Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 295

Adrian’s POV

Clairessa’s words burned straight through me. I sat there, fuming, my chest tight, my mind screaming. How the hell could she sit across from me and say that? To my face. Like it was nothing. Like she didn’t care what it would do to me.

My hand dragged through my hair, gripping hard. Finally, the words ripped out of me.

“So what?” My voice came out bitter. “You’re willing to throw away all the good memories because I forgot your birthday a couple times and he remembered? I was busy building the restaurant then, you knew that. Everything had to be about me because it was a pivotal moment. And now you’re using it against me?”

I pointed at her like the truth was mine to claim. “Don’t forget, I was the one who pushed you to work for my dad’s company. Every success you’ve had, it’s all because of me. That counts for something.”

“Working in your dad’s company?” she scoffed in disbelief. “I got that job on my own merits, Adrian. I went through the process, no one even knew we were connected. And you still want to stand there and take the glory? Please. Do you know how insulting that is?”

Her voice shook with anger now. “I also supported your dreams, in case you forgot. That restaurant of yours? Everything you set up was crafted from the business plan I drew up for you. And still, it was never enough. Never.”

She continued, her eyes locked on mine, hard and filled with irritation. “And now you’re proving my point. You’re defensive instead of listening. That was one of the problems we had, you never listened to me. You never cared what I wanted or didn’t want. You never listened to understand, only to defend yourself. Gabriel… he hears me. When I complain, he listens. He fixes things. He never has to repeat himself because I know he actually heard me.”

I flinched back because her words struck a nerve.

Her voice softened then, the fight slipping just a little. “Adrian, we shouldn’t do this. I’m here to say something else. I know what we did was horrible, hiding the affair from you. We should’ve been honest. So be angry at me, blame me, hate me if you want. But don’t shift it onto your dad. You and him had a relationship long before I ever came into the picture. I’m here to tell you, please, forgive him.”

I froze, staring at her, disbelief crashing through me. My heart slammed against my ribs, the betrayal deepening. “So that’s it? That’s why you’re here? Not for closure. Not for me. You came here to beg on his behalf?” My laugh came out bitter, raw. “God. How pathetic can you be for my father, of all people?”

She gave me the strangest little smile, almost soft. “Maybe that’s what it means to be in love. Sometimes we look pathetic to people who’ve never really been in love.”

The words stung worse than any insult.

She leaned closer. “Adrian, I know Gabriel cares about you. You’re his son. He loves you, he wants the best for you. Even when he doesn’t say it all the time, I know this fight is draining him. It’s tearing him apart. And I don’t want to tear your family apart. So for the love of God, find a way to fix this. Tell me what you want. If I can do it, anything... just forgive your dad.”

I laughed, sarcastic, hollow. “You really want to know what I want?”

Her eyes stayed on me, waiting.

“I want you out of my dad’s life.”

Her expression faltered, shock flashing across her face. “Adrian...”

“Yes, it’s possible,” I pressed, my voice climbing. “You said it yourself, I had a bond with him long before you came. If you break up with him, there’ll be no need for me to still be mad. I could forgive him for having something to do with my ex. I could move past it. But only if you end it. End your relationship with him.”

She laughed then, a disbelieving sound. “Anything else, Adrian. Ask me anything else. But not that. Haven’t you heard a single word I’ve said? I love your father, and he loves me. I’m not willing to let him go, and I doubt he’ll ever let me go either. When love like this comes, you fight for it with everything you have.”

The conviction in her voice gutted me. She was willing to fight hard for my father’s love but gave up on us so easily. What a joke.

I leaned back, throwing one arm over the chair like I didn’t care, when inside it felt like my chest was splitting open. “That’s what I want. You asked me, and I told you. That’s it.”

I was about to say more, about to unleash the rest of the anger burning inside me, but a voice cut through.

“Hi, guys.”

“Hi, folks.” A young waitress stood beside our table, polite but cautious. “My name’s Maribel. I couldn’t help noticing things were getting a little... heated. Just wanted to check in, everything all right over here?”

I forced a tight smile. “Yeah. We’re good.”

She glanced at Clairessa for confirmation.

“Thank you for checking,” Clairessa said quietly. “We’re fine.”

Maribel nodded, all smiles. “All right then. You’ve been here a while and haven’t ordered yet. How about I get you started? Today’s special is the roasted chicken with saffron rice, or I can bring drinks first.”

“Yeah, whatever,” I muttered. “Bring the salmon.”

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