Claire Winters

Three days. That’s how close I was to marrying Alistair, the man I’d loved for six years, the man whose life I’d literally saved with my own rare blood. I was just admiring the final pearl on my wedding dress, a gown I’d poured my soul into, when he called.

The wedding? Off. He was marrying my stepsister, Ivy. Her dying wish, he said. Six months to live, maybe less.

The kicker? He’d already taken my wedding dress from my studio for her.

Just like that, six years, countless transfusions, our shared dreams – all tossed aside for the girl who’d made my life a living hell since childhood. He even offered me “compensation,” as if my future had a price tag.

But if Alistair and Ivy thought I’d just crumble, they seriously underestimated me. They wanted my fiancé? Fine. But it would cost them. First, our multi-million-dollar fashion company, Evening Gala – built on my designs, my vision. He signed it over. Then, a cool million for the stolen dress. He paid. Another million for the wedding jewelry they dared to ask me to hand over for Ivy. Cha-ching.

You’d think they’d learn. But no. Their next proposal was the most insulting yet: Alistair actually suggested that I should just wait. That after Ivy’s ‘inevitable’ passing in a few months, he and I could just pick up where we left off, have an even better wedding. Seriously?

Enough was enough. If Ivy wanted to play bride with my life, she was going to get a taste of what happens when you push someone too far. Let's just say her hospital room celebration involved a lot more smoke, water, and screaming than she bargained for, all thanks to a little wedding gift from yours truly.

Now they know I’m not the same Hazel they could walk all over. I’ve got my company, a pile of their cash, and a whole lot of scores to settle. They think this is over? This game of revenge is just getting started. And believe me, I play to win.

The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption

My phone buzzed again in my hands. This time, Sebastian's name flashed across the screen.


That was fast. Cora must have called him immediately.


I stared at the vibrating device, my heart pounding. Each ring felt like a countdown to the inevitable confrontation.


"Aren't you going to answer that?" Quentin asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.


With a deep breath, I accepted the call. "Hello?"


"Where are you?" Sebastian's voice was tight with barely controlled concern.


"On the way back to the city," I replied, trying to sound casual despite the throbbing pain in my knees. "It's fine, Sebastian. You didn't need to—"


"What happened?" he cut me off. "Cora said you were injured."


I shot an annoyed glance at the rain-streaked window. "It's just a bad sprain. Nothing serious."


"Hazel." His tone dropped lower, more serious. "Don't downplay this. I need to know exactly what happened and how bad it is."


The Hero's Dramatic Rescue