Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 156: conflicted Between Chasing After Her Letting Go

Gabriel's POV

As Clairessa walked out, I stood frozen—caught between chasing after her or

letting her go.

And I let her go.

Even though it felt like someone had reached into my chest and torn my heart out

without mercy.

The last look on her face—God, I'd never forget it. That raw, agonizing pain in her

eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks.

I did that.

All because I let my emotions override every ounce of reason I had.

Because of a fucking photo. One I didn't even trust. I reacted without thinking.

Without proof. Without giving her the benefit of the doubt.

I let it poison everything. Let suspicion consume me. Let anger drive me—and

now? God, now I might've destroyed the one good thing I had.

I may have just destroyed the only real chance at love I've ever had. At

happiness. At peace.

"Fuck..." I muttered, dragging both hands through my hair, fingers tangling in the

strands like I could burn the frustration out through my scalp.

But nothing made sense anymore.

Flashes from the night before hit me like a brutal tide. Standing Clairessa up on

the rooftop. Ignoring her messages. Driving to The Cave, letting the music drown

out my thoughts.

The burn of alcohol. The lights. The strippers. Tina.

Meeting her. Drinking. Letting her get close.

Bringing her here.

I remembered the strip tease. Her grinding on me. Her hands roaming as she

undressed me—lips on my skin, fingers tugging off my shirt... then reaching

lower, fumbling with my pants... my briefs.

And after that—nothing. Just a blank space.

dreading what I might've

arms loosely crossed over her chest, biting her lip like

know what to

Like she was sorry.

she knew exactly what was

I asked, my voice hoarse. "Tell

didn't..."

The words refused to come out. My stomach twisted at

hear her say it.

Clairessa—physically.

she interrupted, raising a hand. "You were drunk.

it."

at her, the words barely

"What?"

mean... I tried," she admitted, looking

back in the day.

Tina said firmly. "You passed out right after I

from dancing—I just lay down beside you.

happened."

exhaled hard, a shaky breath of relief

just

and

what you might

stepped closer,

gentler now, "I

the line at

a drunk man who

mumbling another woman's name."

stared at her, shocked to my

the idea that even

stayed

You kept saying her name—Clairessa. It

of heartbreaking to

then added softly,

her

cheated—the pain

way she stormed

you fall apart too... I

you couldn't go through with

You

her the truth—that

happened between us."

opened my mouth to respond, but my voice cracked. I

shame too heavy to

quietly. "I think I've burned it all to the

hadn't

It didn't matter.

undo what

her face. The betrayal she

And the worst part?

wait for me to explain. She just looked at me like I

into someone she could never trust