Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 261

Clairessa’s POV

Gabriel answered immediately.

“Hey, sweet…” Gabriel’s voice came through the line, gentle but laced with concern. “I’ve been calling you.”

“I’m sorry, Gabriel,” I said, my voice heavy with sleep. “I… I fell asleep.”

“I spoke to Jess earlier. She told me you were sleeping, but it’s been over six hours, and I got worried. You don’t usually sleep that long.”

This was my moment to tell him.

It’s not my fault I slept so long, Gabriel. I found out I was pregnant and spiraled into a full-blown panic. My mood crashed. My mind just went under. I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe.

But I swallowed it down. Sensitive news like this should be told face-to-face, not over the phone.

“I guess you were right,” I murmured instead. “I really did need the bed rest. I think my body just… needed to catch up.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie. I was exhausted.

“Sweet…” His voice lowered, a notch more serious. “I’m worried. You were nauseous earlier. Now you’re unusually tired. I think I should send a doctor over, just to be sure.”

“No.” I straightened instantly, panic rising in my throat. No doctors. What if they find out before I tell him? What if they tell him everything?

“I’m fine. Really. No doctors, Gabriel. I feel so much better already.”

He paused, then let out a breath. “Okay. But I’m worried, and I’m sorry, because I won’t be able to make it home tonight. The emergency escalated. I had to fly out. I texted and tried to explain, but you didn’t respond. Turns out my baby was out like a light, snoring away.”

I couldn’t help it. A soft laugh slipped out despite everything. “Gabriel, you know I don’t snore,” I muttered under my breath, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Even now, Gabriel was trying to make me laugh.

“Sweetheart, you do,” he replied, voice warm. “But don’t worry. I love you so much, I don’t care.”

“You’re lying,” I argued, narrowing my eyes even though he couldn’t see me.

“Just a little,” he admitted without hesitation.

I gasped, grinning. “Are you seriously coming for me at my lowest point?”

“You said you were feeling better,” he shot back, feigning innocence.

I giggled. “Okay, that’s true.”

His voice shifted then, no longer teasing, but serious.

“It’s my responsibility to care for you,” Gabriel said firmly. “Jess told me she had to leave for a meeting, and I hate the thought of you being alone. Especially now.”

“I’ll be fine,” I assured him. “It’s nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Promise me,” he urged quietly, “that you’ll tell me if anything changes.”

“I promise,” I murmured.

“How’s it going over there? Was the emergency handled?” I asked, needing to shift the conversation.

“Mostly. Multiple servers were hit. It sent us offline and caused some financial issues. But it’ll be fine. I’ll handle the rest tomorrow and head back to you.”

“I miss you,” I said softly. “I can’t wait for you to come home.”

“You have no idea how much I want to sleep next to you tonight,” his tone dropped, deep and sexy. “I’ll wait anxiously until I see you tomorrow, my love.”

“Tomorrow can’t come fast enough,” I breathed.

“One more thing,” he murmured, that commanding note intensifying in his voice. “Promise me you won’t go to work tomorrow. Rest.”

“But I feel strong enough to work tomorrow,” I argued.

“I’m not asking, Clairessa. I’m telling you.”

I let out a mock sigh. “Fine. I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“Exactly.” His tone was smug and possessive. “Good girl.”

The words sent a heat through me I didn’t want to acknowledge right now.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you more,” he said without hesitation. “Goodnight, sweet.”

“Goodnight, Gabriel.”

When the line went dead, I stayed there for a moment, phone still in my hand, palm over my belly. Tomorrow, I’d have to tell him. Whether I was ready or not.

—-----

The moment Temi called to say Gabriel wanted me in his office, I knew exactly why. And I also knew I wasn’t going to walk in there looking apologetic.

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