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

Chapter 29:1 Hate That I'm Falling For You

Clairessa's POV

As I walked into my apartment, I was fuming with rage. Gabriel had pushed me to my limits. I wanted to hate him, to dismiss him as just another problem. But deep down, I couldn't deny it—I wanted him.

No matter how hard I tried to fight it, I wanted him. My fingers traced my lips where he had kissed me, and I held his shirt close, letting his scent fill my senses. I could still feel his touch on my skin. Pressing a hand against my chest, I tried to steady myself.

"Get a hold of yourself, Clairessa,” I scolded myself. This was supposed to be about revenge, not losing control over him. Gabriel's jealous fit over my lunch with Daniel was infuriating. Instead of talking to me about his feelings, he used my attraction towards him to coerce me into obeying his bloody rules.

He had no right to demand I never see Daniel again, even though I never planned to. Who was Daniel to him? Why did Gabriel care so much about a simple lunch date? His reaction at the restaurant had shown there was something deeper-a hidden grudge. His angry eyes and possessive behavior made it clear he thought of me as his property. Someone he could order around.

Gabriel had kissed me and almost taken things further. It was obvious he felt something too, but he was holding back. I hated myself for giving in so easily and letting him use me in his petty, egotistical game. But was determined to be the one in control, not Gabriel Storm.

Or maybe I was fooling myself. How could I compete with someone like Gabriel, who was used to being with the most beautiful and sophisticated women? Then there was me-plain Clairessa, caught in a mess I wasn't sure I could handle.

I fell onto my bed, feeling defeated, but the constant ringing of my phone dragged me back to reality. Without checking the caller ID, I answered, hoping for a distraction.

"Claire... baby... you finally answered."

The voice was unmistakably Adrian's. My anger rose immediately.

"Don't ever call me 'baby' again," I snapped. "We both know you have plenty of them." I was about to hang up, but the desperation in his voice stopped me.

“Claire, please don't hang up," Adrian begged. The urgency in his voice made me pause.

"What do you want, Adrian?"

"I just want to talk. That's all."

"Talk about what? We've broken up. You can be with Nicole and your other women," I shot back.

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Chapter 201 Hate That fen Fatting For For

“Claire, I'm sorry for how I hurt you I just want a chance to make ing ngle Shaw

"It's too late, Adrian. You should move on. I have?

“No, please. I want you. I love you” he said, sounding since.

Adrian had been the love of my life for the longest time, and kwaning kim now, so bensines something in me. I wanted to believe he had changed, but his betrayal hurt too much

“Have dinner with me. Just this once. If you want to and things after that, ist bother you ar promise."

I was torn. I wanted to say no, but part of me needed cloure, especially with ever thing gong on with Gabriel. I needed to see Adrian and understand if he had really changed or if he was still the same man w

hurt me.

"Fine, one dinner. But if I feel uncomfortable, I'm leaving"

"Thank you, baby."

“Don't call me that,” I warned, my tone sharp. “Il text you when I'm available”

I ended the call, unsure if I had made the right choice. Things with Gabriel were already so confusing and now Adrian was back in the picture. Could I forgive Adrian? Was there still a chance for us? I didn't know anymore.

The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I opened the door to find a delivery guy holding several large bags.noveldrama

"Miss Hartwood?" he asked, waiting for me to sign.

I nodded, signing quickly and staring at the bags as he handed them over. They looked heavy and expensive. After closing the door, I set the bags on the table and began unpacking. Inside were stacks of shirts in all kinds of colors, each one neatly folded. My hands froze when I saw a small note on top of the pile.

I hope you like the replacement for the shirt I ripped. Gabriel Storm.

The audacity. Of course, it was him. When he had arrogantly declared he would buy me a dozen shirts after ruining mine, I thought he was just bluffing. But no-he'd sent not just one or twelve shirts, but fifty.

And that wasn't all. I pulled out another bag and found bras-delicate, lacy, and way more expensive than anything I'd ever worn. How did he even know my size?

I touched the soft fabrics, unable to stop myself from noticing how luxurious everything felt. The colors were beautiful, the quality impossible to ignore.

But then my frustration came rushing back as I tossed the bra's aside. He thought his money could fix everything.

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10:21 Wed, 19 Feb Kiss

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Chapter 29: I Hate That I'm Falling For You

Gabriel's timing was unbelievable. After his jealous tantrum earlier, his sudden, passionate kiss, and the way he pulled back so quickly, I had been left confused and hurt. Now, instead of apologizing like an ordinary person would, he wanted to throw his money at the problem and pretend it never happened.

I grabbed my phone, anger fueling inside me, and started typing.

Me: Mr. Storm!!! I don't approve of you sending 50 shirts and bras to my house. You ripped one shirt-one replacement would have been enough. Instead, you chose to flaunt your wealth...

I hit send before I could change my mind. A small sense of relief washed over me. At least I had stood up

to him.

But as I stared at my phone, waiting for his reply, I felt nervous. Why did he always make me feel this way? Why couldn't he just apologize like anyone else?

My phone buzzed, and I saw Gabriel's name light up the screen. His reply was instant, as if he'd been waiting for my message.

Gabriel: I wasn't trying to flaunt wealth-when you have it, it's hardly something to flaunt. This was simply a replacement just as I promised.

I hope the fit is as perfect as I imagined it would be. Smiling emojis...

I stared at his words, rolling my eyes in annoyance. 'Hope the fit is as perfect as I imagined it would be?' The arrogance in his tone and the stupid emoji he added made my blood.

Before I could type, my phone buzzed again.

Gabriel: I'll stop by later. We need to talk.

My breath caught, my heart pounding in my chest. He was coming here?