My Dad's Bestfriend
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 relationship 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 replace 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 relationship 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."

I'd

"No, you're not a horrible mother, Mom," I flashed 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 worn those dresses once in my locked room. I've played those games, tried those headbands, and watched those cartoons-I saw them all. I was too stubborn to accept 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, melancholic 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 the competitions, 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 blame 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," Clara implored.

"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 blamed 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 décisions, 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."

"It's okay, Danica," he flashed her a smile, "I understand. You were concerned for your daughter, and anyone in your place 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 a laugh 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."