Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 192

Gabriel’s POV

There was a bitter taste in my mouth—and it had nothing to do with the coffee I’d just swallowed. It came from watching Clairessa and my son.

Adrian was singing her praises again, grinning like he’d won a prize, and there she was, blushing like a schoolgirl.

The smile on her lips made something ugly twist in my chest.

Why the hell was she blushing?

Couldn’t she see what he was doing?

Every compliment, every smile—it was all part of his damn strategy to win her back. And she was playing right into it.

Was she really going to give in that easily?

Goddamn it, Gabriel. This is what you wanted.

You offered to fund her long-time dream just so she could play pretend with your son.

You practically handed her over to him. So what are you mad about?

This is what you wanted. So now deal with it.

She’s simply doing her part... and you caused this.

“Fuck...” I muttered, unaware I’d spoken aloud.

“What did you say, Dad?” Adrian’s voice cut through the storm in my head.

I cleared my throat, reached for my glass of water, and offered a half-hearted smile. “I said I’m glad you’re settling in nicely at the company. Happy to hear it.”

Adrian lit up. “Thanks, Dad. This is all happening because of you.”

I gave a small nod and hummed. “How’s the Randolph Project coming along?”

“Oh—Dad, it’s going great,” he said quickly, full of pride. “Clairessa has a solid grip on things. And the backend integration? You should’ve seen her. She figured it out before IT could even blink. Honestly, she’s kind of a genius.”

He reached across the table and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

That damn squeeze again.

Something in my chest tightened.

Did he always have to touch her?

And what’s worse—she didn’t pull away.

Her cheeks flushed again, and heat crawled up my own.

For someone who claimed she didn’t want to be with him, she was enjoying it a little too much.

I forced my eyes to stay on her.

“How about you, Clairessa? How’s it coming along, from your end?”

She finally glanced at me—briefly. She’d been avoiding my gaze since dinner started. And now she gave me the fakest smile I’d ever seen.

“It’s coming along really well.”

That was it?

I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted her to break. To squirm like I was squirming.

“From what Adrian’s described, I would’ve expected more than ‘really well.’”

“Dad,” Adrian chuckled nervously, “you know Clairessa. She’s not much of a big talker, but I assure you, she’s got everything under control.”

I nearly laughed.

He had no idea.

I knew Clairessa. More than he ever would. I knew every moan, every tear, every time she trembled under my touch.

I knew exactly what she was thinking in this very moment.

She was deliberately giving me a vague answer, knowing it would piss me off.

She wanted to prove she could defy me.

The fire in her eyes told me everything.

But I couldn’t say any of that aloud, so instead, I said, “Adrian, I wasn’t speaking to you. Clairessa can speak for herself.”

My tone was bitting.

Adrian’s mouth parted, taken aback. “Oh. Apologies, old man.”

I didn’t even blink. My eyes stayed locked on her, making it clear I was waiting for a real answer.

She swallowed hard, her jaw tensing. “Mr. Storm, just as Adrian has informed you, we’ve made great progress on the Randolph Project. It’s all coming together. We’re optimistic about the results.”

I nodded, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. “That’s good to hear. At least I know you two will do great when you present to the CEO on Monday.”

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