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.

Sebastian's SUV pulled up to Vera's apartment building. I glanced at the backseat where Kangkang slept soundly, his head tilted at an angle that would surely give him a stiff neck if we didn't move him soon.


"I can carry him," Sebastian offered quietly, his eyes soft in the dim light.


I nodded wordlessly. The tension from our earlier confrontation still hung between us, but something had shifted. His ultimatum had forced me to confront truths I'd been avoiding.


Sebastian lifted our son effortlessly from the car seat. Kangkang stirred briefly, then nestled against his father's broad shoulder. The sight made my heart twist painfully.


We rode the elevator in silence, the only sound Kangkang's gentle breathing. I fumbled with Vera's spare key, pushing the door open. The apartment was quiet—Vera was out of town on business.


"The guest room is this way," I said, leading Sebastian down the hallway.


Chapter 379 - From Doubt to 'I Do'