Gabriel’s POVThe vibrating sound came first.Then the soft thud of my phone against the desk as it lit up again.Clairessa was calling for the tenth time this hour.I tried to look away, tried to focus on the reports in front of me, but my traitorous heart wouldn’t cooperate. I reached for the phone, tempted to toss it into the drawer and forget it existed.But my fingers hovered, trembling slightly. No matter how hard I tried to ignore her call, my chest clenched each time I saw her name.It was already evening. The sun had set, and I still hadn’t moved—same damn position, surrounded by silence—except for her persistent calls.I finally gave in and picked up the phone.Thirty missed calls.A dozen unread messages.Messages lined my screen like daggers pressing against my chest.I scrolled past each one, feeling my heart betray me.Babe… have you landed?Gabe, what’s wrong?I’m worried.Talk to me.I heard you’re back. Went to see you but Tems didn’t let me through.Please talk to me
Gabriel’s POVThe bass thumped through the walls of the VIP lounge, loud and chaotic—like the thoughts swirling in my head. I sat on the leather couch, whiskey glass in hand, surrounded by bodies moving to the heavy pulse of the music.Girls were grinding against the poles—shaking their hips, each one doing her best to earn my attention. The owner had apparently heard I was in the building and sent in his best—his “favorites,” as he called them. The ones who knew how to put on a show.They were barely clothed—skimpy shorts clinging too tightly to their asses, leaving nothing to the imagination. Long legs, smooth thighs, fully on display.Sweat glistened on their skin under the flashing lights as they wiggled and moved, casting flirtatious glances my way, hoping to be the one that got picked.One of the girls approached my table, her eyes fixed on me, attempting to seduce me with a gaze that clearly drank in my body. She stopped in front of me, then bent over, hands grazing the floor,
Gabriel’s POV Tina moved like she’d been here a hundred times. And honestly? She had—a few times in the past, during nights I didn’t care to remember. “Come on, sit,” she urged, easing me down onto the edge of the bed. I slumped back with a groan, the world tilting slightly. Tina was right—I was drunk. No, fuck, I was wasted. My pride didn’t want to admit it, but my blurry vision, spinning head, and the way my limbs felt too heavy to move? Yeah, I was gone. Moments later, she returned. Music played low from the speakers—sultry, slow, seductive. The lights dimmed. Tina stood in front of me now, one hand resting on her hip. And for the first time tonight, I actually looked at her. She wore a nude-colored gown, so close to her skin tone that for a split second, it looked like she wore nothing at all. “I remember you liked a striptease,” she purred, swaying her hips to the rhythm. “Let’s see if you still do.” I watched her move—confident, sure of herself. She let the dress slip
Clairessa’s POVStanding in front of Gabriel’s apartment at 6 a.m. was crazy—completely unhinged, really. I knew that. I knew it the moment I stepped out of the cab and walked up the steps. Who just shows up at someone’s home without calling first?But when the man you love—who doesn’t just claim to love you but proves it daily—suddenly ghosts you, ignores your texts, doesn’t take your calls for two whole days, and then invites you to another dinner he doesn’t show up to... that breaks all the rules.Moreover, rules didn’t matter anymore.Not when my chest was tight with fear, anger, and disappointment. Not when I had this gut feeling that something was wrong—that she had something to do with this. Nicole. It had to be her.I was here to confirm it. I deserved to know the truth.Before I could listen to the little voice in my head urging me to turn back, I quickly typed in the code. Of course I knew it.Gabriel’s home was quiet—just as I imagined. Though he was an early riser, he pref
Clairessa’s POV Gabriel’s jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with an emotion I couldn’t quite name. He turned to Tina, who had slipped on a robe, and gave her a look that sent a chill through me. “Wait for me outside.” Of course, she obeyed like a loyal little pet, slamming the door behind her and locking us both in. He had the nerve—the audacity—to ask her to wait. Like I was the one interrupting something special. Like I was the problem. He turned back to me slowly, his expression darkening into something harder, more detached. “Clairessa, you’ve taken it too fucking far,” he warned, then took a slow breath, his chest rising and falling as he tried to regulate himself. He tried to play it calm, but it was too late for that. “If you can’t be reasonable, maybe we should—” “So now you're kicking me out?” I exploded, my chest heaving. “Because I caught you with your ex? The one you swore you were done with?” My throat tightened, and the tears I’d been holding back finally spi
Gabriel’s POVAs Clairessa walked out, I stood frozen—caught between chasing after her or letting her go.And I let her go.Even though it felt like someone had reached into my chest and torn my heart out without mercy.The last look on her face—God, I’d never forget it. That raw, agonizing pain in her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks.I did that.All because I let my emotions override every ounce of reason I had.Because of a fucking photo. One I didn’t even trust. I reacted without thinking. Without proof. Without giving her the benefit of the doubt.I let it poison everything. Let suspicion consume me. Let anger drive me—and now? God, now I might’ve destroyed the one good thing I had.I may have just destroyed the only real chance at love I’ve ever had. At happiness. At peace.“Fuck...” I muttered, dragging both hands through my hair, fingers tangling in the strands like I could burn the frustration out through my scalp.But nothing made sense anymore.Flashes from the night
Gabriel’s POV I offered Tina a soft smile, my heart swelling just thinking about Clairessa. "I thought you would’ve figured that one out by now.” She shrugged lightly. "I had a feeling the moment you kept calling her name last night… even though you denied it at first.” "I did?" I asked, brows lifting. "Mmhmm." She hummed. "Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was those walls you’ve built so high around your heart. Makes me wonder how she managed to get past them.” A soft laugh escaped me. "Well… you once told me to let go of the past. That holding onto it only gives power to the person who hurt me, while I stay miserable. So, let’s just say, I took your advice.” Tina’s brows lifted slightly—an almost startled expression crossing her face, like she hadn’t expected that answer. "And if I’m being honest," I continued, "I tried to fight it, but what I felt for her was too strong to ignore. So I took the risk. I opened my heart." She leaned back, arms crossing loosely over her c
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
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 some
Gabriel’s POV I stood by the window in my bedroom, staring out at the heavy downpour, hoping the rain could somehow drown out the noise in my head. But it didn’t. The ache in my chest was unbearable. It felt like someone had torn my heart out with their bare hands, and I was still expected to function. To breathe. To move on. Clairessa lied to me. She deceived me. And no matter how many times I tried to reason it out—tried to stitch together a narrative that didn’t hurt as much—I couldn’t move past it. The sickest part? My own son was also in love with her. We both fell for the same woman. But I didn’t just fall. I plummeted. I let my guard down for her. Let her in like she was my second chance at something I didn’t even believe in anymore. Love. I told myself she was different. Safe. Real. Mine. But no. She wasn’t. She was exactly like Angelique. The same games. The same fake innocence. The same damn sweetness masking manipulation. Deception. Lies. And I bough
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