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.

the building was roped off, but I stepped

cozy sanctuary was now

my apartment, the door was gone completely. Only broken remains of the frame stood,

I stepped inside.

used

The couch-burned

had collapsed, pages scattered and singed. The walls

to be

was barely standing. I

And saw everything.

clothes had turned to ashes. My pictures gone. The

was the corner of the room that made me fall to

I whispered. "Oh

recognizable—a pile of ash and melted plastic. My Hart app.

I broke.

my God..." My voice cracked, barely

them. I covered my face with

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

quietly, brushing my hair out of my face with gentle fingers. "But I'm thankful-so damn thankful-you

voice hoarse. "But Adrian, this is bad. I've lost

clothing. Every possession ever

Bought. My laptop-it had

now it's all

and wires that used to

kept falling down my

this happened to you,” he whispered. "But you're going to

It's my life. My work. My

and looked me in the

to you-I'll do whatever

get

talk to my dad-content

back. "Don't talk to your dad. Please. He's done

I needed was handouts

nodded. "Alright. I won't. But I'm not leaving you alone in

and I leaned into his shoulder, the grief

I heard a

"Oh, Claire..."

Mrs. Margaret, my neighbor. Her

been wondering when you'd come around. I'm so

"I just... I needed time to think.

“It's all so sad. But your place... it got hit the worst. I'm so sorry,

I asked. "What caused

Margaret said. "Fire department's saying it

spun. "Arson? Who would do that?

don't know. It doesn't make sense. None of it

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255