Chapter 4: A Most Insulting Proposal
I was reviewing fabric swatches for the upcoming collection when my apartment doorbell rang. Two days had passed since Alistair signed over Evening Gala to me. Two days of blessed silence. Two days of planning my future without him.
I wasn’t expecting visitors. Vera was at a business meeting across town. My assistant knew better than to drop by unannounced.
Through the peephole, I saw Alistair standing in the hallway. Not alone. His mother hovered beside him like a vulture in designer clothing.
My first instinct was to ignore them, but curiosity won out. What more could they possibly want?
I opened the door but blocked the entrance with my body. “This is unexpected.”
“Hazel.” Alistair’s voice was soft, apologetic. “We need to talk.”
“We finished talking two days ago.” I kept my tone cool, professional. “The paperwork is signed.”
Liana pushed forward. “This is important, Hazel. It concerns Ivy.”
Of course it did. Everything revolved around precious Ivy these days.
“Five minutes,” I said, stepping aside reluctantly. “The clock starts now.”
They followed me into the living room. I didn’t offer them seats. I didn’t offer them anything.
Alistair cleared his throat. “Ivy’s condition has deteriorated. The doctors say she might not have as long as we thought.”
“And this concerns me how?” I crossed my arms, waiting for the point.
“She’s your sister,” Liana said, her voice dripping with judgment.
“Step-sister,” I corrected. “And that’s a technicality of paperwork, not blood or love.”
Alistair pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. My stomach tightened as I recognized it – the custom jewelry set I’d selected for our wedding. Platinum and diamonds worth nearly half a million dollars.
“We came to ask a favor.” He held the box out between us. “Ivy is too weak to shop for wedding jewelry.”
I stared at the box, then at his face, disbelief rising in my chest. “Let me understand. You want me to give the wedding jewelry I selected to the woman who stole my fiancé?”
“She’s dying, Hazel.” Liana’s voice hardened. “Where’s your compassion?”
A laugh escaped me – bitter, sharp. “My compassion died the day your son gave my wedding dress to a woman who has tormented me since childhood.”
“I know this is difficult.” Alistair stepped closer. “But I’m trying to make a dying woman happy.”
“By making me miserable?” I shook my head. “The audacity is almost impressive.”
Alistair set the jewelry box on the coffee table. “I still love you, Hazel. This isn’t about love. It’s about pity.”
“Pity?” I repeated, my voice dangerously quiet.
“Yes.” He looked at me with those earnest eyes that once made my heart flutter. “I pity Ivy. She’s dying without ever having been loved. At least I can give her this one happiness before she goes.”
The room went very still. I could hear the clock ticking, counting down their five minutes.
“And what happens after she dies?” I asked.
Liana answered before Alistair could. “Alistair will be free to move on with his life.”
“With me, you mean?” I looked between them, pieces clicking into place. “Is that why you’re here? To keep me on ice until Ivy’s conveniently gone?”
Alistair nodded, actually looking relieved. “I know it’s unorthodox, but I was hoping you’d understand. Once Ivy passes, we could have an even better wedding. Something truly spectacular.”
I stared at him, stunned by his complete blindness to his own cruelty. Was this the man I’d nearly married?
“Let me get this straight.” I stepped closer, voice deadly calm. “You want me to accept being your second choice. To wait obediently while you marry my step-sister. Then, once she’s conveniently dead, you expect me to welcome you back with open arms?”
“It wouldn’t be like that,” Alistair insisted. “This marriage to Ivy is just a kindness, not real.”
“A kindness?” I repeated, the words bitter on my tongue. “Is that what you call stealing someone’s fiancé? A kindness?”
Liana interjected. “Alistair is being selfless. Sacrificing his own happiness temporarily to comfort a dying woman.”
“This is business.” I stared directly at Alistair. “You want to buy my jewelry for your new bride? Pay the price.”
Alistair’s face showed conflict, but I knew he would agree. He needed to maintain his image as the selfless hero in this twisted story.
“Fine,” he said eventually. “I’ll transfer the money today.”
“And one more condition.” I held the jewelry box just out of his reach. “I will deliver this to Ivy personally. Tomorrow.”
Their twin expressions of alarm were almost comical.
“That’s not necessary,” Alistair said quickly.
“It’s entirely necessary.” My smile was all teeth. “I want to congratulate my sister face-to-face. Give her my blessing.”
Liana stepped between us. “Absolutely not. You’ll only upset her.”
“Then no jewelry.” I shrugged, setting the box down. “Those are my terms.”
Alistair and Liana exchanged glances. I could practically see their minds working, trying to find a way out of this trap.
“Fine,” Alistair finally conceded. “But I’ll be there with you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” My smile was sugar-sweet poison. “Tomorrow, I will personally deliver the full set of jewelry to the hospital and visit my dear sister.”
But tomorrow, they would discover just how wrong they were.
Ivy wanted to steal my life? She wanted my fiancé, my wedding dress, my jewelry?
Fine. Let her have it all.
But first, she would have to face me.
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