Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Clairessa's POV

After soaking for what felt like hours, I finally stepped out of the tub.

The warmth lingered on my skin as I wrapped the towel around my body and padded back into the bedroom.

Everything Adrian brought was neatly folded on the bed. I dried off slowly, then changed into his oversized T-shirt and shorts.

They were loose, soft, and comforting in a strange way. They smelled like Adrian -his masculine scent, not too strong.

Like the warmth I used to know.

Warmth I no longer trusted.

I sat at the edge of the bed, hair damp and skin tingling from the heat of the bath.

The silence grew heavier, pressing down on me, suffocating my insides.

And that's when it hit me hard.

My life had crashed to an all-time low in less than twenty-four hours.

The walls felt like they were closing in, the ceiling pressing down, making it hard to breathe.

I needed someone.

I needed to hear a familiar, warm voice-someone who knew me, who would listen and understand.

Someone who saw me as whole, even when I felt shattered.

With trembling fingers, I reached for my phone and tapped the one number that had never changed.

The only one that felt safe.

It rang twice.

"Claire, baby?" my mom answered, her voice instantly soothing. "How are you doing?"

I swallowed hard, trying to sound steady. "I'm... okay."

"You rarely call me," she said gently. "But I'm glad you did today. Now tell your mama the truth. What's going on, sweetheart?"

I couldn't hold it anymore.

"It's gone, Mom," I whispered. "The house. Everything. There was a fire..."

"What?!" she gasped, panic rising in her voice. "Oh my God, Claire! Are you hurt? Where are you? Are you safe?"

"I'm okay, I swear," I said quickly, wiping away tears I didn't realize had fallen. "I wasn't there when it happened. I'm at Adrian's place."

There was a pause. Then her voice dropped, softer, relieved.

"Thank God. You're safe. And with the man you love."

I closed my eyes.

I couldn't bring myself to correct her.

When Adrian and I broke up, I never told her the truth-that he cheated on me.

She still thought Adrian was the one.

And to be honest, so did I... once.

If only she knew the truth about Adrian. The betrayal. The lie.

And about Gabriel.

Now everything was a mess-a complicated disaster I created trying to get revenge.

And somehow, I'd ended up falling for the wrong man again.

I wanted to confess everything to her-but I couldn't.

Yes, she was kind. Yes, she always listened.

But she was also deeply traditional, and I didn't think she'd understand this version of me—the one who made impulsive decisions, seduced her ex's father, and got her heart broken more than once.

And I had failed every one of her expectations.

So I let her believe the lie.

"Do you want to come home?" she asked after a moment. "Take a break from everything, just for a little while. You don't have to do this alone."

"No," I said quickly. "I'll handle it. I just... needed to hear your voice."

"I'm glad you're with Adrian," she said softly. "He's always loved you. Maybe you both can visit sometime. I'd love to see you."

"Mmm," I murmured, forcing a smile she couldn't see. I knew this was my cue to end the call.

Her voice held hope I didn't have the heart to shatter.

Because there was no way in hell I was bringing Adrian to my home.

"Thanks for talking to me, Mom," I said quietly. "Please, don't tell Dad. I don't want him panicking."

"Of course not, sweetheart. I won't. Just promise me you'll get some rest, okay?"

"I will."

"I'll call you in the morning. I love you, baby."

"I love you too," I whispered, my voice cracking just a little.

When the call ended, I placed the phone back on the nightstand and stared at the ceiling.

Still numb.

Still hollow.

I lay back on the bed, sinking into the sheets with a long exhale—it wasn't sadness anymore. There were no more tears left, just my body giving in to the weight of everything.

Sunlight. I stretched, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand, and let out a slow yawn.

I couldn't believe I'd slept through most of yesterday—a full day lost to exhaustion.

But maybe I needed it.

I felt... better.

Not healed, not whole.

Just lighter.

The ache in my chest was still there, but it didn't feel like it was trying to cave my ribs in anymore.

The sun filtered in through the windows, golden and bright, and for a moment I

just sat there, letting it wash over me.

But staying in bed wouldn't fix anything.

There were things to figure out.

I needed to call Margaret-my neighbor-and find out what was salvageable.

What my next move would be.

Dragging myself out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, splashed cold water on my face, and then stared at the woman in the mirror, wondering who she was.

Pale. Tired. But awake.

And somehow, that counted for something.

My stomach growled-like an animal on the loose.

I hadn't eaten at all yesterday, but honestly, how could I have? After everything?

Still, this morning was different.

I needed something.

An apple.

Bread.

Coffee.

God, I needed coffee.

Barefoot, I padded into the hallway and paused by Adrian's room.

I gently pushed the door open and peeked in.

He was still asleep, lying across the bed, his face peaceful and relaxed.

For a moment, I debated waking him up just to say I was starving, but he looked

so deeply asleep that I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Quietly, I shut the door and moved on.

In the daylight, the house looked even more beautiful than I had imagined. The

walls were alive, not dark like Gabriel's fortress, but subtle, welcoming, and full of

warmth.

It was Adrian as a young boy, being kissed playfully by a woman whose face was turned slightly away. Even from the angle, her features beld striking similarities to Adrian's.

They had the same hair color. Same eyes.

Almost the same smile.

It had to be his mother.

Angelique. Gabriel's ex.

But it didn't matter; I was done with the Storm men, the drama, and everythingnoveldrama

that came attached to them.

I continued through the living area,

admiring the elegant interior while trying to find the kitchen-and- hoping I might bump into Margaret, the house manager Adrian mentioned.

But she was nowhere to be seen.

Maybe she was still asleep or out running errands.

Eventually, I found the kitchen.

It was spotless. Bright. Huge. Like the rest of the house.

After a bit of fumbling through the cabinets, I found coffee grounds and managed

to get the coffee machine working.

The scent alone made me feel a little more centered. A little more like myself.

I poured myself a cup and held it close, breathing in its heat.

Just as I lifted the cup to my lips, I heard footsteps behind me.

I didn't turn. I figured it was Adrian, half-asleep and in need of caffeine like me.

"I'm shocked you're awake," I said lightly, turning around with the cup still in hand.

But it wasn't Adrian.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

"Clairessa..."

That voice.

Deep.

Familiar.

Haunting.

Gabriel.

The cup slipped from my fingers, shattering on the floor with a loud crash.

Hot coffee splashed across my bare hand, and I stumbled back, wincing at the

sudden burn.

But it wasn't the burn that rattled me.

It was him.

Gabriel stood in the doorway.

Shirtless.

Wearing only joggers slung low on his hips, his skin damp from a recent shower,

hair tousled and those storm-colored eyes locked straight onto mine.

I took a step back, heart pounding, as the burn from the hot liquid fully registered.

"Ouch," I muttered under my breath, shaking my hands in a futile attempt to ease

the sting.

Yet my body stilled.

I didn't move.

Didn't head to the sink.

Didn't even look at the shattered mess on the floor.

Because the one person I didn't want to see-the one person I feared would ruin

everything was right here.

Gabriel Storm.