76 The Counterfeit Gambit
The tension my the hospital room was suffocating. I watched Alistair’s internal struggle play across his face as lyy’s sobs filled the sterile au
“Fine” Alistair finally said, his voice hollow. “I’ll stay
Relief washed over Ivy’s face, quickly replaced by triumph as she shot me a victorious glance She thought she’d won.
Bur: Alistair continued firmly, “there will be conditions.
Ivy’s smile faltered. “Conditions?”
“First, you will return Hazel’s grandmother’s bracelet. It doesn’t belong to you.
Tanya interjected, “That bracelet was a gift-”
“It was never yours to give,” I cut her off coldly. “That bracelet has been in my mother’s tamily for generations.
Ivy’s face hardened as she clutched her wrist possessively. The jade bracelet glinted under the harsh hospital lights. My grandmother’s precious heirloom, now adorning the wrist of the woman who had stolen everything from me
“I won’t give it back. Ivy declared petulantly. “It’s mine now.
Alistair’s patience visibly thinned. “Ivy, be reasonable. That bracelet means nothing to you except as a trophy”
“So what if it is?” she snapped, her mask of weakness temporarily forgotten. “Learned
The room fell silent at her admission
Earned it?” I repeated slowly. “By stealing my fiancé? By pretending to be dying?”
Ivy flinched. That’s not what I meant
Ispt it
stepped closer to her bed. “You’ve wanted everything I have since we were children My father’s love My mother’s jewelry My fiance
Laiya moved between us. “That’s enough, Hazel! Can’t you see how upset you’re
making her
“Fi 17 rossed my arms. Then let’s settle this now. Return the bracelet, and I’ll leave
you all in peace
Harold burst into the room, breathless. “What’s going on? The nurses said there was
some sort of commotion
Your daughter is harassing Ivy, Tanya accused. “She’s demanding the jade bracelet
back
Harold’s face reddened. “That bracelet belongs to Ivy now.
“h belongs to Hazel Alistair stated firmly. Everyone turned to stare at him in surprise
For once, my father looked uncertain. “Alistair. I thought we had an understanding. You chose Toy
I chose to marry Ivy Alistair clarified. “I didn’t agree to let her keep stolen family
niooms.
Ivy’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t care about some stupid bracelet.
If you loved him. I countered. “you wouldn’t use emotional blackmail every time you don’t get your way
Ivy’s hip trembled her go-to tactic when cornered. “Alistair, are you going to let her talk to me like that?”
Allstan sighed deeply “The bracelet, Ivy. Just give it back
“No” she screamed, the monitors beside her bed beeping faster I won’t! It’s mine?
In a flash of movement that shocked everyone, Ivy yanked the bracelet off her wrist and held it up defiantly
You want it so badly? Is this what you care about more than my happiness?” She glared at Alistan Is a piece of jewelry worth more than me?
Ivy don’
Alistair started his hand reaching toward her
Too late Wy hurled the bracelet directly at my teet The delicate jade shattered on the Boom Tapiests scarfering across the polished mes
As ruet smile spread across her face as she watched my reaction “Oops”
The room went deadly silent
Alistair stared at the broken pieces in horror. “What have you done?” His voice was
barely above a whisper
Ivy’s smile faltered at his tone. “She should have caught it
“You deliberately destroyed a priceless family heirloom. Alistair’s voice rose with each word. “What is wrong with you?”
Me?” hy’s voice pitched higher “She’s the one who came here making demands
Apologize Ahstair demanded. “Now.”
Ivy’s face flushed with anger. “I will not apologize to her! She deserved it!”
Tanya rushed to her daughter’s defense. “Ivy is upset. You can’t blame her for lashing
OUT
Of course not.” Harold agreed. “Besides, it was just an old bracelet. We can buy a new
one.
I couldn’t help but laugh-a cold, humorless sound that made everyone turn to me.
Just an old bracelet?” I repeated, shaking my head. “You really are clueless, aren’t you?
With deliberate slowness. I pulled back my sleeve, revealing an identical jade bracelet
of my own WTIS!
Confusion washed over their faces, followed quickly by understanding.
“What the- Harold sputtered
The real bracelet never left my possession. I explained calmly. “What Ivy just destroyed was a cheap replica I had made
J’s face drained of color That & alte
I smiled Tknew you’d never simply returnat Iknow you Too well dear sister Your instinct is always to destroy what you can’t have”
You tricked us” Tanya shrieked
protected my property; Lcorrected her. And in the process, exposed Ivy’s true
hature to Alistair
Alistair stared at the bracelet on my wrist, then at the shattered pieces on the floor realization dawning in his eyes.
You planned this, he said quietly
Inodded I needed to reclaim what was mine:
Harold stepped forward, his face red with rage. “This invalidates our agreement! You manipulated us into signing!
Actually I smiled coldly, “the agreement simply stated I would not contest your ownerstup of the company if Ivy returned my grandmother’s bracelet. Since she never had the real bracelet, the agreement still stands.
You conniving little- Tanya lunged toward me, only to be held back by my father
This isn’t over.” Harold growled. “We’ll fight this in court.”
With what evidence?” Lasked, my voice steady. “The papers are signed. The witnesses confirmed Ivy agreed to return the bracelet. She just returned what she thought was the bracelet-not my fault it was a fake.
Ivy was hyperventilating now, her face contorted with fury. “You can’t do this! You
can’t win
I looked at her directly feeling a strange sense of peace. “I already have. You’ve lost Ivy, The company. Alistair’s respect, and any moral high ground you thought you had
I turned to leave, satisfied with the chaos I’d created. Behind me. I heard Ivy’s desperate scream
“Alistair Don’t just stand there! Take that bracelet from her! NOW
paused at the doorway, turning slightly to witness Alistair’s response. His decision in this moment would reveal everything about where his loyalties truly lay
The room fell silent as everyone waited for his next move
