Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 238

Gabriel’s POV

I almost held Clairessa's hand back, but it would’ve drawn too much attention. Too many eyes were already on us.

So I nodded once, barely, and let her go.

“See you both later,” she said, waving lightly as she followed Randolph and Lisa into the crowd.

And just like that, I was left standing with Adrian on one side and Angelique on the other.

What a goddamn disaster.

This was certainly not the place for a family reunion, but it was happening, whether we liked it or not.

Angelique shifted closer now, trying too hard to smile.

“Gabriel, I'm sorry that we’re reuniting like this,” she said, her voice thin. “I wish it could’ve been... different.”

I laughed coldly.

“No, you don’t.” My tone was harsh. “It’s obvious now that you orchestrated this little reunion with Randolph’s wife. So tell me, Angelique, all for what?”

She took another careful step even closer, her face soft with remorse.

“So we could talk.”

I exploded.

“Talk?” I snapped. “And you didn’t think to call? Text? Email? Like a normal person would? Instead, you ambushed us at someone else’s birthday party?”

She flinched but held my gaze.

“Gabriel, you and I both know you haven’t answered any of my calls or messages in ten years. I stopped trying because you made it very clear you were done with me.”

She paused to take a deep breath.

“This isn’t an ambush. It’s a sincere attempt to see my family again.”

I let out a sarcastic sigh, shaking my head.

“Don’t get things twisted, Angelique. The only family you have here is Adrian.”

Before she could respond, Adrian stepped in, voice calm but firm.

“Dad, let's just hear her so-called explanation. Please.”

I glanced between them as my hands itched with anger.

Finally, I nodded and stepped back slightly.

“Fine.”

Adrian turned to her.

“Mom, why didn’t you ever call or text me? If Dad wouldn’t respond, what about your son? You made it clear you didn’t want a relationship with me. You didn’t even try.”

Angelique’s face fell.

“I was ashamed,” she confessed, her voice low. “Ashamed of what I did. I ruined our family. Your dad was never going to forgive me, so I ran. Guilt consumed me. I thought you hated me.”

I wasn’t going to forgive her.

Not then. Not now.

And yet, she stood there, trying to twist her absence into my fault? That I didn’t welcome her back with open arms? That I didn’t chase after her when she vanished from our son’s life?

Adrian’s expression twisted, a raw mix of anger and pain.

“I needed you,” his voice broke. “You and Dad breaking up, that was one thing. But you’re my mother. And I was your son. That’s not the same. You don’t get to walk away from that.”

Angelique reached for him, but Adrian stepped back slightly, shaking his head.

“You don’t get to just stroll back into our lives after all these years and expect us to welcome you with open arms.”

“Son, please,” Angelique begged, her voice trembling. “I know you’re upset. Just calm down. Maybe we can go to the room and talk, or…”

“No,” Adrian cut in sharply. “Out here. No more hiding. No more pretending. If we’re doing this, it’s all of it. Right here.”

Angelique swallowed hard, then fumbled through her purse.

“I may have been away, but I kept close watch on you,” she said softly, pulling out her phone. “I never stopped caring.”

She turned the screen to him. Photos. Dozens of them. Some from his old public page. One from his college graduation. Candids she shouldn’t have had.

Adrian’s brow furrowed.

“Mom, how did you...?”

Tears welled in her eyes.

“I was always watching,” she whispered. “Too afraid to come close. But Lisa gave me the courage I needed. And I’m so proud of you. So proud. My son has grown into such a handsome young man.”

Adrian’s face shifted, emotion flooding in, his jaw trembling as he looked at her. It was written all over him. Confusion. A deep, buried longing for motherly love.

“Let me hug you,” she pleaded, stepping forward. “Just once. Please.”

He hesitated, eyes glassy. And then, slowly, he let her.

They hugged.

Tightly.

Too tightly.

I’d seen enough.

My chest clenched. My throat burned. Every word between them felt like a blade dragging through my ribs. I couldn’t do it anymore.

“I can’t do this,” I muttered under my breath.

I stared at him in disbelief.

“No shit.”

“I mean it,” Randolph said quickly, hands raised. “Honestly, I didn’t know. You’ve always kept a low profile, and it’s been years since you two were even seen together.”

“I find it hard to believe,” I gritted through clenched teeth, “that the reason you insisted on having me at your birthday isn’t because of all this?”

He placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I swear to you, Gabriel, I would never intentionally meddle in your family’s business. But my wife? Lisa’s a meddler. I’ve warned her, believe me, but what can I do?”

I shook my head slightly.

“Yeah, I can see that.”

Then I waved it off, refusing to let Angelique’s sudden arrival strain my business relationship.

“Maybe she thought she was doing something noble.”

Randolph gave me a look and muttered,

“Women, ehn?”

That actually pulled a tight chuckle out of me.

I wanted to be furious. I really did. But oddly enough, I believed Randolph. And even if he was lying, none of this mess was really his fault.

Running into Angelique was bound to happen at some point in my life. I just didn’t think it’d be today. Not like this.

And maybe it was time Adrian and his mother worked things out.

Did she still repulse me with everything she did? Yes.

Was I still angry? Absolutely.

But I never stopped her from showing up for Adrian.

She was his mother. And I was never going to stand in the way of that.

Plus, I was too tired. Too emotionally drained to summon more rage.

I looked him in the eye, exhaled through my nose, and said,

“It’s fine.”

It wasn’t, but it would have to be.

I turned toward the bar and grabbed the nearest scotch and took one sip. Then another.

The burn helped.

For now.