Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 211

Gabriel’s POV

I’d been pacing back and forth across the living room like a lunatic, my fingers raking through my hair so much I could’ve torn it out.

It was past midnight. Adrian still wasn’t home, but he wasn’t the reason I was close to losing my mind.

Clairessa hadn’t come back either.

No call. No text.

Not even a damn emoji.

I’d reached out all day—called, messaged. Nothing.

And of all the damn days she could disappear on me, it had to be today. It had to be this one.

The day I’d planned a grand surprise for her—just for her.

I’d been working on it for weeks. Quietly. Meticulously. Had people handling the details, making sure everything was ready. And today—of all days—it was finally done.

And the timing couldn’t have been better.

She’d crushed the pitch on the Randolph Project—I watched her speak, command the room, leave everyone floored. Even Randolph himself, the CEO, looked at her like she was the best thing to happen to his company in a decade. I was so damn proud. So damn sure this was the moment.

And it just happened to line up with what I’d been putting together behind the scenes. Like fate had handed me the perfect setup.

I’d been waiting—excited even—for the look on her face when I showed her.

But I was sure she turned the damn phone off on purpose. That this—disappearing—was her way of shutting me out after I told her I missed her, and she flung it back in my face like it meant nothing.

I knew I hurt her. I knew I didn’t choose her when she begged me to. But it wasn’t that simple.

She forced me into this crossfire. She came after me, knowing I was her ex’s father. Lied. Hid the truth.

And now—I was in love with her. And fuck, my son was too.

She wanted me to choose.

And I did.

I chose to be a father.

Because that’s what a man does—he sacrifices. Even if it guts him.

And now here I was, unable to shake the threats she hurled like a knife to the chest.

"I’d screw him if I had to."

My mind twisted it, replayed it, turned it into something darker—until I was standing inside a fantasy I never asked for. Her body pressed against Adrian’s, her fingers gliding over his chest like they used to over mine, her mouth parting as he—

Fuck.

I forced the thought away. I couldn’t take it. It felt like my lungs were caving in.

Then—like some sick joke from the universe—a sound came from the front of the house. Keys.

The door pushed open. The shuffle of shoes. I turned on instinct.

Jane came rushing in.

“Mr. Storm,” she said, breathless, her voice already putting me on edge. “Adrian’s home—but… we have a situation.”

I turned—my heart was stalling.

Standing beside her was a young man I didn’t recognize, struggling to keep Adrian upright. Adrian hung off his shoulder, limp and clearly out of it.

“What on earth…” I pushed forward. “Is he alright?”

The guy shifted Adrian’s weight, trying to steady him. “Good evening, sir. I’m Brian—Adrian’s friend. He, uh… got a little too drunk at the party.”

A little drunk, my ass... The kid looked completely wasted.

Adrian groaned, his arm slipping off Brian’s shoulder. “Daaaad…”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” My voice cracked with fury as I stared at the mess my son had become. “Adrian!”

He lifted his head, eyes barely open. “Daaaad,” he slurred, flashing a lazy grin. “Hey, Dad. Love you, Dad.”

My jaw tightened. “Adrian, after everything that’s happened today, you go and get wasted? Instead of thinking about your future?”

He wobbled, one arm thrown sloppily around Brian’s neck. “It’s fine… just had a …little…fun, that’s all. Don’t be mad…”

I shot Jane a glare, biting back a string of curses. “He’s such a disappointment.”

Jane stepped in gently. “Mr. Storm, maybe we should just get him to bed and let him sleep it off. You can talk with him in the morning, when he’s clearer.”

I waved a hand. “Yeah, whatever. Just get him out of my sight.”

“Come on,” Brian muttered, guiding Adrian down the hallway with Jane’s help.

Adrian mumbled nonsense, throwing drunken finger hearts at me. “Dad… you’re the best,” he slurred—and blew a sloppy kiss in my direction.

I nearly lost it.

But I exhaled hard and forced myself to stay calm.

A few minutes later, Brian came back, slightly out of breath. He held out his hand.

“Thanks for bringing my son home,” I said stiffly, shaking it.

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