Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 215: He Was In My Bed

Clairessa's POV

Gabriel didn't move. Neither did I.

Panic surged through me, heat flooding my cheeks. My fingers were still damp.

My mind screamed to run-and this time, I did.

I turned and bolted, heart racing, breath shallow, legs barely holding me up.

I yanked the door open and stumbled out, slamming it shut behind me.

Then I stopped.

Out in the hallway, I stood frozen. Chest heaving. The world around me was spinning off balance.

My body was still reeling-still soaked in aftershock-as I rushed blindly down the hall, like I could outrun the memory of what I'd just done.

I rounded the corner-too fast, too dazed-and slammed straight into someone.

Jane, the housekeeper.

"Oh!" she gasped, stepping back as a folded towel slipped from her arms.

My eyes widened.

She looked me over-flushed cheeks, messy hair, wild, glassy eyes—and I just knew.

She knew exactly what I'd done.

"Claire?” Her voice was gentle, uncertain. "Are you... all right?"

"Yes," I blurted, my voice higher than it should've been. "I'm fine. Everything's fine."

Jane's eyes narrowed slightly. "You look a bit pale."

Heated, more like. She was scanning me-reading me.

My mouth opened to offer an excuse, but no words came out.

"Are you sure everything's okay?"

I forced a laugh that sounded completely unnatural. "Never been better."

She gave a polite smile, though her eyes still looked concerned. "Good to hear.

Well then... I'll say goodnight. Sleep well."

"Thank you," I managed, forcing a small smile.

She turned to go.

That's when I remembered the situation with my room.

"Jane-wait," I called softly. She paused and turned back.

"I'm sorry. I went into my room earlier and... everything felt off. I thought maybe I was imagining it, but..."

I trailed off, brow furrowed. "It was like someone cleared it out. Do you... know anything about that?"

Her eyes darted around, like she wasn't sure how much to say. "I... don't know if I should be telling you this, but yes-Mr. Storm moved your things."

My heart dropped. "Wait, what?"

"Mr. Storm had a surprise planned for you. He was hoping you'd get home earlier today, but you arrived a bit late with Mr. Adrian."

Heat rushed to my face.

She must've noticed, because she quickly added, "It's a good thing. Truly."

"What kind

special for you. For a few weeks now. He wanted it kept quiet. Asked me not to say anything. Even Mr.

want a gift. Not from him. I didn't want to owe Gabriel more than I already

my face, because she gently reached for my hand and gave

Without another word, she guided me down the

toward the end of the corridor. My heart pounded with every

knew where we

door at the very end-it led to the attic. I'd never been inside. Gabriel once mentioned it was just sentimental storage, full of old heirlooms and forgotten things. I never asked more. Never cared

the brass handle and slowly pushed

out a quiet gasp. A stunned, breathless oh my god escaped me before I could

This wasn't an attic.

an entire

like I couldn't

bigger than my entire

Cream and gold drapes. Soft,

with velvet throws

Sofas. A vanity.

staircase leading to a

from a luxury home magazine... but every detail felt personal.

voice trembled.

a warm smile. “This is your new

turned to her, confused. "I don't understand.

Storm's been working on this for weeks. Ever since he found out about

again—from the lush

still trying to absorb it. "I never heard

workers only came after you'd left for work and were gone before you got home. He wanted it

throw pillows matched the exact

a space this rich or beautiful.

out of his way to create something so

just the beauty or the

The energy poured

it

my voice barely a whisper. "Gabriel

this?"

more firmly

Mr. Storm kept his personal

marriage. He clearing?

out.

He's never let anyone up here Not even Adrian Only me. So it's safe to say he wanted you to have a home here. A

Safe.

full, too soft, too confused to make sense of

to the room. "Feel free to look around.

of the bed. Fingers tracing

side. I opened

Silk. Lace. Labels I'd only

murmured. "I've never had

Storm brought in one of the

favorite colors, your usual fits. Everything's been chosen

I don't even know if I can accept it. It must've

maybe I've said too much. Mr. Storm

himself. I didn't mean to

alone made guilt

reached for her hand gently. "Jane... Thank you. Really. I love it. You've been more

her features. "I'll let you

out.

in the center of the room-my new room-hell, my

chest swelled, overwhelmed with emotions I

He did all this?

remembered how I told him he didn't care.

But... this?

The little details-the

dresses, the books.

He'd listened.