Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 276

Adrian’s POV

I was already buzzing, slightly tipsy, when my fist slammed against Nicole’s door. I didn’t even know why I came here. Maybe because I couldn’t face the betrayal, not from my father, and sure as hell not from Clairessa. The woman I trusted. The one I would’ve done anything for.

The anger burning inside me was eating me alive. Every time I shut my eyes, I saw it, my father’s pants shoved down, his body pressed over Clairessa’s naked skin. Her hands clawing down his back. Her legs wrapped tight around him.

That sight wouldn’t leave me, no matter how hard I tried to block it out. It was there every time I shut my eyes.

I shoved the heel of my hand against my temple as if I could pound it out of my skull. But it wouldn’t leave.

And worse? The embarrassment. Me, down on one knee with a ring in my hand, the whole world watching me pour out my heart to her, only for her to rip herself away and run. She left me there like a pathetic fool in front of everyone.

“Fuck,” I hissed again, slamming the side of my fist into the wood. I couldn’t be alone tonight. I’d lose my mind if I was. I needed a distraction. I needed someone. And there was only one place left to go.

I pounded harder, yelling through my teeth. “Open up, Nic! Open the damn door!”

Finally, the lock clicked, and the door eased open. She leaned against the frame, robe loosely tied, hair spilling in messy waves around her shoulders. That smug little smile curved her lips, slow and knowing.

“Well, well.” She drew it out slowly, her eyes dragging over me like she was drinking in the sight of my ruin. “Look who we have here…”

“Nic…” My voice cracked, caught somewhere between desperation and rage.

I stepped in closer, pride already stripped from me, my need spilling out in every word. “Don’t do this. Not tonight. Please. I need you.”

She rolled her eyes, arms folding across her chest, the silk robe parting just enough to tease what was underneath.

“Yeah. That’s the thing, Adrian. You only knock on my door when she’s done with you.”

Her words hit hard because they were true, but I tried to play it off, my jaw tightening. “That’s not true.”

“Oh, please.” She flicked her hand like I wasn’t even worth the effort. “You didn’t invite me to your birthday… your proposal… whatever that circus was. And now here you are, because she ran out on you, didn’t she?”

The blood drained from my face, shame and shock colliding so fast I nearly staggered back. “How the hell do you know?”

Her brow arched like I’d just asked the dumbest question alive. “Adrian… who hasn’t heard? It’s everywhere. Social media. News. Your humiliation is trending.”

My chest collapsed in on itself, breath shallow, the humiliation hitting afresh. I shoved past her into the apartment, dragging a hand down my face like I could scrape the shame off. “I was a fool. A fucking fool for trusting her.”

Nicole shut the door with a soft click, leaning against it, her voice low and almost smug. “I warned you. I told you she’d hurt you. But you didn’t believe me.”

I turned away, unable to face her. My voice broke out. “Nicole… I’m hurting, can’t you see? This isn’t the time for I told you so, especially when you don’t even know the half of it.”

Her lips curved into a smirk. “There’s more than the national embarrassment caused you?”

Shame washed over me, but the words tore free anyway. “I… I caught her…” My voice broke, throat raw. “Fucking my father.”

Nicole’s face didn’t even shift. Not surprise. Not shock. Nothing. Which could only mean one thing.

“You fucking knew too,” I burst out, rage breaking free.

She exhaled, shaking her head. “Yes, I did.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I tried.” Her tone carried no apology. “But you wouldn’t believe me. Every time I hinted, you defended her. You shut me down.”

“You should have tried harder!” I roared, chest heaving, hands balled into fists.

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