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

"You're making a terrible mistake!" Liana Everett's voice echoed through the hospital corridor. "Alistair, this divorce will ruin everything we've built!"


I kept walking, tuning out her shrill protests. My phone vibrated in my hand—Sebastian's name flashing on the screen. Perfect timing. I needed to escape this toxic family drama.


"Aren't you going to answer that?" Alistair's voice came from behind me.


I turned, finding him following me down the hallway, his mother and the family lawyer trailing behind.


"Privacy, Alistair. Something your family clearly doesn't respect." I gestured to my still-ringing phone. "Excuse me."


I ducked into a small waiting area and answered the call. "Sebastian?"


"How did it go?" His deep voice instantly calmed my frayed nerves.


"As expected. Gloria's plan is exposed, and they're scrambling." I kept my voice low. "I'm heading to the courthouse soon."


"Good. My lawyers are waiting for you there."


More Than a Debt