Clairessa’s POV Adrian’s words were manipulative, carefully designed to worm their way into my emotions. But the truth was undeniable—I 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 him the way I should. I forced down the lump in my throat and squared my shoulders. “I’m 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 littl
Clairessa’s POV Jess stared at me the way she always did when she was trying to get me to talk—brows slightly raised, arms crossed, waiting. I had been pacing in her living room since I got here, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. I stopped abruptly and turned to her. “Adrian has officially lost his damn mind.” Her brows furrowed. “Claire… I don’t understand. Why do you think Adrian is crazy?” I let out a frustrated sigh. “Because I just had lunch with him, and he—he tried to—” “Wait.” She raised a hand, cutting me off. “You had lunch with Adrian? I thought you said that chapter of your life was done.” “It was. It is,” I insisted. “I only met with him because he vowed to show up at my office every day if I didn’t.” I shook my head. “And you know exactly what that meant.” Her eyes widened. “Gabriel would find out you’re having something to do with his son.” “Jess…” I rubbed my temples. “You really don’t need to spell it out.” “Oh, I do.” She leaned forward, he
Clairessa POV “Mrs. Hartwood, you have some deliveries,” my assistant announced, stepping inside with a large bouquet of roses and two elegantly wrapped boxes. She set them down on my desk with a bright smile. “Looks like someone’s being spoiled.” Warmth spread through my chest as I took in the gifts. There was only one person who would do this. Gabriel. He always had a way of making me feel special, reminding me I was his. We had dinner plans tonight, and this was just the kind of thing he did—grand gestures that left me feeling adored. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the largest box, my heart already picturing the dress inside. I pulled the ribbon, the silky material slipping through my fingers as I revealed a breathtaking blue dress. It was stunning—elegant, sleek, something that would hug my curves just right. A chuckle slipped past my lips. Gabriel really does know how to spoil a woman. My fingers traced the fabric before I reached for the bouque
Gabriel’s POV As we headed to the airport, my gaze remained fixed outside the window, but I wasn’t really seeing the passing cityscape. I had an important meeting—a crucial one. The CEO we had been negotiating with was on the verge of backing out, and I couldn’t afford that. Not after the significant time and money we had already invested. So, I had to schedule an impromptu meeting to reassure him, resolve whatever doubts he had, and finalize the contract. But instead of focusing on the deal, my mind kept replaying the conversation we’d just had in her office. I could read her better than she thought, and something wasn’t right. She seemed tense. Guarded. Distant in a way that wasn’t like her. Clairessa was usually warm, sweet, and witty—the woman I knew, the woman I had grown to love. But today, something felt off. Even the way she looked at me, the way she spoke—it was like she was carefully choosing her words, like she was holding something back. And then there was t
Clairessa POV Just when I thought my day couldn’t get any worse, my office door swung open—without a knock. And, of course, the last person I wanted to see waltzed in like he owned the damn place. Adrian. A smug, cocky grin stretched across his face, his usual entitlement so suffocating it was almost unbearable. Anger surged through me. My fingers gripped the edge of my desk tightly as I shot up from my chair, eyes blazing. “What the hell are you doing in my office?” I demanded, as he approached my desk. Adrian lifted a hand, attempting to calm me, completely unfazed. “Claire, relax. As much as I’d love to say I’m here just to see your pretty face—” His grin faltered for a second before he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m actually here because of my dad and his never-ending need to control my life.” My brows furrowed. “Your dad?” A jolt of worry shot through me—had he talked to Gabriel? Did he know about me? But I refused to let him see even a hint of it, so
Clairessa’s POV "Oh, don’t stop on my account." Nicole walked fully into the office, her voice laced with subtle sarcasm and mockery. I refused to give her the pleasure of my attention. Instead, I zeroed in on Adrian—the cause of this mess, the reason I was now stuck in this unpleasant moment with her. And knowing Nicole, she would never let me hear the end of it. Meanwhile, Adrian stumbled back, the smugness in his expression fading into regret. His hands lifted in surrender. "Claire, I—" "Have you lost your fucking mind?" My voice trembled with fury. "How dare you kiss me after I explicitly told you to leave me alone?" Adrian stepped closer, reaching out as if to touch me—but I lifted my hands, stopping him in his tracks. "Don’t you ever come near me again or pull another stupid stunt like that!" Nicole scoffed. "Oh, quit pretending. I caught you both kissing passionately, and now that you have an audience, you want to act like Miss Innocent?" I clenched my jaw, fi
Gabriel’s POV As I leaned back in my first-class seat, I loosened the top button of my shirt and exhaled slowly. This felt like the longest business trip I’d taken in a while—not because of the actual time but because I hadn’t wanted to go in the first place. I had missed Clairessa the entire time. That alone was enough to drive me insane. It was supposed to be a two-day trip, but I had managed to cut it short. The meeting had gone smoothly, the CEO had signed the contract, and everything was in place. I should have felt satisfied, but my mind wasn’t on the deal. It was on her. We had barely spoken yesterday. I had seen her missed calls and messages checking up on me, but I’d been trapped in a deadlocked meeting, unable to step away. By the time I was free, it was already too late to call. Even now, my first instinct was to pick up my phone and hear her voice. But I didn’t. I wanted to surprise her. All night, I had been thinking about my life. I was turning forty-five s
Gabriel’s POVAdrian blinked. “Wait. Seeing someone? Like... a woman? In an actual relationship?” “Of course a woman, Adrian,” I replied, letting out an exasperated sigh. He let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “You? Dating? I don’t believe it.” I arched a brow. “And why is that?” “Because you’re you. When have you ever had time for a relationship?” He waved a hand. “Wait, let me guess. It’s some business arrangement, right? A calculated move. You don’t actually—” I leveled him with a stern look, cutting him off. “This isn’t a business deal, Adrian. It’s real.” His mouth dropped open. “Whoa...” “Yes.” For once, he was speechless. Then, after a beat, Adrian let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a gasp, his eyes widening with disbelief. “Dad... Fuck... I’m happy for you. I mean, this is great news,” he continued, shaking his head like he couldn’t quite believe it. “I’ve waited years to hear you say something like this. When are you bringing her home? I wa
Clairessa’s POVAs soon as the door slammed shut, it felt like my entire world collapsed.A sharp, jarring pain tore through my chest, and I clutched at my heart instinctively, as if holding it might stop it from breaking apart.My legs buckled beneath me, and I crumpled to the floor, gasping for air as a sob ripped from somewhere deep inside me.I tried to silence it—to swallow the sound—but it was no use. I didn’t just cry. I broke down.Tears streamed down my face, falling freely onto the wooden floor beneath me.Gabriel’s last words echoed in my head again and again, each repetition cutting deeper into my already shattered heart.“We’re done. Nothing is ever going to happen between us again.”But it wasn’t just the words.It was the look in his eyes.A look that will haunt me forever.Disgust. Disdain. Like I was a mistake—a betrayal he regretted ever letting into his life.And what hurt the most wasn’t just losing him… it was knowing that someone who once loved me so deeply
Clairessa’s POVMy voice cut through the room, stopping Gabriel in his tracks.“No… I didn’t,” I choked out, my chest tightening, hands trembling at my sides. “This was a stupid plan. One I never should’ve gone through with—”He turned around slowly to face me—but I kept going.“But don’t stand there acting like you’re innocent. You cheated on me, remember?”His eyes darkened, pain flashing before it drowned in fury.“Don’t you fucking—” He stepped forward, his voice tight with rage.“Liar,” I spat, stepping into the fire between us. “I walked in on you and Nicole. Naked. In your bed. Don’t stand there pretending you ever gave a damn about me… about us.”“I was drunk, Clairessa!” he exploded. “I didn’t even know how I got home! Nicole told me I kept calling your name all night—like a pathetic mess. Over and over again. She didn’t touch me. Nothing happened.”I shook my head, unable to erase the image burned into my memory. “You expect me to believe that? That you just conveniently end
Gabriel’s POV “Which part?” I growled. “Dating my son? Or crawling into my bed, moaning my name like it meant something?” “No one sent me.” “Still lying,” I hissed, gripping her arms—maybe too hard, but I didn’t care. Not now. I needed the truth. I needed it like air. “You don’t just fall into bed with two men from the same bloodline by accident. So who the hell sent you?” She writhed in my hold. “I’m telling the truth! Gabriel, you’re hurting me. Please…” “Not until you tell me the truth,” I bit out. “This is mercy compared to what I’ll do if you keep lying.” My fingers sank deeper into her skin. I shut down whatever was left of my conscience. I was done being reasonable. The truth was coming out—no matter the cost. “I know you planned this,” I growled. “Every move. Every kiss. You made me fall while you played your sick little game. So tell me—who sent you?” “I’m begging you,” she sobbed, struggling against me. “Let me go, and I’ll tell you everything.” I stilled.
Gabriel’s POV I gripped the edge of the desk in my home office, holding it firm like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. I needed to act. Needed answers. The damn truth I grabbed my phone and hit the contact for Clayton—my PI. He picked up on the first ring. “Clayton,” I growled the moment I heard the click. “I was just about to call you,” he replied, voice tight—strained in a way that was unusual. “What did you find?” I demanded, not even bothering with a greeting. There was a pause. “Gabe…” he began, and that hesitation told me everything. Clayton never stalled. Never stumbled. He was a blunt, straight-to-the-point bastard. If his tone had changed, I knew the news was going to rip through me like a blade. “Just tell me,” I snapped. “This finding might shock you. I don’t know how to—” “Bloody hell, speak, Clayton. Now!” I barked. His delay was shredding what little patience I had left. I already knew—I just needed him to confirm it. “It’s... it’s going to hit har
Gabriel’s POV“Adrian… playing savior to a woman while your business circles the drain? That tells me your priorities are completely out of whack. Why bring her here of all places? What happened to your loft?”He shot me a bitter look. “You already know what happened. You refused to help out when the restaurant got scammed. So I had to let go of the loft in order to pay staff. Keep the business alive.”“That’s not my business,” I said flatly. “I gave you a choice: come work at the company or deal with your mess. You chose. Don’t come crying now.”Adrian rubbed the back of his neck and looked down.I continued, “You know how sacred this house is to me. I’ve always had a no-guest policy here. So why the hell bring her here? A hotel, a friend’s place—anywhere but here.”Adrian met my stare. “I’ve been staying here ever since I gave up my loft. Naturally, she’d stay with me. And no, I can’t afford a hotel right now.”“Adrian,” I said, stepping forward, “don’t you get it? I’m trying to set
Gabriel’s POVI hadn’t even gotten the chance to process the smell of fresh coffee before my entire world tilted.There she was.Clairessa.In my kitchen. In my home.For a split second, I thought I was hallucinating—still trapped in a half-dream.But the second her eyes met mine—wide, horrified—and the coffee cup slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor, I knew I wasn’t dreaming.No. This was a goddamn nightmare.She stood barefoot in an oversized shirt and shorts, her hair in a messy bun, like she belonged here. Like she lived here. Like she had every damn right to stand in this house—my house—looking so comfortable, so familiar, in a place that was meant to be off-limits to the world.What the hell was she doing here?Before I could even find my voice—before I could demand an answer—Adrian burst into the kitchen.“Clairessa!” he exclaimed, rushing to her side like I wasn’t even there.He glanced briefly at the shattered cup and then ignored it completely, focusing only on he
Clairessa’s POVAfter soaking for what felt like hours, I finally stepped out of the tub. The warmth lingered on my skin as I wrapped the towel around my body and padded back into the bedroom. Everything Adrian brought was neatly folded on the bed. I dried off slowly, then changed into his oversized T-shirt and shorts. They were loose, soft, and comforting in a strange way. They smelled like Adrian—his masculine scent, not too strong. Like the warmth I used to know. Warmth I no longer trusted. I sat at the edge of the bed, hair damp and skin tingling from the heat of the bath. The silence grew heavier, pressing down on me, suffocating my insides.And that’s when it hit me hard.My life had crashed to an all-time low in less than twenty-four hours. The walls felt like they were closing in, the ceiling pressing down, making it hard to breathe.I needed someone. I needed to hear a familiar, warm voice—someone who knew me, who would listen and understand.Someone who saw
Clairessa’s POV Adrian parked the car and turned off the engine. I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep until he tapped my shoulder gently. “We’re here.” I stirred, yawning as I blinked the sleep from my eyes. But the moment I looked around, I sat up straighter. We weren’t at Adrian’s loft. We were parked in front of a stunning mansion—like something straight out of a real estate magazine. The place looked more like a private estate than an apartment. “Adrian, wait…” I gasped, turning toward him. “This isn’t your apartment. Where are we?” He smiled slightly, unbothered. “Well, technically, it’s my dad’s house just outside the city. One of many,” he added with casual pride, leaning back in his seat. I frowned. “I thought we were going to your apartment—not a private estate owned by your father.” He let out a small sigh. “Look, Claire… I told you the restaurant ran into financial issues. In order to keep the business afloat, I had to let the loft go. It was either that or
Clairessa’s POVThe road blurred before me as tears streamed down my face, the ache in my chest intensifying with each passing second.My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, trying to keep myself together.The image of Gabriel—naked and asleep, with Tina beside him—kept flashing through my mind as I navigated the streets.I actually caught him. With her.And to make it worse, he used that same tired line: "It’s not what you think."Did he really think I was that naive?Maybe I was—for ever thinking he was any different from his lying, cheating father.Like father, like son. Cheats. Heartbreakers.I thought he was different. I believed him when he said he loved me—wholeheartedly.I should’ve listened to that voice in my head—the one that warned me not to fall for him, that told me to stop believing there was anything real between us.I should’ve stuck to the plan: get back at Adrian and walk away.But I didn’t. I let my guard down. I let myself believe.And the wor