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."

should've been here." Jess stepped back, guilt flickering in her

to the studio-offered me a spot in a

night. I barely packed-just grabbed my stuff and jumped on a plane with

blinked, trying to take it all

the process, my bag got stolen,"

That's why you couldn't reach me. It was

it."

shoulder gently. “Then I'm happy for you,” I

is what you've always dreamed

really sorry I wasn't here when

I don't have your number

a flat look. "Seriously? After all

winced. "I know, I know. But I'm the artist, remember? You're the

muttered,

me toward 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.

my hand. "You're brave,

swallowing the knot

herself into the chair

now? With

didn't know the

Gabriel's...

how? Wait-" Her eyes

"Don't tell me... he found

her, and that was all the answer

whispered. "How did he

“Let's just say...

told her

confess, but Nicole got there

in on

come home to

driving me back

me. The truth

The chaos that followed.

The yelling. The heartbreak.

way he looked at

sickness. Waking up to find

family dinner. Adrian insisting he'd only work

as though I'd just narrated an entire

just a few days?" She blinked.

"Jess," I warned.

right. I just... I'm so sorry Gabriel's acting like an ass. And Adrian?

sighed. "Gabriel says it's guilt, but honestly? I'm tired of all of it. I just want to escape. From both Storm

"Then come stay with me. Screw Gabriel and Adrian. Take a break from all of it. Join me

back slowly.

She tilted my chin up.

across my desk and slid the contract toward

up, scanning the pages with narrowed

me about an hour

gave it

"And?"

Hart app

all rights and control. It's

jaw dropped. "Claire, that's amazing! This is what you've worked for.

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

murmured, "he wants something in

"What?"

seduce Adrian," I said, my voice dripping with bitterness. "Keep him in check at the company, so he stays focused. In

low whistle.

agreed to work at the company because of

use that. He says Adrian's in love with me—and I can 'wield' that to

if deep in thought, then

unsure

it,” she repeated.

But this-" she tapped the contract-"this secures your future. You wouldn't have to work for Gabriel or anyone

and pressed my

out, it could completely change my life. Not just