42 Crossing a Line
My phone rang again just as I finished my morning coffee Alistair’s name flashed across the screen for the second time today. I let it ring three times before answering.
What now?” I asked, keeping my tone bored and disinterested.
“We need to talk about my father. His voice was tight, controlled anger vibrating through each syllable.
“I wasn’t aware we needed to talk about anything.”
“He’s facing serious legal charges because of you. The accusation hung heavy between
PUS.
1 laughed without humor. “Because of me? That’s rich. Your father–in–law got himself arrested by hiring a prostitute and causing a scene in a five–star hotel.”
“You set him up.”
“I merely provided the opportunity. He made the choice to fall straight into it.”
Silence stretched between us before Alistair spoke again, his voice lower.
“This could ruin everything we’ve built.”
“You mean everything *I* built while you chased after my dying stepsister?” 1 corrected him sharply. “The designs are mine. The vision is mine. You’re just the money, Alistair. And apparently, that’s running out too.
Icould practically hear him grinding his teeth. “You have no idea what you’re doing
“I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m watching everyone who betrayed me get exactly what they deserve”
“And what about you, Hazel? What do you deserve after all this?”
The question caught me off guard. For a brief moment, I pictured my mother’s jade bracelet–the only thing I truly wanted back
1 deserve everything I’m taking answered coldly
Alistair’s tone shifted suddenly “Look, I know things are difficult for you right now I heard about your financid situation
My blood ran cold, “What are you talking about?”
“The loan you’re trying to secure. The investors who backed out
Who told you that?” I demanded, gripping the phone tighter
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is I can help you.”
Help me? After everything he’d done? Anger bubbled up inside me.
“I don’t need your help.
“Don’t be stubborn, Hazel. This is business. I can arrange-
“One hundred million dollars,” I cut him off. “That’s my price for considering your help.
He sputtered. “What? That’s absurd!”
“Is it? I thought you were offering to help. Guess your concern only extends so far.” I hung up before he could respond, satisfaction warming my chest.
Ten minutes later, my phone rang again. This time it was Vera.
“Have you lost your damn mind?” she hissed without greeting.
“Good morning to you too. I replied, frowning at her tone.
“Alistair just called Grandma Rose!”
My blood turned to ice. “He did what?”
“He called our grandmother! Said you were in financial trouble and too proud to ask for help. Grandma’s beside herself, Hazel! She’s talking about selling her house!
I gripped the counter until my knuckles turned white. “Put her on the phone
“She’s lying down. Her blood pressure spiked so high i had to give her medication
That bastard, I whispered. Tll call you back.
1 ended the call and immediately dialed Alistair’s number, trembling with rage. He answered on the first ring
“Hazel-
How DARF you call my grandmother? Eshouted, not caring who heard me. “She’s eighty–seven years old with a heart condition!
“I was trying to help-
“By scaring an elderly woman half to death? By invading my family’s privacy? That’s crossing a line, even for you!”
“You wouldn’t listen to reason,” he argued. “Someone needed to know how stubborn you’re being.
“My finances are none of your business!” I was pacing now, unable to contain my fury. “My family is off–limits, do you understand? OFF. LIMITS.”
“Hazel, please
“No. We’re done talking. Be at the lawyer’s office tomorrow at nine for the divorce papers. If you bail again, I swear I’ll sue you for harassment.”
The line went quiet. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer.
*know about the bracelet
froze mid–step.
What?”
Your mother’s jade bracelet. I know that’s why you need the money.”
I swallowed hard. “How do you know about that?
3 know more than you think I want to help you get it back”
By calling my grandmother? By making her worry herself into a strok
* mistake. I’m sorry? He actually sounded sincere. “But the offer stands Let me help you!”
Sistings Live
“With one hundred million dollars? I scoffed.
I can’t get that kind of cash; he admitted. “Not right now, at least.
“Then we have nothing to discuss.
There are other ways, Hazel. We could work together. Plan something.
The way he said “plan something made my skin crawl. I’d seen that manipulative tone before–right before he’d convince me to do something that benefited him far more
than me
The only plan I’m interested in is our divorce.”
“You don’t mean that.” His voice hardened. “You’re angry, and you have every right to be. But we both know there’s still something between us.
“Yes, there is,” I agreed. “Contempt. Disgust. Loathing. Should I continue?”
“You can pretend all you want, but we built something together. Six years isn’t erased that easily.
I closed my eyes, fighting against the unwelcome memories trying to surface. Six years of love. Six years of planning our future. Six years of blood donations that kept him alive
“Nine a.m. tomorrow.” I repeated firmly. “Don’t be late.”
I hung up and stared at my phone, willing my hands to stop shaking. How had he found out about the bracelet? Who was feeding him information about my life?
Most importantly, what did he mean by “plan something“?
A text message appeared on my screen from an unknown number:
“Your ex seems desperate to keep you in his life. Should I be concerned?”
Sebastian Sinclair. I hadn’t spoken to him since our dinner
My fingers hovered over the keyboard as I considered my response. Before I could decide, another message arrived
By the way. Tve handled that little financial situation you were concerned about
Consider it an advance on our arrangement.”
My heart skipped a beat. What exactly had he handled“! And what did he expect in return?
I suddenly felt caught between two powerful men–one from my past who refused to let go and one from my present whose intentions remained shrouded in mystery
Neither option felt safe
C
