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

Clairessa's POV

The road blurred before me as tears streamed down my face, the ache in my chest intensifying with each passing second.

My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, trying to keep myself together.noveldrama

The image of Gabriel-naked and asleep, with Tina beside him-kept flashing through my mind as I navigated the streets.

I actually caught him. With her.

And to make it worse, he used that same tired line: "It's not what you think."

Did he really think I was that naive?

Maybe I was for ever thinking he was any different from his lying, cheating father.

Like father, like son. Cheats. Heartbreakers.

I thought he was different. I believed him when he said he loved me- wholeheartedly.

I should've listened to that voice in my head-the one that warned me not to fall

for him, that told me to stop believing there was anything real between us.

I should've stuck to the plan: get back at Adrian and walk away.

But I didn't. I let my guard down. I let myself believe.

And the worst part? I'd been feeling guilty for not telling him the truth about

Adrian, about the revenge plan.

Meanwhile, he was the one betraying me the entire time.

I was a fool. A lovesick, blind fool.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, a dry snort escaping me.

But just as I turned into the driveway, I slammed on the brakes.

What the hell?

Red and blue lights flashed across the pavement, and smoke filled the sky. Neighbors gathered outside in small groups, their faces tight with worry. A fire truck rumbled nearby.

I parked hastily, jumping out before the engine even came to a full stop.

"What's going on?" I muttered, my voice trembling as I rushed toward the building. But before I could get far, a firefighter stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. We're still trying to contain the fire-no one's allowed inside right now. It's not safe."

"My apartment..." My voice cracked. "I live here."

"We've evacuated everyone," he said calmly. "We're doing all we can."

"Oh my God," I whispered, the devastation of seeing it up close worse than I imagined.

Blackened windows, water streaming from hoses above, smoke rising into the sky. I stared in horror.

Everything I'd worked so hard to build-my laptop, my clothes, my certificates, my childhood photos, my life. Gone. Just like that. Gone.

A wave of shock hit me. My knees threatened to give out. "This can't be happening."

I staggered, nearly falling, until a pair of arms steadied me. I blinked up to find Mrs. Margaret, my elderly neighbor, wrapping her arms around me.

"Clairessa, thank God you're okay," she said breathlessly, holding me close. "We thought you were still inside."

"No, I left early this morning. I never imagined I'd come home to this," I whispered, staring at the chaos around me.

Mrs. Margaret's voice trembled with emotion. "Oh, my dear. What's happening to us is horrible, but we have to be grateful we all got out alive."

I nodded slowly, her words offering some comfort. She was right. As devastating

as this was, the most important thing was that no one had lost their life.

"Everyone's safe... right?"

"Yes," she confirmed quickly. "We were lucky. Johnny-the boy from the next block-was banging on doors, waking everyone. We got out just in time."

I swallowed hard. "Do they know how the fire started?"

"Not yet. The alarms went off early, and they say most of the damage is concentrated on one wing. But no one's allowed in yet until they do a proper assessment."

I didn't know what to say. I just stood there, feeling like I'd been hit by a truck.

Then I heard it-my name being called, cutting through the noise.

"Clairessa!"

I turned and went still.

Adrian?

He jogged toward me, slightly out of breath, concern etched across his face. "Claire, are you alright?" he asked, his eyes frantically scanning mine.

"I'm fine..." I managed. "What are you doing here?"

Mrs. Margaret patted my arm, then looked at Adrian with a warm smile. "I'll leave you with your friend."

He returned the gesture as she walked away.

"I'm here to make sure you're okay," he said, nodding toward the building.

I narrowed my eyes. "I meant, how did you even know this happened?"

Adrian's face shifted-guilt? Amusement? "Let's just say... I have my ways."

"Adrian, seriously?" I scolded. "Are you monitoring me?"

He didn't flinch. "Not tailing your every movement. Think of it as keeping an eye

on you."

“Adrian, that's insane! And not okay!"

I fumed. We're not together anymore. You don't get to 'keep an eye'

me or act like some prince here to rescue the poor damsel. I'm capable of taking care of myself."

"I don't doubt that for a second," he said calmly. "But today? Right now? You need

help. Look around, Clairessa-your home is literally on fire. Where else do you plan to go tonight?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it. The lump in my throat was growing thicker by

the second.

"I'll figure it out."

"You don't have to," he said gently. "I'm here. Let me help you."

"Thanks, Adrian, but I don't need your help. I just... I just need a moment—"

"A moment to what?" he pressed. "To stand here alone in the cold while you figure out your next move?"

I ignored him, reaching into my pocket to pull out my phone. "I'll call Jess," I muttered and dialed her number.

He shrugged, watching me. I lifted the phone to my ear.

I dialed.

Voicemail.

I tried again.

Voicemail.

My heart sank further. I could feel Adrian's eyes on me.

Adrian tilted his head. "Let me guess, you can't reach her?"

I didn't respond, but the answer was written all over my face.

He stepped closer. "And I'm also guessing your wallet, ID, phone charger-

everything important-was in there?"

He motioned toward the burned-out shell of the building.

"If they're in there," he added with a small shrug, "they're probably gone."

I let out a frustrated puff, stepping back, needing distance—space to breathe. “I

know that, Adrian," I snapped. "I don't need you to remind me."

I turned away, pacing a few steps, my head spinning with options.

"I could check into a hotel. Just for a few days," I said aloud, trying to convince myself more than him.

"You could," he replied evenly. "But it's the weekend. Banks are closed. Most places won't take you without ID or a working card. You'd be stuck until Monday." He was right. God, he was so annoyingly right.

My phone battery was at 18% because I'd stormed out at dawn without thinking. My credit cards, ID, backup charger-gone. All of it.

My checking account barely had anything, and my savings? Locked behind layers

of security I could only access from my laptop, which was now probably

destroyed.

I stared at Adrian, heart pounding with indecision. Pride screamed, Don't do it.

My heart-the same bruised, confused thing that still ached for Gabriel-hesitated

at the thought of going back to Adrian's loft.

What if Gabriel showed up? What if the truth came spilling out, and this turned

into something even more painful than today already had?

I didn't have the strength for more drama. Not tonight. Not with the knowledge that

I was probably homeless and everything I owned was gone.

But logic?

Logic reminded me that Gabriel cheated.

He betrayed me.

Whatever guilt I'd been carrying, whatever secrets I hadn't shared-it didn't justify

what he did.

I didn't owe him loyalty anymore. And right now, I had nowhere else to go.

And as much as it twisted my stomach to admit it, Adrian was my only option.

I let out a slow breath.

And for all the years I'd dated Adrian... Gabriel never once visited his place. The odds of him randomly showing up there? Slim. Hell, for all I knew, he was too busy screwing

models in Miami to care.

The bitter thought made my chest ache, a wave of jealousy surging through me,

but I shoved it down.

Turns out, Adrian was right-I was screwed. And completely on my own.

And the truth was, the thought of being by myself tonight-holed up in some hotel room with nothing but my thoughts-felt unbearable. didn't want to see anyone. But I couldn't deal with this alone, either.

I nodded slowly. “Fine. Just for the night."

He didn't gloat or smile, just walked to the car park and opened the passenger

door for me.

I climbed in, settling into the leather seat as he gently closed the door behind me.

The drive was quiet. Not heavy. Just numb.

Like my body was on autopilot. Like my heart had pressed pause, waiting for the

next crash.