Chapter 157 : If She's Innocent I'll Fight For Her

Gabriel's POV

I offered Tina a soft smile, my heart swelling just thinking about Clairessa. "I

thought you would've figured that one out by now."

She shrugged lightly. "I had a feeling the moment you kept calling her name last

night... even though you denied it at first."

"I did?" I asked, brows lifting.

"Mmhmm." She hummed. "Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was those walls

you've built so high around your heart. Makes me wonder how she managed to

get past them."

A soft laugh escaped me. "Well... you once told me to let go of the past. That

holding onto it only gives power to the person who hurt me, while I stay miserable.

So, let's just say, I took your advice."

Tina's brows lifted slightly—an almost startled expression crossing her face, like

she hadn't expected that answer.

"And if I'm being honest," I continued, "I tried to fight it, but what I felt for her was

too strong to ignore. So I took the risk. I opened my heart."

She leaned back, arms crossing loosely over her chest, her expression thoughtful.

"Gabriel Storm... in love. That's something I never thought I'd see. You fell hard.

And honestly? I'm happy for you... just not entirely. We had something once,

didn't we?"

"Tina..." I sighed. "What we had was purely physical. We both knew that. It was

never going to lead anywhere."

Tina's eyes dropped briefly, then lifted with a half-laugh. "I did. But a girl can

dream, right?"

I gave a tight smile, saying nothing.

She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing with interest. "Besides, she's the

Clairessa. If I'm not mistaken, I saw you two at lunch a few weeks ago—the same

woman you introduced as your personal assistant."

"Software engineer," I corrected, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

A knowing look lit her face, like something had just clicked. "I see... the moment I

saw her, I knew something was there."

said

I noticed this unspoken chemistry," she added, tapping her

she saw

woman picks

a short breath, almost a huff. "I don't

deepened, lips curling slightly as she eyed me. "I've

so different

younger—early twenties, right? You always said

experience. And yet..."

softening. "Clairessa might be young, but

was missing. She's beautiful, warm, kind, witty—and

at every turn with her sass.

paused, the muscles in my neck tightening. "I tried to deny

it down, the stronger it came back.

her with

playful smirk faded. Her brows furrowed slightly as she studied me,

"That

the ocean wouldn't even come close," I muttered,

the raw emotion that

met her eyes again,

much—and she clearly

were you even at the

hand through

"Maybe I

relationships

her a doubtful glance.

shot back with a grin,

up

as I turned

her, hands curling into

just say I received

she may not have

honest with me,

to figure out if I

the source."

head, clearly trying not to scold. "Oh, Gabe. Instead

drunk and almost slept with your ex? Classic

move."

her, raising an eyebrow. "I thought this

mock surrender, her expression

you don't trust the source,

go?"

"Because I can't," I snapped, my voice

intended.

pacing,

"I might not trust

the evidence... it

time to

it. But now? Now I

I've already destroyed everything

even finding out the

flinched slightly but leaned forward again, her tone softer.

clear nothing happened

voice firm, more desperate than I wanted it to

there's anything left to fix by the time

carefully, eyes softening, like she was seeing straight through

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255