Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 244

Gabriel’s POV

Adrian had called me downstairs for dinner. Nothing unusual.

But the second I stepped into the dining room and saw the lit candles and the elaborate table setting, I stilled.

What the hell is this?

“Adrian,” I snapped, my eyes narrowing on the over-the-top floral centerpiece and the suspicious glint in his eyes. “What the hell is going on here?”

He raised both hands as if I’d walked in mid-explosion. “Dad, calm down…”

My fists clenched. “You knew about this?”

He shrugged, avoiding my eyes. “She told me just before you came down.”

Of course he did, and he didn’t do anything to stop it.

He gestured toward Angelique, who stood smiling like a woman who thought this was all charming instead of deeply twisted.

“Mom prepared all this,” he said. “It’s her way of apologizing. A gesture... to make amends.”

Angelique. It had to be her.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Make amends?” I scoffed. “For what exactly?”

Angelique stepped closer, her hands clasped together in front of her chest.

“Gabriel... if it means me saying sorry a thousand times, I would,” she pleaded, voice trembling for show. “I thought since I'm back, we could all sit together like a family.”

She didn’t even try to hide her intention.

The seating arrangement made it painfully clear. Her seat was beside me, Adrian across. Like we were all just one happy, dysfunctional family.

Adrian cut in again. “Dad, you're already here. Please. Just tonight.”

“I’ll pass,” I said coldly, already turning away.

“Gabriel.” Angelique’s voice stopped me. Sweet. Pleasant. Fake. “Please. Just one dinner. I want to do this right for once.”

“Right?” I turned slowly to face her. “You think throwing together this ridiculous dinner is right, just like showing up after all these years was somehow okay?”

I turned, ready to walk away,

but then Clairessa walked in.

She froze in the doorway, her eyes wide. The shock on her face said it all.

She’d heard me. She’d definitely overheard my outburst.

But it wasn’t my fault. Angelique just kept pushing all the wrong buttons.

Adrian turned to her immediately, like a drowning man reaching for a lifeline. “Clairessa, thank God you’re here. Could you please convince my dad to stay and have dinner with us?”

Her eyes met mine, helpless, uncertain, caught in the middle.

I hated seeing her cornered and pressured.

I cursed under my breath, then raised my voice just enough for everyone at the table to hear.

“Let me be clear. Just this once.”

Adrian beamed. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Thank you, Gabriel,” Angelique chimed in smoothly, before her gaze slid over to Clairessa.

“Claire, forgive the family drama earlier. It’s nice of you to join us. I’d love for you to sit beside Adrian. You two are still friends, are you not?”

Clairessa hesitated, but gave a small nod.

Inside, I was burning. What the hell was Angelique playing at?

Adrian jumped up like some overeager puppy, guiding Clairessa to the chair beside him. “I’d love to have the most beautiful woman in the room next to me,” he said with a grin, then glanced toward Angelique. “Sorry, Mom. But you know how these things go.”

“No offense taken at all,” Angelique replied, winking at him.

He turned back to Clairessa and pulled out her seat with excitement.

She offered a polite smile as she sat, but I knew her well enough to see the discomfort behind her eyes.

Dinner was served, plates passed. The room was awkwardly silent until Angelique raised her glass. The soft clink of crystal drew everyone's attention.

“I’d like to make a toast,” she cooed sweetly, her gaze moving around the table.

“To my wonderful family, who have so kindly taken me in after all these years. I never thought this day would come.”

Her eyes welled with tears as they fixed on me. “Gabriel, thank you for letting me back into your home.”

Then to Adrian, voice trembling, “And my sweet boy, thank you for letting me back into your life.”

Adrian pushed back his chair and stood. “Mom, you always had a place. I just hope this time... you don’t disappear again.”

“Never,” she whispered. “I’m done being a coward and running. I’m back to take what’s mine. Cheers to new beginnings.”

Angelique reached across the table to clink glasses with Adrian and me.

Adrian smiled and tapped his glass to hers.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify