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.

up falling for the wrong

confess everything

she was kind.

me—the one who

failed every one of

her believe

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

it.

you.

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

voice held hope I didn't

there was no way in hell I was bringing Adrian to my

I said quietly. "Please, don't tell

won't. Just promise me you'll

"I will."

in the morning. I love

whispered, my voice cracking

placed the phone back on the nightstand and stared at

Still numb.

Still hollow.

back on the bed, sinking into the sheets with a long exhale—it wasn't sadness anymore. There were no

I stretched, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand,

through most

maybe I

I felt... better.

Not healed, not whole.

Just lighter.

in my chest was still there, but it didn't feel

sun filtered in through the windows, golden and

letting

staying in bed

were things to

call Margaret-my neighbor-and

my next move

of bed, I made my way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, splashed cold water on my

Pale. Tired. But awake.

somehow, that counted

stomach growled-like an animal

hadn't eaten at all yesterday, but honestly, how

morning was

I needed something.

An apple.

Bread.

Coffee.

God, I needed coffee.

into the hallway and paused

the door open

still asleep, lying across the bed, his face peaceful

moment, I debated waking him up just to say I was

asleep that I couldn't bring myself to do

shut the door and

the daylight, the house looked even more beautiful

Gabriel's fortress, but subtle, welcoming,

warmth.

boy, being kissed playfully by a woman whose face was turned slightly away. Even from the angle, her features beld

the same hair

Almost the same smile.

had to be

Angelique. Gabriel's ex.

it didn't matter; I was done with the Storm

attached

continued through