The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 166

166 Thirty Days and a Vicious Threat

Hazel’s POV @

The memory of Sebastian’s flustered face brought a smile to my lips as I worked. His blush had been adorable-a crack in that perfect composure he always maintained. I wondered if he was still thinking about our awkward encounter as much as I was.

“Ms. Shaw? Is everything alright with the dress?” Cora Cadwell’s voice pulled me from my daydream.

“Sorry, just double-checking the hem,” I replied, hastily focusing on the task at hand. “Please turn once more.”

Cora spun slowly, the midnight blue gown shimmering under the studio lights. I made a few final adjustments to the waistline, ensuring the dress hugged her curves perfectly.

“There. Perfect.” I stepped back to admire my work. “What do you think?”

“It’s magnificent!” Cora beamed at her reflection. “You truly are a miracle worker.”

After helping her change back into her street clothes and scheduling her final fitting, I glanced at the clock. Two hours until my appointment at the Civil Affairs Bureau. My stomach knotted with anticipation.

Today was the day I would finally begin the process of legally divorcing Alistair.

I called Vera while gathering my documents.

“Today’s the day,” I said when she answered. “I’m heading to the bureau at noon.””

“About time!” Vera’s voice crackled through the speaker. “Need me to come with you?”

“No, I need to do this myself. But I’ll call you right after.”

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“You’d better. And remember, don’t let that weasel talk you out of anything.”

I smiled at her protectiveness. “Trust me, there’s no chance of that.”

After ending the call, I took a deep breath and checked my reflection. I’d chosen a simple but elegant navy dress-professional, confident, nothing that screamed “bitter

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ex.” I wanted to look like a woman moving forward with her life, not dwelling on past betrayals.

At the Civil Affairs Bureau, I arrived fifteen minutes early and found a seat in the waiting area. The place smelled of paper and floor cleaner, with fluorescent lights casting an unflattering glow over everything. My fingers drummed nervously against my purse as I waited.

At exactly noon, Alistair walked through the door. He wore an expensive charcoal suit and a carefully arranged expression of remorse. My stomach clenched at the sight of

him.

“Hazel.” He nodded stiffly as he took the seat beside me.

“Let’s just get this over with,” I replied, keeping my voice neutral.

“Before we go in, I want to apologize for my behavior at the hospital.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I was out of line. I should never have tried to… force myself on you.”

I stared straight ahead, unwilling to meet his eyes. “No, you shouldn’t have.”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. Ivy’s death, the funeral arrangements-it’s been overwhelming.”

I bit back a retort about how he’d made his choices. There was no point in rehashing it

all now.

“Number forty-seven.” The electronic voice called our number, saving me from having to respond.

We followed a clerk to a small office where a middle-aged woman with tired eyes greeted us without enthusiasm.

“You’re here to file for divorce?” she confirmed, typing our information into her

computer.

“Yes,” I replied firmly.

She walked us through the process mechanically, explaining forms and requirements. When it came time to sign the initial paperwork, Alistair’s pen hovered over the document.

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“Wait,” he said suddenly. “I’m not sure we should rush this.”

My head snapped up. “Are you serious right now?”

The clerk looked between us uncomfortably.

“I just think we should consider—”

“No,” I cut him off sharply. “We agreed to this divorce. Sign the papers, Alistair.”

His jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought he might refuse, but he finally scrawled his signature across the line.

The clerk cleared her throat. “Per the new family law, there’s a mandatory thirty-day cooling-off period before the divorce can be finalized.”

“Thirty days?” I couldn’t hide my dismay. “I wasn’t aware of that.”

“It’s a recent change,” she explained. “After the thirty days, if both parties still wish to proceed, you’ll return and complete the process.”

Frustration bubbled in my chest, but I nodded. “Fine. We’ll be back in thirty days.”

Outside the bureau, Alistair caught up to me as I headed for my car.

“This cooling-off period is a good thing, Hazel,” he said, falling into step beside me. “It gives us both time to really think.”

I stopped walking. “There’s nothing to think about. In thirty days, we’re getting

divorced.”

“I’m letting you have this time with Sinclair,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “Let you test the waters, see if he’s what you really want.”

My mouth fell open in disbelief. “You’re *letting* me?”

“When you realize he’s just using you to get back at me, I’ll be here.” His expression was maddeningly confident. “After the divorce, I’m going to win you back properly. We belong together, Hazel.”

“You’re delusional,” I hissed. “There is no ‘after the divorce’ for us. And Sebastian has

nothing to do with this.”

“We’ll see.” He smiled, that smug, knowing smile that made me want to slap him.

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“Thirty days isn’t that long. I can wait.”

I turned on my heel without another word, my hands shaking with rage as I unlocked my car. Once inside, I called Vera.

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