Closer To You


    Evelyn


    "What is it?" Cameron asked as we walked by the beach. This was the third time he''d asked me that question. The first two times, I''d brushed it off with, "Nothing. I just didn''t sleep wellst night." But this time, I knew he wouldn''t let it go without a more substantial answer.


    "You wouldn''t understand, Cameron, even if I told you," I sighed, rubbing my arms as the wind brushed past us. The weather was sunny, yet the breeze was chillingly cold-a bizarre contrast, much like my feelings for Jacob.


    I was truly shameless for wanting him back, wasn''t I? God, I probably didn''t have an ounce of dignity left.


    "So what is it? Are you going to reveal you have some duty to nature? The second Wonder Woman?" he chuckled, clearly trying to lighten the mood as always, "Please, don''t go, Evelyn-other heroes can save the world. You should just save me."


    A small snicker escaped my lips at his words. I could feel Jacob''s eyes on me as he sat on a beach lounge, being red at by Mason, who lounged next to him. ra and Dad were lying on one chair, hugging each other and enjoying the shade, properly dressed unlike my friends, who wore bikinis and shorts. Cameron and I? I wore a simple, short, flowy, andfortable sky-blue dress, while Cameron wore white pants that reached just below his knees and a loose-fitting t-shirt that conveniently matched the color of my dress.


    And then, there came Jacob.


    He wore a white shirt and ck pants-ever so simple and good-looking, awfully damaging to my heart like every other time.


    My eyes slowly moved to him, finding him looking right back at me. The cigarette in his hand burned away, and I doubted he had taken more than two drags. His attention was too fixated on me and Cameron. He looked like he wanted to rip Cameron''s throat out¡ªI couldn''t mistake that look. It was possessiveness, ownership, and a desire to im what he believed was his.


    I forced myself to look away, trying to refrain from diving deeper into my emotions.


    "Why? Would you miss me?" I smiled.


    "I would die of grief," he said, cing a hand on his heart and pretending to be in pain. "Please, don''t do this to me."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Oh, Cameron," I matched his dramatic tone, "I have to do this, and it''s for the greater good."


    "No, I won''t let you go..." He tried to catch my hand, but I teasingly moved it out of his reach.


    "You can''t catch me anymore, Cam. I have a long way to go," I said, suppressing myughter before taking off running. Laughing, he followed suit, trying to catch me as I increased my speed.


    "Oh really? So that''s the game, huh?"


    "No one has ever managed to catch me, Cameron," I giggled. "You''ll lose."


    Well, if there was anyone who''d ever caught me, it had been Jacob¡ªthe one who had always been there to catch me every time I fell, but also the one who had pushed me off the edge, deep into endless darkness.


    "Is that a challenge, Evelyn?" Cameron asked, his eyebrows rising and a grin spreading across his lips.


    "Yes!" I giggled, evading Cameron''s


    attempts to grab me. I didn''t know how good he was at this, but I was damn good: Undoubtedly, it was


    Jacob who yed a hand in thin et


    we''d ran together too many


    ver


    el


    times at night, during the day, in his apartment, in my locked room, on a yacht, in fields and on


    beaches-everywhere. Unknowingly, he had helped me sharpen my skills.


    Wait! Why was I thinking about him again?


    Fuck. Evelyn-Get a hold of yourself.


    "You are so sure to lose, Evelyn," Cameron chuckled, chasing after me. Another giggle escaped my lips as I ran faster, the air brushing against my skin softly, and when I sped up, it hit me harder, making my hair billow and my skin tingle.


    Suddenly, I felt alive. For a second, I


    forgot it was Cameron and not Jacob-it was as if my mind had dove deep into memories just as had once dove into him. And for a fraction of a second, I forgot every bad thing we''d been through every hurtful word he''d said. All wanted was his arms around me again, his lips on mine.


    Cameron''s voice snapped me back to reality. Before I could react, I tripped over something and fell to the ground.


    "Oh shit!" I groaned as my knee hit the rocky sand, undoubtedly bruising my skin. I sat up, bringing my knee closer, examining the now red skin and the small cut that bled.


    "Evelyn!" Cameron''s concerned voice reached my ears. I looked up to see him rushing toward me, but then someone blocked my view-Jacob, kneeling in front of me.


    "Oh god," he eximed, his eyes on


    the cut. "Are you okay, baby?" He immediately pulled out his


    handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it against the cut, making me wince. His concerned eyes met mine "It''s alright," he whispered. "Not a big cut. You''ll be fine. He lifted his hand and caressed my cheek. I could only watch him-my eyes refusing to look away. It felt like I was seeing him for the first time, like falling in love all over again.


    His touch....I missed this.


    A secondter, Mason''s voice cut through the air as he rushed toward us followed by Jennie and Nancy, "What happened?" "God, Evelyn! You just had to hurt yourself, didn''t you?" Nancy kneeled beside me, her voice a mix of concern and exasperation. ¡°ra and Dad haven''t noticed, have they?" I asked, ncing toward the beach lounge, relieved to find them nowhere in sight. "No, they went for a walk while you and Cameron were busy running around like five-year-olds," Jennie said, rolling her eyes. "Come on, we''ll help you get back to the house."


    "No, it''s¡ª" Before I could protest, I felt hands slide around my waist and under my knees, lifting me off the ground. Jacob was carrying me.


    "Let''s go. We need to take care of the cut," he said, his focus solely on me as if my friends didn''t exist. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cameron watching carefully, making me wonder why he hadn''te closer after Jacob stepped in.


    Mason opened his mouth to say something, but Nancy gripped his hand, stopping him.


    Without another word, Jacob turned and walked away from the beach with me in his arms, not caring that everyone was watching, including the boy I was trying to convince myself to date just to piss him off.


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