Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Clairessa’s POV

Chapter 34: Letting Go Of My Pride

I pressed the send button, letting out a long sigh of relief. Finally, the reports were done. It had taken forever, but I’d always loved a challenge–especially one that involved putting the arrogant Gabriel Storm in his place. There was no way I was losing this.

My goal was clear: to get my revenge on Adrian by sleeping with his father. The plan was already in motion, especially after what happened between Gabriel and me at his home. The only reason he stopped was that I had mistakenly let it slip that I was a virgin, leading him to assume I wanted to trap him into some emotional commitment. As if…

Everything was spiraling out of control. My feelings for Gabriel Adrian’s betrayal… they were both pulling me in different directions, making things more complicated and dangerous.

Gabriel made it clear–sex was all he was after, and that’s all I wanted too. This wasn’t about love or affection; it was about revenge–revenge on Adrian, Gabriel had no idea about that, but I knew that when he eventually found out, he would hate me. I couldn’t stop now, even if a part of me wanted to

No matter how hard I tried to push the thought of that night aside, I couldn’t stop replaying how I felt in Gabriel’s arms. I had been ready to give him my virginity without hesitation–something Adrian had begged me for months to do, but I always refused. It wasn’t my fault that when Adrian touched me, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. He even had the audacity to call me frigid, insisting I needed pills to feel arousal. But ! refused.

With Gabriel, everything… felt different. He awakened feelings in me I hadn’t even known I was capable of experiencing–desire, raw and untamed passion. It was completely new. Just the thought of his hands on me made my body respond in ways I couldn’t control.

I’d always thought I was broken, incapable of being aroused, but Gabriel proved I wasn’t. With him, I felt more than I ever imagined possible

Wed,

Chapter 34: Letting Go Of My Pride

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I ran my hands through my hair, trying to shake off the thoughts of him, but my mind drifted again–to the way his fingers felt inside me…

I needed to get a grip. I had learned the hard way that fairy tales weren’t real. They didn’t come true. In the real world, men were scum. If I wanted to survive, I needed to toughen up.

I glanced at my watch–it was already past 9 PM. Another late night at work. Shutting my laptop, I made a mental note of everything I needed to do tomorrow.

As I walked through the empty office lobby, a thought crossed my mind: was Gabriel still in his office? I quickly dismissed it. Why should I care? This was about me now, not him.

I pressed the elevator button and stepped in, watching as it descended.

“Ugh… this can’t be happening“” I groaned, turning the ignition again, but my car refused to start. I had no idea why–it had just been serviced!

The engine sputtered weakly, the same annoying sound as before. Frustrated, I slammed my hands against the steering wheel. How could I be so capable in some areas and so clueless about something as basic as cars?

I pleaded, trying one more time. Nothing. I groaned

frustration.

“Clairessa?”

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Letting Go Of My Pride

voice startled me. Looking up, I saw Gabriel standing outside my window, watching me with an amused expression.

Storm,” I managed, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Of all people to see me like this, it had to be him. And, of course, it was in my old car–the one I’d been driving for years to

sounding

I’m handling it,” I lied, praying he would just walk away and

can see that,” he

me.

hoping to end the conversation,

help.” His voice carried humor, which only infuriated me more.

my teeth, forcing myself to keep calm. “If I need help, I’ll be sure to ask,” I shot

in his voice burning through my

patience.

frustration reached its peak. I instantly regretted my prideful rejection. Why was I so damn proud? I should have accepted his help, but no–my pride had

popped the hood of the car, staring at the engine as if it might magically fix itself. I tried poking around, pretending to know what

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Letting Go Of My Pride

the underground parking

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phone to call for a ride. Of course, my phone was at 2% battery, I

there, feeling utterly defeated, a car pulled up beside me. The back window

ordered, his tone leaving no room for

didn’t argue, Pride be damned, I grabbed my bag and climbed into the back seat,

Mr. Storm,” I mumbled, embarrassed by how the evening had turned

if I find your stubbornness amusing or aggravating.”

cheeks. “For what it’s worth, I tried to fix the

his tone condescending. “You were out there wrestling

help.”

car wasn’t ‘beat–up.‘ It had been with me through everything. “That car has seen me through the toughest times, and

that couldn’t start? You