Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 184: If You Walk Out The Deal Is Off

Clairessa's POV

I reached Gabriel's office a few minutes later, my heart still rattled from the

elevator ride with Adrian. But the moment I stopped in front of the door, the nerves gave way to a slow, burning anger.

I paused just long enough to take a breath, then knocked lightly.

"Come in," Gabriel's voice called-low, calm, composed, like he hadn't shattered me a hundred times already.

I stepped inside, chin held high.

He sat behind his desk, casually flipping through papers like it was just another Monday morning and he hadn't dragged me here out of nowhere.

His eyes met mine.

For a heartbeat, something flickered there. Pity? Maybe. Regret? Possibly. Whatever it was, I didn't want it. I didn't need his sympathy. Not from him. Not now. Not ever.

His gaze didn't waver. "How are you doing?"

The question landed softer than I expected-his voice gentler than it had been in days. Careful. Almost too careful.

I crossed my arms. "What do you think?"

He leaned back in his chair, setting the papers aside. "You've been through a lot these past few days. The fire, losing your home..." He paused, his voice dipping lower. "I know it hasn't been easy."

I bit the inside of my cheek, holding back what I really wanted to say.

"So now you care?" I fired at him, my voice low but loaded.

His jaw tensed, but his eyes didn't move from mine. "I never stopped."

I scoffed, loud enough for him to hear. "Mr. Storm, can we skip the pleasantries and get to the point of why you dragged me up here?"

He sighed, completely unfazed by my words. "Adrian told me about everything you lost. I can't imagine what that felt like. I'm truly sorry, Clairessa. If you need anything-"

"Mr. Storm," I cut in, straightening my spine, "I don't need your handouts. I can take care of myself."

His expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing, letting a long silence stretch between us.

I was here for my job. Not his pity. Not his guilt. And definitely not his broken apologies.

I wasn't here for his guilt. And certainly not for his broken apologies.

"So?" I leaned forward. "What do you want?"

Gabriel stood and stepped out from behind his desk, then sat on the edge of it, legs crossed casually like we were old friends catching up. The nerve.

"Please, sit," he motioned to the chair across from him.

I replied

familiar commanding look settling on his face-the one that always made people cave without

"Sit. Now."

this. Some battles weren't worth the energy. With a resigned sigh, I picked my battle and lowered myself into the chair

little closer, but I didn't flinch. I wasn't here to

desk toward me. "I have a

before glancing up at him. "What is

it," he replied. "It's a new proposal I've drafted-something I believe could benefit us

a split second before flipping it

a contract-something formal, carefully worded. My eyes skimmed the lines until a familiar

Hart App

I blinked.

I asked

giving me space to catch up.

to fund your

Wait-what?

I asked, my voice coming out a little more hopeful than I wanted it to. A part of me waited, expecting him to confirm it, so I could leap

at his

arched my brow.

the Next Generation Program... but after what happened with Mario, everything had to be put on hold. So I'm offering something

And we split the profit.

at him, trying to make sense of it. It was

to

always was.

return. And I wasn't naive enough to believe this

meant

There was a catch.

his. "What do you want in

smirked. "I want you to keep my son's head on straight in the company. Just

course. There it

Adrian.

one who

so desperate to shape in his

stop to consider how

I was barely

drowning emotionally. He just needed someone to keep

shred of anger I'd felt earlier

in his head. "You've apologized. I've accepted it. I'm not going to force you into anything. But

back, lacing my words with sarcasm. "You get your son in line, and I get to play the convenient tool who throws herself under

a mutually beneficial offer. I'm asking you to

not pretend this is about helping me. This is about you-your control, your son,

of my own money into something you built. No one else stepped up not even my company. And I'm giving

But I'm doing it

slipped out before I could stop it. "So what? I should kneel at