Home / Romance / Falling For My Ex's Dad / Chapter 42: Under His Gaze

Share

Chapter 42: Under His Gaze

Author: Oma Green
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-24 01:06:47

Clairessa’s POV

“Hey, Clairessa,” Nicole greeted as she approached my desk, her tone warm and her usual bright smile in place.

I glanced up from my computer, trying to suppress the anger rising in my chest. Of all the people I had to deal with today, Nicole was the last on the list but I had no choice. “Hi, Nicole,” I responded, keeping my voice short and my expression neutral.

She paused briefly, as though gauging my mood, before continuing. “I know our meeting is set for noon, but I thought we could talk first. May I?” She gestured to the chair across from me.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and motioned toward the seat. “Go ahead.”

“Thanks.” She eased into the chair, still wearing that overly cheerful smile that got on my nerves every time I saw it. “Look, I know after the Adrian situation, you probably can’t stand me—”

I interrupted, not bothering to hold back. “It’s not an ‘Adrian situation.’ I caught my boyfriend cheating on me with you. And then you had the nerve to flaunt
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Related chapters

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 43: At My Beck And Call

    Gabriel’s POVThe moment we were alone, I turned my full attention to Clairessa. She looked incredibly sexy leaning against the edge of the giant boardroom table; everything about her pulled me closer.I had the worst weekend because of her. While she was out partying, doing who knows what with who knows who, I was drowning in jealousy.I was tempted to call her but hung up before it rang. I couldn’t let her see how much power she had over me.I wasn’t about to go easy on her.My eyes shamelessly traol over her figure without permission, drinking in every detail of her stance. God help me. I cleared my throat, forcing myself to focus. "Have you signed the contract yet?"She blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden question. "No, I haven’t."My expression darkened, and I slammed my hand on the desk again. "Why not? What’s your excuse this time?""The salary," she replied, her voice gaining strength as she stood her ground. "Well," she said, her eyes fixed on mine, "It's way more

    Last Updated : 2025-03-24
  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chap 44: Caught Between Father And Son

    Clairessa’s POV My hands shook as I held the champagne glass, trying to steady my nerves. I watched Adrian walk closer, but relief flooded me when a woman stopped him to talk. They looked close, their easy smiles hinting at familiarity. I glanced at Gabriel, who was busy discussing the CEO of Tech Squad. He hadn’t noticed Adrian at all. Setting the glass down carefully, I tried to think of a way out. Adrian couldn’t see me here with his father—not now, not ever. If Gabriel found out I was Adrian’s ex, my carrier and everything I had planned would fall apart. My entire strategy for revenge would be ruined. With both men distracted, this was my chance to escape. Without thinking, I stood up, only for Gabriel’s scrutinizing gaze to lock onto me instantly. His brow creased. “Is everything okay?” “I need to go to the restroom,” I muttered, clutching my purse tightly like a lifeline. He studied me for a moment, his expression softening. “Alright, I’ll be waiting for you.” I n

    Last Updated : 2025-03-25
  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 45: Caught Between Holding On Or Breaking All The Rules

    Gabriel’s POVI scanned the room, my eyes instinctively searching for Clairessa. She had excused herself to the restroom, but it had been a while, and she hadn’t returned. Something about her abrupt exit worried me. Adjusting my cufflinks, I noticed movement on the far side of the room. My son, Adrian, was speaking to a woman. She had curly brown hair and wore an emerald-green gown that shimmered under the lights, reminding me of Clairessa. For a moment, I thought it was her. But something felt off. I couldn’t be sure. I moved toward them, my pace quickening, needing to confirm. As I neared, the woman turned and disappeared into the crowd. Adrian stepped in front of me, blocking my view. “Adrian. I thought I saw you speaking with…” My voice trailed off, my eyes glancing over his shoulder still trying to pick out the figure in the dim lighting. “Dad…” Adrian called softly, pulling my focus back to him. “You saw me speaking with who?” “Never mind.” I placed a hand on his sho

    Last Updated : 2025-03-25
  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 46: Regretting My Actions

    Gabriel’s POV I sat at the head of the long table, trying to focus on the presentation. Clairessa and Nicole were presenting their final pitch for the Gemia Project, and it was clear how much time and effort they had put into it. Clairessa spoke with confidence, though her hands trembled slightly when she turned a page or pointed to the screen. The project was flawless—every detail and idea well thought out. They had taken my feedback seriously and delivered beyond my expectations. I was glad I had trusted them to handle it together. But as I listened, my focus started to drift. My attention shifted from the presentation to her. My gaze lingered on Clairessa's face. The way her soft brown hair framed her face, her lips... God, her lips. She wasn’t just stunning—she was intelligent, driven, and incredibly talented. Memories of that night in the garden flooded my mind. I could still feel the soft breeze, see the way the lights touched her skin. I could still feel how close we we

    Last Updated : 2025-03-25
  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 47: Helping My Son Win His Girl Back

    Gabriel’s POV“If the restaurant is going as well as you say, why don’t you look like someone celebrating success?” I asked, my voice low but direct.Adrian mumbled something I couldn’t make out, clearly embarrassed.I took a deep breath. “Let me guess—she hasn’t taken you back?”He looked up briefly, then nodded, looking ashamed. “She’s not taking my calls or replying to my messages. I’ve tried everything you told me to do... Dad, she just won’t listen.”I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Cheating is serious, Adrian. It destroys relationships. You know that.” I paused, letting the truth sink in.He looked away, shame written all over his face. I could see how the guilt was eating him up. It was hard to see him like this, and it brought back my own painful memories. I remembered how Angelique, my ex-wife, had an affair with my closest friend because I wasn’t earning enough at the time. Her cruel justification, “I did it for you,” had shattered me, leaving me broken in ways I hadn’t fully

    Last Updated : 2025-03-26
  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 48: Spending The Weekend With My Crush

    Clairessa’s POVI could hardly believe it—Gabriel had finally approved the Gemia designs. After all the hard work Nicole and I had put in, he had given the green light. It felt like a huge win. But even more exciting than that was the trip to Las Vegas. I’d never flown out of the city before, and now I was going on a business trip with Gabriel. For days.The thought of being alone with him in Las Vegas made my heart race. I was undeniably attracted to him, and I had no idea how I was going to keep my feelings in check. I wanted Gabriel Storm in every way. He had awakened something in me that no one ever had, and after the night at his house, I craved more of what he had shown me.But as much as I liked Gabriel, I knew I had to stop. I needed to stay focused, especially after what happened with Adrian at the award ceremony. His sudden appearance had almost ruined everything.My career was finally taking off. Everything I’d worked for was coming together, but it could all fall apart if

    Last Updated : 2025-03-26
  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 49: In My Bed

    Clairessa’s POVThe interior of the jet was sleek and luxurious. The seats were made of soft leather, and there was plenty of space to stretch out. It felt more like an upscale lounge than an airplane.I settled into one of the large chairs, watching as Gabriel spoke briefly to the pilot before taking a seat next to me.Out of all the seats on the plane, he chose the one right beside me. My heart sped up again, his presence making me nervous. The warm scent of his cologne filled the air, making it hard to focus.The flight attendant welcomed us aboard, and we buckled in. As the plane began to move, I started to feel anxious. It was my first time flying, and I could feel my fear building. I glanced at Gabriel, who seemed completely at ease, focused on his laptop. I, on the other hand, gripped the armrest tightly, trying to stay calm.Suddenly, I felt his hand cover mine. I froze, looking up at him.“First time flying?” he asked gently. I nodded, too nervous to speak, and shut my eyes a

    Last Updated : 2025-03-26
  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 50: Ready To Explode

    Clairessa’s POV I took one final look in the mirror and couldn’t help but smile. The gold shimmering gown hugged every curve just right, the slit high enough to reveal my slender thighs without doing too much. Tonight, I went all out with the makeup—bold red lipstick that made my lips pop and soft curls that framed my face perfectly. I knew I looked beautiful, and it gave me a rush of confidence. I adjusted my dress, making sure my cleavage was just right, my breasts pushed up against the bra. I had a clear mission tonight: I wanted Gabriel to notice me, to see me in a way he couldn’t resist. My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. Gabriel had sent a message reminding me they were waiting. I checked the time—7:15. I was late. Not entirely my fault, though; between unpacking, doing my hair, and getting dressed, I lost track of time. I grabbed my purse, took one last look in the mirror, and rushed out the door. When I reached the elevator, I impatiently pressed the buttons

    Last Updated : 2025-03-26

Latest chapter

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 178: My Secret And My Mistake

    Clairessa POVThe day had finally gone by faster than I expected. Adrian had settled into his downstairs room—claiming it was more convenient, already filled with his things—while I was placed upstairs. It felt like life was playing another sick, twisted game on me, because he’d placed me in the room closest to Gabriel’s. He even joked about it—said maybe his dad would finally warm up to me, get to know me… even like me. What he didn’t know was that I already knew Gabriel. Intimately. He was my secret. My mistake. My obsession. The man I had once given everything to—and the one I still wasn’t over. And I knew this house—every hallway, every door, every room. So when I left my room and wandered to Gabriel’s door, I told myself it was just to say thank you—for letting me stay until I figured things out, for not turning me away.But a voice in my head warned me to go back. That nothing good would come from this. Still, I didn’t stop. His door was ajar. I didn’t knock—

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 177: Thirty Days, That's All She Gets

    Gabriel’s POVI looked at Adrian—and for the first time, I saw something different. Adrian wasn’t fighting.He wasn’t bluffing.He was broken.Humbled.He wanted to make things right.And in that moment, I knew—if I said no, I might lose him for good.This wasn’t just about Clairessa anymore. It was about righting something that clearly mattered to him. And he needed me—not as a boss, but as a father—to back him up.Fuck.“Fine,” I bit out. “She can stay. But not more than a month.”Relief washed over his face, lighting him up like the boy I hadn’t seen in years.“Thanks, Dad,” he breathed, pulling me into a quick, tight hug.I stood stiff for a moment, then patted his back, still not used to these moments.As he pulled away and walked out, I turned back toward the window.At least I had one consolation: Adrian’s vulnerability had given me leverage.Now he’d listen.Now he’d obey.This was my chance to mold him—straighten him out, finally turn him into the man I knew he could become.

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 176: We Are Both In Love With The Same Woman

    Gabriel’s POV I paced the room, anger and heartbreak twisting so violently inside me I thought they’d tear me in two. My fists clenched and unclenched at my sides as I stared out the window into the night sky—the only thing that made any sense in this goddamn chaos. Then I heard the door push open behind me. Adrian stepped in, shutting it with a firm click. “Dad,” he said, frustration clear in his voice, “why did you react that way? You just walked out of dinner because I asked you to let Clairessa stay? I don’t get it. What’s so hard about that?” “Adrian, not now,” I muttered, my voice low. “We’ll talk later.” But he didn’t back off. “Why not now?” he pressed, stepping closer. “Why can’t we talk about it now? What is it? What do you have against Clairessa? It feels like you don’t like her—you’ve never liked her, not from the first time you saw her. What is it? Is there something you know that I don’t?” I didn’t want to do this. Not now. Not while my mind was still spinning… n

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 175: She's Not Moving In With Us

    Gabriel’s POVI sat at the dining table, seething, the rage in me growing hotter every goddamn second.Across the table, Adrian and Clairessa sat so close their arms brushed. He leaned in, whispering something in her ear. She smiled—smiled like she loved whatever nonsense he was feeding her.My blood burned.Her eyes met mine once. Just once.Then she looked away like I didn’t exist. Like I hadn’t given her twenty-four hours to tell him the truth.And judging by the way he looked at her—like she was some innocent angel who saved his life—she hadn’t said a word.It was more than obvious she hadn’t told him a damn thing.She was still pretending. Same as always.But she had no idea what hell I’d unleash if she kept this up.God… I was going to—I couldn’t even say it.Couldn’t bring myself to hate her, no matter how much I wanted to.Especially not when she was sitting beside my son, touching him, smiling for him—and jealousy slammed into me like a punch to the ribs.Shit. How could I s

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 174: The Impenetrable Mad Had Returned

    Clairessa’s POVAdrian turned his head to look at me, eyes narrowing slightly. “What do you mean?”“I was angry that you cheated on me,” I whispered. “So I decided to get even… and I started seeing someone.”Adrian’s expression darkened; hurt flashed through his eyes before he quickly masked it. “Okay. So you were with someone while we were apart. If I’m being honest, I kinda suspected it… based on how quickly you seemed ready to move on from us.”He gave a short, shaky breath. “If that’s what this big talk is about, then… Clairessa, that’s not a crime. We weren’t together. You don’t have to beat yourself up over that. We can move on from it.”“Not when you find out who it was…”Adrian shifted and reached for my hands. “Claire, listen. I don’t need to know who the guy is. It doesn’t matter.”I stared at him, my throat tightening. “You don’t understand—”“Shhh…” Adrian hushed me gently, pressing two fingers to my lips. “I understand what you’re going through. I’ve carried my own guilt

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 173: His Anger Burned Hotter

    Clairessa’s POV Gabriel didn’t look at me at first. His eyes stayed fixed on Gretchen, his tone calm but laced with a quiet threat. "Leave us," he said. Gretchen froze for a breath, clearly uneasy. "Of course, Mr. Storm." She slipped out without another word. And then it was just us—Gabriel and me. I barely had time to register the storm in his eyes before he crossed the room in three long strides and seized my elbow—not painfully, but firmly enough to jolt my heart. "Don’t get too comfortable in my house," he hissed. "You won’t be here much longer." I stared at him, stunned. Just yesterday, he’d been at my side, placing cold towels on my forehead, watching over me like I still meant something to him. He’d cared for me, staying by my side through the night. And for a moment, I let myself believe—maybe something in him had softened. Maybe there was still hope for us. But I was wrong. The anger was back—hotter, more intense. And I was foolish to think forgiveness would co

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 171: How Long Had He Been Standing There

    Clairessa’s POVAfter sleeping for what felt like forever, I finally dragged myself out of bed. My body still ached faintly, but compared to earlier, I felt stronger. No fever. No chills. Just a craving for fresh air and something cold to drink.I’d been holed up in that room all day, not just because I needed rest, but because it was easier.Easier to hide. Easier than running into Adrian and his mission to get me back… or worse, Gabriel and the drama that would unfold when he told the truth.The idea of running into either of them made my stomach twist, so I figured if I moved quietly enough, I could sneak down to the kitchen, grab a glass of juice, and return before anyone noticed.My throat was dry, parched even. I glanced at the empty glass on the nightstand and sighed. There was no escaping it—I needed juice.Slipping quietly out of bed, I padded across the room, easing the door open like it might squeak loud enough to call them both over.The hallway was empty. Good. I tiptoed

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 171: Maybe There Was A Still Chance Of His Forgiveness

    Clairessa’s POVMy body trembled, a deep shiver running through me like heat and cold were warring inside my veins.Through the fog, Gabriel’s voice cut in—urgent, panicked.“Clairessa... hey, are you okay? Look at me... please.”Then I felt his hands—lifting me, holding me close, peeling away layers of clothing…The dream came in flashes. The soft splash of water. His arms supported me as he bathed me—like I was breakable, like I still meant something to him.He dressed me gently, laid me in bed, tucked the duvet around me, then pressed a kiss to my forehead.When he turned to go, I reached for him, my fingers curling around his. I remember whispering it… three small words.“I love you.”A voice, distant and persistent, tugged me out of the warmth.“Claire… Claire…”My eyes flew open, blinking against the light. Adrian’s face swam into focus.“Thank God,” he breathed. “You’re awake.”I stared at him for a moment, disoriented, my heart still wrapped in the remnants of the dream. I gla

  • Falling For My Ex's Dad   Chapter 170: Not The Right Time To Tell My Son The Truth

    Gabriel’s POV “Dad?” I didn’t bother looking up as I stirred the pot, letting the aroma rise and fill the kitchen. “I’m here,” I called out. I heard Adrian’s footsteps draw closer. He stopped at the kitchen threshold, and the silence that followed stretched just long enough to make me smirk without turning around. “Wait—are you cooking?” he asked, disbelief lacing his voice. “Dad, I’m shocked. You haven’t cooked in… what, years?” I finally turned to face him, wiping my hand on the kitchen towel slung over my shoulder. “Gretchen told me earlier she had a personal errand to run and would be back by noon.” I offered a casual shrug, reaching for the ladle and giving the pot another stir. “I was hungry and couldn’t wait that long.” I could feel the lie burning on the tip of my tongue. Truth was, I wasn’t hungry. Eating was the last thing on my mind. The food I was cooking—it was for Clairessa. I wanted her to have something warm when she woke up, something to ease the aftermath of

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status