Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 173

Clairessa’s POV

Gabriel didn’t look at me at first. His eyes stayed fixed on Gretchen, his tone calm but laced with a quiet threat.

"Leave us," he said.

Gretchen froze for a breath, clearly uneasy. "Of course, Mr. Storm."

She slipped out without another word.

And then it was just us—Gabriel and me.

I barely had time to register the storm in his eyes before he crossed the room in three long strides and seized my elbow—not painfully, but firmly enough to jolt my heart.

"Don’t get too comfortable in my house," he hissed. "You won’t be here much longer."

I stared at him, stunned.

Just yesterday, he’d been at my side, placing cold towels on my forehead, watching over me like I still meant something to him.

He’d cared for me, staying by my side through the night.

And for a moment, I let myself believe—maybe something in him had softened.

Maybe there was still hope for us.

But I was wrong.

The anger was back—hotter, more intense. And I was foolish to think forgiveness would come that easily.

"Gabriel, please," I said, trying to pull my arm free. "Adrian could walk in. This isn’t—"

His grip tightened, forcing my gaze to his. "Don’t worry about Adrian walking in," he snapped. "I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. You’ve got him wrapped around your little finger. Just like you had me."

"What?" I breathed. "No—I didn’t—"

"You seduced him, didn’t you?" he bit out. "Same way you seduced me."

"Gabriel, that’s not fair—"

But he didn’t let me finish.

He backed me against the kitchen island, his body crowding mine. His frame was solid, burning with rage, his breath coming fast.

The heat radiating off him blurred the line between fury and something darker.

A rush of heat stirred low in my belly as I stood pinned—caught between fear and the desire for the man who clearly detested me.

His lips hovered near mine, his voice a gravelly threat.

"I'm giving you twenty-four hours." His jaw clenched, his voice a low growl. "Tell Adrian the truth—or you’ll see a side of me you’ve never seen before."

My heart stuttered at his words. The fire in his eyes told me he wasn’t bluffing. He meant every syllable.

"Gabriel..." My voice trembled. "I—I don’t know if I can confess this to Adrian. Maybe it’s better if I just leave."

His expression twisted, something raw flashing in his eyes—pain, maybe—but it vanished almost instantly behind a colder mask.

"Oh, you’ll leave," he murmured darkly. "But not before you tell him how you came after his father first... all sweet and wide-eyed, like innocence wrapped in temptation."

"Please don’t say it like that," I whispered. "It wasn’t like that."

"Why not?" His voice lashed out like a whip. "It’s the truth, isn’t it? Or is it too bitter now that both father and son are lusting after you? Your game is over, Clairessa."

I stood frozen, words caught in my throat.

His jaw clenched, and he stepped back slightly, but not enough to give me room to breathe.

"You’re going to submit your resignation on Monday," he bit out, voice low and final. "I want you out of the company—and out of our lives—for good."

I wanted to scream. To explain. To beg him to take everything—anything—but not my job at Storm Innovations.

I needed it. It was all I had left... especially now.

But I saw it—etched in the hard set of his jaw, the cold distance in his eyes—he’d already let me go.

And then, as if fate itself had intervened, I heard a voice behind Gabriel.

"Dad?"

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