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 rang as I was reviewing designs for our upcoming collection. Alistair's name flashed across the screen, making my stomach clench. I'd hoped our last conversation about Gloria's drug attempt would be the end of it.


I answered with a sigh. "What now, Alistair?"


"You heartless witch!" His voice exploded through the speaker, making me pull the phone away from my ear. "What have you done to my sister?"


I frowned, genuinely confused. "What are you talking about? I haven't seen Gloria since that night at the restaurant."


"Don't play innocent with me," he snarled. "Gloria is in the hospital."


My eyebrows shot up. "Again? What is it this time? Another allergic reaction to her own schemes?"


"This isn't funny, Hazel!" Alistair's voice cracked with rage. "She was assaulted last night. The doctors say she was..." His voice dropped to a pained whisper. "She was violated."


The accusation hung in the air between us. My mind raced to connect dots that weren't there.


A Recorded Deception