Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 175: She's Not Moving In With Us

Gabriel's POV

I sat at the dining table, seething, the rage in me growing hotter every goddamn second.

Across the table, Adrian and Clairessa sat so close their arms brushed. He leaned in, whispering something in her ear. She smiled-smiled like she loved whatever nonsense he was feeding her.

My blood burned.

Her eyes met mine once. Just once.

Then she looked away like I didn't exist. Like I hadn't given her twenty-four hours to tell him the truth.

And judging by the way he looked at her-like she was some innocent angel who saved his life-she hadn't said a word.

It was more than obvious she hadn't told him a damn thing.

She was still pretending. Same as always.

But she had no idea what hell I'd unleash if she kept this up.

God... I was going to-

I couldn't even say it.

Couldn't bring myself to hate her, no matter how much I wanted to.

Especially not when she was sitting beside my son, touching him, smiling for him

—and jealousy slammed into me like a punch to the ribs.

Shit. How could I still want the same woman my son was in love with?

How could I still ache for her?

Fuck...

She had him so tightly wrapped around her finger he couldn't see straight. Infatuated. Lost. Blind.

He was caught in her web now, just like I had been. And Clairessa-she was the one spinning it. Seducing both of us. Playing both sides.

Lying through those soft lips.

I dug my nails into my palms beneath the table, forcing myself to stay put.

No.

No, this wasn't Adrian's fault.

She was the one who shattered everything.

The reason I couldn't look at my own son without feeling betrayed.

And now she sat there, acting like she was innocent.

Like none of it had happened.

Like she hadn't torn my goddamn soul apart.

And fuck-I had to do something before she ruined us both.

Just as the rage clawed closer to the surface, Gretchen's voice cut in.

said, smiling brightly as she turned to

face lit up, a boyish grin spreading

day of class.

turning to Clairessa.

gave a faint smile. "Adrian's exaggerating. I didn't

teasingly. "I like

no mercy. She shredded my logic and

still smiling. "You just didn't get the question

nudged her playfully. "See? Still challenging

I love about

Love.

in my gut like

chuckled, then glanced at

eyes lingered for a second before drifting

like she was watching the kind of couple

me joy you can't imagine," Adrian said, sliding

She stiffened.

I saw it.

didn't pull

was all it

fists under the table, willing

tear them apart screamed through

tight and too polished. "Adrian, you're being too generous. Really. Maybe we should talk about something

already, Claire. I met her earlier in the kitchen-she's a doll. I can't wait to get to

lit up like a goddamn fool. “She might seem shy now, but once you get to know

I'm sure," Gretchen added sweetly. "Welcome to

offered a faint,

strong, kind. She makes me want to be

That was it.

scraped against the floor as I leaned

through

eyes turned to

back into my seat, jaw clenched, fury

speak, her tone cautious. "Mr. Storm, I—I'm sorry

upset me," I said, voice low,

flashing across

that should be your priority-when your life is still in ruins. You should be rebuilding it, not losing yourself in some

fell, the light fading from

him feel a fraction of the humiliation he'd been shoving down my

shifted in his seat,

right. That's why I've been thinking about what you said. I'm ready to turn my life around. I want to join Storm Innovations. I'll

caught me off

firm. "I want to start

fierce swell of pride

from this trainwreck

Some sense has been knocked into you. We

course, he couldn't leave it

Adrian added, voice

I knew. Whatever

torn to shreds.

to make demands," I said coldly. "Let's not forget who's doing whom a favor. I

jaw tight. "You've made

voice like steel. "You're broke. Homeless. You should be on your knees thanking me for even entertaining this.

"Mr. Storm,

gave her a grateful