Three days. That’s how close I was to marrying Alistair, the man I’d loved for six years, the man whose life I’d literally saved with my own rare blood. I was just admiring the final pearl on my wedding dress, a gown I’d poured my soul into, when he called.

The wedding? Off. He was marrying my stepsister, Ivy. Her dying wish, he said. Six months to live, maybe less.

The kicker? He’d already taken my wedding dress from my studio for her.

Just like that, six years, countless transfusions, our shared dreams – all tossed aside for the girl who’d made my life a living hell since childhood. He even offered me “compensation,” as if my future had a price tag.

But if Alistair and Ivy thought I’d just crumble, they seriously underestimated me. They wanted my fiancé? Fine. But it would cost them. First, our multi-million-dollar fashion company, Evening Gala – built on my designs, my vision. He signed it over. Then, a cool million for the stolen dress. He paid. Another million for the wedding jewelry they dared to ask me to hand over for Ivy. Cha-ching.

You’d think they’d learn. But no. Their next proposal was the most insulting yet: Alistair actually suggested that I should just wait. That after Ivy’s ‘inevitable’ passing in a few months, he and I could just pick up where we left off, have an even better wedding. Seriously?

Enough was enough. If Ivy wanted to play bride with my life, she was going to get a taste of what happens when you push someone too far. Let's just say her hospital room celebration involved a lot more smoke, water, and screaming than she bargained for, all thanks to a little wedding gift from yours truly.

Now they know I’m not the same Hazel they could walk all over. I’ve got my company, a pile of their cash, and a whole lot of scores to settle. They think this is over? This game of revenge is just getting started. And believe me, I play to win.

The afternoon light streamed through the tall windows of my design studio, casting long shadows across the worktable where I was pinning the final details on a charcoal suit jacket. I stepped back to assess my work, pleased with the clean lines and perfect fit.


"That's exquisite," Cora Cadwell said, running her fingers along the sleeve. "Sebastian will look incredible in this."


I smiled, smoothing down the lapel. "Your brother has excellent taste. Most clients give me general ideas, but he knew exactly what he wanted."


"That's Sebastian for you." Cora wandered around the studio, admiring the sketches pinned to my inspiration board. "Precise about everything."


I carefully draped the jacket on a mannequin and grabbed my measuring tape. "Ready for your fitting?"


Cora nodded eagerly, stepping onto the small platform in the center of the room. I began taking her measurements for the evening gown she'd commissioned.


Chapter 116 - An Ex's Return and a Burning Question