Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 283

Clairessa’s POV

Gabriel’s frown deepened. “Out?” He stopped in front of me, eyes searching mine.

I lifted my chin, deflecting. “I wasn’t expecting you home at this time.”

“I was worried about you,” he admitted, leaning close enough that I caught the faint scent of his cologne. “I went to your office. They told me you left early... that you went to the hospital.”

He paused, eyes narrowing as though he feared the worst. “I called your number. It was switched off.”

Right. My phone.

My hand brushed my pocket, where my phone still was. “Oh... yeah. I turned it off. Remember when you told me to stay off social media? It’s been easier just keeping it off.”

His eyes blinked, like he partly believed me, partly didn’t. “I thought as much.” Then his brows creased again. “But the hospital, Clairessa. Are you okay? What happened?”

The truth sat heavy on my tongue. Gabriel... we’re having a baby. The doctor said our baby is doing fine. But I pushed it back down. Not yet.

I reached up instinctively, brushing my fingers against his face, needing to ease the worry etched into his expression. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

His hands closed gently around mine. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” I forced a small smile. “It was just a routine check-up with my gynecologist. Everything checked out.”

Relief softened his features, but only slightly. “That’s good.” His eyes lingered too long, as if searching for what I wasn’t saying.

I slipped my fingers free, needing space so he wouldn't continue pressing for answers I wasn't ready to share. “I just... need some water.”

I moved toward the kitchen island, grabbing a glass and letting the cool stream fill it, my back turned to him while I gathered myself.

When I turned again, he was watching me still, leaning against the counter now.

“So,” I asked lightly, lifting the glass, “how was your day at the office? With all the drama?”

He pulled out a stool and sat, his expression hardening as if shifting into business. “I’d say it went better than expected. We finally found out who leaked the story to the media.”

The glass paused halfway to my lips. “Who was it?”

“At first,” he admitted, “I thought it was Adrian. Jake said every lead pointed back to him, so I went straight to confront him.”

My heart thudded, but I kept my face neutral. “And?”

His jaw flexed. “But then Nicole walked in, and it became obvious, she was behind it all.”

I wasn’t surprised at all. I simply set my glass down.

“You don’t look surprised,” Gabriel observed.

I gave a short nod. “Because I’m not. She came to my office earlier. Gloating. Triumphant. She wanted me to know it was her. After that, I figured it out.”

He exhaled slowly, the fight in him giving out. “Fine. For you. But if she tries anything else, Clairessa, I won’t hold back.”

“I know,” I breathed, my lips hovering against his.

His lips finally claimed mine, a kiss that was both fierce and tender, and for a moment, the weight of the world melted away.

When we pulled back, I rested my forehead against his. We lingered like that, wrapped up in each other, until I finally asked the question that had been gnawing at me.

“And Adrian? How are things with him?”

That question drew a heavy sigh from him, a sound of frustration and ache. “The same as yesterday. He still says I’m dead to him. That we have nothing in common anymore.”

My chest squeezed. “That breaks my heart. But we have to believe he’ll come around, Gabriel.”

He nodded, slowly, as though convincing himself. “When I thought it was him, when I thought he’d betrayed us...”

He shook his head. “It felt like I’d lost my son forever. But when I found out it was Nicole? The relief I felt, I can’t explain it. It gave me hope that he’s still in there. That he’ll forgive us. Forgive this choice we made.”

I kissed him again, softly, reassuringly. “He will. We’ll get through this. Together.”

His hand came up, cupping my jaw, his eyes dark and fierce. “I hope you know, Clairessa, we’re fighting this through to the end.”

I smiled, pressing my lips to his. “Yes. To the end.”