The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 190

190 The Heart’s Quiet Surrender

190 The Heart’s Quiet Surrender

The soft glow of Vera’s living room lamps cast long shadows across the floor as I swirled the last of my wine. The weight of my confession hung in the air between us.

Vera moved to her kitchen, pulling ingredients from cabinets. “I’m making us cocktails. This conversation requires something stronger than wine.”

Vera crossed her arms. “Explain yourself. Now.”

“Love should be a little scary.” Vera leaned back into the cushions. “If it doesn’t scare you at least a little, it’s probably not worth having.”

I let out a watery laugh. “You know I’m terrible at that.”

My throat tightened. “Maybe he should.”

“Or maybe he just loves you that much.” Vera raised an eyebrow. “Did you ever consider

that?”

Vera pulled me into a tight hug. “Oh, honey. That’s the risk we all take. There are never any guarantees in love.”

I nodded, unable to meet her eyes. “I told Sebastian and his mother that I have no intention of getting into a new relationship. That I’m focusing on my career instead.”

“I know that.” A tear slipped down my cheek. “But I swore I wouldn’t be that weak again. I wouldn’t let another man have that kind of power over me.”

“So Sebastian’s family has a spotless reputation.” I stood up, suddenly restless. “The Sinclairs are practically American royalty. They advise presidents, for heaven’s sake.””

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound the soft jazz playing from Vera’s speakers.

“I don’t know what to do,” I confessed. “Every time I’m around Sebastian, I feel like I’m losing control. Like I’m falling and there’s no safety net.”

“Is that what you honestly believe?” Vera asked.

She returned with two vibrant blue drinks. “But Hazel, being able to love again after betrayal isn’t weakness. It’s the opposite. It takes tremendous strength to open your

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heart when you know exactly how badly it can hurt.”

“To going with the flow,” Vera raised her glass again.

“Maybe that’s exactly what you need.” Vera squeezed my shoulders gently. “To let go of

control for once.”

“And did he accept that?”

“Sebastian isn’t Alistair,” Vera said firmly.

I sank onto the arm of the sofa. “What if this is just a rebound? What if I’m so desperate not to be the pathetic ex-wife that I’m latching onto the first man who’s shown me

kindness?”

“I do.” She smiled. “Which is exactly why it might be good for you.”

Her words struck deep. Was that what I was doing? Punishing myself for being foolish enough to love Alistair all those years?

Vera stood and came to me, taking my hands in hers. “That’s not weakness. That’s your heart recognizing something real.”

“So?”

“Isn’t it?” My voice cracked. “Because every time Sebastian looks at me with those eyes, every time he says my name in that way of his, I feel myself crumbling. All my defenses, all my carefully built walls-they mean nothing.”

“What’s that?”

“I turned him down,” I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

“There’s more, isn’t there?” Vera knew me too well.

As we clinked glasses, I felt something loosen in my chest-a knot of anxiety I’d been carrying for so long I’d forgotten it was there. I wasn’t making any promises, not even to myself. But for the first time since Alistair walked out of my life, I wasn’t actively closing the door on possibility.

I accepted the drink, considering her words. “I never thought of it that way.”

Vera nearly spat out her drink. “You did what?”

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“Because it terrifies me.” My voice was small. “The way I feel about him after such a short time-it’s overwhelming. And if he hurt me…”

The thought made my heart flutter traitorously. “That’s even more terrifying.”

Vera nodded encouragingly. “Go on.”

“Of course he did.” Vera rolled her eyes. “The man is practically a saint.”

I hesitated. “No. What I feel for Sebastian is… different. It’s not like anything I felt with Alistair. It’s… deeper somehow. More solid.”

I took another long sip of my drink, letting the alcohol warm my insides. “You know

what scares me most?”

The words hung in the air, terrifying in their honesty.

I nodded. “He said he respects my decision. That he’ll be there as a friend if I need

him.”

“That sounds like a plan I can get behind.” Vera grinned.

“Is still terrified.” I opened my eyes, reaching for the resolve that had carried me through the darkest days after Alistair’s betrayal. “But maybe… maybe I don’t have to make any grand decisions right now.”

I pulled away, wiping at my eyes. “I feel so foolish. I barely know him.”

I watched her work, grateful for the momentary distraction. “You think I’m being ridiculous, don’t you?”

“Oh, Hazel.” Vera set her glass down with a thud. “Why would you do that? He’s perfect for you.”

“Is he though?” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Or is he just perfect on paper?”

“Maybe I can just… stop fighting it so hard.” The idea formed as I spoke it. “Stop running from him. Stop overthinking every interaction.”

“You’re not a burden. You’re a successful businesswoman who’s been through hell.” Vera’s voice softened. “And Sebastian clearly doesn’t care about any of that mess.”

## Hazel’s POV

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The question hit me like a physical blow. Why was I? The answer came with startling clarity.

I took a deep gulp of my cocktail, feeling a strange sense of liberation wash over me. “I’m going to go with the flow. For once in my life, I’m not going to struggle against my feelings.”

Vera rolled her eyes. “And you think they care about gossip?”

“So instead you’ll walk away from what might be the love of your life?” Vera pulled back to look at me. “That’s not protecting yourself, Hazel. That’s punishing yourself.”

“Love isn’t weakness, Hazel.”

“And that’s… bad?” Vera’s confusion was evident.

I took a sip, the sweet-tart liquid warming my throat. “I told him I wanted to focus on my career.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Vera refilled her glass. “The Sinclairs have enough power to crush any gossip. One word from them, and no publication would dare print your name.”

“Everyone cares about gossip when it could affect their standing.” I paced along her plush carpet. “I’d be bringing nothing but trouble to his doorstep.”

“Then why are you fighting it so hard?”

Maybe that was enough for now. A heart’s quiet surrender, not to another person, but to its own capacity to feel-to hope-once more.

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