Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 180

Chapter 180: Done With Being A Pawn

Clairessa's POV

Adrian's hands shot out, steadying me before I could stumble back. "Whoa- where are you dashing off to?" he asked, eyes searching mine.

I opened my mouth, but no words came. My throat closed around them. “I—I just..." I stuttered, glancing away.

"What's wrong?" he asked, voice softer now. "Talk to me."

I tried to pull away, but his grip on my hand tightened-not enough to hurt, just enough to hold me there.

"Nothing. I just need to be alone," I muttered, trying again to slip free.

"No, you don't." His voice was firmer this time. "You don't need to be alone right now. Something happened. I can see it all over your face. Please, talk to me."

The kindness in his voice made something in me crack. But I couldn't tell him the truth-where I was going, what had just happened. And I knew if I said too much, he'd want to follow.

"I just..." I exhaled shakily. "I need to go back to my apartment. I want to see what's left. What I can salvage."

Adrian's expression darkened with concern, but he didn't press-not yet.

"I'll come with you," he said, like it was already decided.

"No-Adrian, you don't have to-

"I know I don't," he cut in gently. "But I want to."

"Adrian, please. This is something I have to do alone."

But he wasn't budging. "Claire, I'm not letting you go there by yourself. Not like

this. I'm coming with you, and you can't talk me out of it."

I saw it in his face the resolve. He wasn't giving me a choice.

And I was too tired to fight. I didn't have the strength.

We got into the car in silence. My thoughts raced, numb and heavy all at once.

I stared out the window, panic rising in my chest. My mind spun in circles, but all I could think about was my apartment. I hadn't even seen it since the fire. I didn't know what to expect.

I had to figure out my life-rebuild it, piece by piece. I needed to get out of this web spun by father and son before it swallowed me whole.

When we pulled up to the building, my heart sank. My breath caught.

It was worse than I imagined.

Parts of the structure stood, hollow and blackened, nothing like what the building used to be.

I hastily got out of the car, and Adrian followed closely behind.

I stepped over it anyway. I

once led to my cozy sanctuary was now a corridor of devastation. I could barely recognize the

Only broken

I stepped inside.

used to be

destroyed. The couch-burned

and singed. The walls were

through what used to be my home, eyes wide, breathing

barely standing. I

And saw everything.

to ashes. My pictures gone. The bedframe was

it was the corner of the room

whispered. "Oh my

shell was bent out of shape, barely recognizable—a pile of ash and melted plastic. My Hart

I broke.

my God..." My voice cracked, barely

I covered my face with my hands,

in my chest was unbearable. "Why did it have to be my apartment? Why

beside me, wrapping his arms around my shaking frame. "I'm so sorry this happened to you, Claire," he said quietly, brushing my hair out of my face with gentle fingers. "But I'm thankful-so damn thankful-you weren't here when it happened. I'm glad you're alive. You hear me? That's all

whispered, my voice hoarse. "But Adrian, this is bad.

clothing. Every possession ever

Bought. My laptop-it had

now it's

stared at the heap of melted plastic and wires that used to hold my world,

kept falling down

happened to you,” he whispered. "But

"It's not just stuff. It's my life.

from my face and looked me in the eyes. " know I'm broke

you-I'll

you get it all back

talk to my dad-content

cut him off quickly, pulling back. "Don't

last thing I needed was handouts from

nodded. "Alright. I won't. But

took my hand, and I leaned into his shoulder,

a voice from behind

"Oh, Claire..."

Margaret, my neighbor. Her face

when you'd come

"I just... I needed time to think. To figure it

nodded, eyes damp. “It's all so sad. But your place... it got hit

they find anything?" I

"Fire department's saying it might've been deliberate. That it started

do that? Who would want to burn

"I don't know. It doesn't make sense.

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