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I stared at my phone, calculating the numbers again in my head. Eight million for my share of the villa was less than I deserved, but I’d rather take a loss than owe Alistair anything more.
“Are you sure?” Alistair asked for the third time. “I’m perfectly willing to give you fifteen million. The property’s value has increased substantially.”
“Eight million is fair for my investment.” My voice remained cold. “I just want what I put into it, nothing more.”
“This isn’t about fairness, Hazel. You deserve-”
“I said eight million.” I cut him off sharply. “Transfer the funds today, and I’ll meet you tomorrow at the government center to sign over the deed.”
Silence stretched across the line before Alistair sighed. “Fine. Have it your way.”
After hanging up, I sank onto my couch and ran through the numbers again. The eight million. plus my savings would give me roughly twenty–five million. The auction house estimated my mother’s jade bracelet would go for at least a hundred million.
I was seventy–five million short.
My stomach twisted into knots. That bracelet was the last piece of my mother I could reclaim. When father forced her to sell it during their divorce, something in her had broken
permanently. Getting it back wouldn’t bring her back, but it felt like the one thing I could still do
for her.
My phone buzzed with a notification. Alistair had sent the transfer confirmation. At least he’d been prompt about that.
The next morning, I arrived at the government property center fifteen minutes early. I wanted this over with. Standing in the sterile hallway, I glanced at my watch repeatedly, my nerves wound tight.
“Hazel.”
I looked up to see Alistair approaching. He looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes contrasting with his expensive suit. In his hands were two paper cups.
“I brought you hot cocoa. You always preferred it over coffee.” He offered one of the cups.
I stared at it without taking it. “No, thank you.”
“It’s just a drink, Hazel.” His voice carried a hint of frustration.
“I don’t want anything from you besides what we agreed to.”
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He set the rejected cup on a nearby bench and took a sip from his own. “The transfer went through, right? All eight million?”
“Yes.”
“I still think you’re being ridiculous. The villa is worth thirty million at minimum.”
I crossed my arms. “Then you’re getting quite a deal, aren’t you?”
Before he could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and his expression tightened. He answered with forced cheerfulness.
“Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling today?”
I didn’t need to hear the other end of the conversation to know it was Ivy. A familiar coldness spread through my chest.
“Just at a meeting with investors,” Alistair lied smoothly. “Should be done in an hour or so.”
I could hear Ivy’s voice raise through the phone, though I couldn’t make out her words.
Alistair’s face paled. “No, I’m not. Why would you think that?”
More shouting from the other end. Alistair moved a few steps away, lowering his voice.
“Ivy, you need to calm down. Your blood pressure—”
The shouting grew louder. I could almost make out her accusations now.
“You’re with her, aren’t you? You’re with Hazel!”
Alistair turned his back to me. “That’s ridiculous. I told you I’m at—”
“Don’t lie to me!” Ivy’s shriek was clear even from where I stood. “Sarah saw your car parked at the government center! What business do you have there except with her? You promised me you’d cut all ties!”
I watched Alistair’s shoulders tense. He was caught in his own web of lies.
“Ivy, please. This isn’t good for your health.”
“Don’t you dare tell me what’s good for my health! You promised I was your priority now!”
As Alistair struggled to placate his hysterical wife, I glanced toward the entrance. My blood
froze.
Ivy Shaw stood at the door, phone pressed to her ear, her face contorted with rage. Even from a distance, I could see her trembling. Her eyes locked with mine, and pure hatred flashed across
her face.
Alistair, still turned away, hadn’t seen her yet. “Ivy, I swear I’ll explain everything when I get home. Please, just—”
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“Turn around,” I said quietly.
“What?” Alistair glanced at me, confused.
“Your wife is here.”
His face drained of color as he slowly turned to face the entrance. When he saw Ivy standing there, the phone slipped from his grip and clattered to the floor.
Ivy started walking toward us, her steps unsteady but determined. Her normally perfectly styled hair was disheveled, and she hadn’t bothered with makeup. The contrast to her usual polished appearance was shocking.
“So this is your important investor meeting?” she spat, still several feet away but closing in fast.
I took an instinctive step back. I’d seen Ivy manipulative, deceitful, even.cruelly vindictive–but I’d never seen her like this. She looked completely unhinged.
“Ivy, you shouldn’t be here,” Alistair moved toward her, hands raised placatingly. “Your doctor said you need rest.”
“Don’t tell me what I need!” She slapped away his approaching hands. “I need my husband to stop sneaking around with his ex!”
People in the government center were turning to stare now. A security guard looked our way, clearly assessing whether to intervene.
“We’re just finalizing the property transfer,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. “It’s a legal
requirement.”
Ivy’s hateful gaze swung to me. “Of course you’d say that. Always so reasonable, aren’t you, Hazel? So perfect and innocent while you try to steal my husband!”
“No one is stealing anything,” I replied, struggling to maintain my composure. “Once we sign these papers, Alistair and I will have no further business together.”
“Liar!” Ivy’s voice rose to a screech. “You’ve always wanted him back! You think I don’t know
you’ve been waiting for me to die so you can swoop in?”
Alistair grabbed her arm, his face a mask of embarrassment and anger. “That’s enough, Ivy.
You’re making a scene.”
She wrenched away from him with surprising strength. “Don’t touch me! Not when you’ve been
with her!”
The security guard was definitely moving our way now. I needed this transfer completed before things spiraled completely out of control.
“Our appointment time is now,” I said quietly to Alistair. “I’m going in whether you come or not.”
As I turned toward the office where we were expected, Ivy lunged forward, her hand reaching
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for my arm.
“You’re not going anywhere with my husband!” she snarled.
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