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

wanted to confess everything

kind. Yes,

one who made impulsive decisions, seduced

had failed every

her believe the

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

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

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

didn't have the

way in hell

said quietly. "Please,

sweetheart. I won't. Just promise

"I will."

you in the morning.

too," I whispered, my voice cracking

I placed the phone back on the nightstand and

Still numb.

Still hollow.

sinking into the sheets with a long exhale—it wasn't sadness anymore. There were no more tears left, just my body giving in to the weight

the back of my hand, and let out a slow

believe I'd slept through most of yesterday—a full day lost to

I

I felt... better.

Not healed, not whole.

Just lighter.

ache in my chest was still there, but it didn't feel like it was trying to

in through the windows, golden and bright, and for a

letting

staying in bed

things

call Margaret-my neighbor-and

next move

splashed cold water on my face, and then stared at the

Pale. Tired. But awake.

that

stomach growled-like an animal on

at all yesterday, but honestly, how could I

this morning was

I needed something.

An apple.

Bread.

Coffee.

God, I needed coffee.

into the hallway and paused by Adrian's

door open

lying across the bed, his face

moment, I debated waking him up just

couldn't bring

the door and

house looked even

dark like Gabriel's fortress, but subtle, welcoming,

warmth.

woman whose face was turned slightly away. Even

had the same

Almost the same smile.

to

Angelique. Gabriel's ex.

with the Storm men,

attached

through the living