Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 159: Everything Was Falling Apart

Clairessa's POV

Adrian parked the car and turned off the engine. I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep until he tapped my shoulder gently.

"We're here."

I stirred, yawning as I blinked the sleep from my eyes. But the moment I looked around, I sat up straighter.

We weren't at Adrian's loft. We were parked in front of a stunning mansion-like something straight out of a real estate magazine. The place looked more like a private estate than an apartment.

"Adrian, wait..." I gasped, turning toward him. "This isn't your apartment. Where are we?"

He smiled slightly, unbothered. “Well, technically, it's my dad's house just outside the city. One of many," he added with casual pride, leaning back in his seat.

I frowned. “I thought we were going to your apartment—not a private estate owned by your father."

He let out a small sigh. "Look, Claire... I told you the restaurant ran into financial issues. In order to keep the business afloat, I had to let the loft go. It was either that or lay off more people. This place was empty, and I needed somewhere to stay."

The shock was still settling in as I absorbed his words, It made sense, I guess, but still-my heart picked up pace

If this was Gabriel's private estate, what was to stop him from showing up at any moment?

There was no way this would work. I needed to be somewhere peaceful, somewhere I could breathe and figure out what to do next-not spend the weekend living in fear of Gabriel walking through the door.

"I can't stay here," I said suddenly, panic rising in my throat. "What if your dad shows up? Or worse..." I trailed off, realizing what I was about to say.

Adrian had no idea I'd been dating his father, and he wasn't about to hear the truth from me. That was why I was terrified. What if Gabriel just walked in and everything exploded?

Adrian leaned closer. "Relax. My dad won't show up. He and I rarely visit this place—there are memories here, especially ones he'd rather not revisit. He avoids it like the plague. I'm here because this place isn't on his radar. He couldn't care less about this property."

He got out of the car and walked around to open my door, stretching out his hand with quiet confidence.

"Trust me, you're safe. It's going to be just us this weekend," he said. "I promise."

I hesitated, but my fingers found his. What choice did I really have? I had nowhere else to go.

The estate was breathtaking.

The house sat on acres of lush land.

Trees lined the driveway, and the front lawn was so perfectly trimmed it didn't look

Everything about

opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing for

up

the warm

glossy wooden floors beneath

kind of clean that felt lived-in and

"This is where you were

fingers through

gasped,

play it off. "Beautiful interior," he said with a short laugh, “but the memories...

fell slightly, "I've only been here two days and

him, unsure what

"But who knows, maybe now that you're here, you can make it better. We could

"Adrian... This isn't-"

right now is a hot bath and rest. No more scolding from you

argue. He was right.

nothing would ever happen between us. He knew it. I knew it. There

if you and your dad rarely visit here,

pays a house manager who lives here and looks after the place. Her name's Mrs. Gretchen. I'll introduce you tomorrow. She turns

I said,

long hallway and stopped beside a

room," he pointed at a door right beside the one we were

opened the next

revealing a cozy, well-decorated

was surprisingly

something out

luxury countryside

bed-and-breakfast.

stay here," he said. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll grab you

too drained to

few minutes later, he came back with

toothbrush, a bar

would be enough for tonight," he said, placing them beside me on the

again, and this time, I meant it.

of the room for a moment,

thought I'd be glad to