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.

falling for the wrong

everything to her-but

kind. Yes, she always

was also deeply traditional, and I didn't think she'd understand this version of me—the one who made impulsive decisions, seduced her ex's

failed every one of her

I let her believe the

come home?" she asked after a moment. "Take a break from everything, just for a little while. You don't have to

it. I just... needed to hear

said softly. "He's always loved you. Maybe you

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

didn't have the

no way in hell I

I said quietly. "Please, don't tell

sweetheart. I won't. Just promise me you'll

"I will."

you in the

whispered, my voice

phone back on the nightstand and

Still numb.

Still hollow.

anymore. There were no more tears left, just my body giving in to the weight of

back of my

slept through most of

I needed

I felt... better.

Not healed, not whole.

Just lighter.

it didn't feel

windows, golden

letting it wash

in bed

things

neighbor-and

my next move

bed, I made my way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, splashed cold water on my face, and then stared at

Pale. Tired. But awake.

that

stomach growled-like an animal on

eaten at all yesterday, but honestly, how could I have? After

this morning

I needed something.

An apple.

Bread.

Coffee.

God, I needed coffee.

hallway

the door open and peeked

asleep, lying across the bed, his face

waking him up just to say I was starving, but

couldn't bring

shut the

the house looked even

dark like Gabriel's fortress,

warmth.

a woman whose face was turned slightly away. Even from the angle, her features

had the same hair

Almost the same smile.

to be his

Angelique. Gabriel's ex.

was done with the

came attached

continued through the