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

Clairessa's POV

We started down the sidewalk.

The streets were quiet. A few cars passed, but nothing constant. Even the city seemed to be moving in slow motion.

And so were we.

Our pace was slower than I liked. It felt too casual-like a couple out for a lazy afternoon stroll. But that wasn't what this was.

This wasn't that.

Suddenly, he turned to me.

"Clairessa."noveldrama

I glanced over, guarded. "What?"

"There's something I need to ask you."

I slowed my steps, sensing the shift. "Okay. Go ahead."

His voice dropped slightly. "Have you forgiven me? I mean-truly, completely forgiven me? Let go of the past?"

My feet stopped before I even realized it. So did everything else.

I didn't answer right away. I stared ahead, letting the question hang between us, giving myself space to search my heart-so I could be honest. Not just with him, but with myself.

The truth was, the years with Adrian-the relationship, the hurt, that night-hadn't really been on my mind. Not since I fell in love with Gabriel.

I didn't even see him that way anymore.

But I couldn't say that. Not like that. So I gave him what I could.

I let out a slow breath. "Honestly... I have."

"I don't know when it shifted, or what moment changed it. But I'm not angry anymore. I've let it go. All of it."

He gave a small shrug, as if a weight had rolled off his shoulders. A faint, almost relieved smile tugged at his lips. There was something in his eyes-hopeful, quietly searching.

Then, gently, he reached for my hand.

I flinched, instinctively pulling back-but the flicker of hurt that passed through his expression stopped me.

So I let him.

Just for now.

If Adrian pulled this off-if he nailed the pitch-my contract with Gabriel would be over. And right now, that was all I cared about.

His fingers slid over mine, slow and deliberate, caressing the back of my hand.

But I felt nothing.

No spark.

No fire.

He gently drew me closer until I stood right in front of him.

"I want you back, Clairessa," he said quietly.

"No."

The word slipped out before I could fully process his.

I pulled my hand from his grasp immediately.

But he didn't back off. He stepped in again, closing the distance between us.

"You said you've forgiven me." His voice was tight, almost pleading. "You've seen how much I've changed these past few weeks—so why can't you take me back? Why not give us a second chance? I don't get it..."

I looked away, letting my gaze fall to the pavement. When I turned back, the words came without pause.

"Because it doesn't work like that. I can't just say yes because we've spent a few weeks working together. That doesn't undo everything. And this-motioned around us. "This isn't the place to talk about it. We're standing in the middle of the road."

He didn't budge. "Then tell me what place works. Where do we need to be? We

can go there right now. Just say it."

I shook my head. He still didn't get it.

"Adrian... the only thing we should be focused on is nailing the Randolph pitch.

Nothing else should matter. This conversation-it's a distraction."

His arm shot out. "Screw the presentation. Screw all of it."

He let out a bitter laugh, eyes flashing. "These past few

weeks-l'ye been pretending to care about any of this. Sure, I've been

doing to impress my dad. But mostly... it's been for you. So you'd see I'm not just some spoiled, useless rich kid. I've been trying to prove I'm someone worth taking back. Can't you see that?"

I froze.

I knew he still wanted me. But pretending to care—just to win me over?

What the hell was he thinking?

That wasn't love. That was manipulation. And the worst part—he didn't even realize it.

"Adrian..." I kept my voice low. "You couldn't have done all of this just for me."

He turned, eyes fierce. "But I did. Because it was the only way you'd let me be close to you. I needed to know if there's still a future here. The more try to reach you, the more you pull away... and I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this." Cóntent

"This isn't about me pulling away." My words cut through the air. "This is about focus. You're stepping into a legacy. This isn't about us—it's about your future."

He stepped closer, the fire in his gaze softening. "What if the only future I see... is one with you?"

My breath hitched. I didn't respond.

"You said you can't take me back," he whispered, "but I still believe there's hope.

I've changed. I've done everything right this past month. I thought maybe... you'd finally see me."

His thumbs brushed the edges of my cheeks-gentle, searching.

"Stop." The word broke from my lips. "I just... can't."

He parted his lips to speak, but I gave a small shake of my head.

"Let's just go back," I murmured. "We'll talk after the pitch. Maybe."

He didn't move. Just stood there, eyes locked on mine. Then-firm, without hesitation-

"No. That's not happening. We finish this here and now, or it's over.

I need to know, Clairessa. Is there even the smallest chance we could get back together?"

My throat tightened. I wanted to speak, but the words stuck. The contract. The lies. The truth I still hadn't said out loud. And yet... even if none of that existed—– even if this hadn't started as revenge-the answer wouldn't change.

My heart didn't belong to him anymore.

"Adrian..." I met his eyes, letting the truth settle between us. "If any part of you was still holding on, then I'm sorry for giving you false hope. But we're not getting back together. Too much has happened. That bridge... it's already burned."

His face fell, the pain unmistakable. I saw him breaking, piece by piece-but I couldn't stop now.

I reached for his hand, trying to soften the blow. "Your dad. The company. Everything you're working toward-it needs your focus. Not me. Not this." His fingers slipped from mine, slow and wounded. Not angry. Just hurt.

His voice came tight, distant. “I need space. I need time. Just go back. I'll call you."

Something in me dropped. "What do you mean, you'll call me? Adrian." I stepped forward, but he backed away.

Then he turned and started walking.

"Adrian!" I called after him, but he didn't stop. Didn't even look back.