The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 9
Chapter 9: What More Could You Want
The late afternoon sun beat down mercilessly as I stood facing Alistair on the sidewalk outside the civil affairs bureau. My heart hammered in my chest, but it wasn’t from love anymore. It was pure rage.
“Hazel, please,” Alistair begged, reaching for my arm again. “Let’s talk about this rationally.”
I sidestepped his grasp. “Rationally? You want me to be rational while you marry my stepsister in my wedding dress?”
People passed by, some slowing to watch our confrontation. I didn’t care anymore who saw or heard.
“It’s complicated,” he insisted, lowering his voice. “You know Ivy doesn’t have much time left.”
“And that makes betrayal acceptable?” I crossed my arms, creating a physical barrier between us. “You had choices, Alistair. You chose her.”
His face darkened. “What was I supposed to do? Deny a dying woman her last wish?”
“Yes!” I hissed, stepping closer. “That’s exactly what you should have done when that wish involved destroying me!”
Alistair’s jaw tightened. “You’re being selfish. This isn’t just about you.”
The accusation hit me like a slap. After everything I’d sacrificed for this man—my blood, my time, my entire adult life—he had the audacity to call me selfish.
“You disgust me,” I whispered, the words cutting through the air between us.
His eyes widened in shock. “Hazel—”
“No.” I lifted my hand to silence him. “For six years, I gave you everything. My blood kept you alive. And this is how you repay me?”
“It’s not that simple—”
“It is that simple!” I snapped. “A real man would have stood by his commitment. You’re weak, Alistair. You always have been.”
He grabbed my wrist suddenly, his fingers digging painfully into my skin. “You don’t mean that. You love me.”
The desperation in his eyes disgusted me further. I yanked my arm away.
“I did love you,” I corrected him. “Now I see you for what you really are.”
His expression shifted, darkening with anger. “Ivy needs me more than you do right now. She’s dying!”
The words hung between us. Before I could stop myself, my hand flew up and slapped him hard across the face.
The crack echoed on the street. Alistair’s head snapped to the side, a red mark blooming on his cheek.
“How dare you use her illness to justify your betrayal,” I said, my voice ice-cold. “You’re not marrying her out of nobility. You’re doing it because you’re a coward who can’t say no.”
Alistair touched his cheek, staring at me in shock. For once, he seemed speechless.
“We’re done,” I declared, stepping back. “I’ll see you October 3rd for the divorce filing. Until then, stay away from me.”
I turned and walked away, feeling lighter with each step. Behind me, I could hear him calling my name, but I didn’t look back.
—
“He said what?” Grandma Elaine nearly dropped her teacup.
I sat in her cozy living room two days later, surrounded by the comforting scent of cinnamon and old books. After the confrontation with Alistair, I’d canceled the wedding venue and florist, then driven straight to my grandmother’s house outside the city.
“He wanted me to wait for him,” I repeated, still shocked by his audacity. “Like I’d be eager to take him back after he’s done playing husband to Ivy.”
Aunt Margaret snorted derisively. “That boy always did think too highly of himself.”
I smiled gratefully at my fierce aunt and grandmother. While the rest of my family had chosen sides long ago—my father siding with his new wife and stepchildren—these two women had always been my rock.
“You did the right thing, sending back his ring,” Grandma said, patting my hand. “A man who abandons his commitments so easily isn’t worth your tears.”
“I’m not crying anymore,” I assured her, and realized it was true. The crushing pain had transformed into something else—determination.
“Good.” Aunt Margaret nodded approvingly. “Now, tell us about this company you’re taking over.”
For the next hour, I outlined my plans for Evening Gala. Without Alistair’s interference, I could finally implement the creative direction I’d always envisioned.
“You’re going to be just fine, sweetheart,” Grandma said when I finished. “Better than fine. You’re going to thrive.”
Her certainty bolstered my confidence. For the first time since Alistair’s betrayal, I felt hope stirring within me.
—
Monday morning, I walked into Evening Gala’s headquarters with my head held high. Our employees glanced up as I passed, their expressions a mixture of sympathy and curiosity. News traveled fast in our small company.
“Good morning, Ms. Shaw,” my assistant greeted me cautiously. “Are you… okay?”
“Better than okay, Tina,” I replied with genuine confidence. “Is the design team ready for our meeting?”
She nodded, relief visible in her expression. “They’re waiting in the conference room.”
The meeting went smoothly. I presented my vision for our winter collection, and the team responded with enthusiasm. Without Alistair’s constant budget concerns holding us back, we could finally pursue the bold direction I’d advocated for years.
After the meeting, I returned to my office to find Alistair clearing out his desk in the adjacent room. Our eyes met briefly through the glass partition before I deliberately turned away, focusing on my computer screen.
He lingered longer than necessary, clearly hoping I’d acknowledge him. I didn’t. Eventually, he left with his box of belongings, shoulders slumped in defeat.
Verify captcha to read the contentNew Chapters
Reading History
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters)
This had the potential to be a really good read, unfortunately it is inconsistently contradictory and all over the place....