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

Gabriel's POV

Clairessa didn't look at me. Not once.

I ended the call mid-sentence. Whatever deal it was could wait. I couldn't focus

anyway.

My hand dropped to my side as I watched her climb the stairs like she was dragging the weight of the world behind her.

Her shoulders were hunched, arms wrapped tight around those shopping bags like they were the only things keeping her together.

The way her foot dragged on the top step made my chest twist.

I'd seen her bruised before-but not like this.

This was devastation.

And her eyes... I didn't need a clear view to know they were red and swollen. She'd been crying.

Dammit. Watching her like that-broken-and not being able to go to her, to comfort her... it tore at me.

The front door closed with a soft thud, pulling my attention back.

Adrian stepped in, locking it behind him. His face was pale, hair tousled like he'd been dragging his fingers through it for hours.

"Dad..."

I didn't answer right away. Couldn't.

My eyes stayed on the staircase-waiting. Hoping she'd come back down. That I could say her name and she'd stop pretending I didn't exist.

But that wasn't going to happen. Not with Adrian standing there, needing me.

I sat up straighter and turned toward him. "What is it?"

He walked over fast, then stopped beside me with something raw in his eyes. "She lost everything."

I lifted a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Everything in her apartment's gone-burned. Clothes, photos, even her laptop. She completely broke down when she saw it. I've never seen her cry like that." He lowered himself onto the armrest, his hands gripping his knees.

"I tried to comfort her... but I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to help.” Guilt burned through me like fire under my skin.

Maybe I'd gone too far.

I'd been cold. Distant. Determined to punish her for what happened-for the lies and betrayal.

"She was holding it together the whole ride," Adrian added. "But once she saw it... the place-it was just gone."

I didn't answer. I couldn't. My voice caught somewhere between shame and disbelief.

The image of her dragging herself up those stairs haunted me—tired, defeated. And now I saw the full picture.

I was so focused on protecting myself that I never stopped to consider what she was facing.

The fire didn't just take things.

It took her memories. Her safety. Her sense of control.

And what had I done?noveldrama

I'd pushed her away. Told her to leave. Treated her like she meant nothing.

And now, my actions made me feel like a monster.

I kept telling myself this distance was for the best. That if I didn't feel too much, I couldn't be hurt again.

But the truth?

All I wanted was to run after her.

Climb those stairs. Open her door. Wrap her in my arms. Give her back everything she lost. A new home. A blank check. Anything-anything-to keep her from crying again.

But I didn't move.

Not with my son standing here, his eyes filled with the same ache I carried-for the same woman neither of us could stop worrying about.

Adrian looked up at me. His voice was low. "Dad... we have to do something. She's not okay. It's unbearable, watching her hurt like that."

I swallowed hard. "What do you suggest?"

"I don't know. I want to help... but I'm broke. I wish I had money. I wish I could fix

it for her."

I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry about that. I'll handle it. Right now, she's here. She's safe."

He nodded, but his jaw was tight.

"It's not enough. She's hurting."

"I know." My voice dropped. "But for now, what matters is that you're here for her."

He nodded again, even before I finished. Still, I could see it all over him-he wanted to do more.

So did I.

But neither of us could fix this in a day.

I leaned back and exhaled. "Look... I know you care about her. I get it. But I need

you to focus."

He frowned slightly. "On what?"

"The company. You start tomorrow, remember?"

"Yeah, but "

"No buts." My tone sharpened. "Right now, your only focus should be the company. You want to help

Clairessa? Then start here. Worknet

hard. Earn something. Be someone she can count on not just emotionally, but practically.

He sighed, shoulders slumping. "We've been over this. I'm prepared."

I studied him for a moment. "You sure? Because this... this is a moment I've

waited for, Adrian."

He gave a faint smile. "I know. And I'm glad. I want to do this."

I gave him a tight nod. "Good. I'm proud of you. You're stepping into something big. This is your chance to earn the board's trust, to prove yourself—and one day take over after me

He shrugged. "I mean... yeah. It's time. And maybe this gives me a reason to stop disappointing you."

I trusted Adrian-but I needed to make it clear.

"I'm starting you in a decent position. You'll be visible, but you're not walking in as some prince. No shortcuts. No special treatment. You'll earn your place like everyone else."

"Fine by me."

He said it quickly, but I caught the eye roll. The quiet sigh. His gaze drifted upstairs.

He wasn't fully here.

"Adrian."

I waited until his eyes met mine.

"I need your head in the game. No screw ups. No sulking in meetings. No disappearing in the middle of the day. You need discipline. Work ethic. integrity. This business will eat you alive if you walk in half-ready."

He gave me a look-somewhere between nervous and restless.

"I'm driven," he said.

"Good." I paused. "Then prove it. Starting tomorrow."

I watched him once more.

"You should be glad. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn things around. So

cheer up. You need to be in the right mindset."

He looked down at the floor, then back up.

"Maybe I will be... once she's okay."

I nodded slowly.

"That's fair."

I didn't say what I really wanted to say.

Didn't say I wasn't sure I'd be okay until she was too.

That every part of me wanted to go upstairs, find her, and take her pain away—

right in front of the one person who should never have to compete for her.