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 him, "I'm dying to hear how

lit up, a boyish grin spreading as he looked at

year of college. First day of class. She embarrassed me right in front

turning to Clairessa. "Is

exaggerating. I didn't challenge him—I just corrected an error in

gasped teasingly. "I

do," Adrian laughed. "Claire had no mercy. She

not," she murmured, still smiling. "You just didn't get

nudged her playfully. "See? Still challenging me even now.

the things I love about

Love.

in my gut like a

glanced

eyes lingered for a second before drifting back to the two of

she was watching the kind of

imagine,"

She stiffened.

I saw it.

didn't pull

all

willing myself to stay calm-but it

tear them apart screamed

her voice tight and too polished. "Adrian, you're being too generous. Really. Maybe

Gretchen laughed. "No way! I'm hanging onto every word. I adore you already, Claire. I met her earlier in the kitchen-she's a

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

sweetly. "Welcome to

a faint, uneasy

makes me want to be

That was it.

against the floor as I leaned forward, slamming my palm flat on

cut through the

eyes turned

jaw clenched,

tone cautious. "Mr. Storm, I—I'm

me," I said, voice low, eyes locked on Adrian.

flashing across his

sit here talking about love like that's what matters most-like that should be your priority-when your life is

expression fell, the light fading

Let him feel a fraction of the

his seat,

you're 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 start whenever

me off guard. "You're

said, voice firm. "I want to start

fierce swell of pride rose

from this trainwreck

knocked into you. We leave for the city tomorrow.

of course, he couldn't leave

one condition," Adrian added,

I knew. Whatever composure I

torn to shreds.

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

tight. "You've made

like steel. "You're broke. Homeless. You should be on your

in, her voice gentle. "Mr. Storm,

gave her a grateful