The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 81

81 The Queen’s Unwanted Guest

My smile froze as I stared at the unwelcome visitor standing in the doorway

Alistair? His name fell from my lips hke a curse

My ex-fiance stood there in his typical pristine sunt looking completely out of place among the party decorations His eves traveled from my face down to the rhinestone sash and back up to the tiara perched on my head

“What are you doing here? I demanded, my voice sharper than intended. The alcohol m my systemchad lowered my defenses, making it harder to maintain the cool

indifference I usually aimed for around him

Alistair stepped forward, uninvited “I heard you were having a party

“And you thought you were welcome?” I crossed my arms, blocking his path into the

room.

Behind me felt the mood of the party shift. The music seemed to lower itself, and the laughter died down as my friends noticed who had arrived

ppeared at my side, her face flushed with anger rather than alcohol “You have nerve showing up here she hissed.

istair ignored her, his eyes fixed on me. I need to talk to you Hazel. It’s important.”

“Nothing you have to say could possibly be important to me anymore.” I replied coolly

The room had fallen completely silent now. I could feel everyone watching, the six hired entertainers looking confused by the sudden tension

Hazel please,” Alistair lowered his voice “Just five minutes.

Vera stepped between us. She said no. Get out

“This doesn’t concern you, Vera” Alistair snapped

Everything that hurts my best friend concerns me. Vera fired back Especially when it’s the spineless man who left her for her dying stepsister She turned to with exaggerated cheerfulness. “By the way Hazel looks amazing since dumping your dead weight doesn’t she? Never seen her happier

Alistair’s law tightened. “Your all this happy? Getting drunk and playing dress-up whil

action critical

The mention of Ivy’s name was like a slap across my face. The brief joy I’d been feeling evaporated instantly

Don’t you dare, I whispered, finding my voice. “Don’t you dare use her to manipulate

Ine

“It’s not manipulation to expect some basic human decency, Alistair retorted. She could be dying while you’re here partying like nothing matters.

Estepped – leser to him suddenly feeling much more sober. That’s rich coming from you. If Ivy’s conditions so critical, why arent you at the hospital with your wife instead of crashing my birthday party?

His face flushed. He had no answer for that

“That’s what I thought I continued “You use Ivy as a shield when it suits you but when it comes to actually being there for her, you’re just as absent as you accuse me of being”

Sandra appeared at my other side. “You should leave, Alistair. You’re not welcome here:

He ignored her his eyes still locked on me “This isn’t you, Hazel. The drinking, the tiara, calling yourself a queen.” He gestured at my sash with disgust. “What happened To the woman I knew?”

You killed her” I replied simply. “And I like this version better

A sudden splat interrupted the standoff. I turned to see Sienna standing innocently beside the cake, a large piece of frosting now decorating Alistair’s expensive stat jacket.

Oops, she said with exaggerated concern “My hand slipped

Alistair looked down at the white frosting smeared across hits chest, his face darkening with rage Before he could respond one of my hired entertainers stepped forward with a napkin

Let me help wirt that, sir” he offered dabbing at the stain but somehow managing to spread further across the fabric

let off met Alistair shoved the man away, looking around at all of us with burning

This is how you want to play it? Fine. Layoy your childish party, Hazel. But don’t expect sviopathy when reality catches up with you

He turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Vera broke the silence

Well she announced, raising her glass. “I think that calls for another round of drinks”

The tension broke. Everyone laughed, and the music volume cranked back up The hired guys looked relieved as the party atmosphere returned.

“Did you sechis face?” Sandra giggled, mimicking Alistair’s expression of shock when

the cake hit hum

Worth every penny I spent on this party: Vera declared, throwing an arm around my shoulders “You okay, Queen Hazel?”

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Never better

But Alistair’s words had wormed their way into my mind. Was lvy really in critical

dition? For all her manipulation and cruelty, I couldn’t quite shake the image of her dering in a hospital bed while I partied

“Stop it.” Vera whispered, as if reading my thoughts. “You deserve one night of happiness without their guilt trips. Whatever’s happening with Ivy isn’t your responsibility:

She was right. I squared my shoulders and adjusted my tiara. “You’re absolutely right. Now where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?”

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