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 for the wrong man

confess everything to her-but

she was kind. Yes, she always

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

let her

a break from everything, just for a little while. You don't

it. I just... needed to

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

see. I knew this was my cue to

voice held hope I didn't have the heart

there was no way in hell

Mom," I said quietly. "Please, don't

I won't. Just promise me you'll

"I will."

call you in the morning. I

I whispered, my voice

ended, I placed the phone back on the nightstand and stared at

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

back

most of

maybe I needed

I felt... better.

Not healed, not whole.

Just lighter.

still there, but it didn't feel like it was

through the windows, golden and bright, and for

sat there, letting it wash

staying in bed wouldn't fix

were things

Margaret-my neighbor-and find out what was

next move would

bathroom. I brushed my teeth, splashed cold water on my face, and then stared at

Pale. Tired. But awake.

somehow, that

growled-like an animal

eaten at all yesterday, but

morning

I needed something.

An apple.

Bread.

Coffee.

God, I needed coffee.

hallway

door open

across the bed, his face peaceful and

debated waking him up just to say I was starving,

that I couldn't bring

I shut the

house looked even more

not dark like Gabriel's

warmth.

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

had the same hair color. Same

Almost the same smile.

had to be

Angelique. Gabriel's ex.

done with the Storm men, the drama, and

attached to

through