The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 23

23 A Truth He Can’t Handle

As Vera’s car pulled away from the Evening Gala building, curiosity burned inside me. “What did you mean back there? About Alistair being kept in the dark?”

Vera gripped the steering wheel tighter, her knuckles turning white. “I’m sick of watching him play the hero while treating you like dirt. Someone needed to crack that perfect image he has of Saint Ivy.”

“But what do you know that he doesn’t?” I pressed.

A satisfied smile curled her lips. “Oh, just the fact that his precious dying fiancée is nothing but a manipulative witch who’s been plotting this whole thing.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What are you talking about?”

“Give me twenty minutes,” she said, making a sharp turn. “There’s someone Alistair needs to

meet.”

I watched the familiar streets pass by in confused silence until Vera pulled into the parking lot of Crimson Heights Hospital. The same hospital where Ivy was receiving her cancer treatments.

“Why are we here?” I asked, suddenly nervous.

“Trust me,” was all Vera said as she checked her phone. “Perfect timing. He just texted that he’s

here.”

We waited in the lobby until Alistair stormed through the automatic doors, his face flushed with anger. He spotted us immediately.

“What game are you playing, Vera?” he demanded, crossing the space between us in long, angry

strides.

Vera stood her ground. “No games. Just truth time.”

“I don’t have time for this. Ivy’s waiting for me.” He glanced at his watch impatiently.

“Is she?” Vera’s voice was cold as ice. “Or is she busy planning her next move with her mother?”

Alistair’s jaw clenched. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that your fiancée only married you to hurt Hazel, Vera said bluntly. “She’s been obsessed with taking everything Hazel loves since they were kids.”

I watched shock ripple across Alistair’s face before hardening into denial.

“That’s ridiculous,” he scoffed. “Ivy is dying. She’s not some cartoon villain.”

“Being sick doesn’t make you a saint,” Vera countered. “Cancer doesn’t cancel out cruelty.”

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23 A Truth He Can’t Handle

Alistair turned to me, his eyes narrowing. “Did you put her up to this? Is this another attempt to make me feel guilty?”

The accusation stung. “I had no idea she was bringing us here.”

“Then what’s this about?” he demanded.

Vera stepped between us. “This is about you finally seeing the truth. Ivy Shaw has hated Hazel her entire life. She’s jealous, manipulative, and vindictive. And she married you not because she loves you, but because she wanted to steal something precious from Hazel one last time.”

Alistair’s face darkened. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I don’t?” Vera crossed her arms. “Then explain why Ivy and her mother were overheard laughing about how easily you fell for their scheme. About how satisfying it was to see Hazel broken and humiliated at losing her fiancé.”

His confidence wavered visibly. “Who supposedly overheard this?”

“My aunt,” Vera replied without hesitation. “Dr. Margaret Vance, head of oncology at this very hospital. She was doing rounds when she heard Ivy and Tanya celebrating their victory.”

Blood drained from Alistair’s face. I knew he recognized the name–Dr. Vance was widely respected in medical circles.

“You’re lying,” he whispered, but his voice lacked conviction.

“Why would I lie about something so easily disproven?” Vera challenged. “Ask her yourself. She’s working right now.”

Alistair’s phone rang, breaking the tense silence. He glanced at the screen. “It’s Ivy.”

“Perfect timing,” Vera muttered.

He answered, turning slightly away from us. “Hey, I’ll be up in a minute. I just need to check something first.”

His voice sounded different–uncertain, hesitant. When he hung up, he looked torn.

“This is absurd,” he said, more to himself than to us. “Ivy loves me. She wouldn’t-”

“Wouldn’t what?” Vera interrupted. “Wouldn’t marry a man she doesn’t love just to hurt her stepsister? Because that’s exactly what she did.”

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