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.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify