200 Drawing the Battle Lines
“Yes, she is,” Cora answered for me, already moving toward the vehicle. “Goodnight,
Alistair.”
Fiona’s face reddened. “You little-”
Sebastian was suddenly beside us, his presence menacing despite his casual stance. “The
lady asked you to release her.”
“Let. Go.” My voice was barely audible over the blood rushing in my ears.
“Fine,” I said coldly. “You appeal tomorrow, and I’ll make sure your sister is in jail
tomorrow. Let’s both go all out!”
I crossed my arms. “I don’t owe you explanations.”
My momentary peace shattered at the sound of Alistair’s voice. I turned slowly to see him
hurrying down the steps toward us.
“Come on, Hazel,” Cora grabbed my arm. “The air quality suddenly dropped in this
corner.”
Alistair’s grip tightened reflexively before he dropped my arm. “This doesn’t concern you,
Sinclair.”
“Then how do you know Sebastian Sinclair?” she pressed. “Everyone knows he doesn’t socialize with just anyone.”
“Insurance fraud, Alistair. Faking terminal cancer to collect a seven-figure payout.” I
smiled thinly. “I have the evidence. I’ve had it for months. I just didn’t want to cause a
scene.”
“Try me.” I stepped toward Sebastian’s waiting car. “It’s your choice. Walk away now, or we both start destroying lives tomorrow morning.”
“We have nothing to discuss,” I said firmly.
We collected our belongings and headed for the exit. The cool night air felt wonderful after the stuffy ballroom. I took a deep breath, feeling some of the tension leave my body.
“Ladies,” he called. “Your ride awaits.”
I headed back to retrieve my purse from our table. Vera had wandered off to network with some alumni who might be useful for her restaurant business.
“Ex-wife,” I corrected, rubbing my arm where his fingers had dug in.
Rage, white-hot and blinding, surged through me. “Let go of my arm.”
The implication wasn’t subtle. The two women behind her tittered.
As he walked away, I caught myself staring at his broad shoulders in that perfectly
tailored suit. What was happening to me? One minute of attention from Sebastian
Sinclair and I was turning into a blushing schoolgirl.
Alistair’s face drained of color. “You’re leaving with him?”
## Hazel’s POV
Sebastian chuckled. “Fair enough. I’ll find you before the event ends.”
Something in me snapped. The last thread of restraint, perhaps, or the final vestige of the
doormat I’d once been.
“Friends?” Cora raised an eyebrow. “Funny, I thought they were the same nasty gossips
who spread rumors about you stealing designs in our senior year.”
“I made a mistake,” he pleaded. “The biggest mistake of my life. I’ve been trying to tell you
“You’re bluffing,” he whispered, but uncertainty flickered in his eyes.
I nodded, suddenly exhausted from the emotional roller coaster of the evening. “More
than ready.”
“My, my, Hazel Shaw.” Fiona’s voice dripped with false sweetness as she intercepted me.
“I didn’t know you were so well-connected.”
I turned to follow her, but Alistair’s hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly.
“Yes!” he cried. “They convinced me it was the compassionate choice!”
“Just catching up with old friends,” I said dryly.
“Anything involving Hazel concerns me,” she fired back.
Alistair blanched. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m not,” I replied simply.
I shrugged. “Maybe I’m not just anyone.”
Fiona’s smile tightened. “Don’t be ridiculous. Someone like him wouldn’t give you a
second glance unless you’re providing… services.”
“You have a funny way of showing it,” I pulled my hand away. “Was it love when you
married my stepsister? When you gave her my wedding dress?”
“She’s my wife,” Alistair snarled.
“That’s rich coming from you,” I laughed bitterly. “The master of trustworthiness.”
“Anything that concerns Ms. Shaw concerns me,” Sebastian replied, echoing Cora’s
earlier words but with an underlying threat that made them sound entirely different.
“Was it?” Cora’s tone was acid. “Like how you’re misunderstanding Hazel’s relationship
with Sebastian Sinclair? Green isn’t your color, Fiona. Neither is that dress.”
“And now?” I stepped closer, my voice deadly quiet. “Now that Ivy’s miraculously
recovered and your marriage is falling apart, you suddenly remember your love for me?”
“Is it working?” Sebastian leaned closer, his cologne-expensive and subtle-enveloping
“Always.” Cora squeezed my arm. “Ready to leave this snakepit?”
“Save it,” I cut him off. “I’m not interested in your regrets.”
“He’s dangerous, Hazel!” Alistair ran a hand through his hair. “You can’t trust him.”
“I’ll let you know by the end of the evening,” I replied, trying to maintain some composure.
We walked away, leaving Fiona and her friends fuming.
“What do you want?” Cora snapped before I could speak.
14:53
Alistair’s expression hardened. “This doesn’t concern you, Cora.”
“I’m going to need a hell of a lot more than five minutes to explain how Sebastian Sinclair knows you,” Alistair said, his voice rising. “What are you doing with him? Do you have any idea who he is?”
Alistair ignored her, his eyes fixed on me. “We need to talk. Alone.”
“Hazel!”
“Don’t do this, Hazel,” he hissed. “If you get in that car with him, I’ll appeal our divorce.”
“It’s exactly like that,” I spat. “I was your backup plan then, and I’m your backup plan now.”
“A technicality I can fix,” Alistair retorted. “I’ll file the appeal tomorrow.”
Cora snorted. “Good God, man. Have some dignity.”
“I was manipulated!” His face contorted with emotion. “By Ivy, by your father and stepmother-even my own parents! They made me believe-”
“Do I need a reason beyond wanting to spend a few more minutes in your company?” His smile was subtle but devastating.
“Five minutes. Please.” His voice cracked slightly. He looked disheveled, his tie loosened and hair mussed.
Fiona’s jaw tightened. “That was a misunderstanding.”
I froze. “What did you just say?”
Fiona gasped. “How dare you—”
“They made you believe what?” I challenged. “That abandoning me was the right thing to do? That marrying Ivy would somehow save her life?”
“I’d like to drive you home tonight,” Sebastian said, his voice low and intimate as we stood in a quiet corner of the ballroom.
Alistair flinched. “It’s not like that.”
14:53
“You heard me.” His fingers dug into my arm. “There were procedural errors in our divorce filing. My lawyer found them. I can tie you up in court for years.”
Standing behind her were two other former classmates, their expressions equally curious and hostile.
“I still love you.” His voice dropped to a desperate whisper.
I couldn’t help the warmth spreading across my cheeks. “You’re being suspiciously charming.”
“Promise you won’t leave with him,” Alistair demanded.
“The only service I provide is designing clothes that make women look better than nature
intended,” I replied coolly. “Something you might consider investing in.”
“Hazel, please,” Alistair reached for my hand. “Come home with me tonight. Let me explain everything. I never stopped loving you-not for a single day.”
“Problem here?” Cora appeared at my side, her expression fierce. She’d never tolerated
bullies, even back in college.
The sound of a powerful engine interrupted our argument. A sleek black SUV pulled up to
the curb, its tinted window lowering to reveal Sebastian in the driver’s seat.
“She said no,” Cora stepped between us.
“Thanks for the rescue,” I murmured.
The intensity in his dark eyes made my heart skip. “Why is that?”
