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."

here." Jess stepped

to the studio-offered me a spot

once-in-a-lifetime things. I had to leave that night. I barely packed-just grabbed my stuff and jumped on a plane with

trying to

my bag got stolen," she added quickly.

why you couldn't reach me. It was chaos, Claire. But...

it."

I'm happy for you,” I said softly, meaning

everything. "This is what

I'm really sorry I wasn't here when you

I don't have your number

flat look. "Seriously? After all

I know. But I'm the artist, remember? You're the one with the

I muttered,

the guest chair in my office. "Now come on. It's

chair. "As good as I can

"You're brave, Claire. You'll

nodded, swallowing the knot in my

head and lowered herself into the chair beside me.

staying now? With

didn't know the half

at Gabriel's... but it's

pulled together. "Complicated how? Wait-" Her

"Don't tell me...

and that was all the answer she

my God," she whispered.

sighed. “Let's just say...

told her

confess,

walked in on

ran-only to come home

driving me back to

me. The

The chaos that followed.

The yelling. The heartbreak.

way he looked at me

up to

work

finished, Jess stared at me as though I'd just narrated an entire soap opera

happened in just a few days?"

"Jess," I warned.

I'm so sorry Gabriel's acting like

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

Gabriel and Adrian. Take a break from all of it.

pulled my hand back slowly. "I don't know

tilted my chin up. "Claire.

desk and slid

scanning the pages with

to me about an hour

a contract. Gabriel gave it to you an

"And?"

Hart app personally. I'd get seventy percent. He'd

rights and control.

amazing! This is

my expression. "Why aren't you jumping up and

I murmured, "he

"What?"

to seduce Adrian," I said, my voice dripping with bitterness. "Keep him in check at the company,

out a low whistle. "Shit. Okay. That's...

to work at the

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

if deep in

unsure I'd

it,” she repeated.

tapped the contract-"this secures your future. You wouldn't have to work for Gabriel or anyone else again unless you choose to. This is your dream. Think about what you could

desk and pressed my fingers to

it could completely change my life. Not