Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 158: Nowhere Else To Go

Clairessa's POV

The road blurred before me as tears streamed down my face, the ache in my chest intensifying with each passing second.

My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, trying to keep myself together.

The image of Gabriel-naked and asleep, with Tina beside him-kept flashing through my mind as I navigated the streets.

I actually caught him. With her.

And to make it worse, he used that same tired line: "It's not what you think."

Did he really think I was that naive?

Maybe I was for ever thinking he was any different from his lying, cheating father.

Like father, like son. Cheats. Heartbreakers.

I thought he was different. I believed him when he said he loved me- wholeheartedly.

I should've listened to that voice in my head-the one that warned me not to fall

for him, that told me to stop believing there was anything real between us.

I should've stuck to the plan: get back at Adrian and walk away.

But I didn't. I let my guard down. I let myself believe.

And the worst part? I'd been feeling guilty for not telling him the truth about

Adrian, about the revenge plan.

Meanwhile, he was the one betraying me the entire time.

I was a fool. A lovesick, blind fool.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, a dry snort escaping me.

But just as I turned into the driveway, I slammed on the brakes.

What the hell?

Red and blue lights flashed across the pavement, and smoke filled the sky. Neighbors gathered outside in small groups, their faces tight with worry. A fire truck rumbled nearby.

I parked hastily, jumping out before the engine even came to a full stop.

"What's going on?" I muttered, my voice trembling as I rushed toward the building. But before I could get far, a firefighter stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. We're still trying to contain the fire-no one's allowed inside right now. It's not safe."

"My apartment..." My voice cracked. "I live here."

"We've evacuated everyone," he said calmly. "We're doing all we can."

"Oh my God," I whispered, the devastation of seeing it up close worse than I imagined.

Blackened windows, water streaming from hoses above, smoke rising into the sky. I stared in horror.

Everything I'd worked so hard to build-my laptop, my clothes, my certificates, my childhood photos, my life. Gone. Just like that. Gone.

wave of shock hit me. My knees threatened to

blinked up to find Mrs. Margaret, my elderly neighbor,

holding me close. "We thought you were still

left early this morning. I never imagined I'd come home to this," I whispered, staring at the chaos

voice trembled with emotion. "Oh, my dear. What's happening to us is horrible, but

nodded slowly, her words offering some comfort. She was right. As

thing was that no one had lost

"Everyone's safe... right?"

were lucky. Johnny-the boy from the next block-was banging on doors, waking everyone. We got out just

swallowed hard. "Do they know how the fire

The alarms went off early, and they say most of the damage is concentrated on

what to say. I just stood there, feeling like I'd

heard it-my name being called, cutting through the

"Clairessa!"

turned and went

Adrian?

his face. "Claire, are

managed. "What are you doing

Margaret patted my arm, then looked at Adrian with a warm smile. "I'll leave you with your

returned the gesture as

here to make sure you're okay,"

"I meant, how did you even

shifted-guilt? Amusement? "Let's just say...

scolded. "Are you monitoring

flinch. "Not tailing your every movement. Think

on you."

that's insane! And

together anymore. You don't get to 'keep

the poor damsel. I'm capable of taking care

second," he

is literally on fire. Where else do you

then closed it. The lump in my throat was

the second.

"I'll figure it out."

gently. "I'm here. Let

don't need your help. I just... I just

stand here alone in the

reaching into my pocket to pull out my phone. "I'll call

me. I lifted the phone to

I dialed.

Voicemail.

I tried again.

Voicemail.

sank further. I could

tilted his head. "Let me guess, you can't

answer was written all

closer. "And I'm also guessing your

everything important-was in there?"

motioned toward the burned-out

with a

let out a frustrated puff, stepping back, needing distance—space to

"I don't need

away, pacing a few