Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 170

Chapter 170: Not The Right Time To Tell My Son The Truth

Gabriel's POV

"Dad?"

I didn't bother looking up as I stirred the pot, letting the aroma rise and fill the kitchen. "I'm here," I called out.

I heard Adrian's footsteps draw closer. He stopped at the kitchen threshold, and the silence that followed stretched just long enough to make me smirk without turning around.

"Wait-are you cooking?" he asked, disbelief lacing his voice. "Dad, I'm shocked. You haven't cooked in... what, years?"

I finally turned to face him, wiping my hand on the kitchen towel slung over my shoulder.

"Gretchen told me earlier she had a personal errand to run and would be back by noon." I offered a casual shrug, reaching for the ladle and giving the pot another stir. "I was hungry and couldn't wait that long."

I could feel the lie burning on the tip of my tongue.

Truth was, I wasn't hungry. Eating was the last thing on my mind.

The food I was cooking-it was for Clairessa. I wanted her to have something warm when she woke up, something to ease the aftermath of the fever. She didn't need to know that. And I didn't need Adrian questioning why I cared enough to do it.

I hadn't expected him to walk in just as I was scrambling to get everything ready. "Right," Adrian muttered, clearly unconvinced. He reached into his bag and pulled out a black file, handing it to me. "The contract you asked for. I got it back."

"Oh. Yeah. The contract." I took it and placed it absentmindedly on the counter beside me, right next to the chopping board.

It was the last thing on my mind. Honestly, I hadn't thought about that damn contract all morning.

Adrian eyed me, suspicion lining his face as his brow creased. His gaze lingered on the way I'd casually dropped the file onto the counter. "I thought you said the contract was urgent." His arms folded slowly across his chest, watching me like I was hiding something.

I glanced at the envelope, then back at him, before offering the calmest response I could muster, one that wouldn't pique his suspicion further. "It is important. But with contracts like these, you can't just rush through them. I need to go over the fine print again. Thoroughly."

Adrian seemed to accept that, though I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced. He didn't press the matter further, which I appreciated.

"So," he continued, his eyes glancing over his shoulder down the hallway. "Where's Clairessa?"

"In her room,” I replied, intentionally avoiding his gaze as I stirred the soup a little more. I didn't look up, not even when I felt him shift-hovering there in the corner, watching.

"She... um... forgot to close her windows, I guess. The storm was heavy, and the wind and cold got to her... so... she came down with a high fever."

Another fabrication. My brain barely kept up with how easily the falsehoods rolled off my tongue.

concern flashing across his features. "Oh, man. I had no idea. I

on his arm before he could move. "I checked

looked at me, eyes wide. "Wait... you stayed

respond right

me. But I knew

a message to look after her. I figured I didn't have

let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "That's right. Thanks,

"Still, I

step. "You can do that later. For now... sit.

paused, brows knitting. "Talk

"Your future."

softly, running a hand through his hair. "Dad, not

the weariness of the

in at the restaurant. I barely slept. I really don't have

was already turning

face, trying to breathe through the

"Adrian. Get back here."

stopped in

now." My voice cut through the room, firm enough that he turned to face me. "Your future isn't going to wait until you're in the mood. It's time to stop living like an overgrown boy and start acting like

me, standing just in

commanded, locking eyes with him, my tone leaving no

the stool by the kitchen island. "Dad, I know where this is going. You want me to join Storm Innovations. Be the golden boy. Fit into this perfect little mold

inside me. I was fed up with Adrian's excuses. He had no drive, no ambition. Just a string of half-hearted efforts that

talk to

snapped. "I've poured millions into every so-called

chased. Every venture

them or ran each one into the ground. So no. I'm done being the investor

Adrian's voice softened. "Dad...

You've helped me out over the years,

none of the businesses

more

me save the restaurant.

won't screw it up."

fixed him with a

making this abundantly

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