Yolanda’s hands grabbed hold of his collar, her lashes lowering as she buried her face in his neck. “You didn’t
want me.”
The droplets clinging to her skin soaked through Charles’s clothes.
A strange ache tightened in his chest. He lifted a hand and gently patted her back. “Were you scared?”
“Yeah, if it hadn’t been for my brother, who knows what would’ve happened… I kept struggling and they couldn’t do anything to me, just stole a kiss,” she said, her voice rough, her eyes hazy with fear.
But really, her thoughts were drifting to those kisses with Ian, wondering what he was truly like underneath it
all.
She reminded herself–Ian’s acting skills were something even she and Simone Sinclair agreed were unmatched. She’d have to watch her back with him.
Still, there was no denying it. The guy just knew how to get under a woman’s skin.
“Tsk, dangerous men are always like this. Once they start flirting around, it’s hard to tell what they’re really thinking.‘ Yolanda mused to herself, her guard instinctively rising as she recalled Ian’s charms.
‘Well, goes to show–once people start playing around outside, they can’t help but resent the ones waiting at home. No wonder Charles finds the temptation of wildflowers too hard to resist,‘ Yolanda thought to herself.
‘Can’t really blame Charles for getting lost in all those outside attractions, can I?‘ she mused.
“Charles, I’m so scared,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Charles gently patted her back in a reassuring way, trying to ease her fears.
Yolanda wasn’t sure if she’d really managed to soothe him. Charles could be a real piece of work, but whenever she acted all fragile and scared, his temper would melt away, and he’d toss out a line like, “Yolanda, you’re pretty adorable when you’re like this.”
Charles used to get a kick out of seeing her afraid, messing with her just to watch her fluster and freak out.
But once she caught on to his game, she worried that showing him her messy side would make him lose interest, so she put on a brave face and swallowed it all down, refusing to let him see her fall apart.
She kept bottling up those feelings, until one day, there was nothing left–just numbed out, totally empty inside.
And that’s when Charles would get bored of her, just like that–lose interest and move on.
He tossed the showerhead aside and cradled her face in his hands, his voice soft and teasing, “Look at your lips, all swollen from my kisses.”
He’d been so rough just now, kissing her until her lips were nearly rubbed raw.
12:13 Sun, Sep 21
Chapter 102
She looked so small and helpless, her pitiful expression could melt even the hardest heart.
And as heartbreak washed over him, something hotter and deeper started to stir underneath.
There was a reason the Grant family chose Yolanda–she just had that irresistible aura about her.
With that look in her eyes, she was basically begging for trouble.
Charles scooped her up and dropped her onto the bed.
Yolanda instantly turned white, her whole body twisting as she fought to break free. “Let me go! Get your hands off me!”
2633
Charles pinned her wrists above her head, his voice full of teasing provocation. “So you won’t let me kiss you, huh? Or did you enjoy someone else’s lips more?”
‘Shit, this guy is such an asshole!‘ Yolanda fumed inwardly.
Huge tears streamed down her cheeks, one after another.
Charles froze instantly. If any of his other flings had dared to say no to him like this, he would’ve kicked them out of bed without a second thought.
But Yolanda was crying, and that pissed him off.
What pissed him off even more was himself–because those few tears had somehow softened his heart.
He stopped moving and let go of her wrists.
Her lips were even more swollen now.
Charles looked smug, giving her cheek a teasing squeeze. “Wasn’t Starlight Entertainment what you wanted last time? Take it–consider it a little compensation.”
Yolanda’s mouth hurt like hell, and she wanted nothing more than to slap him across the face. But she held back.
After all, she’d won Starlight Entertainment out of it.
Charles might be a cold–hearted bastard, but when it came to throwing money around, he was generous as
hell.
“Thanks, hubby,” Yolanda muttered, a hint of forced sweetness in her voice.
“You’re really thanking me for something so trivial?” Charles teased with a chuckle.
With a satisfied little laugh, he figured that settled everything. He pulled the blanket over them both and held her close, as if locking the moment in.
Yolanda turned over to face away from him. Truly worn out, she quickly slipped into sleep.
12:13 Sun, Sep 21
Chapter 102
(63
Vouchers
When she woke up, there was a brand–new phone on the nightstand, SIM already swapped out–Charles must’ve had Jack Nolan handle it.
She rubbed her eyes, powered it on, and spotted a message from Ian.
[Ms. Grant, the guys from last night have been taken in by the police. Do you need to come down to the station?]
She freshened up, then just stared at the message, zoning out for a while.
After what happened last night, Yolanda just couldn’t treat Ian like some regular guy anymore.
Megan had said before that Ian used to throw himself into bare–knuckle underground brawls, like he didn’t care if he lived or died. And from the way Samuel acted last night, it seemed he definitely knew more about Ian than he’d ever let on.
‘Seriously, though… how did I just happen to pick up a guy like him off the street and take him home?‘ Yolanda thought, a little freaked out.
She knew she had to head down to the station.
After a quick bite, she made her way there.
Those guys had been handed over to the police by Samuel. If Charles had gotten his hands on them, he wouldn’t have played nice–he’d go to any lengths to force out why they’d really gone after Renee, and the truth about Ian would’ve spilled whether anyone liked it or not.
But Samuel had gotten to them first, and even with all his power, Charles couldn’t risk crossing the
government.
Plus, this wasn’t just any police station—Samuel had friends in high places there. So whatever came up during questioning, you could bet it’d all get spun so the kidnappers just looked like they had beef with Samuel and wanted to mess with the Grant family, nothing more.
As soon as Yolanda walked into the room, she heard a bunch of guys confessing and cursing the whole time.
“It’s all Ian’s fault! That bastard’s twisted, actually pulled a gun on us! You gotta lock him up–guns are illegal here, and that lunatic’s just dangerous!”
“His mom’s a bitch, and he’s no better–a total piece of trash, rotten to the core!”
“Shit! Next time we get the chance, we’re coming after him again!”
The cops listened to all their cussing and mouthing off, frowning and looking pretty pissed.
Yolanda walked in and politely asked the interrogating officer, “Hi, officer, did you get anything out of them about Ian?”
The cop shook his head, sighing. “Nope. These guys, it’s not their first rodeo–they’ve been after Ian plenty of times and done more than a dozen stints behind bars. No matter what we ask, they just keep cursing their heads off, acting completely unhinged. Honestly, they’re probably nuts.”
12:13 Sun, Sep 21
Chapter 102
:
10 vouchers
Yolanda nodded to herself. ‘Let’s be real, nobody in their right mind would ever go after Renee Sinclair like that,‘ she thought.
The guys being interrogated suddenly caught sight of Yolanda and their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. “Holy shit! There’s actually someone who survived lan? No freakin‘ way! That rabid dog would never care about anyone–he has to be faking it! Dammit! Ian, I’ll never forgive you, not as long as I live! Damn it! Waaa-” Their words dissolved into panicked sobbing.
By the end of their cursing, these grown men actually burst into tears, completely losing it.
Yolanda just stared in disbelief. ‘What the hell did Ian do to these people to make seasoned thugs act this terrified–like he’s crawled straight out of their worst nightmares?‘ she thought.
Yolanda rubbed her temple as she left the police station, unable to help herself–she dialed Megan, hoping for any details about Ian.
But all Megan had were the usual basics: his simple family background, and how Yolanda had picked him up that time. Nothing else, nothing useful at all.
AD
Comment
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.
