Gabriel's POVI pushed open my office door, feeling the tightness in my chest grow as I began pacing. I knew I was about to stir things up, and there was no going back. The team’s presentations had been impressive, making the decision tough, but I’d already made up my mind. There was no need for a shortlist or further debate—I had chosen my winner.Clairessa Hartwood.Her presentation stood out, easily outshining Nicole’s—the friend Adrian had introduced me to, asking me to consider her app since she worked at the company. I hadn’t yet placed Nicole on the team, wanting her to go head-to-head with whoever I chose as a final candidate. It was meant to be a favor to Adrian. Her idea for a global financial payment platform was solid but posed too many challenges for Storm Innovations at this point. We needed something revolutionary but manageable. Clairessa’s app, on the other hand, had the potential to reshape the business landscape.It was clear I had to drop Nicole.Adrian wouldn’t b
Clairessa's POV"Claire, what's going on?" Jess's worried voice called from the other side of the door. "You’ve locked yourself in your room and haven’t said a word since you got back from work." Her knocking became more persistent, almost frantic.I groaned, dragging myself off the bed. I knew Jess wouldn't stop until I opened the door. I had locked myself away, wanting nothing more than to drown in my misery and be alone with the storm of emotions swirling inside me. But there was no hiding from Jess's concern. I reached the door and hesitated, my hand hovering over the lock before finally turning it.The door opened, and before I could say a word, Jess stepped in, her eyes locking onto my tear-streaked face. "Claire, what happened at work?" she asked, her voice soft, holding my face gently in her hands as if I might break."Adrian came to my office today," I whispered, my voice cracking as the tears I had fought so hard to hold back came pouring out. My chest tightened painfully, e
Clairessa's POVThe club was alive, pulsing with the same powerful energy I remembered. It was a place where powerful men came to live out their fantasies. Jess and I stood by the bar, and I could feel the eyes of some of the men on me, drawn by the silver dress I wore—the one with a plunging neckline that left little to the imagination. The attention gave me a sense of power I hadn’t felt in a long time, and I relished it.“Claire... it’s your night. They’re all staring,” Jess whispered in my ear, her voice full of encouragement. I gave her a satisfied smile, and we both giggled like we were sharing a secret the world couldn’t understand.The bartender handed us our drinks, and I ordered a margarita, something light but potent enough to keep me in control. I took a slow sip, savoring the taste while my eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face. But Gabriel was nowhere to be seen, and my heart sank, the confidence I felt moments ago waning.“Hello, beautiful,” a deep, bold
Clairessa’s POVI stared at the screen, numb, as a rollercoaster of emotions ran through me. A weekend trip with Gabriel Storm—the man who had warned me never to speak of our night of passion if I valued my job. It was clear he didn’t want a personal relationship with me, yet it was surprising that he wanted me on a business trip with him.I read the message again, just to be sure I wasn’t imagining things. Did this mean my app had been selected? Would other members of the team be joining us, or would it be just him and me? My head raced with questions as I checked the time—it was 10 AM. Thankfully, I had enough time to pack.I couldn’t let myself dwell on the questions for too long. I jumped up from the bed, suddenly aware of the time ticking away. I needed to pack, and fast. I hurried to my closet, pulling out outfits, shoes, and anything else I might need.“Jess!” I called out, my voice shaky with nerves.She appeared at my door, her expression shifting to concern when she saw the
Gabriel’s POVThe elevator chimed, and the doors slid open to reveal Clairessa Hartwood. My breath caught as she stepped out, dressed in a red flowing dress with a slit that stopped just above her thighs, exposing her slender caramel skin. God, she was stunning. My chest tightened as I took in her frame. Her hair was straightened this time, flowing around her shoulders, and her lips were painted a deep, inviting red. She was beautiful, and every part of her presence drew me in, capturing my attention in more ways than I wanted to admit.She flashed me a soft smile before walking toward me, her confidence radiant. “Mr. Storm,” she greeted, her voice warm and inviting.“Miss Hartwood, please follow me,” I said, leading her down the hall. We stopped before a door, and for a moment, we stood there, simply staring at each other. I could see the tension building in her, and for some reason, I felt the need to ease it.“Miss Hartwood,” I finally spoke, my voice a touch softer, “behind this d
Clairessa’s POVTonight's dinner was in a more intimate part of the hotel, different from last night. Gabriel had told me earlier it was Marco’s idea, as he planned to reveal his decision to everyone. I sat at the table, feeling slightly anxious, wondering what Marco’s decision would be. I glanced around, noticing that everyone was chatting and smiling. Gabriel sat beside me, his quiet, imposing presence hovering over me even amid the conversation. On my other side, Marco sat closer than I would have liked.I tried to stay quiet, letting the men talk as I kept a soft smile on my face, staring down at my plate.As I focused on my meal, I felt something that made my skin crawl—Marco’s hand slid across the table, his fingers lightly brushing mine. I froze, the touch sending a shiver of discomfort through me. Forcing a smile, though it felt more like a grimace, I tried to maintain composure.“You look so beautiful tonight,” Marco whispered, leaning in closer. “I can hardly resist your cha
Clairessa’s POV"Call me Marco," he urged, his voice harsh as he stood in front of me. "I'm about to sink millions of dollars into your app. What do I get in return for my kind gesture?""Sir, the terms of your compensation will be detailed in the contract," I said, trying to keep my voice professional as I took a few steps back. "You can’t be in the restroom with me. Please leave now. Your presence is making me uncomfortable."He closed the distance and leaned in, his breath hot against my skin, making it crawl with disgust. "I know girls like you. You act innocent at first," he sneered, his hand brushing against my cheek. "But for the right price, you'd open those sweet thighs."Fury surged through me. "Mr. Marco, I’m not a prostitute, and I couldn’t care less about your money. If you’re here to collect some kind of repayment for your offer, you can fuck off," I spat, my eyes meeting his now furious gaze."I love a good fight," he smirked, his cold hands caressing my neck inappropri
Gabriel's POVI carried Clairessa into the bathroom and gently placed her on the floor. Turning away to give her some privacy, I couldn’t shake the image of how hurt and broken she looked. The bold, confident woman I knew had been replaced by someone fragile, and it tore me apart. This was my fault. Instead of accusing her of having something to do with Marco and acting on my jealousy, I should have been there to protect her. That bastard Marco would pay for what he did.I heard the sound of a zipper struggling, followed by her soft voice calling me. “Mr. Storm, I need help with my zip.”I turned back and moved behind her to pull down the zipper. The dress fell to the floor, leaving her standing in just a lacy black bra and panties. Desire coursed through me as my eyes momentarily fixed on her body. She was a sight to behold.Her body... her curves... her legs... Stop it, Gabriel. She needs comfort, not another pervert. I immediately turned away, trying to focus on anything else. Th
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