Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Gabriel's POV

I looked at Adrian-and for the first time, I saw something different. Adrian wasn't

fighting.

He wasn't bluffing.

He was broken.

Humbled.

He wanted to make things right.

And in that moment, I knew if I said no, I might lose him for good.

This wasn't just about Clairessa anymore. It was about righting something that clearly mattered to him. And he needed me-not as a boss, but as a father-to back him up.

Fuck.

"Fine,” I bit out. "She can stay. But not more than a month."

Relief washed over his face, lighting him up like the boy I hadn't seen in years.

"Thanks, Dad," he breathed, pulling me into a quick, tight hug.

I stood stiff for a moment, then patted his back, still not used to these moments.

As he pulled away and walked out, I turned back toward the window.

At least I had one consolation: Adrian's vulnerability had given me leverage.

Now he'd listen.

Now he'd obey.

This was my chance to mold him-straighten him out, finally turn him into the man I knew he could become.

And if letting Clairessa stay a few weeks in Miami was the price for that, then so be it.

The car ride was suffocating.

Adrian sat beside me, talking-probably about last night's dinner, the mess I'd made of it, or how grateful he was that I'd finally agreed to let her stay. I couldn't really tell. His voice faded into the background like static.

My eyes kept drifting to the rearview mirror.

To her.

Clairessa sat silently in the backseat, her hair falling around her face, her gaze locked on the city blurring past the window.

But every now and then, I caught her eyes shift toward me-quick, uncertain, like she didn't mean for me to notice.

I did.

I noticed everything.

The way she bit down on her bottom lip like she was trying to keep something inside. The way she scratched at her wrist-nervous habit, one I remembered too well.

I hated that I still noticed.

Hated even more that I still wanted her.

Fuck...

It was complicated beyond reason.

Even if I could find it in me to forgive the lies, the betrayal and God help me, some foolish part of me wanted to she could never be mine again.

Not now.

Not with Adrian in the picture.

Not with Adrian sitting beside me, beaming over her like she was some kind of prize.

Not when I'd seen the way he looked at her-like she meant everything.

I wouldn't fight him for her.

Couldn't.

So I came up with something better.

If she was going to stay for a month, fine. Let her. But I'd use her presence—not

in the way I used to, not with my hands or mouth or the ache that still haunted my body whenever she was near.

No.

I'd use her to get what I needed from Adrian. Her being here would force him to focus. To grow the hell up. To become the man he was supposed to be.

Discipline.

Responsibility.

Control.

The apartment building came into view, tall and luxurious against the sky. I pulled into the underground lot and shifted the car into park.

Adrian was out in seconds, circling the vehicle like some overexcited puppy.

He opened her door with a flourish. "My queen," he said, grinning like a fool.

Clairessa gave him a faint smile. "You didn't have to."

"I insist."

I sat there, watching. My jaw tightened.

The way he looked at her-like he'd just won the lottery. Like she was his to hold.

It made something ugly twist in my chest.

I grabbed the remote, popped the trunk. "Get the luggage," I barked, already

stepping out of the car without waiting for a reply.

Let him carry her bags.

Let him play the hero.

I was done with the charade.

Soon, we were inside my penthouse.

My home.

And for the first time in days, I felt like I could finally breathe.

The dark room, tall windows, and deep silence made me feel protected.

I looked around. Everything was exactly as I left it-clean, orderly, untouched. Just how I like it.

Jane did well.

Right on cue, my house manager appeared, a warm smile on her face.

"It's good to have you back, Mr. Storm," she welcomed, stepping forward with her

usual composure. Efficient. Quiet. The one constant in this place.

She took my suitcase from me, rolling it down the hall like she'd done it a hundred times before because she had.

Adrian grinned. "Jane. Wow. It's been a while."

She gave a polite nod. "It's good to see you too, sir."

He waved a hand. "Adrian, Jane. I've told you a million times."

"As you say,” she replied smoothly, already vanishing down the hallway like

smoke.

Then he turned to Clairessa with

that boyish grin. "Welcome to my dad's fortress-as I like to call it. Don't mind the fact that it's all dark

and gloomy. I have no idea why he loves living like a vampire, but hey welcome."

Clairessa let out a soft, nervous laugh. Barely audible.

But I caught it.

God, I caught everything.

Her eyes wandered cautiously around the room.

Of course she'd been here before. She knew these walls. Every turn. Every room.

Not that Adrian had the faintest clue.

If he only knew I'd made love to her on the kitchen island. That it was right there

she whispered that she loved me.

My gaze locked on the spot.

The memory hit like a wave.

Her bare skin beneath my hands. Her mouth on mine. Her soft cries echoing against the cold marble. That was the last time we made love. That was the last time I let myself feel anything real.

Fuck.

I shut my eyes for a second, forcing the images out of my head.

Adrian kept talking, oblivious.

"Trust me, you'll get used to the dark ambiance. You'll feel comfortable in no time.

I'll show you to your room."

He reached for her hand.

She stepped back.

“Adrian... about that," she murmured gently. "I wanted to thank you. And your dad..."

She shifted her eyes toward me, uncertain. "For letting me stay this long. But we're back in the city now, and I think I can figure things out on my own."

His face tightened. "Clairessa... this is about what happened at dinner last night, isn't it? About my dad saying he didn't want you to stay?"

I moved deeper into the room but said nothing. Letting it play out.

Adrian looked at me, then back at her. "We've talked since then. My dad's right

here, and he's agreed that you can stay with us... for as long as you need."

As long as you need?

I nearly flinched.noveldrama

That's not what I'd said.

I told him thirty days-one month-and that was already me being too generous.

My teeth clenched, but I kept it in check.

They both looked at me.

I gave a short, reluctant nod.

And then Adrian, ever the fool, doubled down with that foolish grin. "See? My dad and I have spoken extensively. He no longer has a problem with you staying here. As a

matter of fact-" he turned Clairessa with that sickening charm "-my dad would love for you to stay until you figure things out. We both would."

He shot me a look. "Right, Dad?"

I bit down hard. "Right."

I turned to Clairessa. "You can stay. For a limited time. Until you figure this out."

Her eyes darted to mine-briefly-and she nodded.

"Thank you... Mr. Storm."

The way she said it—like it was just a name, like she hadn't once moaned it into

my mouth-hit me square in the chest. Like she was daring me to remind her how

well she used to know it.

Then she turned back to Adrian.

"Thank you, Adrian. I appreciate it. I really do. But I still think it's best I leave."

"Clairessa-"

She held up her hand. "I need to figure out my life. The wreckage. What I can salvage from my home

how bad it really is. I can't move forward until I know all of that, So again-thank you. But I need to take it from here."

Adrian shook his head. "Claire, come on. You can't be serious."

"I am."

Adrian insisted. "I'm not letting you go back there alone."

"I've got this."

He stepped in front of her, softening his tone. "It's been a long trip. Let's rest,

okay? We'll talk about it later. I'll even go with you see what we can salvage." "There's no need-"

But he reached out, placed two fingers gently over her lips, and shushed her.

"I'll be here for you through it all.”

I didn't move. Didn't speak.

Just watched.

Every word. Every touch. Every damn promise.

I stood still, hands buried in my pockets, chest tight, a slow burn rising in my

throat.

But this-this-was exactly why I had to stick to the plan. One month.

Adrian would resume at the company, and I'd make damn sure he did my bidding.

That was the deal. One month and she's gone.

Out of his life.

Out of mine.

For good.

No matter what my son thought.

No matter what I still felt.