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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Gabriel’s POVI clenched my fists tighter as I watched Clairessa take a sip of the wine and offer Daniel a soft smile."It’s delicious," she said, her tongue brushing her bottom lip as if savoring the taste."I told you," Daniel replied with a grin that was far too smug, his gaze fixed on her lips longer than it should have. I knew exactly what he was thinking, and it wasn’t going to happen—not while I was present.I could feel the rage building inside me, my chest tightening with every second. He was testing me, daring me, and he knew exactly what I was capable of.Clairessa was mine. She didn’t know it yet, but I did. She wasn’t his, and she wasn’t anyone else’s. Daniel, of all people, should have known better. He always had a habit of going after what wasn’t his, what belonged to me.I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles whitening as I fought to keep myself in check. The room suddenly felt stifling, the casual chatter around us fading into the background as I focused solely
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
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
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
Gabriel’s POV I gently pulled the duvet down and slipped my arms around her, lifting her against me. Her body was burning, her skin clammy, her breath shallow. She didn’t stir—just shivered helplessly in my arms, trapped in some fever dream. “Clairessa.” My voice cracked as I shook her gently, trying to coax her into consciousness. “Hey, open your eyes… please.” No response. “It’s me. Gabriel. I’m here,” I whispered, lifting her slowly into my arms and brushing damp strands of hair from her face. Her eyelids fluttered, and for a moment, they opened. Our eyes met—just briefly. She gave the faintest smile, soft and dazed—then slipped back into the fever, her eyes shutting again. Fuck. I had to do something. I lowered her carefully onto the mattress and rushed to the bathroom, soaking a towel in warm water. I came back and laid it across her forehead, holding it there, hoping to ease the heat. After a minute or two, I replaced it with a fresh one, trying to bring her temperatur
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.