Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 173: His Anger Burned Hotter Claireessa's POV Gabriel didn't look atat first. His eyes stayed fixed on Gretchen, his tone calm but laced with a quiet threat.

"Leave us," he said.

Gretchen froze for a breath, clearly uneasy. "Of course, Mr. Storm." She slipped out without another word.

And then it was just us-Gabriel and me.

I barely had tto register the storm in his eyes before he crossed the room in three long strides and seized my elbow-not painfully, but firmly enough to jolt my heart.

"Don't get too comfortable in my house," he hissed. "You won't be here much longer." I stared at him, stunned.

Just yesterday, he'd been at my side, placing cold towels on my forehead, watching overlike I still meant something to him.

He'd cared for me, staying by my side through the night.

And for a moment, I let myself believe-maybe something in him had softened.

Maybe there was still hope for us.

But I was wrong.

The anger was back-hotter, more intense. And I was foolish to think forgiveness would cthat easily.

"Gabriel, please," I said, trying to pull my arm free. "Adrian could walk in. This isn't His grip tightened, forcing my gaze to his. "Don't worry about Adrian walking in," he snapped. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind. You've got him wrapped around your little finger. Just like you had me." "What?" I breathed. "No-I didn't-" "You seduced him, didn't you?" he bit out. "Sway you seduced me." "Gabriel, that's not fair-" But he didn't letfinish.

He backedagainst the kitchen island, his body crowding mine. His frwas solid, burning with rage, his breath coming fast.

The heat radiating off him blurred the line between fury and something darker.

A rush of heat stirred low in my belly as I stood pinned-caught between fear and the desire for the man who clearly detested me.

His lips hovered near mine, his voice a gravelly threat.

"I'm giving you twenty-four hours." His jaw clenched, his voice a low growl. "Tell Adrian the truth-or you'll see a side ofyou've never seen before." My heart stuttered at his words. The fire in his eyes toldhe wasn't bluffing. He meant every syllable.

"Gabriel..." My voice trembled. "I don't know if I can confess this to Adrian. Maybe it's better if I just leave." His expression twisted, something raw flashing in his eyes-pain, maybe-but it vanished almost instantly behind a colder mask.

"Oh, you'll leave," he murmured darkly. "But not before you tell him how you cafter his father first... all sweet and wide-eyed, like innocence wrapped in temptation." "Please don't say it like that," I whispered. "It wasn't like that." "Why not?" His voice lashed out like a whip. "It's the truth, isn't it? Or is it too bitter now that both father and son are lusting after you? Your gis over, Clairessa." I stood frozen, words caught in my throat.

His jaw clenched, and he stepped back slightly, but not enough to giveroom to breathe.

"You're going to submit your resignation on Monday," he bit out, voice low and final. "I want you out of the company and out of our lives-for good." I wanted to scream. To explain. To beg him to take everything-anything-but not my job at Storm Innovations.

I needed it. It was all I had left... especially now.

But I saw it-etched in the hard set of his jaw, the cold distance in his eyes-he'd already letgo.

And then, as if fate itself had intervened, I heard a voice behind Gabriel.

"Dad?" Gabriel stiffened, immediately stepping away from me, running a hand through his hair as if trying to wipe the moment from his skin.

Adrian stood in the doorway, his brow furrowed, eyes bouncing between us in confusion.

"What's going on?" he asked, his gaze flicking between Gabriel and me, curiosity evident.

Gabriel didn't answer. He stormed past his son, exiting the kitchen without a word or a second glance.

Adrian turned back to me, concern flooding his expression. "What was that?" I shook my head, forcing a smile. "It's fine." He didn't look convinced. "Was he yelling at you?" "No," I lied softly. "He was just asking how I was feeling." Adrian frowned, eyes scanning my face. "It didn't look that way to me. Claire, if my dad was being unkind to you, you can talk to me, right?" I shifted my gaze away from him. "I already told you, Adrian, he wasn't..." He sighed, shrugged, and then glanced at the counter. "Alright then," he muttered. "What are you doing here, anyway? You should be resting." "I feel better," I said, forcing a smile. "I needed to keep my hands busy. I couldn't just lie there doing nothing." He didn't seem convinced but sighed again. "Still, you should take it easy." He raised his voice. "Gretchen!" Gretchen popped back in, her eyes wide with concern.

Adrian pointed to her gently. "She's supposed to be resting. What happened?" Gretchen shotan apologetic look before speaking. "I tried to tell her, but she insisted on joiningto cook." "It's okay," I cut in before she could explain further, "It was my choice. I needed the distraction." Adrian exhaled, walking over to the counter and grabbing a knife. "Well, if you're cooking, I'm helping." I stood outside Adrian's door longer than I should have, trying to gather my nerve. My heart pounded against my chest, and my fingers shook as I reached for the handle.

This was the moment the confession Gabriel had giventwenty-four hours to make. The truth I had to bring forward... or he'd do it himself. My fingers trembled as I knocked.

"Cin," Adrian called, his voice relaxed.

I opened the door slowly. Adrian was stretched out on the bed, a laptop balanced on his legs, dressed in a plain white tee and dark joggers.

The glow from the screen lit his face, and for a moment, he looked peaceful. It almost madequestion everything-madewant to turn back instead of ruining his night.

"Hope I'm not disturbing," I said softly.

He looked up and offered a half smile. "Nah. Just reviewing numbers for the restroom redesign." I nodded and stepped inside. "Can we talk?" His smile faded. He sat up, closing the laptop and setting it aside. "Yeah. Of course." "Can I... sit?" He gestured toward the bed. "You don't need permission." I eased down on the edge, careful to keep sdistance between us. For a few seconds, I just sat there, unable to get the words out.

"Adrian..." My voice cracked. "There's need to tell you fem something I need to important. He tilted his head, watching me. "What is it?" I swallowed hard, bowing my head slightly, trying to steady myself before speaking. "It's about something that happened after we broke up. A few months ago."

Adrian sighed and raised a hand.

"Claire, please don't tellthis is e about when I cheated. I know I messed up. I've apologized. Over and over." "No, it's not that," I said quickly. "It's not about what you did. It's about what I did. After you hurt me... I wasn't myself. I was angry. I was lost. And I cup with something-something really stupid." His eyes softened, brows drawing together. "If this is about why you needed space... why you blocked my number and disappeared-Claire, I get it. I broke your heart. I don't blyou for shuttingout."

I wished it were that simple. "I wish it {@k was just about that I murmured! "But this. this was more than needing space. I took it too far." Adrian exhaled, leaning back on his elbows, gaze shifting to the ceiling. "Okay...

so during our tapart, you went out and did something out of spite? Just once?" "It wasn't just a one-tthing." My voice cracked as I looked down at my hands, fingers twisting in my lap.

"It wasn't just semotional spiral.

I had a plan. A revenge plan."