Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 184

Clairessa’s POV

I reached Gabriel’s office a few minutes later, my heart still rattled from the elevator ride with Adrian. But the moment I stopped in front of the door, the nerves gave way to a slow, burning anger.

I paused just long enough to take a breath, then knocked lightly.

“Come in,” Gabriel’s voice called—low, calm, composed, like he hadn’t shattered me a hundred times already.

I stepped inside, chin held high.

He sat behind his desk, casually flipping through papers like it was just another Monday morning and he hadn’t dragged me here out of nowhere.

His eyes met mine.

For a heartbeat, something flickered there. Pity? Maybe. Regret? Possibly. Whatever it was, I didn’t want it. I didn’t need his sympathy. Not from him. Not now. Not ever.

His gaze didn’t waver. “How are you doing?”

The question landed softer than I expected—his voice gentler than it had been in days. Careful. Almost too careful.

I crossed my arms. “What do you think?”

He leaned back in his chair, setting the papers aside. “You’ve been through a lot these past few days. The fire, losing your home…” He paused, his voice dipping lower. “I know it hasn’t been easy.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, holding back what I really wanted to say.

“So now you care?” I fired at him, my voice low but loaded.

His jaw tensed, but his eyes didn’t move from mine. “I never stopped.”

I scoffed, loud enough for him to hear. “Mr. Storm, can we skip the pleasantries and get to the point of why you dragged me up here?”

He sighed, completely unfazed by my words. “Adrian told me about everything you lost. I can’t imagine what that felt like. I’m truly sorry, Clairessa. If you need anything—”

“Mr. Storm,” I cut in, straightening my spine, “I don’t need your handouts. I can take care of myself.”

His expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing, letting a long silence stretch between us.

I was here for my job. Not his pity. Not his guilt. And definitely not his broken apologies.

I wasn’t here for his guilt. And certainly not for his broken apologies.

“So?” I leaned forward. “What do you want?”

Gabriel stood and stepped out from behind his desk, then sat on the edge of it, legs crossed casually like we were old friends catching up. The nerve.

“Please, sit,” he motioned to the chair across from him.

“No, I’m fine standing,” I replied curtly. “Like I said before.”

He tilted his head slightly, the familiar commanding look settling on his face—the one that always made people cave without even realizing it.

“Sit. Now.”

I rolled my eyes, knowing I wasn’t going to win this. Some battles weren’t worth the energy. With a resigned sigh, I picked my battle and lowered myself into the chair in front of his desk.

He moved a little closer, but I didn’t flinch. I wasn’t here to play his games.

He slid a black file across the desk toward me. “I have a proposition for you.”

I eyed it suspiciously before glancing up at him. “What is this?”

“Open it,” he replied. “It’s a new proposal I’ve drafted—something I believe could benefit us both.”

I hesitated for a split second before flipping it open.

Inside was a contract—something formal, carefully worded. My eyes skimmed the lines until a familiar phrase caught my attention.

Hart App

I blinked.

“What is this?” I asked again, more cautiously this time.

He watched me closely, giving me space to catch up. When I looked at him, confused, he finally spoke.

“It’s a proposal to fund your app,” he explained.

Wait—what?

“You’ve found a new investor?” I asked, my voice coming out a little more hopeful than I wanted it to. A part of me waited, expecting him to confirm it, so I could leap for joy. I could finally get the funding I needed.

I stared at him—long and hard.

Then I snapped the folder shut and shoved it back across the desk.

“Well, Mr. Storm, you can take your deal and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.”

I turned to leave, but his hand closed around my wrist, pulling me back.

“Clairessa, wait—”

My pulse jumped at the contact. His grip wasn’t forceful, but there was something desperate in it.

I glanced back—and he was standing now, towering over me, no longer the composed man behind the desk.

And there it was again—that glint of tenderness in his eyes. The kind I hadn’t seen in weeks.

But I wasn’t letting myself get fooled by it.

I jerked my hand away from his grasp. “What?” I asked, frustrated.

“I don’t want us to fight,” he said softly. “Not when we could work together—to get what we both want.”

I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head at his audacity. “I’d rather take my chances with the wolves than align myself with a man as selfish, cold, and conceited as you.”

His eyes flashed with anger, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Clairessa... that’s enough.”

He stepped closer, his voice turning steely. “I’ve been patient, but I’m offering you something incredible, and you’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”

I wrenched my wrist from his grasp, but his hold was tight, making it impossible to break free. “Mr. Storm, take your hands off me. Now.”

He hesitated, and I saw the frustration cross his face before his grip on my wrist finally loosened, and he slowly backed away.

I shot him a look of disgust, turning toward the door.

But then, his voice stopped me in my tracks—deep, dark, and final.

“If you walk out that door, the contract is off the table. And good luck finding an investor who would offer you a deal like the one I just did.”

The words hung between us like a challenge, and for a brief moment, I stopped dead in my tracks. Just for a second.