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."

her, skeptical. "What kind of surprise involves moving all my

a few weeks now. He wanted it kept

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

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

with me." Without another word, she guided me down the

toward the end of the

already 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,

brass handle and

in behind her-and let out a quiet gasp. A stunned, breathless oh my god

This wasn't an attic.

an entire

blinking like

my entire

and gold drapes. Soft,

with velvet throws and

Sofas. A vanity.

leading to a loft

a luxury home magazine... but every detail felt personal. Like someone had

trembled. "What is

with a warm

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

since he found out about the

over the room again—from the lush

trying to absorb it. "I never heard

Storm was very strict with the rules. He made sure the workers only came after you'd left for work and

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 he

never lived in a space this rich or beautiful. And I never imagined Gabriel

his way to

or the extravagance—it

energy poured into

to take it all in at

my voice barely

this?"

nodded, more firmly this

where Mr. Storm kept his personal things-old portraits,

marriage. He clearing?

out.

you. 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 space that's yours. Where you'd feel

Safe.

too soft, too confused to make sense of any

to look

back of the velvet couch, then the edge of the bed. Fingers tracing the vanity, the delicate

side.

Lace. Labels I'd only ever seen online or in

"I've

"Mr. Storm brought in one

usual fits. Everything's

this is breathtaking. I don't even know if I can accept it. It must've cost

"Oh no, maybe I've said

himself. I didn't

looked genuinely concerned, and that alone made guilt rise

hand gently. "Jane... Thank you. Really. I love it. You've been

"I'll let you rest now," she said, then

out.

of the room-my new room-hell, my new home... as the door clicked softly shut behind

chest swelled, overwhelmed with emotions I couldn't

did all this?

him he didn't care. That I meant nothing to

But... this?

a different story. The little details-the colors, the soft lighting,

dresses, the books.

He'd listened.