Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

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."

now?" I said with a hint of a

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

jealous when she saw us talking. You might not get

woman picks up on

breath, almost a

deepened, lips curling slightly as she eyed

so different about

younger—early twenties, right? You always

experience. And yet..."

dropped, softening. "Clairessa

was missing. She's beautiful, warm,

sass. Maybe that's what drew

in my neck tightening. "I tried

stronger it came back. And I knew I couldn't

her with someone

brows furrowed

"That

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

to hide the raw emotion that leaked through. My

I met her eyes again, no longer

her that much—and

Why were you even at

feet, running a hand through my hair in frustration.

chuckle. "Maybe I could help you

with relationships

a

she shot back with a grin, eyes sparkling.

picked up

as I

her, hands curling into

say I

may not have

honest with

figure out if

the source."

not to scold. "Oh,

and got drunk and almost slept with your

move."

glared at her, raising an eyebrow. "I thought this was a

hands in mock

you don't trust the

go?"

tighten. "Because I can't," I snapped, my voice harder

intended.

started pacing, trying

"I might not trust the

the evidence... it looked

time to get

But now? Now I

I've already destroyed everything

even finding out the

but leaned forward again, her tone softer. "Maybe I

clear nothing happened

firm, more desperate

If there's anything left to fix by the time the

carefully, eyes softening, like she was