The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 124

124 A Grotesque Proposal

Hazel’s POV 1

The memorial hall was suffocatingly quiet as I stood before the arrangement of wreaths. Each one I’d sent was more magnificent than the last-a silent statement to everyone present. I could feel dozens of eyes tracking my every move.

My aunt Helen squeezed my hand once more before drifting away, leaving me alone in the spotlight. I kept my chin high, refusing to shrink under the weight of their stares.

Tanya was the first to break the silence. She rose from her seat in the front row, her face contorted with grief and rage.

“How dare you show your face here?” she snarled, voice echoing through the hall.

I remained still, allowing her to approach. Her eyes were bloodshot, her makeup streaked with tear tracks. For a fleeting moment, I felt a pang of sympathy-she had lost her daughter, after all.

That sympathy vanished when she reached the largest wreath and violently kicked it

over.

“You didn’t come to mourn,” she spat. “You came to gloat!”

The crowd gasped. My father stood up but made no move to intervene. Typical.

“I came to pay my respects,” I replied evenly. “Whether you believe that or not is your

choice.”

Tanya laughed bitterly. “Respect? You hated Ivy! You’ve been seething with jealousy ever since she took Alistair from you!”

I bit back a sharp retort. This was neither the time nor place for that particular truth.

“Stop this, Tanya,” Alistair stepped forward, inserting himself between us. “Hazel has every right to be here.”

His defense of me only enraged Tanya further.

“How can you defend her? My daughter isn’t even cold in her grave, and you’re already running back to this-this vulture!” Tanya’s finger jabbed the air inches from my face.

I stepped back, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

*If you truly respected Ivy’s memory,” Tanya continued, turning to Alistair, “you would slap this bitch across her smug face right now!”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even my father looked uncomfortable now.

“Tanya, that’s enough, he muttered, finally intervening

I couldn’t help myself. “Interesting suggestion, considering your daughter stole my

husband first.”

The words hung in the air like poison. Tanya lunged toward me, but Alistair caught her

arm.

“This is inappropriate,” he said firmly. “We’re here to remember Ivy.”

Tanya wrenched away from his grasp. “Don’t touch me! You’re just as bad as she is!”

I’d had enough of this spectacle. “I’ll go. I’ve paid my respects.”

As I turned to leave, Alistair called out, “Hazel, wait.”

I paused, wishing I hadn’t. The room went deadly quiet again.

*I have something to say,” Alistair announced, addressing the entire gathering. “Something everyone needs to hear.”

My stomach knotted. Whatever he was about to do, I knew I wouldn’t like it.

“I married Ivy because she was dying,” he declared boldly. “It was her final wish, and I granted it out of pity. Nothing more.”

The collective intake of breath was audible. Tanya’s face drained of color.

“How dare you,” she whispered.

Alistair continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “I’ve fulfilled my obligation to her. My duty is done.” He turned to face me directly. “But my heart has always belonged to one

woman.”

Horror dawned on me as I realized what was happening. “Alistair, don’t—”

Too late. He was already reaching into his pocket, producing a small velvet box. The same diamond ring I’d once worn glinted inside.

“Hazel Shaw,” he said, dropping to one knee in front of everyone, “will you marry me? Will you take back what was always meant to be yours?”

The funeral guests erupted in shocked murmurs. Tanya swayed on her feet, looking as if she might faint.

I stared down at Alistair, utterly disgusted. Was this what he thought I wanted? A recycled proposal at his dead wife’s funeral? My stepsister’s funeral?

“Have you completely lost your mind?” I hissed.

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