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

choosing her words carefully. "Mr. Storm's been preparing something special for you. For a few weeks now. He wanted it kept quiet. Asked me not to

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

my face, because she gently reached for

Without another word, she guided

end of

where

once mentioned it was just

reached for the brass handle and slowly pushed the

quiet gasp. A stunned, breathless oh my god

This wasn't an attic.

was an entire

at the threshold, blinking like I

than my entire apartment.

gold

bed layered with velvet throws and

Sofas. A vanity.

leading to a loft

looked like it had been pulled from a luxury home magazine... but every detail felt personal. Like someone had been

trembled. "What is

gestured around with a warm smile.

her, confused. "I don't understand.

softness in her eyes-something close to sympathy. "Mr. Storm's been working on this for weeks. Ever since he found out about the fire. He wanted o

room again—from the lush bedding to the soft rugs and polished

to absorb it. "I

came after you'd left for work and were gone before you got home. He wanted it to be a surprise.

it 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

lived in a space this rich or beautiful. And I

his way to create something so

beauty or the extravagance—it was

energy poured into every

to take it all in at

toward Jane, my voice barely a whisper. "Gabriel did

this?"

more

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

marriage. He clearing?

out.

to say he wanted you to have a home

Safe.

confused to make

"Feel free to look around.

my hand along the back of the velvet couch, then the edge of the bed. Fingers tracing the vanity, the delicate gold-framed

to one side. I opened the door-and stopped

Shoes. Handbags. Silk. Lace. Labels I'd only ever seen

never..." I murmured. "I've never had anything like

Storm brought in one of the best

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

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

maybe I've said too much. Mr.

show you himself. I didn't mean

genuinely concerned, and that alone made guilt rise in

reached for her hand gently. "Jane... Thank you. Really. I love it.

you

out.

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

overwhelmed with emotions I couldn't begin to

eyes stung. He did

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

But... this?

room told a different story. The little

dresses, the books.

He'd listened.