Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 236

Clairessa’s POV

My heart pounded so loud I could hear it in my ears. The moment I heard Adrian’s voice outside the door, my heart stopped for a second.

“Dad... morning to you,” Adrian called.

I could barely breathe.

He was right outside the door.

No, no, he couldn’t find me here. Not like this.

I glanced at Gabriel, who was already moving, positioning himself in front of the door like a shield. I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hand gripped the doorframe tightly.

"Dad... why are you holding the door? Can I come in?" Adrian’s voice was too close and suspicious.

The panic hit my throat.

Before Gabriel could say anything else, I ran.

Not far. Just to the balcony.

I slipped through the glass doors, stepping out into the cool morning air, and pulled the curtain halfway shut behind me.

I pressed myself against the wall, trying my hardest not to make a sound as my eyes darted over the floor, then down.

God, the drop was brutal. There was no way down from here unless I planned to break my neck.

I didn’t.

I leaned against the cold glass instead, swallowing the lump in my throat. I wanted Gabriel to defend me. To tell Adrian the truth, that I wasn’t a secret to be hidden anymore.

But not today. Not during Randolph’s celebration. Adrian was a spoiled boy. If he didn’t get his way, he threw tantrums. Loud ones. And I wasn’t about to become the centerpiece of one.

From inside, I heard Adrian again.

“Dad, seriously… you’re acting weird. What’s going on?”

Gabriel remained firm. "Now’s not a good time, Adrian. Whatever it is, we can talk about it later."

“No,” Adrian snapped. “Now.”

Shit.

From the balcony, I watched Gabriel glance back into the room, eyes scanning until he found me behind the curtain. I lifted my hand in a small wave.

His face didn’t soften.

He shook his head, clearly irritated that I was hiding at all. But he didn’t call me out, thank God.

Then I heard it. The sound of the door being pushed open.

Gabriel let him in.

I stood just behind the glass, peering through the sheer curtain as Adrian stepped into the room.

His eyes swept the room, then paused at the bed. The rumpled sheets. The tossed pillows.

His brow lifted in amusement. “Damn, Dad… did you hook up with someone? What is this? Are you hiding a woman in here or something?”

I bit my lip and shrank further back, pressing my body into the cool wall like I could melt into it.

"Adrian," Gabriel's voice was brash now. "Either you say what you came to say, or you get out. I don't have time for your silly jokes."

Adrian gave a nervous laugh. "Alright, alright. Relax, Dad."

He shifted, then scratched the back of his head. “I just… these past few weeks, I’ve been trying to get Clairessa back. She keeps saying no. But I think maybe she just needs me to prove I’ve changed.”

Why did he have to bring me up now?

I closed my eyes, praying Gabriel wouldn’t lose his temper. That he wouldn’t reveal everything just yet.

"Adrian," Gabriel said, voice lower now. "It’s time to move on. You lost her. Let her be."

"I’ve tried," Adrian snapped, frustration breaking through. "And you’re right. Maybe it is time."

Gabriel nodded. "That’s a good choice."

Adrian paused, then smiled tightly. "Just one last thing. I have one more surprise planned. For her. If she says no, then I’ll walk away."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "What surprise?"

Adrian grinned. "It’s for her. Only Clairessa."

“Adrian…” Gabriel’s voice dropped lower. “What if she’s already moved on? What if she’s with someone else? Happy with another man?”

He fumed. "That’s not possible. I can’t stand the thought of her with another man."

Then, just as quickly, he took a breath and composed himself. "Not yet."

Gabriel didn’t speak. He just stood still, but I read his expression. He was fed up.

Through the sheer curtain, my gaze locked with Gabriel’s.

And I knew he was on the verge of telling Adrian the truth.

I gave a tiny shake of my head. Not yet.

Gabriel hesitated.

Then Adrian shrugged, breaking the silence. "You know what, Dad? I’ll just go. See you at the party later."

Gabriel nodded. "Yeah."

Adrian left.

The moment the door clicked shut, Gabriel turned and strode toward me.

He opened the balcony door and stepped out.

“Clairessa,” he murmured, voice low and laced with worry. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, my heart still thundering. "Yes. I just... I wasn’t ready."

He wrapped his arms around me, strong and sure.

I leaned into him, pressing my cheek to his chest. “This is more complicated than I thought. Adrian’s not ready to let go. And I don’t want you fighting with your son over me.”

Gabriel pulled back slightly, lifting my chin.

“Dad.”

The voice made me pull away from Gabriel.

Adrian jested. “Well, isn’t this cozy?”

Gabriel straightened immediately, and just like that, the warmth disappeared. He shifted, stepping slightly to my side, his jaw set, his expression tense.

Adrian stood just feet away, champagne glass in hand, eyes scanning us with suspicion mixed with amusement.

“Dad,” he said. “Good to see you and Clairessa… getting along.”

I plastered a fake smile and tilted my head. “Your dad’s my boss now. We had to find common ground.”

Adrian raised a brow. “Sure. It’s just… the change feels quick. You both seem a little too comfortable.”

Gabriel stepped forward, slightly in front of me. A subtle push at my lower back had me behind his shoulder. Protective. Assertive.

His voice dropped. “What exactly are you trying to insinuate?”

Adrian’s lips parted, clearly ready to bite back.

But then a voice boomed across the garden.

“Everyone!” Randolph stood at the head of the crowd, a champagne glass raised. “Thank you all for coming this evening.”

Adrian’s jaw clenched, but he stayed silent as the guests turned to listen.

“It means the world to me to celebrate with all of you tonight,” he began. “And now, finally, I’d like to introduce my lovely wife, Lisa, who just arrived after what I can only describe as a very dedicated shopping adventure.”

Light laughter stirred in the crowd.

“She forgot who the birthday boy was and almost bought out half of Milan,” he added, shaking his head fondly. “But hey, at least I got a great gift out of it, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.”

The crowd chuckled warmly as polite applause followed. A graceful brunette in a long navy dress stepped beside him, linking her arm through his.

“And of course, her partner-in-crime…” Randolph paused for effect. “The ever-glamorous Angelique.”

The name hit me like a familiar bell, I had heard it before and my brain scrambled to find out where.

Angelique?

A blonde woman in a glowing emerald dress stepped forward, her soft waves tumbling down her back.

She looked strikingly youthful, but there was no mistaking the elegance and maturity in her features. The kind of beauty that didn’t fade with age, only deepened.

Oh shit. It couldn’t be. I stared ahead, refusing to believe it.

But then I looked at Gabriel. His face was tight.

Adrian? He looked like he’d seen a ghost.

And then, just under his breath, Adrian whispered, “Mom?”

My heart dropped.

“What was she doing here?”