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."

looked at her, skeptical. "What kind

words carefully. "Mr. Storm's been preparing something special for you. For a few weeks now.

I didn't want to owe Gabriel more

gently reached for my hand and gave it a

another word, she guided me

headed toward the end of the

knew where we were

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

for the brass handle and slowly pushed

behind her-and let out a quiet gasp. A stunned,

This wasn't an attic.

was an entire

threshold, blinking like I

was massive-easily bigger than my entire apartment. Cozy, but undeniably

Cream and gold drapes. Soft,

with velvet

Sofas. A vanity.

to

like it had been pulled from a luxury home magazine... but

My voice trembled. "What is

a warm smile. “This is your

turned to her,

he found out about the fire. He wanted o do something... special for you. And I'm really

the lush bedding to the soft rugs and polished

I murmured, still trying to absorb it. "I never

chuckle. "That's because Mr. Storm was very strict with the rules. He made sure the workers only came after you'd left for work and were gone before you got

in again-slower this time. The walls, the colors even the throw pillows matched the exact shades te onse told Gabriell liked. A candle sat on the side table-my favorite scent. How could

a space this rich or beautiful.

to create something so grand

beauty or the extravagance—it

The energy poured into

to take it all

my voice barely a

this?"

nodded, more firmly this

Storm kept his personal

marriage. He clearing?

out.

So it's safe to say he wanted you to have

Safe.

too soft, too confused to make sense

free to look

edge of the bed. Fingers tracing the vanity, the delicate gold-framed mirror, the soft shine of

one side. I opened

Handbags. Silk. Lace. Labels I'd only ever seen online or

I murmured. "I've

beside me. "Mr. Storm brought in one of the best stylists in

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

head slowly, overwhelmed. "This... this is breathtaking. I don't even

no, maybe I've said too much. Mr. Storm

I

concerned, and that alone

for her hand gently. "Jane... Thank you.

you rest

out.

the room-my new room-hell, my new home... as the door

emotions I couldn't

eyes stung. He did all this?

him he didn't

But... this?

a different story. The

dresses, the books.

He'd listened.