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.

ended up falling for the

wanted to confess everything

kind. Yes, she

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

failed every

let her believe the

a moment. "Take a break from everything,

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

said softly. "He's always loved you. Maybe you both can visit sometime. I'd

she couldn't see. I

held hope I didn't have the heart to

way in hell I was bringing Adrian

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

Just

"I will."

the morning. I

you too," I whispered,

placed the phone back on the nightstand and

Still numb.

Still hollow.

exhale—it wasn't sadness anymore. There were no more tears left,

my eyes with the back

couldn't believe I'd slept through most of yesterday—a full day lost

maybe I

I felt... better.

Not healed, not whole.

Just lighter.

chest was still there, but it didn't feel like it was trying to cave

filtered in through the windows, golden and bright,

sat there, letting it

staying in bed

things to

needed to call Margaret-my neighbor-and find

my next move

way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, splashed cold water on my face, and then stared at the woman in the mirror,

Pale. Tired. But awake.

somehow, that counted for

stomach growled-like an

yesterday, but honestly, how could I

morning was

I needed something.

An apple.

Bread.

Coffee.

God, I needed coffee.

padded into the hallway and paused by Adrian's

pushed the door open

still asleep, lying across the bed, his face

a moment, I debated waking him up just to say I was starving, but

I couldn't bring myself

the

the daylight, the house looked even more beautiful than I had imagined.

Gabriel's fortress, but

warmth.

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

had the same hair

Almost the same smile.

had to be

Angelique. Gabriel's ex.

matter; I was done with the Storm

came attached

continued through the