Chapter 46
It was late at night, and Hugh was dragging his shattered leg down a filthy alley, every step a battle. The sharp click of high heels echoed behind him, making him freeze in place.
When he saw Yolanda step into the light, he gave a bitter twist of his lips. “Mrs. Sinclair, you were right. Mr. Sinclair really did let me live.”
Yolanda stood tall, her bag in hand, her back straight as a rod. “Dr. Thornton, you resent me. Sure, those rich wives forced your hand, but can you swear you still have a shred of compassion left as a doctor?”
Her words stabbed straight into Hugh’s heart. He stood there, dazed for several seconds, memories flooding back–how he’d once sworn to his mentor to always put saving lives first. But in the end, he’d let himself get swept up by money and power.
Those women who became mistresses were at fault, but he was far from cleaning hirnself. He stayed silent. dragging his injured leg onward.
Yolanda watched his retreating figure. “If you do this, your daughter won’t end up as their pawn. record, they won’t dare use her. She can go abroad.
With your
“I know you’re not willing to accept this, Dr. Thornton, but if you keep sinking into this mire, it won’t end well for you.”
Hugh limped away, and after a few seconds, his voice echoed from the distance, “Take care of yourself, Mrs. Sinclair.
Yolanda stood there, letting out a soft chuckle. The moment when she started lying to Charles, she’d crossed him. He would never forgive anyone for betrayal.
Since she had betrayed him once, she was facing a tough choice now: either she had to keep lying forever, or she needed to face the consequences.
She lowered her lashes, her heels clicking as she made her way forward. Once she got in her car, she headed to the hospital to check on William. He was doing much better.
Word was that Charles had been running all over the country, hunting for a kidney donor. Things were getting messy in the Sinclair family after the scandal, and his two uncles were already making moves. But none of that had anything to do with Yolanda.
A week later, Charles managed to find a kidney donor by throwing money around. After the surgery was done, he finally made it home.
Yolanda hadn’t seen Charles in a week.
Her studio was finally finished, and lan was coming back from the shooting set. She had to drive out to pick him up herself.
She reached out to Sophie using Tessa’s number. Ever since she’d spilled the beans about Joelle, Sophie had
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Chapter 46
been constantly messaging her, desperate to know how she could make Charles hers for good.
The last time Charles left Sophie’s bed, he hadn’t called her once. Sophie was terrified he’d already moved on, In just over two weeks, she’d lost nearly ten pounds.
Sophie sent: [Tessa, as long as you can help me win him over, I’ll do whatever you say.]
Yolanda was driving to the train station when she saw the message, a sly smile curling on her lips. This was exactly what she wanted–Sophie eating out of her hand.
She replied: [Mr. Sinclair is free tonight. He just got his biggest problem out of the way, so he’ll be looking to relax.
[Head to Muse Club. You might just bump into him. If you cry a little, he’ll feel bad for you and come running back.]
Sophie’s eyes lit up at the message. [Okay.]
After being ignored by Charles for more than two weeks, Sophie was about to lose her mind. She never imagined he could be this heartless.
Yolanda pulled her car into a corner spot and sent lan her location. Soon enough, she spotted a figure in a black tracksuit heading her way. He wore a hat and a mask, but his tall, lean build made him stand out in the crowd.
The car door opened, letting in a rush of sunlight and fresh air. lan slipped inside, closed the door, lowered his lashes, and greeted her sweetly, “Hey, Yol- Ms. Grant”
Yolanda remembered how last time he’d said he was hungry and she’d just told him to go eat some bread. Thinking about it now, she felt a bit heartless, but she really didn’t want to get involved. “Mm.”
She started driving toward his place and asked, “Did Zack give you any trouble afterward?”
lan answered in a low voice, “Nope.”
The car went quiet for a moment. There was a stubborn streak in him, like he was quietly pushing back against her, an unspoken tension hanging in the air.
When they pulled up outside the villa, Yolanda hopped out first and unlocked the door with her fingerprint. “Head upstairs and freshen up. I’ll tell you about the role Ms. Sinclair has for you.” She’d promised to introduce him to Simone once he got back.
Ian picked up his black bag and headed upstairs. Half an hour later, he came back down, his hair still damp. water dripping down.
He looked slim at first, but when he flexed, Yolanda could tell he packed a punch. Dressed in black silk pajamas, he dropped into the seat across from her.
Yolanda pushed the audition script toward him. I pulled some strings and got you a shot at the lead. If you land it, you’ll be catapulted to the A–list. We’ll need to get you ready for the media and everything that comes
with it.”
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Chapter 46
She stood up. “Get up; let me size you up.”
Ian looked a little surprised but stood up anyway. Water dripped from his hair onto his chest, leaving a spreading damp patch on his shirt.
Yolanda circled around him. “Your posture is great. No need for a movement coach.
He was tall, and as he lowered his lashes, he caught her lips curving in satisfaction. She was clearly appreciating his physique. He quickly looked away, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.
Yolanda stretched out his arm and gave his bicep a testing squeeze. Most guys skipped triceps at the gym, but every inch of muscle on lan was just right.
She said, “Keep up your workout routine. The camera adds bulk, so you’ll need to maintain this weight from
now on,
His gaze drifted back to her, and he found himself just watching her lips move, not catching a word she said. After about ten minutes of checking him over, Yolanda looked up at him. “Did you get everything I said:”
He gave a quiet “Yeah.”
Yolanda nodded, checked the time on her phone. “I set up a meeting with Ms. Sinclair at the hotel for eight. You’ve got a few hours to rest,” she said as she walked out, already calling Megan.
Megan was at the studio, doing a final walkthrough. They’d hired a ton of workers for the renovation, using only the best materials to make sure it was ready to move into right away.
“Yolanda, I checked everything. It’s perfect–just like the renderings. You should come see your office. It’s amazing! I might have to start calling you Ms. Grant from now on,” Megan said.
–
A smile flickered in Yolanda’s eyes. “What about your own office? Have you seen it yet?”
“Oh yeah, I checked it out. I’m over the moon. Yolanda, things are only going to get better from here, right?” Yolanda was just about to get in her car when she heard someone call out behind her, “Ms. Grant, wait up”
“Yes?” She turned to see lan following her. She covered her phone, with a hint of confusion in her eyes. “Is there something else?”
Ian stood there in his black silk pajamas, hair tousled, looking a bit hesitant. “This script… There are a lot of kissing scenes. And, uh, bed scenes, too.”
”
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.
