Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 239

Gabriel’s POV

After nearly an hour of searching, I finally spotted Clairessa on the far side of the garden with Lisa.

She held a glass of champagne in one hand, her back partially turned as she spoke. Her other hand clutched her phone, screen lit, clearly active.

But then she looked up and gave Lisa a polite nod, pretending to be engaged in the conversation.

So she was ignoring my texts on purpose.

Was she trying to avoid me?

I needed to fix this. Now.

Lisa gave her a gentle tap on the shoulder, murmured something, then stepped away to greet a couple walking past.

This was my chance.

I crossed the garden in long strides, ignoring every attempt at small talk. I didn’t stop until I was beside her.

I leaned in, my voice low against her ear.

“Why haven’t you been replying to my texts… when your phone is clearly in your hand?”

She put her phone to the side and turned slowly.

“I don’t know,” she said, voice slightly detached. “Maybe because your ex-wife showed up, and all the emotional chaos that came with her wasn’t exactly part of the deal I signed up for today.”

Shit. So I was right. She’d been avoiding me.

“And you think this is what I signed up for?” I said, quieter now but no less serious.

I reached for her hand and held it tight.

“I haven’t seen or spoken to Angelique in over ten years, Clairessa. I didn’t know she was friends with Randolph’s wife. I had no idea she’d be here tonight. You’ve got to believe me.”

She let out a deep sigh.

“I believe you, Gabriel,” she murmured. “It’s just… there’s us, and then there’s Adrian. And now Angelique… It’s a lot.”

I stepped closer, cupping her cheek with one hand, my thumb brushing along her skin as I leaned in, my voice dropping.

“Clairessa… baby… look at me.”

She did, reluctantly, but she did.

Her eyes were filled with conflict, with that raw vulnerability she tried so hard to hide.

I moved my lips to the side of her neck, nudging gently against her skin, breathing in her scent and the bliss that came with it.

“You and I are together,” I whispered. “And nothing, nothing will come between us.”

Her gaze shifted down.

“Gabriel, I want to believe you,” she whispered. “But...”

I straightened, lifting her chin so she had no choice but to meet my eyes.

“There’s no ‘but.’ Just trust,” I said, my voice sincere. “Adrian or Angelique, neither of them is going to tear us apart.”

Just then, footsteps approached.

And we both turned. It was Angelique.

“Sorry,” she said with a faux-innocent smile. “Am I interrupting something?”

Clairessa pulled away from me instantly.

“No… I was just leaving,” Clairessa said coldly, stepping back from me before I could stop her.

“Clairessa…” I reached for her arm, but she gently pulled out of my grasp and walked away, her shoulders squared, her steps fast, as if getting away from the both of us was all that mattered.

The anger in my chest flared hotter as I watched her disappear through the garden.

Behind me, Angelique gave a soft sigh.

“You and Adrian’s girlfriend seem close.”

I turned toward her immediately, giving her a furious glare.

“Whatever's going on between Clairessa and me is none of your concern.”

She blinked, lips parting.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude…”

“Then don’t,” I shot at her.

The calm I had mustered moments ago was slipping fast.

Angelique took a slow step closer, lowering her voice.

“You can’t stay mad at me forever, Gabriel. At some point, we need to talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said flatly.

She reached out and half-rested a hand on my shoulder like she was testing whether I’d pull away.

I did.

“That’s a lie,” she said, her voice quieter now. “There are ten years between us we’ve never talked about. I know I hurt you. I know what I did tore everything apart. But I’ve spent every year since thinking about it. Regretting it.”

“You regretted it?” I laughed, but it came out flat. “Was that before or after you disappeared from your son's life and never looked back?”

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