61 A Dream, a Delay, and a Devastating Accusation
Warm lips pressed against mine as Sebastian’s strong arms held me close. The wedding march played softly in the background as guests applauded. I was a bride at last, wearing the dress I’d poured my heart into creating–but not for Alistair. For Sebastian.
“I’ve waited for this moment my whole life, dream–Sebastian whispered against my ear, his voice sending shivers down my spine
My heart swelled with joy as he gazed at me with those intense eyes. This felt right. This felt real.
Then the alarm blared.
I jolted awake, my hand automatically slapping at my phone to silence it. Six a.m. Reality crashed back like a bucket of cold water. The dream faded, leaving behind a confusing mix of emotions and a racing heart
“What is wrong with me?” I groaned, pressing my palms against my eyes.
It was just a dream–a ridiculous fantasy my subconscious had conjured after my dinner with Sebastian and Vera’s outlandish texts. Nothing more.
My phone buzzed with a calendar reminder: Meeting with divorce attorney, 9 AM. Right. Real life was calling, and it had nothing to do with wedding Sebastian Sinclair. I
had a divorce to finalize.
After a quick shower, I called Alistair. He needed to be reminded about our
appointment with the attorneys today. The phone rang five times before he picked up.
“What?” His voice was cold and irritated.
“Good morning to you too, I said, rolling my eyes. “I’m calling to make sure you’ll be at the attorney’s office at nine
heavy silence followed. Then: “I can’t make it today.”
My grip Lightened on the phone. “Excuse me?”
Class and Tasting Arg
hey had a bad night. I was up with her until four in the morning I’m not leaving her
side today.
Of course Ivy was always the perfect excuse
*Alistair” I said, forcing my voice to remain calm, “we’ve rescheduled this meeting three times already. The papers are ready to be signed.
“And they’ll still be ready next week” he snapped. “My wife is sick
The irony wasn’t lost on me. Tm your wife too, legally speaking. Or did you forget that minor detail?”
“Don’t be petty, Hazel. This isn’t about you.”
My temper flared. “It’s absolutely about me! You’re stalling the divorce on purpose,
“Think whatever you want,” he said dismissively. “I’ll call to reschedule when things
settle down with Ivy
“Alistair-
The line went dead. He’d hung up on me.
I slammed my phone onto the counter, cursing under my breath. Three months of this game. Every time we got close to finalizing the divorce, Ivy miraculously had a health crisis. The woman was genuinely ill, but her timing was suspiciously convenient
I grabbed my coffee mug so hard I nearly broke the handle. Enough was enough. I needed this divorce finalized before the charity gala next month. Walking in there still legally tied to Alistair would be humiliating.
At the office, Fasked my assistant to connect me with the top divorce attorney in the
city.
Ms. Shaw?” A crisp female voice came through the speakerphone an hour later. “This is Diane Lancaster. I understand you’re having issues finalizing your divorce?
“My husband keeps postponing the signing” explained. “He uses his girlfriend’s
liness as an excuse every time”
Girlfriend?” Diane’s voice sharpened with interest. “You mean he’s openly in a
relationship while still married to you?”
Worse He married her too. We’re matechnical bigny situation
A pause. “Well, that changes things considerably. His second marriage isn’t legally valid while he’s still married to you.”
“I’m aware” I said I just want out. Can we force the issue?
“Absolutely. I can file a motion to-
The door to my office burst open so violently it slammed against the wall. My cousin Weihao stood in the doorway, his face contorted with rage.
“I need to call you back. I told Diane quickly, ending the call. I rose from my chair. alarmed. “Weihao? What’s happening?”
His chest heaved as he stared at me, fists clenched. “You’ve ruined everything
“What are you talking about?”
“The money,” he spat. “The money my mother gave you for the auction. Do you know
where it came from?”
My stomach dropped. “She said it was from your family’s savings-
It was embezzled!” he shouted, his voice cracking. “She took it from public funds she manages. They’re investigating her now!”
The blood drained from my face. “No… she told me-
She lied! She took that risk for you, and now everything is falling apart!” Weihao’s eyes filled with angry tears. “My parents are fighting constantly. They’re talking about
divorce. My father can’t even look at her anymore.”
I sank back into my chair, stunned. I returned the money right away when Sebastian stepped m
It doesn’t matter! The transaction was flagged. There’s an investigation. He slammed his hands on my desk, making me flinch. “My mother might go to prison because of
you
Waihad 1 had no idea
and a Devistate Accuestion
You never have any idea do you?” he cut in bitterly “You re so wrapped up in your own problems that you don’t care who gets hurt in your crusade against Alistair, Well congratulations, Hazel. You’ve destroyed my family in the process.
Fach word but like a physical blow, I’d never meant to involve Aunt Mer like this. Fd
been desperate, yes, but I would never have accepted that money if I’d known its
source
“I’ll fix this. I promised, my mind racing. “I’ll talk to Sebastian–he has connections
“It’s too late!” Wethao’s voice broke. “The investigation is already underway. My mother is being questioned tomorrow.” He stepped back, giving me a look of pure disgust. “You’re just like your father. Selfish. Destructive. You don’t care who you hurt as long
as you get what you want.
The comparison to my father was like a knife to the heart. “That’s not fair.
‘Isn’t it?” He moved toward the door, pausing to deliver a final blow. “My parents were
happy for twenty years before you came asking for money. Now they’re sleeping in separate rooms and consulting divorce lawyers. All because you couldn’t let go of your vendetta against Alistair.”
He left, slamming the door behind him.
I sat frozen, his words echoing in my head. Had my determination to win against
Alistair really cost another family their happiness? Had I become so focused on my own pain that I couldn’t see the damage I was causing?
My phone rang–Sebastian’s name flashing on the screen. I stared at it, suddenly feeling sick. Three hundred million to help me. A fortune given without hesitation. But
at what cost to others?
My hand shook as I reached for the phone. What was I supposed to say to him? That my aunt might go to prison because of my desperation? That my cousin now looked ar me with the same hatred reserved for my father”
The phone kept ringing as tears filled my eyes. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I was supposed to be rebuilding my life, not destroying others
The the call to voicemail as the first tear sind down my cheek
