Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 203

Gabriel’s POV

Adrian looked like hell.

His shirt was half-untucked, his tie loose and crooked. His hair stuck up in odd directions, like he’d styled it with his hands in a moving car.

His steps were rushed, scattered—like someone who already knew he’d lost and was scrambling to salvage whatever pieces were left.

He was panting like he’d sprinted across the building—yet still had the nerve to flash a sheepish, almost casual smile. Like we weren’t standing on the edge of something monumental.

“Sorry,” he said breathlessly, tugging at his tie like it might straighten out his failure. “I—uh—had a little accident. But I’m here now.”

I dropped my head, fist clenched beneath it, all the passion I’d felt earlier turning into a slow, simmering rage.

Disappointment burned through me. Of course he was going to fuck it up.

He hadn’t changed—not really. Still the same entitled, distracted boy who thought charm could fix everything. Still unprepared. Still chasing excuses and calling them setbacks, like the world would wait for him to catch up.

I looked to Randolph, bracing myself to see if that trainwreck of an entrance had sunk us. But he’d already turned away from Adrian—his focus was on Clairessa now.

Everyone’s was.

So was mine.

Adrian slid in beside her like nothing had happened—like he deserved to be near her. But even she didn’t play along.

She barely spared him a glance, just shot him a furious glare and gave the smallest shake of her head. His shoulders wilted. He nodded once—quiet, apologetic. Like a scolded child.

And Clairessa? She turned right back to the screen.

“As I was saying—”

Flawless. Unbothered. Commanding.

She didn’t stumble. Didn’t miss a beat.

I didn't know how she did it.

She owned the room.

Christ, she was brilliant.

Near the end, I caught her leaning slightly toward Adrian. Subtle—just enough that only someone paying too much attention would notice.

She whispered something under her breath, guiding him.

Coaching him like a broken wind-up toy she still wanted to see run, still hoping he’d pull it together.

Then she turned back to the board and said, “I’ll let Adrian close.”

He stepped forward, hands fidgeting at his shirt cuffs, cleared his throat twice—eyes darting, voice trembling.

He looked like a child wearing his father's confidence. But then—somehow—he found it. Not all of it. But enough.

The closing wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t a disaster either. Passable. Clean. Enough to avoid catastrophe.

And when he finished—

Applause.

Loud. Sincere. The kind that made people believe in second chances.

But I barely registered it.

I saw only her.

Clairessa stood calm, proud. Chin lifted, fingers clasped neatly in front of her like she hadn’t just carried the entire pitch on her shoulders. Like she hadn’t just saved him—again.

I smirked. A private one. Just for her.

She didn’t see it.

She hadn’t looked at me once.

Not even once.

And I hated how much that stung.

Randolph clapped slowly, then broke into a wide grin across the table. “Gabriel... I’ve got no words. I’m impressed. That was a good one.”

“Absolutely,” I replied instantly. “Ms. Hartwood is one of our most skilled project coordinators.”

Finally—finally—she looked at me. Just for a second.

The faintest smile touched her lips.

Soft. Controlled.

But my pulse kicked like a hammer in my chest.

God help me.

This was dangerous.

I was too old for this. Too carved up inside. Too damn smart to chase something I’d never be allowed to keep.

The team nodded. Clairessa gave a quiet smile. Adrian exhaled relief. Nicole—thankfully—kept her pride in check.

They walked out together.

The door shut behind them.

Only Randolph remained.

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