Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Chapter 146: Betrayal Hurts

Gabriel's POV I glared at Nicole, reluctant to entertain whatever nonsense she had concocted. But curiosity got the better of me. I opened my laptop, pulled up my inbox, and clicked on the new message from her. The image loaded. My heart stopped. The photo showed Clairessa-my Clairessa-lips locked with another man in her office. The impact hit me like a blow to the gut. The world around me blurred as the betrayal burned into my mind. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. I stared at the image, trying to make out the man's face, but the angle was wrong. The only thing clear was Clairessa-the way her body leaned into him, the way her hand pressed against his chest. The same hands that had touched me. The same lips that had whispered my name. Betrayal stung so deeply, threatening to break through, but I forced myself to stay composed, to keep my expression blank, even as my insides burned. Nicole's voice snapped me back to reality. "Mr. Storm, in case you're doubting the authenticity of this picture, I should let you know that I took it myself. And if you still think I'm making this up, just take note of the dress-that's the one she was wearing the day you flew out of the city." My grip tightened on the mouse. I forced myself to look at the image again, bile rising in my throat. She was right. It was the same dress she wore yesterday..... the same day I left. The air in my office felt suffocating. Nicole's voice turned softer but still laced with venom. "I know this must be painful, Mr. Storm. Finding out the woman you've been so... involved with is nothing more than a lying, conniving cheat. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I couldn't stand by and watch you be made a fool." I clenched my fists under the desk, my nails biting into my palms. "How do you know all of this? And why exactly do you care, Nicole?" She gave a nonchalant shrug. "Mr. Storm, I have my ways of finding whatever information I please, even for a man as high up as you. And well... the last time we had a meeting with Clairessa confirmed it. I watched how you kept looking at her and couldn't take your eyes off her. You were not as discreet as you thought... or maybe the truth is that you didn't want to be." "What is your gain in all this?" I asked. She walked around and stood behind my desk, leaning down to whisper in my ear. "Because I admire you. Because you deserve better than a woman who plays you for a fool the second you turn your back. Don't tell me you're not furious, Mr. Storm. That you don't feel like an idiot for trusting her." I ground my teeth together, rage fueling inside me. She thought she could seize my vulnerable moment to make herself cheaply available to me... and I was repulsed. "What I feel is none of your concern." None of what Nicole was saying about Clairessa added up-especially since the disdain in her voice and expression was evident. She wasn't telling me this out of concern or kindness; she was doing it for her own selfish gain. As much as I wanted to kick Nicole out and believe in my innocent Clairessa-the woman I'd come to know and love-I couldn't just dismiss the evidence staring back at me. I wanted to believe it was all a carefully manipulated lie-something Nicole concocted purely out of jealousy over Clairessa's growth in the company. But as much as I wanted to brush it off, I couldn't dispute the image staring right back at me-Clairessa was kissing another man. It hurt to look at it, to even believe it, but I was left with no choice. And over the years, one thing that had never failed me was proof-cold, irrefutable proof- and Nicole had brought it. She pressed even closer, subtly pushing her cleavage against my face, her voice dripping with mock concern. "I can only imagine what else she's been lying about. Maybe this wasn't the first time. Maybe she was just waiting for you to be out of town again to do it all over." I clenched my jaw, pulling away from her touch. "I think we're done here." She finally lifted her head, placing her hand around the back of my seat before letting it slowly trail down my shoulder, grazing lightly. "Look at the hand placement, Mr. Storm... Doesn't she seem absolutely taken by him? The way she leans into him... how passionate it looks?" She tilted her head, her eyes taunting me to look at the image again as she rested a manicured nail against the screen. But I couldn't. Not until she said- "And do you know who the man is?" I lifted my gaze to hers, fury burning behind my eyes. "What do you know about the man in the picture?" She let out a light laugh. "My lips are sealed, Mr. Storm. But... you can find out for yourself. I have no doubt a man like you has the resources to uncover the truth." "Enough of your games, Nicole," I warned. She sauntered over and perched on my desk, crossing her legs, deliberatelynoveldrama

revealing the smooth expanse of her inner thighs. It was obvious she wanted to take advantage of my weak moment, to sell herself cheaply to me. What the hell did she take me for? A man with no control who would screw anything that offered itself? She had no idea... this was the worst time to mess with me. "Come on, Gabriel. I know you're hurting. But why waste your time grieving over someone who never deserved you in the first place?" Hearing her call me by my name made me realize she had lost her damn mind. The audacity to address me so informally, as though she knew me on that level... She was far beneath me, and it would remain that way. My patience snapped. I had enough. "Get the hell off my desk," I ordered. She didn't move. Instead, she smiled shyly, batting her lashes. Did she think I was playing some twisted game with her? I might be vulnerable, but I could never have anything to do with her. "I hate to repeat myself. Don't make me," I gritted through my teeth. She saw the warning in my face and slowly climbed off. Then she placed her hand against my elbow. "Gabriel, I just think you deserve someone who actually values you. Someone who can give you what you need." I shot up from my chair, slamming a fist on the desk. "Enough."