Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 160: What If He Showed Up

Clairessa's POV

After soaking for what felt like hours, I finally stepped out of the tub.

The warmth lingered on my skin as I wrapped the towel around my body and padded back into the bedroom.

Everything Adrian brought was neatly folded on the bed. I dried off slowly, then changed into his oversized T-shirt and shorts.

They were loose, soft, and comforting in a strange way. They smelled like Adrian -his masculine scent, not too strong.

Like the warmth I used to know.

Warmth I no longer trusted.

I sat at the edge of the bed, hair damp and skin tingling from the heat of the bath.

The silence grew heavier, pressing down on me, suffocating my insides.

And that's when it hit me hard.

My life had crashed to an all-time low in less than twenty-four hours.

The walls felt like they were closing in, the ceiling pressing down, making it hard to breathe.

I needed someone.

I needed to hear a familiar, warm voice-someone who knew me, who would listen and understand.

Someone who saw me as whole, even when I felt shattered.

With trembling fingers, I reached for my phone and tapped the one number that had never changed.

The only one that felt safe.

It rang twice.

"Claire, baby?" my mom answered, her voice instantly soothing. "How are you doing?"

I swallowed hard, trying to sound steady. "I'm... okay."

"You rarely call me," she said gently. "But I'm glad you did today. Now tell your mama the truth. What's going on, sweetheart?"

I couldn't hold it anymore.

"It's gone, Mom," I whispered. "The house. Everything. There was a fire..."

"What?!" she gasped, panic rising in her voice. "Oh my God, Claire! Are you hurt? Where are you? Are you safe?"

"I'm okay, I swear," I said quickly, wiping away tears I didn't realize had fallen. "I wasn't there when it happened. I'm at Adrian's place."

There was a pause. Then her voice dropped, softer, relieved.

"Thank God. You're safe. And with the man you love."

I closed my eyes.

I couldn't bring myself to correct her.

When Adrian and I broke up, I never told her the truth-that he cheated on me.

She still thought Adrian was the one.

And to be honest, so did I... once.

If only she knew the truth about Adrian. The betrayal. The lie.

And about Gabriel.

Now everything was a mess-a complicated disaster I created trying to get revenge.

somehow, I'd ended up falling

wanted to confess everything to her-but

she was kind.

one who made impulsive decisions, seduced her ex's father, and got her

failed every

let her

moment. "Take a break from everything, just for a

said quickly. "I'll handle it. I just... needed

glad you're with Adrian," she said softly. "He's always loved you. Maybe you both can visit sometime. I'd love

a smile she couldn't see. I knew this was my cue to

held hope I didn't

was no way in hell I was

I said quietly. "Please, don't tell Dad.

course not, sweetheart. I won't. Just promise me you'll get some

"I will."

in the morning. I love you,

you too," I whispered, my voice cracking

the call ended, I placed the phone back on the nightstand and

Still numb.

Still hollow.

lay back on the bed, sinking into the sheets with a long exhale—it wasn't sadness anymore. There were no more tears left, just my

eyes with the back of my hand, and let out a

slept through most of yesterday—a full day lost

maybe I

I felt... better.

Not healed, not whole.

Just lighter.

didn't feel like it was trying to

through the windows, golden

there, letting it

in bed

things to figure

Margaret-my neighbor-and find out what

next

out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, splashed cold water on my face, and then stared at the woman in the mirror, wondering who she

Pale. Tired. But awake.

somehow, that counted for

growled-like an

yesterday, but honestly, how could I have?

morning

I needed something.

An apple.

Bread.

Coffee.

God, I needed coffee.

I padded into the hallway and paused by

pushed the door open

was still asleep, lying across the bed, his face peaceful and

debated waking him up just to say I was

asleep that I couldn't bring myself to do

shut the door and

even more

dark like Gabriel's

warmth.

woman whose face was turned slightly away.

same

Almost the same smile.

to be

Angelique. Gabriel's ex.

didn't matter; I was done with the Storm

attached to

continued through