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 back,

me

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

trying to take it

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

reach me. It was chaos, Claire. But...

it."

gently. “Then I'm happy for you,” I said softly, meaning

"This is what you've always

really sorry I wasn't here when you needed me. I

don't have your number

her a flat look. "Seriously?

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

I muttered,

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

into the chair. "As good as I can be. I'm trying to hold

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

nodded, swallowing the knot in

herself into the chair beside

staying now? With

know the half

Gabriel's... but

how?

tell me...

looked at her, and that was all the answer

whispered. "How did

“Let's just

I told

to confess,

on Gabriel in

I ran-only to come home to my place in

up, driving me back

confronting me. The truth

The chaos that followed.

The yelling. The heartbreak.

at me like I

to find out he'd taken care

family dinner. Adrian insisting he'd only work at the company if Gabriel let me

finished, Jess stared at me as though I'd

days?" She blinked.

"Jess," I warned.

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

it's guilt, but honestly? I'm tired

with me. Screw Gabriel and Adrian. Take a break from all of it. Join me in Madrid for my next

my hand back slowly. "I

my chin up. "Claire. Talk

across my desk and

pages with narrowed eyes. "What is

me

Gabriel gave it to you

"And?"

the Hart app personally.

all rights and control.

amazing! This is what you've worked

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

"he wants something in

"What?"

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

low whistle.

"Adrian only agreed to work at the company because of me.

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

deep in thought,

I asked, unsure

it,” she repeated. "I

future. You wouldn't have to work for Gabriel or anyone else again

and pressed my fingers to

worked out, it could completely change my life. Not just for me, but for my