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."

Jess stepped back, guilt flickering in

came to the studio-offered me a spot

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

to take it

the process, my bag got stolen," she added quickly. "My

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

it."

touched her shoulder gently. “Then I'm happy for

everything. "This is what you've

wasn't here when you

called... but I don't have your number

look. "Seriously? After all these years

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

muttered, rolling

in my office. "Now come on. It's

as I can be.

"You're brave, Claire.

nodded, swallowing the

lowered herself into

now? With Gabriel,

know the half of

Gabriel's... but

how? Wait-" Her eyes

tell me... he found out

her, and that was all the answer she

God," she whispered. "How did he take

sighed. “Let's just say... not

I told her

meant to confess, but

in on Gabriel

ran-only to come home

showing up, driving me

confronting me.

The chaos that followed.

The yelling. The heartbreak.

looked at me like

to find out he'd

work at the company

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

this happened in just a few days?" She blinked. "Claire, this is drama

"Jess," I warned.

I'm so sorry Gabriel's acting like an ass. And Adrian? Why can't that guy just

says it's guilt, but honestly? I'm tired of all of it.

and Adrian. Take a break from all of

slowly. "I

tilted my chin up.

my desk and slid the contract

the pages with narrowed

gave it to me

it

"And?"

Hart app personally. I'd get seventy

all rights and control.

amazing! This is what you've worked for. For

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

murmured, "he wants

"What?"

"Keep him in check at

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

"Adrian only agreed to work at the

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

if deep in thought,

I asked, unsure I'd heard her

she repeated. "I

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

my elbows on the desk and pressed my fingers

completely change my life. Not just