Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 259

Clairessa’s POV

I rolled my eyes at Jess. “Make sure he’s just as broody and impossible as mine. Keeps things interesting.”

She grinned. “I’m just so happy you found Gabriel. He’s changed your life in such a great way in such a short time.”

I nodded, my chest tightening. “I’m even happier. I never knew love like this could exist. So whole, so full, so assuring and giving. I love him so much.”

Then I looked down, my voice lowering. “I just… I don’t know what to give him in return. He’s done so much. Sometimes I don’t feel enough. Or worthy of what he’s giving me.”

Jess gently lifted my chin, her voice firm. “That man I worked with while setting up this place? He wants you. That’s it. Nothing more. You deserve it, Claire.”

I looked away, not wanting her to see how much that meant. “Yeah… maybe. But there’s still Adrian. We haven’t told him.”

“Don’t worry too much about that,” she shut it down. “Enjoy this moment life has given you. When the time is right, the truth will come out.”

“I’m trying not to worry,” I admitted. “But I can’t shake this feeling that something’s about to happen. Something that could drive Gabriel and me apart.”

“Nothing is going to happen,” her tone was reassuring. “Have faith. It’ll all work out.”

She studied me for a moment, then her tone shifted. “Moving on… you look really well. So why was Gabriel fussing earlier about you feeling unwell and throwing up?”

I groaned. “I told you, he exaggerates.”

“Maybe he just cares deeply,” she said, smirking.

“You’re defending him now?”

“With my full chest.” Jess beat her chest in a dramatic, goofy gesture and burst out laughing. I doubled over, laughing with her.

Then her expression shifted, eyes narrowing in thought. “Okay, seriously. Any other symptoms?”

I nodded, a little slower this time. “Just this morning… I’ve had a really bad case of nausea. I mean, I practically threw up everything in my stomach. And it’s weird, because I’m hardly ever nauseous. But thinking about it now, it’s been building this week, and today was just… unlike anything I’ve felt before.”

“Nausea, hmm?” Her eyes lit up, something clicking behind them. “Do you think it could’ve been something you ate? What did you even have last night? Could it be food poisoning or something?”

I let out a breath, almost sheepish. “Gabriel and I barely ate anything. Just strawberries and ice cream, really. We were kind of… occupied with other things.”

Her brows shot up. “Occupied, huh? I bet you were. I’m surprised you even remembered to chew.”

I laughed, then added, “Later that night, we had something light. Snacks, I think. Nothing heavy.”

Jess shook her head, still amused. “Y’all are ridiculous. Just busy being all over each other.”

Then her tone turned more serious. She tilted her head slightly, watching me carefully.

“Okay, I have to ask. When was the last time you had your period?”

I swallowed hard, the question stirring up a sudden rush of panic.

“I… I…” I stammered, my voice cutting off mid-sentence.

Wait.

My heart skipped. My fingers curled against my palms.

I started counting backward in my head. One week… two… three… no. No, that can’t be right.

I looked up at Jess, the blood draining from my face.

“Wait. Oh no…” I whispered. “Surely you don’t think I’m…”

Then I set it on the bathroom counter and stared at it like it might explode. Every second dragged, stretching into hours.

The world blurred around me. My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out everything else. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe.

I stared as the lines began to appear.

One… and then…

My breath caught as my heart dropped into my stomach and everything else fell away.

“Claire?” Jess’s voice echoed faintly from the room. “You’ve been in there too long. What is it?”

I couldn’t answer. My mouth opened, but no sound came. I was frozen.

Paralyzed.

Jess knocked again, firmer this time. “Claire, say something?”

But I still didn't respond.

“I’m coming in,” she yelled, and immediately the door pushed open then stepped inside.

She paused when she saw me standing there, motionless, pale, my eyes locked on the counter.

She followed my gaze and burst out.

“Holy shit…”

Two red lines.