34 A Desperate Bargain
I arrived at the fusion restaurant fifteen minutes early, my mind still reeling from Alistair’s confusing gesture. The hostess led me to a quiet corner booth, and I ordered a glass of white wine while waiting for Vera.
“Starting without me?” Vera’s voice rang out as she slid into the seat across from me. Her sharp eyes assessed my face. “You look troubled. What’s happened now?”
I took a sip of wine before answering. “Alistair postponed our divorce appointment. Again.”
Vera rolled her eyes. “That man is the master of excuses. What was it this time? Alien abduction?”
“A business trip to Milan.” I shrugged. “But get this – he’s signing over the villa to me.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “The entire property? No S
“None that I could find in the paperwork.”
Vera signaled for a waiter and ordered herself a martini before leaning forward. “So Prince Charming suddenly grew a conscience? I don’t buy it.”
“Neither do I.”
The waiter returned with Vera’s drink. We ordered our meals, and as soon as he left, Vera picked up exactly where we’d left off.
“Look, I’ve been thinking about this whole situation. Why is Alistair dragging his feet on the divorce?”
I pushed my wine glass in circles. “Guilt? Manipulation? Who knows with him.”
“Or maybe,” Vera said, her voice dropping lower, “he’s realized he made a terrible mistake.”
I scoffed. “Well, it’s too late for that.”
“Obviously. But what if there’s something else?” She leaned closer. “Have you considered why he really needs to keep you in his life?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your blood,” Vera said simply. “You’re his perfect match for transfusions. Without you, his condition is much harder to manage.”
The realization hit me like a slap. In all our years together, I’d given blood for him countless times. His rare blood type made finding donors difficult, and my compatibility had been a blessing.
“You think he wants to keep me tethered because I’m his personal blood bank?” The idea turned
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34 A Desperate Bargain
my stomach.
Vera shrugged. “Men like Alistair are ultimately selfish. He took everything else from you – your wedding, your happiness. Why not keep access to the one thing that might literally save his life?”
Our food arrived, but my appetite had vanished. I’d always believed Alistair loved me, even if he’d made a horrible choice out of misplaced pity for Ivy. But this perspective shifted everything. Had he ever seen me as more than a convenient medical resource?
“That’s…” I struggled for words.
“Disgusting? Sociopathic? Completely on–brand for him?” Vera supplied, spearing a piece of chicken.
“All of the above.” I forced myself to eat a bite of my fish. “God, Vera. What if you’re right?”
“I usually am.” She smiled wryly. “So what will you do about the villa?”
“Take it,” I said firmly. “It’s the least he owes me.”
The rest of lunch passed with lighter conversation, but Vera’s theory haunted me all afternoon and into the evening. By the time my aunt Helen called the next morning, I was still turning it over in my mind.
“Hazel! Are you sitting down? I have incredible news!” My aunt’s excitement vibrated through the phone.
“What’s happened?”
“Your mother’s jade bangle! The one she had to sell when times were hard? It’s been found!”
My heart skipped. Mother’s treasured heirloom, passed down through five generations of women in our family, had been sold during my parents‘ bitter divorce to pay for lawyers. The loss had broken my mother’s heart.
“Where? How?” I gripped the phone tighter.
“It’s coming up for auction next month at Crawford’s. I recognized it instantly from the catalog photos – the unique carving, the specific shade of imperial jade! It’s absolutely your mother’s piece.”
Hope surged through me. “We have to get it back!”
“That’s why I’m calling, dear.” Her voice softened. “The starting bid is thirty million.”
The number hit me like a bucket of ice water. “Thirty million? That’s impossible.”
know. I wish I could help, but with your uncle’s medical bills…” She trailed off. “It’s okay, Aunt Helen. Thank you for telling me.”
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34 A Desperate Bargain
After hanging up, I calculated my finances obsessively. The villa was worth a considerable sum, but I couldn’t sell it fast enough to raise thirty million before the auction. My savings were substantial but nowhere near enough. Even if I liquidated every asset I owned, I’d fall desperately short.
For two days, I barely slept, running through scenarios, making calls to potential investors, even considering high–interest loans. Nothing viable materialized. The bangle – my last connection to my mother would slip through my fingers.
–
When Alistair called on the third day, I almost didn’t answer. But desperation makes for strange decisions.
“Hazel?” His voice was cautious. “Did you receive the villa paperwork?”
“I did. It’s signed.”
“Good.” He paused. “I was thinking about the furnishings. Since many were your designs or choices, I’m happy to—”
“I don’t want the villa,” I interrupted.
Silence stretched for several seconds.
“I know what it’s worth. I want ca
t? But it’s worth-”
instead.”
“Cash?” He sounded genuinely confused. “For the entire property value?”
“No, just for the renovations I paid for and the furniture I bought. My half. The words felt strange in my mouth. Just weeks ago, I would have fought tooth and nail for that house.
“I don’t understand. Is this some kind of negotiation tactic?” His voice grew suspicious.
“It’s not a tactic. I need liquid assets, not property I kept my voice steady, revealing nothing about the auction or my mother’s bangle.
“Hazel, be reasonable. The villa is prime real estate. Its value will only increase. Taking cash is financially irresponsible.”
His condescending tone made my teeth clench. “My finances are no longer your concern.”
“At least tell me why. This makes no sense.”
I closed my eyes, calculating. The renovations and furniture would give me a starting point. Combined with my savings, I might have a fighting chance at the auction.
“Do we have a deal or not, Alistair? My half in cash, you keep the villa.”
He hesitated. “When would you need this money?”
“Immediately.”
Another lengthy pause. “I’ll need to move some investments around.”
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34 A Desperate Bargain
“You have one week.”
“Fine,” he finally said. “I’ll have the money transferred. But Hazel, don’t you want the villa? Where will you live then?”
The question hung in the air, laced with genuine confusion that almost concealed the controlling sentiment beneath. He couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t take his “generous” offer, couldn’t fathom that I might value something more than material security–or that I might have
plans that didn’t involve him.
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