Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 191: He Was The Man Behind It All Clairessa's POV I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. It was finally the weekend, and I was grateful for the silence for the chance to just breathe.

There was no reason to rush. No alarms. No buzzing phone. No morning meetings. Just stillness. A well-earned pause.

I padded to the window and pulled the curtains open slightly, letting in the warm, golden morning light. I shut my eyes and let the sun wash over my skin just for a moment as my mind drifted.

Three weeks had passed. Maybe a little more. The Randolph Project had consumed everything-days, nights, weekends. Everyone was working overtjust to keep up with the system updates and impossible deadlines. The final presentation was coming up in three weeks. Gabriel's email had made the stakes clear: "Impress the CEO. No excuses. Failure will have consequences." I didn't need to be told twice. I wasn't about to find out what those consequences looked like. I just wanted it all to be over.

Thankfully, Adrian was pulling his weight.

I hadn't expected much from him at the start-not with his carefree attitude and that cocky belief that, because his father owned the company, the rules would bend for him. But he'd been... surprising. Focused. Reliable. Even thoughtful.

He showed up early. Paid attention. Took notes. Asked the right questions. And when I was too busy to grab lunch, he made sure something ended up on my desk-always something he knew I liked. Sevenings, dinner too. Not overbearing. Not pushy. Just... helpful.

At first, I thought it was all an act to winback. But he kept it up. Day after day. No slip-ups. No excuses. Almost like he was genuinely ready to step into the role his father had carved out for him.

Working with him had been easier than I'd imagined. Maybe even... nice.

The anger I used to feel toward him? It was gone. Not because I was falling for him again I wasn't. But because I'd made a choice.

I was done holding on to old hurt. I had bigger things to focus on, and I couldn't afford to stay stuck in the past. Keeping Adrian in line felt like a small price to pay -and since he was cooperating, it meant I could be done with all of this faster than I thought.

This time, I wasn't doing it out of revenge or spite. I was doing it for my future. Once my Hartwas up and running, I'd finally make my mark in the business world. My greatest dream would cto life-and I'd be set.

No more working for anyone else. I'd hire my own team. Build something from the ground up. My company. My vision. And with Gabriel's promised funding, that future didn't feel so far away anymore.

Speaking of Gabriel...

I barely saw him these days. He left before sunrise and cback late, usually after the house had gone quiet. We lived under the sroof, but it felt like we existed in two different dimensions.

Still, on the nights I couldn't sleep, I found myself at the window. Waiting. Watching. Like a bad habit I hadn't managed to break.

His headlights would appear, then fade as he parked. He always sat in the car a little too long, like he was gathering himself. He never looked up. Not once. Then he'd slip into the house quietly-like he was avoiding me. Maybe that was for the best... so I could forget him completely.

I turned from the window and opened my drawer, pulling out a pair of joggers and an oversized sweatshirt. I had no plans for the weekend. Just sleep.

I dropped the towel and slipped into the joggers.

I was just about to pull the sweatshirt over my head when my door flew open.

"Clairessa-oh, crap!" Adrian froze mid-step, eyes snapping shut. "Sorry! I swear I didn't see anything." I yanked the shirt down and glared at him. "Adrian, what the hell?" "I'm sorry! I knocked-I thought you were dressed!" I sighed and tied the drawstring on my pants. "It's fine. You can turn around now." He peeked through one eye, then relaxed. "I just cto invite you down for breakfast. It's been a chaotic few weeks, so I planned something relaxing for us." "I'm not really hungry," I muttered, tossing the towel into the hamper. "Clairessa,” he said, narrowing his eyes, "you know I'm not going to take no for an answer, right? You're coming down for breakfast. Besides"-his gaze flicked over me="you look beautiful and dressed. So you're definitely coming down." I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could form a word, he grabbed my hand and tuggedtoward the hallway. I resisted just enough to be difficult, but he was laughing—and somehow, I was laughing too.

"Adrian, slow down!" "Nope. You'll change your mind if I do." He draggeddownstairs, his hand still wrapped around mine. I was halfway through calling him ridiculous when we reached the dining room-and then I froze.

Gabriel was already there.

Seated at the head of the table, napkin folded neatly in his lap, sipping his coffee like a king... in his castle. "Dad?" Adrian stopped short. "This is... a surprise." Gabriel set his cup down with slow precision, his eyes lifting to meet mine briefly before settling back on his son. "Thought I'd join you." I stood awkwardly, caught between sitting and retreating. My mouth opened, but nothing cout.

Still cheerful, Adrian grinned. "That's nice. I hope you don't mind Clairessa joining us." He gestured towardwith exaggerated flair. "She's my queen, and I told Jane to make this breakfast extra special." Gabriel gavea tight-lipped smile. "Clairessa, do sit." "Thank you, Mr. Storm," I said quietly, settling into the chair Adrian pulled out for me.

My fingers curled around the hem of my soft sweatshirt, suddenly self-conscious in my oversized sweatpants and damp hair. Adrian hadn't givena second to check myself in the mirror-he'd all but draggeddown here, and now I was sure I looked like a mess.

Adrian sat besideand immediately started piling food onto my plate. Far more than I could ever eat.

Only then did I notice the table-beautifully set with a variety of dishes: fresh fruit, pancakes, eggs, toast... The aroma should've stirred my appetite, but it vanished the moment I saw Gabriel.

"Adrian, this is too much," I protested, reaching to stop him.

But he gently brushed my hand aside. "It's exactly what you need after the stress you've been under. Honestly, if I weren't such a dedicated assistant, you'd probably have ended up hospitalized for starvation." "Clairessa's... been starving?" Gabriel's voice cut in too quick, too concerned, like he cared. Then, as if realizing how it sounded, he adjusted his tone.

"Skipping meals only leads to burnout. It's not sustainable." My brows drew together. "That's rather an exaggeration, Adrian," I murmured, eyes fixed on my plate.

"No, it's not," Adrian insisted.

He turned to his father with a grateful nod. Thanks for backingup, Dad. I've been telling her the sthing. She's been laser-focused on the project-which is great-but if she doesn't rest or eat properly, she'll burn out." "Adrian's right, Clairessa," Gabriel murmured. "We're in the middle of a major project. We can't afford for you to fall ill-so please, take care of yourself and make sure you're eating properly." "Even if she doesn't want to," Adrian added, placing his hands gently over mine. "That's what I'm here for-to make sure she's taken care of." I returned the smile, but it didn't reach my eyes. Inside, my attention had already drifted.

My gaze drifted to Gabriel.

Why was he suddenly pretending to care, after weeks of treatinglike I didn't exist? I didn't need his pretentious concern or his carefully worded sympathy.

"Thank you... sir," I managed, my tone neutral.

"Now, let's eat," Adrian said cheerfully, and the three of us began eating in thick, awkward silence.

To break it, Adrian picked up the conversation. "So, the company's actually been great," he said, balding more eggs onto his plate. "I couldn't more eggs onto his p be happier that you put Clairessa in charge of me. She's been amazing-keepson track, doesn't take crap, and the team listens to her. Makes my job easy."

I shot him a quick look-subtle but ΠΙ pointed-hoping he'd get the message and stop. The praise was makinguncomfortable, especially with Gabriel sitting across from us. But Adrian just kept going, undeterred.

"And the people at the company? They've been awesome. Super welcoming. Though let behones........." He flashed a grin, then added with a Le` wink, "They didn't really have a choice, knowing I'll be their boss one day." I caught Gabriel's gaze across the table.

He shook his head, unimpressed.

Of course Adrian couldn't help his arrogant streak. He got it from his insufferable father.

A part ofburned with anger.

Whatever peace I'd convinced myself I'd found fell apart in Gabriel's presence.

How could he sit there like an innocent observer, calm and collected, when I knew full well he was the mastermind behind everything that had thrown my life off course?