Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

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.

man.

her rest for a bit." I reached out, placing a hand on his arm before he could move.

wide. "Wait...

respond

the truth bare about Clairessa and me. But I knew this wasn't the right time. That kind of confession needed to

shrugged, keeping my tone casual. "You literally threatened me in a message to look after her. I figured I didn't

shaking his head.

at his lips. "Still, I should go check

could take a step. "You can do that later. For

paused, brows knitting. "Talk

"Your future."

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

slumped, the weariness of the last few days weighing

and I still had to check in at the restaurant. I barely slept. I really don't have the energy for another one of your future-planning

was already

dragged a hand down my face, trying to breathe through

"Adrian. Get back here."

stopped in

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

me,

him, my tone leaving no room for

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

anger fueling 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 me about

I snapped. "I've poured millions into every

chased. Every venture

them or ran each one into the

Adrian's voice softened. "Dad...

about everything. You've helped me out

of the businesses have

a little more faith.

me save the restaurant.

won't screw it up."

never happen.” I fixed him with a

making