Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

CLAIRESSA'S POV

Gabriel was right.

God, I hated that he was right.

I couldn't keep pretending nothing had happened between us-not after last night, not after what almost happened on the porch if Adrian hadn't walked in. This fire between us wasn't something I could just brush under the rug and keep walking.

It shook me to my core.

And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't outrun it.

I hadn't been able to focus on anything since it happened. And maybe, yeah—l wanted him to sweat. To feel even a fraction of what I felt when he left me... when he handed me off like I was something to be passed down.

But now, as my eyes searched his—caught the anguish etched across his face and heard the raw, unfiltered pain in his voice when he said we needed to talk-— something inside me melted.

He was watching me-those eyes dark, waiting, tense, like he was bracing for another blow. Ready to fight if I pushed him away again.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I let my walls fall.

"Gabriel..." I swallowed hard. "You're right."

His expression shifted-slowly-like he hadn't heard me right at first. His brows drew together, then lifted, stunned.

"I can't pretend last night didn't happen," I said softly. "Because it did. And it... it shook me to my core."

I swallowed again, eyes locked on his. "I'm sorry, Gabriel. I'm sorry for acting like

it didn't matter. For brushing you off when you tried to talk to me this morning. That wasn't fair."

He stepped closer. I didn't stop him.

"It's a lot," I whispered. "We went from silence to you saying you want me back- emotions, passion, almost losing control. It's too much, too fast. I don't even know what I feel right now."

I drew a breath, voice quiet. "I just... I need time to process it."

"Then let's process it together."

He reached across the small space between us, his fingers curling around mine in a warm grip.

No more running. No more pretending. It's

that sound so

to believe

I can't. I can't just

my hand

he looked hurt-but

quietly. "What's stopping you?

I'm scared, okay?" The words burst from me, small

that if I trust you again... if I open my heart and give it to you the way I did before... then when things

trust that you'll be able to see this

gaze intensified, something fierce flashing behind his eyes-like my words had stirred something primal

my actions in the past gave you every reason not to trust me," he said gently. "But not this time,

presence overwhelming every

to you... I'll see this

my eyes and looked away. It was easy to make promises

thing-until the moment came when he'd have to face the weight

noticed. He

time,

the silence settle...

never told me if you liked the mini home I created for you in my house," he said

smiled softly. "You're right. I

gave a light shrug, but I could see the anticipation behind

was perfect," I said, meaning every

without me even asking. It made me

lit

glad you loved

a moment. "But why?

me. When it felt like you

his

like an ass. And I regret every

He exhaled slowly.

I put

wish I'd done for you in person. Every time worked on it, it felt like I was close to you again. It was the only way knew how to show you how much I stiff cared. How much I

us." śwnovel