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

: Not A Chance In Hell

Clairessa's POV Adrian's words were manipulative, carefully designed to worm their way into my emotions. But the truth was undeniable-loved Gabriel. With everything in me. And yet, I was just as wrong as Adrian. The weight of that reality pressed down on me, swallowing my words, making it impossible to confront

the way I should. I forced down the lump in my throat and squared my shoulders. "Tm not here for all this. What do you want?" "Claire, please." He pulled out a chair for me. Not until you tell me what you want." I stood firm, arms crossed. Just sit Please' His voice was laced with something close to desperation. With a sigh. I sank into the chair, my arms still folded. "Say your piece. Instead of answering, Adrian slid a menu toward me. "How about we start with lunch first? What would you like to have?" Typical. He always thought he could charm his way out of things, flashing that coy smile like it would erase everything. If only he knew how little patience! had left. Td like you to get to the point," I shot back. "Claire." He exhaled, leaning forward. "I know I've said this before-more times than I can count-but the truth remains that I regret my actions. This past month without you has been torture." I didn't react, my expression giving nothing away. "I need you back. The restaurant needs you back" he went on. 7 haven't been doing well. Nothing in my life has worked since you left." I scoffed. So that was it. He wanted me back because his dream was slipping through his fingers-again—and he needed me to clean up the mess he'd undoubtedly made while we were apart. Not happening. "So, you asked me here to dump your sob story on me? Well, I wish you the best, Adrian, but there's nothing I can do for you." "Yes, there is," he said, his confidence creeping back in. I arched my brow. "Oh? Do tell." He leaned in, his voice soft, coaxing. "What would it take to have you back?" I blinked. He actually thought there was a chance? He was more delusional than I'd given him credit for. "Adrian... as you said before, you needing me back-it's all about the restaurant, isn't it?" "It's not." He dragged a hand through his hair. "I could hire a restaurant consultant to turn things around. But the truth is, everything is falling apart because I haven't been able to focus. I haven't moved forward from you. I'm not doing well." His confession did nothing to move me. He snorted, shaking his head. "What would it take... to fix all of this? To get us back? I miss you, Claire." Adrian reached out across the table, his fingers brushing against mine as he tried to take my hand. But still fuming with the rage inside, I slapped his palm away. His brows furrowed as he pulled back, a mix of anger and disappointment etched into his features. Good. Let my disgust sink in. Maybe then he'd finally let me go. But instead of backing off, he leaned forward, his voice pleading. "Clairessa... please... give me something. Let me take this hurt I caused away." His gaze searched mine, as if he actually believed there was still a chance. "There's nothing left to give you," I said, my voice steady. "I gave you everything I had in the two years we were together, and now..." I placed a hand over my chest. "There's nothing left here for you." He flinched, but I didn't stop. "Adrian, you destroyed us. You made your choices, and now you have to live with them. Let me go." "I can't," he choked out. "I've tried, but no matter what I do, I can't get you out of my head." "Then try harder," I snapped, my tone cutting through whatever illusion he was still clinging to. The truth is, I don't have feelings for you anymore, Adrian." I shut my eyes for a second, pulling my emotions together. "You destroyed us. You made your choices. Now live with them and let me go." His jaw tensed. "You're lying. I don't believe it. You loved me too much to just move on." I said nothing, just took a slow moment to look him over, my gaze filled with nothing but disdain. And that's when I saw it-the faint familiarity between them. The jawline... the eyes, except Adrian's were brown, like his hair, possibly a resemblance to his mother. Even the smirk was similar to Gabriel's. But where Gabriel's was deep, rich, and genuine, Adrian's felt hollow. Then there was their build. Adrian was fit but leaner, while Gabriel, who worked consistently to maintain his strength, was broader, more defined. More handsome. Sexier. He outclassed Adrian in every way. Despite being older, Gabriel was more of a man than Adrian would ever be. Adrian was right about one thing-there was a time when I had been foolishly in love with him, when I would have done anything to have him back. But not anymore. My eyes finally fixed on his, blazing with pent-up emotions. "Adrian, there was a time when I was madly in love with you. And I might have fallen for all this bullshit, but not today. Not ever. I'm

wrance in Mell

currently in love with a man who has shown me the true meaning of love-what it means to be loved and to love in return. He lifts me up, praises me, and never tears me down... unlike you." I rose to my feet, burning with frustration, done entertaining his bullshit. "Adrian, there is no way on God's green earth that we are ever getting back together. So do yourself a favor-move the fuck on." His hand closed over mine as he stood to meet me, his grip tightening. "I'll never let you go," he vowed. "I'll keep fighting to fix us.. to fix what I broke." His gaze burned with fury now, his breathing shifting erratically. "No other man can tear us apart. I'll fucking destroy his life in this city. He's done." I yanked my hand from his grasp. "You're insane. You need help. And don't even think about showing up at my work unless you want-" The words caught in my throat. "What? Huh?" His smirk returned, taunting, "Insult me? Rip me to shreds? Go ahead. But deep down, I know you still love me. And you'd -var hurt me."noveldrama