Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 237

Gabriel’s POV

Fucking hell.

Of all the women in the world, it had to be my ex-wife. Adrian’s mother.

Angelique.

The last person I ever expected to see at Randolph’s party, dripping in pearls, wearing that glowing emerald dress, and flashing the same carefree laugh that used to drive me insane.

Now? It disgusted me completely.

I hadn’t seen her in over ten years, by choice. And now she was being introduced as Randolph’s wife’s “dear friend.”

What were the fucking odds?

I felt the blood drain from my face. My fists clenched at my sides.

Damn it.

Angelique's eyes locked on mine across the crowd.

I didn’t even know how to feel. Anger? Numbness? It was a toxic blend of both. But more than anything, I could feel Clairessa’s eyes shift to me. She looked confused and shocked. So did Adrian.

“Dad,” Adrian said, stepping closer to me, his voice tense. “Did you know about this?”

I shook my head immediately. “Of course I didn’t.”

Adrian scoffed. “Wow, so she’s just been living her life all these years without a damn care about us?”

I looked at him, and for a moment, my anger softened. I saw the hurt in his expression, the disbelief in his eyes. My instinct to protect kicked in.

I moved beside him, pressing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Don’t think about that now. Let’s just get through tonight.”

“No, Dad,” he snapped. “How can you say that? You heard Randolph. He said she’s been on a ‘shopping spree.’ Meanwhile, she forgot all about us. Me. I had to randomly meet her at this damn party?”

I met his stare. “Only your mother can answer for that. Maybe you two can talk later.”

“No,” he countered, his voice rising. “How about now? Right now. Let’s tell everyone here what kind of deadbeat mother she’s been.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” I growled, stepping in front of him.

Then Clairessa’s voice broke through gently. “Adrian, your dad is right. This isn’t the time or the place. Once the party is over, you’ll both have time to talk it through the way it deserves.”

Adrian looked at her, eyes softening. He reached out and took her hand.

“You’re right,” he muttered. “I need to stay calm.”

Then his gaze lingered a little too long on her, too affectionate. “You keep me sane.”

Jealousy hit me hard, but I fought to suppress it.

I moved beside them, subtly sliding his hand off hers and stepping between them. I didn’t say a word, but the look I gave him said enough.

And just then, the worst possible thing happened.

“She’s coming,” Adrian muttered.

I looked up and saw Angelique making her way toward us, her eyes locked in. She wore an unbothered, entitled smile, like she had a bloody right to walk up to us.

I had never believed in supernatural powers, but in that moment, I would have given anything to vanish with Clairessa and be anywhere but here. To leave this whole mess behind while I still had the chance.

But it was too late.

She stopped right in front of us, her gaze landing on me first.

“Gabe,” she said softly, like we were still lovers.

The audacity.

I didn’t return the softness. “Angelique.”

Then Adrian stepped in, his voice hard and unforgiving. “Mother.”

She gasped, visibly shaken. “Son…”

She reached out, arms outstretched, trying to hug him, but Adrian stepped back like her touch burned.

“You don’t get to call me that,” he retorted. “Not after disappearing all these years and leaving me behind. Not after choosing shopping sprees over being a mother to your own son.”

“I’m sorry,” Angelique whispered. “Adrian, it’s more complicated than you think. I never meant to leave. It's just...”

Adrian’s voice cracked, rage and betrayal fighting to come out. “It’s just nothing, Mom. You cheated on Dad. Then you ghosted. For years. You left your son.”

Angelique’s face crumpled as though she might cry, but I knew her too well. That wasn’t guilt. It was a performance.

“Leaving you broke me,” she said, her voice trembling. “But I had to. It was never my intention for things to end this way.”

Clairessa stepped forward. “I think this is a family matter. I should give you space…”

Before I could say anything, Adrian reached for her hand again.

“Really.”

Lisa gave a nervous little laugh, catching the tension between us.

“Oh yes. Angelique and I have been great friends for about three years now. She’s told me everything. And her biggest wish was to be reunited with her family. I figured, what better time than my husband’s birthday?”

She gave Randolph a playful swat on the chest as if that made this circus any more charming.

Before I could respond, Adrian, ever the quickest with sarcasm, jumped in.

“Thanks, Lisa,” he said dryly. “For reuniting a family that didn’t exactly ask to be reunited.”

Lisa turned to him, not missing the undertone of his voice. “And I’m guessing you’re Adrian.”

Adrian met her gaze with a pointed look, offering no warmth.

Undeterred, Lisa’s voice shifted into something almost maternal. “I know you haven’t seen your mother in years, and I get that this is a lot to take in.”

Adrian muttered, “No kidding.”

“But please,” she went on gently, “at least talk to her. Give her a chance to make up for the lost time. A mother’s love never fades. I’d know. I have four kids of my own.”

She looked at him earnestly. “She still cares. About you both.”

Adrian crossed his arms, unmoved. “And did you walk out on them too? Leave them behind without a word?”

“No,” Lisa answered after a beat. “But life is messy. Complicated. And sometimes, we make selfish decisions, even as parents. Have you never made a decision you regret, Adrian? Not one?”

That got to him.

His stance shifted slightly. His eyes dropped for a second.

“Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll give her a chance. But I’m not promising anything.”

Lisa smiled, stepping forward and shaking his hand gently. “That’s all anyone can ask.”

Randolph clapped his hands together. “Well, it seems like our work here is done.” He gave Angelique a knowing look before turning toward Clairessa. “Clairessa, would you mind joining us for a bit?”

Her gaze shifted toward me, confused, uncertain, and yes, hurt. She didn’t say anything, but I read it all in her eyes.

She wasn’t sure why she was being pulled into this twisted theater.

I wanted to stop her.