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

to my cozy sanctuary was now a corridor of devastation. I could barely

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

I stepped inside.

used to

room was destroyed. The

bookshelf had collapsed, pages scattered and singed.

to be

was barely standing.

And saw everything.

pictures gone. The bedframe was charred, the mattress consumed

room that made me

I whispered. "Oh my

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

I broke.

cracked, barely audible.

ripped through me before I could stop them. I covered my face with my hands, but the tears

was unbearable. "Why did it

to you, Claire," he said quietly, brushing my hair out of my face

my voice hoarse. "But Adrian,

clothing. Every possession ever

Bought. My laptop-it had

now

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

just kept falling

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

my life. My work. My words. I don't

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

you-I'll do whatever

you get it all

talk to my dad-content

off quickly, pulling back. "Don't

last thing I needed

won't. But I'm not leaving you alone

I leaned into his

heard a

"Oh, Claire..."

turned to see Mrs. Margaret, my

come around. I'm so sorry,"

just... I needed

your place... it

find anything?" I asked. "What caused

saying it might've been deliberate. That

do that? Who would want to

shook her head. "I don't know. It doesn't make sense. None of

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