That night, after Charles had finished fooling around with Sophie, he stood by the bed, straightening out the wrinkles in his suit.
When he was undressed, he’d give Sophie anything she wanted. But once he put his clothes back on, he turned back into the high–and–mighty CEO of Sinclair Group.
Remembering what Yolanda had said, Sophie grabbed his sleeve. “Charles, I mentioned before that I wanted the lipstick endorsement for Magnifique Cosmetics, right? I checked, and the current spokesperson is Joelle. Honestly, she’s nothing special. How could she possibly outshine me?”
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.
Sophie had never seen him like this before; her heart sank. She swallowed, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Did I say something wrong, Charles? I’ve seen her photos. Could you help me get the Magnifique Cosmetics endorsement? 1-”
He slowly removed her fingers from his sleeve and leaned in close, studying her face. “Sophie, did someone say something to you?”
Sophie put on her most convincing act, her eyes growing teary. “Charles, I just can’t stand being outshined by someone who’s clearly not as good as me. It’s been eating away at me.”
He patted her cheek lightly, a faint smile in his voice. “Don’t say such silly things next time.”
Sophie’s face instantly drained of color, her fingers curling into a fist. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice barely steady.
“Be good, and there’ll be plenty of resources coming your way. But if you’re not, I can replace you anytime,” Charles said as he straightened his tie and grabbed his suit jacket. “I’m heading out.”
Sophie couldn’t even muster a smile, she just stared helplessly as he walked away.
As soon as the door closed behind him, she hurled a pillow across the room, tears streaming down her face.
She’d insulted Charles’s wife right to his face before, and he’d never cared. But just bringing up Joelle made him turn cold in an instant. Tessa hadn’t lied–Joelle was the one he cherished a lot in his heart.
Sophie pounded the bed beneath her. They’d just been tangled up together, and he could flip the switch like that. She’d never seen Charles act this way before. It was like he’d turned into ice, shutting her out completely.
Her face twisted with rage; she snatched up the business card she’d salvaged from the trash. It was Tessa’s
contact info..
She finally saw it. Charles was truly heartless. She’d been chasing some ridiculous fantasy of rising to the top. She was nothing but a joke.
She was grasping at straws, clutching the card so hard her knuckles turned white, before finally letting it fall from her hand.
7:45 Thu, Sep 11
Chapter 41
Charles hadn’t even made it far down the road when his phone buzzed–it was Yolanda. She said softly, “Charles, things have taken a turn for the worse with William. Can you come over right now?”
Yolanda spent her childhood at the orphanage until she was ten. William, the director, wasn’t in great shape, but he still looked after a few of the kids who had no family.
William’s wife, Athena, had died a few years back from working herself to death, and now William was just barely getting by.
When Yolanda got the call that night, she rushed straight to the hospital and was already pacing the hallway, waiting anxiously.
To her, William was like the grandfather she never had. She’d never known real family love in the Grant or Sinclair families; the only warmth she’d ever felt came from William.
She forced herself to stay strong, clenching her fists to keep them from trembling, and waited until William was finally wheeled out.
The doctor pulled off his mask. “We caught it early this time, but William doesn’t have much time left. He needs a kidney transplant. We’ve been searching for a suitable donor for two years but still haven’t found a match.”
Yolanda leaned back against the wall, her hand limp at her side. “Please let me know the moment you find a donor, okay?”
“Ms. Grant, don’t worry, William is at the top of the donor list. As soon as we find a match, he’ll be the first to get the surgery,” the doctor reassured her.
Yolanda nodded, forcing a weak smile. “Sorry for the trouble.”
She walked into the hospital room and saw a few kids gathered around the bed. They were all orphans from the orphanage, and they’d lived with William for most of their lives.
William was only sixty. He’d taken over the struggling orphanage back when he was middle–aged. He and his wife had run it together for years, and after Athena passed away, he managed everything on his own.
“Ms. Grant, why isn’t Mr. Bennett waking up?” one of the kids asked, their voice trembling.
“We’re so scared. What if Mr. Bennett never wakes up?” another one cried.
Yolanda reached out and gently patted their heads. These kids were the ones who’d called 911. If they hadn’t, William might not have made it.
She said softly, “Be good, okay? I’ll have someone take you all home. Mr. Bennett is going to be fine, so don’t stay here and disturb his rest. Once he’s better, he’ll come back to you.”
Each of the kids took turns hugging her around the waist. “Thank you, Ms. Grant.”
Once the kids left, Yolanda walked over to William’s bedside.
7:45 Thu, Sep 11
Chapter 41
William opened his eyes. “Yolanda, where’s Charles!”
Back when Yolanda had just been taken in by the Grant family, she brought Charles to the orphanage. William liked him right away, and back when Athena was still around, she liked him, too,
They even knew about Yolanda’s little crush on Charles. So many years had flown by, and every time Yolanda visited, William would always ask about Charles. But the Charles of today was nothing like the pure–hearted kid he once was.
“I called him. He’s on his way over, Yolanda replied.
William nodded, took her hand, and gave it a gentle pat. “Yolanda, you have to take good care of yourself. I’ve always worried about you the most. Knowing Charles will look after you puts my mind at ease.”
Yolanda’s eyes stung with tears, but she held them back. “William, we’ll definitely find a matching kidney. You’re just sixty, I asked the doctor, and he said if the transplant works, you could easily have another twenty
years.
Right as she finished speaking, Charles pushed open the door and walked in.
Yolanda immediately noticed a faint water stain on his pants and quickly averted her gaze.
He came over and rested his hands gently on her shoulders, asking with concern, “William, are you okay?
When William saw Charles, he tried to sit up, but Yolanda gently pushed him back down. “William, don’t get worked up. He’s here, and he’s not going anywhere.”
William’s gaze landed on Charles, and he reached out to grab his hand. “Charles, the last time we saw each other was when you and Yolanda first got married.”
Charles looked completely unbothered, a faint smile playing on his lips as he casually slipped an arm around Yolanda. “Yeah, I’ve just been swamped these past two years. Haven’t had a chance to drop by.”
William’s eyes were full of comfort. He couldn’t help but cough, saying, “I know you’re busy. You’re such a capable guy. Yolanda won’t ever have to suffer with you around.”
Yolanda clenched her fist at her side, her nails digging into her palm, but she kept her face neutral.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
Part 1: The Discovery of BetrayalYolanda Grant’s marriage was built on patience, sacrifice, and quiet endurance — but that illusion shattered in one night. It was late when she arrived at a dark, empty alley after receiving a mysterious message with an address. At first, she thought it was a misunderstanding. After all, her husband Charles Sinclair — a man of wealth, power, and refined taste — would never lower himself to something so vulgar. But when she saw him holding a young woman in his arms, kissing and touching her like a man possessed, every ounce of denial drained from her. Charles, the proud and disciplined businessman, was cheating — and in a filthy alleyway, no less.Part 2: The Scene of HumiliationFrom the safety of her car, Yolanda watched as the scene unfolded. The woman clinging to Charles was frail, trembling, and emotional, like a flower blooming in the mud. The surroundings — the stained floor, damp walls, and suffocating darkness — mocked everything Charles had always claimed to be. This wasn’t just infidelity; it was degradation. Yolanda’s mind swirled with disbelief. Her husband, who obsessed over class and perfection, had become a man of impulse and dirt. She didn’t confront him or make a scene; she didn’t even cry. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, numb, realizing that her marriage was already over in spirit.Part 3: Two Years of DevotionAs she sat there, flashes of the past flooded her mind. Two years of marriage — two years of her trying to please him in every way. She had known from the start that Charles didn’t love her. On their wedding day, he had made it painfully clear that his heart already belonged to another woman. Still, Yolanda married him out of hope, out of love, out of the foolish belief that devotion could melt even the coldest heart. She gave up her career, her ambitions, and her independence, just to prove she was worthy of him. She cared for him like a nurse for her patient — cooking his meals, planning his wardrobe, and tending to every detail of his life. And in return, she got nothing but distance and silence.Part 4: The Breaking PointNow, watching him entwined with another woman, everything she had built inside her — the patience, the sacrifice, the illusion — collapsed. The man she had once called her husband had become unrecognizable. He had torn off his noble mask and revealed himself as nothing more than a beast driven by desire. Yolanda felt like she’d been slapped, her dignity shattered into pieces. But instead of screaming or crying, she felt an eerie calm. Her pain was too deep to express. All she could think was: This marriage must end.Part 5: Charles’s UneaseWhile Yolanda drove home, Charles suddenly sensed that something was wrong. The headlights of a passing car illuminated his face, and a chill ran down his spine. He didn’t know whose car it was, but unease stirred in his chest. The girl in his arms whimpered for his attention, but his mind was already elsewhere. Straightening his clothes, he pulled away coldly. “That’s enough for tonight,” he said flatly. “The company’s got big projects. I can’t afford divorce rumors right now.” His words revealed not love, but calculation — every move guided by image and control. The girl, blinded by her feelings, agreed softly, claiming she would wait. But to Charles, it was just another temporary indulgence.Part 6: The Return HomeWhen Yolanda returned home, the villa felt colder than ever. She had just come out of the shower when Charles entered the bedroom, carrying his jacket. He looked as immaculate as always — tall, handsome, commanding — but tonight, his arrogance seemed cruel. On his pristine white shirt, Yolanda noticed a faint smear of pink lip gloss. She had never worn lip gloss; she hated its stickiness. That small, shiny mark told her everything she needed to know. As she dried her hair, she kept her expression neutral, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her pain.Part 7: The Cold ConversationCharles glanced at her and asked casually, “When did you get back?”“This afternoon,” she replied.He loosened his tie, unbuttoning his shirt as if nothing had happened. “I was out playing golf tonight,” he added. The lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. Through the reflection in the window, Yolanda saw the dirt on his back — proof that golf wasn’t the only game he’d been playing. With quiet fury, she shot back, “Then I guess you scored plenty of holes. Congrats.”Her sarcasm caught him off guard. For the first time, he frowned, slightly unsettled. He wasn’t used to this tone from her — the woman who once worshiped him now sounded indifferent, almost mocking.Part 8: His Cruel ArroganceInstead of apologizing, Charles smirked and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Are you mad? I told you when we got married that I didn’t love you. If you’re that unhappy, find someone else to cheat with.” His words cut through her like a blade. It wasn’t just betrayal anymore — it was humiliation. He treated her heartbreak as an inconvenience, as if her pain were irrelevant. Inside, Yolanda’s chest felt like it was being strangled with wire, every breath searing. Yet she stayed silent. Her quietness, once a sign of love, now turned into armor.Part 9: The Memory of InnocenceIn that moment, Yolanda’s mind drifted back to when she first met Charles. She was young, freshly adopted into the Grant family, and he was already the picture of perfection — disciplined, confident, untouchable. Back then, she looked at him with admiration and love. To her, he was everything she aspired to be. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that this same man would someday make her feel worthless. All those years of love, of marriage, of giving — they now felt like a cruel joke.Part 10: A New Beginning Hidden in the Word “Fine”Charles chuckled when she finally said, “Fine.” To him, it was just another empty threat, another outburst that would fade with time. He kissed her cheek, confident that her love would keep her shackled to him forever. What he didn’t realize was that this time, “Fine” wasn’t surrender — it was goodbye. Behind her calm eyes, Yolanda had already made her decision. The love that once bound her had turned to ash, and from that ash, something new was forming — strength.Chapter 1 ends with Yolanda’s quiet determination to take back her life. She won’t cry or beg anymore. This time, she’ll walk away — not as a broken wife, but as a woman reborn through betrayal.
