The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 34

34 A Desperate Bargain

I arrived at the fusion restaurant fifteen minutes early, my mind still reeling from Alistair’s confusing gesture. The hostess led me to a quiet corner booth, and I ordered a glass of white wine while waiting for Vera.

“Starting without me?” Vera’s voice rang out as she slid into the seat across from me. Her sharp eyes assessed my face. “You look troubled. What’s happened now?”

I took a sip of wine before answering. “Alistair postponed our divorce appointment. Again.”

Vera rolled her eyes. “That man is the master of excuses. What was it this time? Alien abduction?”

“A business trip to Milan.” I shrugged. “But get this – he’s signing over the villa to me.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “The entire property? No S

“None that I could find in the paperwork.”

Vera signaled for a waiter and ordered herself a martini before leaning forward. “So Prince Charming suddenly grew a conscience? I don’t buy it.”

“Neither do I.”

The waiter returned with Vera’s drink. We ordered our meals, and as soon as he left, Vera picked up exactly where we’d left off.

“Look, I’ve been thinking about this whole situation. Why is Alistair dragging his feet on the divorce?”

I pushed my wine glass in circles. “Guilt? Manipulation? Who knows with him.”

“Or maybe,” Vera said, her voice dropping lower, “he’s realized he made a terrible mistake.”

I scoffed. “Well, it’s too late for that.”

“Obviously. But what if there’s something else?” She leaned closer. “Have you considered why he really needs to keep you in his life?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your blood,” Vera said simply. “You’re his perfect match for transfusions. Without you, his condition is much harder to manage.”

The realization hit me like a slap. In all our years together, I’d given blood for him countless times. His rare blood type made finding donors difficult, and my compatibility had been a blessing.

“You think he wants to keep me tethered because I’m his personal blood bank?” The idea turned

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34 A Desperate Bargain

my stomach.

Vera shrugged. “Men like Alistair are ultimately selfish. He took everything else from you – your wedding, your happiness. Why not keep access to the one thing that might literally save his life?”

Our food arrived, but my appetite had vanished. I’d always believed Alistair loved me, even if he’d made a horrible choice out of misplaced pity for Ivy. But this perspective shifted everything. Had he ever seen me as more than a convenient medical resource?

“That’s…” I struggled for words.

“Disgusting? Sociopathic? Completely on–brand for him?” Vera supplied, spearing a piece of chicken.

“All of the above.” I forced myself to eat a bite of my fish. “God, Vera. What if you’re right?”

“I usually am.” She smiled wryly. “So what will you do about the villa?”

“Take it,” I said firmly. “It’s the least he owes me.”

The rest of lunch passed with lighter conversation, but Vera’s theory haunted me all afternoon and into the evening. By the time my aunt Helen called the next morning, I was still turning it over in my mind.

“Hazel! Are you sitting down? I have incredible news!” My aunt’s excitement vibrated through the phone.

“What’s happened?”

“Your mother’s jade bangle! The one she had to sell when times were hard? It’s been found!”

My heart skipped. Mother’s treasured heirloom, passed down through five generations of women in our family, had been sold during my parents‘ bitter divorce to pay for lawyers. The loss had broken my mother’s heart.

“Where? How?” I gripped the phone tighter.

“It’s coming up for auction next month at Crawford’s. I recognized it instantly from the catalog photos – the unique carving, the specific shade of imperial jade! It’s absolutely your mother’s piece.”

Hope surged through me. “We have to get it back!”

“That’s why I’m calling, dear.” Her voice softened. “The starting bid is thirty million.”

know. I wish I could help, but with your uncle’s medical bills…” She trailed off. “It’s okay, Aunt Helen. Thank you for telling me.”

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