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

"I can drive you to the university anniversary," Sebastian offered as we stood outside my building. The streetlight cast shadows across his face, highlighting his perfect jawline.


I blinked in surprise. "You don't mind?"


"Not at all." His smile was subtle but genuine. "My car has special access to campus grounds. You won't have to walk from the public parking lots."


The offer was tempting. I pictured us arriving together, turning heads. But reality quickly intruded. Sebastian would be swamped by faculty and alumni the moment we arrived.


"That's kind of you," I said. "But could you drop me off early? Before the official reception starts?"


Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Avoiding something?"


"Someone," I admitted. "My ex-professors will interrogate me about my career while pretending they didn't predict I'd fail."


He chuckled, the sound warming me despite the cool night air. "Consider it done. I'll text you the details."


Sweet Delusions and Shrewd Dealings