Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

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."

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

"An art broker came to the studio-offered me a spot in a showcase in Barcelona.

It was one 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 with her."

I blinked, trying to take it all in.

"In the process, my bag got stolen," she added quickly. "My phone, wallet-

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

it."

I touched her shoulder gently. “Then I'm happy for you,” I said softly, meaning it

despite everything. "This is what you've always dreamed of."

"Thanks, Claire. I'm really sorry I wasn't here when you needed me. I swear I

would've called... but I don't have your number memorized."

I gave her a flat look. "Seriously? After all these years of friendship?"

She winced. "I know, I know. But I'm the artist, remember? You're the one with the brain for numbers and memory."

"Whatever," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Jess laughed and reached for my hand, guiding me toward the guest chair in my office. "Now come on. It's your office, but let me play therapist. How are you holding up-really?"

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

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

I nodded, swallowing the knot in my throat.

Jess tilted her head and lowered herself into the chair beside me. "So, where are

you staying now? With Gabriel, right?"

I stiffened. She didn't know the half of it.

"I'm at Gabriel's... but it's complicated."

Her brows pulled together. "Complicated how? Wait-" Her eyes widened as if

something clicked. "Don't tell me... he found out the truth?"

I looked at her, and that was all the answer she needed.

"Oh my God," she whispered. "How did he take it?"

I sighed. “Let's just say... not well."

So I told her everything.

How I meant to confess, but Nicole got there first.

How I walked in on Gabriel in bed with Tina.

How I ran-only to come home to my place in flames.

Adrian showing up, driving me back to Gabriel's mansion.

Gabriel confronting me. The truth exploding.

The chaos that followed.

The yelling. The heartbreak.

The way he looked at me like I meant nothing.

The rain. The sickness. Waking up to find out he'd taken care of me.

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

By the time I finished, Jess stared at me as though I'd just narrated an entire soap opera season.

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

"Jess," I warned.

She 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 you alone?"

"I don't know." I sighed. "Gabriel says it's guilt, but honestly? I'm tired of all of it. I just want to escape. From both Storm men."

She reached for my hand again. "Then come stay with me. Screw Gabriel and Adrian. Take a break from all of it. Join me in Madrid for my next exhibition."

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

"Why not?" She tilted my chin up. "Claire. Talk to me."

I reached across my desk and slid the contract toward her.

She picked it up, scanning the pages with narrowed eyes. "What is this?"

"Gabriel gave it to me about an hour ago."

"It's a contract. Gabriel gave it to you an hour ago?"

"And?"

"He's offering to fund the Hart app personally. I'd get seventy percent. He'd take

thirty. I keep all rights and control. It's basically the dream contract."

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

Then her face fell as she noticed my expression. "Why aren't you jumping up and down right now?"

"Because," I murmured, "he wants something in return."

"What?"

"Gabriel wants me to seduce Adrian," I said, my voice dripping with bitterness. "Keep him in check at the company, so he stays focused. In return, he funds my app."

Jess let out a low whistle. "Shit. Okay. That's... complicated."

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

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

Jess rubbed her temples as if deep in thought, then finally spoke. "Sign it."

"What?" I asked, unsure I'd heard her right.

"Sign it,” she repeated. "I know you're

tired. I know 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 with the money. The freedom."

I rested my elbows on the desk and pressed my fingers to my forehead. Jess

wasn't wrong—if this worked out, it could completely change my life. Not just for me, but for my family too.

"I hear you," I muttered. "But the truth is, I don't want to be with Adrian. I don't love

him anymore. I don't want to play games. Revenge got me into this mess. I just

want peace."

Jess leaned in "Then make this your

final game. One last move. Play it

You

smart. You wouldn't even have to try that hard-Adrian still wants you.

And Gabriel... if he thinks he can just pass you off like a pawn, sho

him

who really holds the board

My throat tightened.

"Unless," Jess said softly, "you think Gabriel doesn't love you anymore. Because

the man you told me about-he would've done anything for you."

I looked away. "These past few days, I've seen a version of him I didn't think was

possible. Cold. Unforgiving. I don't even know if he ever really loved me... and honestly? I don't think it matters anymore."

Jess exhaled and picked up the pen, placing it gently in my hand. “Then sign it.

This time, at least you're walking away with something to show for it.”

"Or..." She paused, taking back the

pen, her gaze drifting as if lost

in

thought. Just hold off. Let's not

anything. If connect you

rush into anything. I'll connect you with my lawyer friend first. Shell go

through the contract and tell you if

it's

safe to sign. You know how legalnoveldrama

language is-they bury things in the

fine print. And after everything

you've told me about Gabriel... I don't

trust him anymore."

I stared at her for a moment before giving a small nod. "Okay."

She was right.

If I walked away now, all I'd have left was pain—or I could sign this contract and

finally claim what I'd earned.

This wasn't about him anymore.

This was about me.

I was tired. Tired of trying to understand him.

Tired of loving him.

Tired of begging—for forgiveness, for any sign that I still mattered. That the

woman he once claimed to love was still worth choosing.

I was done hoping the man I trusted was still somewhere behind those guarded

walls.

If Gabriel wanted to play dirty with my emotions, he'd better be ready for what was

coming.