Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 263

Gabriel’s POV

Jealousy and possessiveness shot through me. My eyes stayed on Adrian as he watched Clairessa walk out, the way he looked at her, like a man completely taken, in love. It made me feel possessive in a way I couldn’t ignore.

It didn’t matter that he was my son. But then again, it did, because beneath the rush of emotion was the guilt I’d been carrying since the day I realized the woman I’d fallen in love with was his ex.

Over time, I’d thought Adrian would move on, get over her eventually. But it wasn’t happening. And now, the weight of it all pressed harder than ever. I’d kept quiet because I wanted the best of both worlds, refusing to let go of my son, and refusing to let go of Clairessa. But seated here now, I knew something had to give.

He didn’t know. He had no idea that the apartment he’d just asked to visit was the one I had bought for Clairessa and moved her into. That the woman he was still holding onto in his heart was mine. That I loved her in a way that made me willing to risk everything, my reputation, my peace… even him.

And that was what scared me the most, because losing him no longer felt like some distant possibility.

As soon as the door shut, Adrian looked at me and smiled faintly, oblivious to the war going on inside my head. He sat in the same seat Clairessa had occupied earlier and fixed his gaze on me.

“Is it just me, or does Clairessa look even more radiant?” he noted, almost in passing, though his voice carried something warmer. “Happy, even.”

The word landed heavier than it should have. Still, I kept my face neutral. “She is,” I replied, hoping I wasn’t giving away too much.

Adrian’s brow lifted slightly. “Do you think she’s seeing someone?”

I shifted in my seat, the question scraping against my conscience. I didn’t want to lie… but I couldn’t tell him the truth either.

“Clairessa is an amazing woman,” I admitted carefully. “And she does strike me as someone who’s seeing someone…” I let the sentence hang before continuing, “…so I think it’s time you let her go, for good. Move on. I’m sure there’s a woman out there for you. She’s not yours anymore.”

Anger flashed through his expression. “Whoever he is,” Adrian declared coldly, “he’s on borrowed time. Because soon, she’ll be mine again.”

“Adrian…” I kept my voice calm, though the tension in my chest was growing. “I believe it’s too late. You need to let this go.”

His expression darkened, a defiant heat in his stare. “Never. No man will take her from me. I’ll do whatever it takes to win her back… and that’s a promise.”

I studied him for a long moment, my chest tightening with hurt for the pain I knew I would eventually cause him, guilt because I was lying to my own son, and jealousy because I’d just seen the way he looked at her. And beneath it all, the truth I couldn’t speak aloud: I was the man in Clairessa’s life now. I was the reason for her smile, the glow in her eyes.

I almost said it. The words burned at the back of my throat. But instead, I leaned forward, my voice low. “Son… life doesn’t work that way. Sometimes we have to face the consequences of losing something we should have cherished… and be a better man as we move on.”

Adrian’s jaw tensed. “Dad, I’m sorry, but I don’t want to hear your sermons right now about how losing Clairessa is my fault and how I should move on. That’s not happening. So don’t try convincing me.”

“Adrian, this isn’t…”

“Dad… drop it, please. For now.”

I threw my hands up. “I’m only looking out for you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Dad, I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself.”

Then he shifted, his tone turning more curious. “What I really want to know is where Clairessa’s new apartment is located.”

“Why would you assume I’d know?”

Adrian shrugged. “Just because you both seem pretty close lately. Almost inseparable…”

My chest tightened. His tone carried a suggestive undertone. “I don’t want to lie to you,” I admitted slowly. “So I’ll tell you this much: I do know where her new apartment is… but I can’t tell you, if she didn’t.”

His brows pulled together, confused. “So… she told you, but not me?”

“Like you said,” I answered evenly, “we’ve been… close lately.”

Curiosity flashed in his eyes. “That’s true… how did that happen?”

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