Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 260

Clairessa’s POV

I stared at the test again, my hands trembling so hard I could barely hold it. The two lines glared back at me like they were mocking me.

“It’s confirmed,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Jess… I’m pregnant.”

She froze, her eyes shifting from my face to the stick in my hand.

“Oh my God…” I choked out, my voice rising. “My life is messed up.”

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. “I’m so stupid, so careless. What was I thinking? This just complicates everything between Gabriel and me even further.”

I stared at her, wide-eyed and terrified.

“I’m not ready to be a mother. I don’t even know if Gabriel wants to be a father. What if he doesn’t? What if he looks at me differently?”

“Claire…” Jess tried, but I kept going, my voice shaking harder now.

“This could ruin us. And if he does want it, what about me? My life, my career…”

I pressed a palm to my forehead, trying to slow my spiraling thoughts but failing. “God, my mom… she’s going to think the worst of me.”

Jess stepped closer, her hands gripping my shoulders. “Claire. Breathe.”

“I…”

“No. Right now. With me. In… and out.”

We inhaled together. Exhaled. Did it again. My heartbeat slowed slightly, the buzzing in my head easing just enough to realize my knees felt weak.

I sank to the floor, my back resting against the wall. Jess sat beside me, pressing a comforting hand to my back.

“Listen to me,” she urged softly but firmly. “Gabriel loves you. I’ve seen it. And I’m sure he would be happy about this. All you have to do is tell him, and stop speaking for him before he’s even heard the news.”

My vision blurred as tears spilled down my cheeks. “I don’t know, Jess… All of this is terrifying. I’m scared to death.”

“I know.”

“And there’s my mom,” I added in a rush, swiping at my face. “She’ll say I’ve ruined my life. My career—would I have to put that on hold? Imagine the scandal and the gossip this will cause. Project Manager pregnant for the CEO of Storm Innovations? They’ll judge and tear me apart.”

Jess shook her head, clearly not having it. “Enough, okay? You’re overthinking this to death. Gabriel will protect your career at the company. And as for your colleagues? They can piss off, for all I care.”

I shook my head, still unconvinced. “You say it like it’s so easy… but we both know it’s not.”

My chest tightened, my throat ached, and the weight of it all finally crashed down on me. Before I could stop myself, I broke into hot tears spilling fast and uncontrollably.

Jess pulled me into her arms, rocking me gently as I sobbed into her shoulder.

“It’s okay, Claire,” she murmured, her hand rubbing slow circles on my back. “You’re going to be okay. You’re not alone in this.”

I pulled back slightly, sniffing hard, and an unexpected laugh-snort escaped me through the tears. “God… there’s also Adrian, who is going to flip when he finds out.”

Jess groaned. “Claire. This isn’t Adrian’s business, okay? You and Adrian are over.”

“I know,” I admitted quickly, wiping my damp face. “But I wish it were just about Gabriel and me. It’s more than that—it’s a dynamic between father and son. And I’m terrified this could damage their relationship forever. Adrian can be... erratic in his actions.”

Jess cupped my face gently. “Claire, all of this? It’s not yours to bear alone. Let Gabriel handle his son. There are only two people that matter in this.”

Then she paused, smirking faintly.

“Wait…three. You, Gabriel, and your baby.”

My hands drifted unconsciously to my stomach. It still didn’t feel real. There was so much to process.

One… two… ten. Shit.

I sat up immediately as a small wave of guilt hit me. My phone had been right beside me. Why didn’t I hear it ring? Oh no… he must’ve been worried sick when he didn’t hear from me.

I was just about to call him back when it hit me. Hard.

Jess.

I vaguely remembered her pressing a kiss to my forehead, whispering something about having to leave for a meeting. I’d been too far gone to respond. Maybe I nodded. Maybe I mumbled something. But all of that faded behind the one, overwhelming fact.

I’m pregnant.

The thought hit like a brick, panic and uncertainty rising all over again, stealing the breath from my lungs.

My hand instinctively moved to my belly. I rubbed it gently, even though there was no real swell yet. But to me, it already felt alive. So fragile. So mine.

How did my life change overnight?

One minute I was glowing, falling in love, building something beautiful. The next… a child was growing inside of me, leaving me uncertain about the rest of my life.

Jess was right. I had to tell Gabriel. No matter how terrified I felt. This baby was made in love, and Gabriel deserved to know.

But maybe the fear wasn’t about how he’d react. Maybe it was me. My own insecurities, and doubts at the thought of becoming… a mother.

Still rubbing my belly, I let out a slow breath and stared at the phone in my hand.

Then I tapped the screen and dialed.

It rang only once.