Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 186: Playing Dirty

Clairessa's POV

I sat behind my desk, staring at the contract spread out before me for what felt like

hours.

Tasks piled up around me emails, meetings, deadlines-all screaming for attention.

But my eyes kept tracing the same lines, the same signatures, the same bold header with Gabriel's name and mine. I couldn't look away. I couldn't bring myself to put it aside.

My chest felt like it might explode from the pressure of it all. Was I about to make another mistake-one I couldn't undo?

Damn it...

How could this feel so wrong when it was the very reason I came to Storm Innovations in the first place? I fought my way in. I played their games. I proved I belonged. All for this-one shot to bring Hart to life.

And now, it was right in front of me. And more.

Full funding; seventy percent ownership; creative control.

It felt almost unreal.

I'd retain full intellectual property rights. Gabriel would take a thirty percent equity stake in exchange for complete financial backing.

There didn't seem to be any buried clauses—just capital, connections, and a guarantee that I'd remain CEO and lead developer for as long as I wanted.

I wasn't a lawyer, but after reviewing the terms and doing my research, everything seemed solid.

Ideas I once only dreamed about were now laid out in black and white, bound by legal ink across my desk.

He was offering me everything I'd bled for-everything I'd stayed up late designing, pitching, praying for.

Hell, the terms were recklessly generous. Completely lopsided-in my favor.

Yet all I felt was rage. Rage at the man who shattered me the one who now looked at me like the love we shared these past few months meant nothing, even as he handed me my dream on a silver platter.

I swallowed hard, eyes still fixed on the page.

It felt like a gift... and yet, unmistakably, like a bribe.

I could still hear Gabriel's voice from earlier-firm, measured, subtly controlling:

"Don't let your emotions cloud your reasoning."

As if it were that simple.

As if he hadn't broken me in ways I was still trying to piece together.

Suddenly, the door to my office swung open.

"CLAIRE!"

I jolted, nearly spilling the coffee on my desk. My heart jumped. "Jess?!"

She rushed in, eyes wide, arms open.

"Where the hell have you been?" I asked, still stunned. “I tried calling, but your number wasn't working!"

"Oh my God, Claire-I'm so sorry! I totally vanished, but I swear there's a good reason. But first... just hug me. Please. I've missed you."

I stood and let her pull me into her familiar warmth. "There better be," I muttered against her shoulder.

When we finally pulled apart, she let out a dramatic sigh, spinning slowly as she took in the room.

"Wow... Storm Innovations is big. Big. And this office? Fancy corner view, floor-to- ceiling windows facing the city? Claire, this is literally your dream—and you're living it."

"Yeah..." I offered a smile, but it barely touched my eyes.

She turned to face me fully, her own smile faltering. "Oh, Claire. Hold me again."

She stepped forward, wrapping me in another hug. "I went by your apartment... That's how I found out about the fire. I'm so sorry." Her arms tightened. "I knew if I couldn't find you there, you'd be here. Working. As always."

"It's... surreal," I whispered, my voice catching. "Still feels like a nightmare. One minute I was heading to Gabriel's, and the next... I came back to flames. I lost everything, Jess. It happened so fast."

stepped back, guilt

studio-offered me a spot in a showcase

of those once-in-a-lifetime things. I had to leave that night. I barely packed-just

to take it all

stolen," she added quickly. "My phone,

you couldn't reach me. It was chaos,

it."

I'm happy for you,” I said

"This is what you've

sorry I wasn't here

called... but I don't

look. "Seriously? After

But I'm the artist, remember?

muttered, rolling

the guest chair in my office. "Now come on. It's your office, but let me play therapist. How are you

good as I can be.

hand. "You're brave, Claire.

the knot in

tilted her head and lowered herself into the chair

now?

stiffened. She didn't know the

Gabriel's...

together. "Complicated how?

tell me... he found

her, and that was all the answer she

whispered. "How did he take

just say...

I told her

meant to confess, but

I walked in on Gabriel in

ran-only to come home

up, driving me back to Gabriel's

confronting me. The

The chaos that followed.

The yelling. The heartbreak.

at me like

up to find

work at

Jess stared at me as though I'd just

this happened in just a few days?" She

"Jess," I warned.

Gabriel's acting like an

but honestly? I'm tired of all of it. I just

reached for my hand again. "Then come stay with me. Screw Gabriel and Adrian. Take a break from all of it. Join

hand back slowly. "I

She tilted my chin up. "Claire. Talk

and slid the contract toward

picked it up, scanning the pages with narrowed eyes.

gave it to me about

Gabriel gave it to you an hour

"And?"

offering to fund the Hart app

all rights and control. It's basically the dream

jaw dropped. "Claire, that's amazing! This is what

she noticed my expression. "Why aren't you jumping up

"he wants something in

"What?"

"Keep him in check

low

agreed to work at the company because of

says Adrian's in love with me—and I can 'wield' that

if deep in

asked, unsure I'd

she repeated. "I

work for Gabriel or anyone else again

my elbows on the desk and pressed my fingers to

my life. Not just