Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 168

Gabriel’s POV

I gripped the steering wheel. “Clairessa—”

“You made it clear you’re never going to forgive me,” she said, cutting me off. Her voice trembled. “So it’s better if I go. At least that way, I don’t have to stand next to you, knowing you think the worst of me.”

She paused, her eyes glassy. “That look in your eyes… like I’m something filthy. It’s more than I can take. So please… just let me go.”

And then she turned and walked away.

Just like that.

For a moment, I just stared at her, stunned. Her words tried to cut deep into my heart, but I fought it off.

How dare she try to make this about my reaction to her betrayal, when she should be grateful—that I was offering her a hand when she deserved far worse for what she’d done?

This felt like classic manipulation, just like she’d done before. And I was on the edge of giving in to the voice telling me to turn back... but I couldn’t.

Watching her stumble through the storm, drenched and defeated by the rain...

It tore something inside me apart.

I couldn’t let her go. Not like this.

I swerved the car, tires screeching as I cut in front of her, stopping dead in the middle of the road. There was no way she could get past me now.

Leaving the engine running, I slammed the door and stepped out. The rain hit hard, soaking me within seconds as I strode toward her.

“Get in the car, Clairessa.” My voice was low, firm, as I yanked open the passenger door. “I’m not saying it again.”

She froze—just for a moment—then silently walked around and climbed in.

Inside, she sat stiff and silent, her body trembling. Soaked clothes clung to her skin, and her teeth were lightly chattering. She didn’t look at me. Didn’t say a word.

My eyes darted between the road and her small, shivering frame.

A part of me still burned—maybe she deserved the cold. The rain. Maybe letting her freeze was justice. But watching her shake like that… it twisted something inside me.

I swallowed hard, then ripped off my coat and held it out. “Here.”

She looked at me, surprised—like she didn’t expect kindness from me anymore.

If only she knew how much it cost me.

Her fingers brushed mine as she took it, and in that one fleeting second—I felt it again.

That same damn spark.

Even now.

Even after everything

—---------

When we got back into the house, it felt like the cold had sunk straight into my bones. But I was sure mine was nothing compared to Clairessa’s—she’d been out in the rain far longer than I had.

She stood in the living area, soaked through, her clothes clinging to her skin. Water pooled at her feet, and her arms were wrapped tightly around herself, as if she could hold the warmth in. Her body trembled—shivering so violently her teeth practically chattered.

It wasn’t just the cold. It was everything.

And I knew then… I had pushed her too far.

I turned on the heater immediately, then made my way into my room to fetch her something warm to change into. A hoodie. Sweatpants. Thick socks. Something—anything—to stop the cold from tearing through her.

When I came back to the living room, she was no longer there.

I found her in the guest room, standing in nothing but her pants and bra. Her soaked clothes lay in a heap at her feet. Her body trembled under the dim light, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

I paused abruptly.

“Oh… sorry, I should’ve knocked,” I muttered, turning away, giving her privacy—even though, once upon a time,

I knew every inch of that body like my own.

Now, the awkwardness between us was laughable. After everything we’d been through, we were acting like strangers.

“It’s alright,” she said softly. “It’s your house. And there’s no part of me you haven’t seen or tasted.”

Of course, I didn’t miss the sarcasm laced in her voice.

Damn. She was throwing my own words back at me—and she wasn’t wrong. So why the hell was I pretending to be modest now?

“You’re right,” I replied, turning back around, unable to stop my eyes from raking over her wet, trembling body.

My gut clenched as a wave of heat shot straight through me.

I hated how my body still reacted so easily to her.

I tore my gaze away and fixed it on the wall behind her, like that would keep me from doing something I’d regret.

“I only came to give you these,” I said, holding out the bundle of warm clothes.

She reached for them, but instead of handing them over, I set them on the edge of the bed.

The truth was simple: even now—after all the betrayal and lies—I still wanted her. I didn’t trust myself around her, and staying in that room a second longer was tempting fate.

I turned to leave—quickly, decisively—when her soft, cracked voice stopped me.

“Gabriel… thank you.”

Just two words, paired with a faint, exhausted smile.

I gave a small nod.

And walked away.

—------

It had been over two hours since I walked out of Clairessa’s room.

Now I lay on my bed, flat on my back, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling like it might offer answers.

I’d already changed into dry clothes, cranked up the heater, done everything to get comfortable—but sleep refused to come.

I tossed, turned, sighed, and finally sat up, dragging a hand down my face in frustration.

Work. Maybe that would help.

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