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

Gabriel's POV

I paced the room, anger and heartbreak twisting so violently inside me I thought they'd tear me in two. My fists clenched and unclenched at my sides as I stared out the window into the night sky-the only thing that made any sense in this goddamn chaos.

Then I heard the door push open behind me.

Adrian stepped in, shutting it with a firm click.

"Dad," he said, frustration clear in his voice, "why did you react that way? You just walked out of dinner because I asked you to let Clairessa stay? I don't get it. What's so hard about that?"

"Adrian, not now," I muttered, my voice low. "We'll talk later.”

But he didn't back off.

"Why not now?" he pressed, stepping closer. "Why can't we talk about it now? What is it? What do you have against Clairessa? It feels like you don't like her- you've never liked her, not from the first time you saw her. What is it? Is there something you know that I don't?"

I didn't want to do this. Not now. Not while my mind was still spinning... not when I wasn't ready to say it out loud.

That we were both in love with the same woman.

Was he really ready to hear the truth?

The woman he was defending-challenging me over-was the same one I'd kissed, touched, undressed... made love to in every possible way as she cried out my name in breathless ecstasy.noveldrama

I inhaled slowly, willing myself not to explode. When I finally turned to face him, confusion was written all over his face.

"There's nothing I know," I said through gritted teeth. The lie tasted bitter.

"And I don't hate her."

God... if only he knew.

If only he knew that the truth was the exact opposite-

That I adored her... even now, even after everything...

Even while I tried to convince myself I didn't.

“I just think she's a distraction," I said instead, forcing the words out. "I need your head in the game. I need you focused-not blindsided by some woman."

His brows drew together, a mix of hurt and confusion tightening his voice.

"But Dad, you're the one who's always wanted me to settle down. To stop playing games and find one woman. Now that I finally do, you're upset? I thought of all people, you'd be happy for me."

My jaw stiffened. "I'll be happy," I muttered through clenched teeth, "when you achieve success. When you get your life back on track. When you establish yourself in the company. Then I'll be proud."

I closed the distance between us, the heat rising in my chest.

"Don't you see, Adrian? I'm thinking about your future. You're willing to throw

everything away over a woman you hardly even know."

His hands shot into the air, his chest rising with frustration.

"I've known her for over two years! This isn't some fling. I love her."

I exhaled a bitter laugh, eyes narrowing.

He was still caught in her spell, still fooled by that wide-eyed innocence she wore like armor.

He had no idea who she really was what she was capable of.

I shook my head slowly, voice hardening.

"The fact that you've known her for two years doesn't mean you can trust her."

"Yes, it does." Adrian stepped forward, shoulders squared, his face flushed with intensity.

"If what you're afraid of is that Clairessa's with me for the money, then you're wrong. In all the years I've known her, she's never asked me for anything. She's only ever loved me... and supported me."

His throat bobbed as he swallowed.

"I'm the one who hurt her. And now, when she needs someone, I'm not walking away."

I turned my head slightly, letting the silence hang for a moment too long.

"You're still operating on emotions. And I guess that means you're not ready to be

the man I've been trying to shape you into."

Adrian didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned in just enough to catch my eyes.

"I know you don't trust women. After what Mom did="

My voice dropped into a low growl.

"Don't bring your mother into this," I snapped, tone edged with warning.

"But I have to!" He raised his voice, the words shaking with emotion.

"It's all her fault. And if she hadn't-"

"Enough!" The word exploded from my chest.

"I don't want to talk about your mother. I don't want to talk about the past. I just need you to get your shit together and start showing up at the company."

Adrian's shoulders eased slightly. His features softened as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Dad... I've watched you for years carry this pain in your heart like you think no one sees it. But I do. And it's all because of Mom. You've built walls so high around yourself that sometimes..."

He hesitated, then breathed, "I fear I'll end up like you. Cold inside. Unfeeling. Refusing to live or love again because of one betrayal."

His words split my heart open, and a tight ache rose in my throat.

"Is that really how you see me?"

He nodded slowly. "I don't mean to hurt you... but it's the truth. I've always wanted to see you love again. That's why, when you told me there was someone-someone you cared deeply for-I was happy for you. I was excited to meet her.

Because, Dad... you deserve a

second chance."

I finally met his gaze head-on, forcing down everything I couldn't say.

"Adrian, this isn't about me, or the past, or whatever scars I carry from your mother. This is about your future. But somehow, you've twisted it into questioning the kind of man I am."

Adrian's expression softened as he shook his head.

"Dad... come on, you know that's not what I-”

I lifted my hand, silencing him before he could finish.

"I've heard enough. My answer still stands. She can't stay."

Frustration flashed in his eyes.

"Dad, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, but have you been listening? Clairessa has nowhere to go."

"She's a grown woman,” I snapped. “It's not your fucking business to carry her burdens. She can take care of herself."

His voice shook with anger.

"Not all of us are as cold as you... I won't become that man—the one who shuts everyone out just to prove he doesn't need them."

It stung more than I wanted to admit, hearing my own son describe me like that. Still, I clenched down on the reaction, refusing to show how deep it cut.

But I'd indulged him enough.

"Adrian..." My voice dropped, hard as stone. “That's fucking it. I won't stand here and be insulted like this. All I've ever done is try to help you get your life on track."

He stomped his foot like he used to as a child, a flare of old defiance flashing through him.

"Well, news flash, Dad-I don't need your help. You're just trying to force me to live in your shadow!"

I dragged a hand down my face, the weight of everything pressing down on me. "Adrian, I didn't build all of this so you'd live in my shadow. I built it so you'd have something to stand on. So you could rise even higher."

He looked away, staring at the floor as if the words chipped away at something inside him.

"What if I don't?" he murmured. "What if I can't be like you... and I fail?"

For the first time, I let my voice soften. I could hear the fear buried beneath the bravado. And for once, I had to push aside my own emotions and speak to him not as a man-but as a father.

"I'm not asking you to become me. I'm asking you to grow up. To take the reins of something that could be yours-if you want it. But I need to know you're not going to throw it away."

Adrian looked up again, his voice more certain now. "I'm not going to throw it

away. That's why I need you to believe in me."

"Can't you see that I already do?" I exhaled hard, trying to release the frustration

lodged in my chest.

"That's why I'm giving you this opportunity to earn your place in the company. So when the staff and

the board look at you, they won't just see my son. They'll see someone who deserves his seat at the table."

He nodded, a rare calm settling over his face.

"Then I'm ready to be the man you've always wanted me to be. Just agree to my

conditions. And honestly, Dad-I'm your only son. It's not like you've got a choice."

My chest tightened. Adrian was pushing his luck. And I—

I didn't like being cornered.

"Adrian... you know how much I hate emotional manipulation. So stop."

His voice dropped, raw and stripped of pride and filled with sincerity.

“Please, Dad. I'm asking you this as your son'll give everything to the company. I'll be at your beck and call. Just let her stay. That's all I'm asking. One thing. Anything else you want-name it. It's yours."