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."

been here." Jess stepped back,

art broker came to the studio-offered me a spot in a showcase in

had to leave that night. I barely packed-just grabbed my

to take it

got stolen," she added

couldn't reach me. It was

it."

“Then I'm happy for you,”

is what

Claire. I'm really sorry I wasn't here when

called... but I don't

look. "Seriously?

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

I muttered, rolling

my hand, guiding me toward the guest chair in my office. "Now come on. It's

sank into the chair. "As good as I can be. I'm

squeezed my hand. "You're brave, Claire. You'll get

the knot

lowered herself into the chair

staying now?

know the half

at Gabriel's... but it's

how? Wait-" Her eyes

tell me... he

her, and that was all the

God," she whispered. "How did he

just say... not

told

to confess,

I walked in on Gabriel in bed

ran-only to come home to my place in

showing up, driving me back to

confronting me. The truth

The chaos that followed.

The yelling. The heartbreak.

looked at me like I meant

The sickness. Waking up to find out he'd

awkward family dinner. Adrian insisting he'd only work at the company if

I finished, Jess stared at me as though

few days?" She blinked. "Claire, this is drama for

"Jess," I warned.

immediately sobered. "Sorry. You're right. I just... I'm so sorry Gabriel's acting like an ass. And Adrian? Why can't that guy just leave

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

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

hand back slowly. "I don't

my chin up. "Claire.

and slid

scanning the pages with narrowed

it to me about

it to you

"And?"

the Hart app personally. I'd

keep all rights and control.

"Claire, that's amazing! This is what

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

murmured, "he wants something in

"What?"

with bitterness. "Keep him in check at the company, so he stays focused. In

low whistle. "Shit.

only agreed to work at the company

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

rubbed her temples as if deep in thought, then finally spoke.

asked, unsure

it,” she repeated. "I

you want out. But this-" she 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 do

elbows on the desk and pressed my fingers

this worked out, it could completely change my life. Not