Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 151

Gabriel’s POV

The vibrating sound came first.

Then the soft thud of my phone against the desk as it lit up again.

Clairessa was calling for the tenth time this hour.

I tried to look away, tried to focus on the reports in front of me, but my traitorous heart wouldn’t cooperate. I reached for the phone, tempted to toss it into the drawer and forget it existed.

But my fingers hovered, trembling slightly. No matter how hard I tried to ignore her call, my chest clenched each time I saw her name.

It was already evening. The sun had set, and I still hadn’t moved—same damn position, surrounded by silence—except for her persistent calls.

I finally gave in and picked up the phone.

Thirty missed calls.

A dozen unread messages.

Messages lined my screen like daggers pressing against my chest.

I scrolled past each one, feeling my heart betray me.

Babe… have you landed?

Gabe, what’s wrong?

I’m worried.

Talk to me.

I heard you’re back. Went to see you but Tems didn’t let me through.

Please talk to me. I’m losing my mind.

I love you!

Why are you avoiding me?

Did I do something?

We can talk about it.

What about our dinner plans?

Gabriel Storm I love you!

That last one gutted me.

“I love you.”

How could she say that so sweetly, so easily, while stabbing me in the back?

It was hard to believe. My sweet, beautiful Clairessa… the woman who melted in my arms, who looked at me like I was her entire world—could really be cheating on me.

I should hate her.

After all, I had evidence, didn’t I? That damn picture. Her lips on another man. Blonde hair. Hands on her waist like he owned her. I should’ve ended it—blocked her, deleted every damn text, torn her out of my heart and moved on like the cold bastard I’d always been.

But my fingers hovered over the screen, never hitting delete.

Because deep down, I didn’t trust Nicole. That viper could spin any lie, serve it with a smile, and make it seem like the truth. I had to give Clairessa the benefit of the doubt. I needed to hear it from her.

I stared at her name on my phone. “My Sweet” it read, saved with hearts and emojis—something I’d never done for anyone else. The words seemed almost foreign now, but I couldn’t erase them.

I couldn’t leave her hanging.

So, I replied.

Gabriel: Dinner, 8 PM. I’ll send a driver.

Location: Velenia Rooftop. Open air. No crowd. Just us.

The response came almost immediately.

Clairessa: So you’re alive!

Her sarcastic tone came through even in the text, and though I wanted to stay angry, the corners of my mouth lifted into a sad smile.

Clairessa: I’m just happy you finally replied. I’ll be ready.

Shit.

I exhaled roughly, running a hand down my face. I couldn’t avoid it any longer. I had to see her. Look into her eyes and get the truth—whether it broke me or not.

God... I didn’t know if I could take it. If she lied, and Clayton confirmed everything was true, it would shatter me beyond repair.

Maybe the intel was wrong.

Maybe the photo was fake.

Maybe Nicole was behind it all.

Maybe I was a damn fool for even entertaining the thought.

I needed Clayton to come through with

cold, indisputable facts. Because until then, I couldn’t trust anything. Not her... and not myself.

“Trey,” My voice came out low and rough. “Drive.”

I saw the confusion flash across his eyes as he looked at me through the rearview mirror.

“Drive,” I repeated, this time firmer.

“Yes, boss. But where to? Home or...?”

My phone buzzed beside me, cutting him off.

The screen lit up with My Sweet—accompanied by two little heart emojis.

It was Clairessa.

I stared at it, chest burning as I weighed my options.

I couldn’t go to her.

I couldn’t go home either.

Not to that bed that smelled like her. Not to the silence that screamed her name. Work wasn’t enough to distract me anymore. I needed something stronger.

“The Cave Club,” I muttered.

Trey blinked, clearly surprised by the choice. But he didn’t question me. He just gave a silent nod and pulled the car away from the curb.

I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. Because if I did… I might tell him to turn around.

Tonight, I needed a drink. Maybe a body I didn’t care about. Maybe just something—anything—to blur the image of her sitting there in the dark… looking like everything I wanted but could no longer reach.