Chapter 109
Chapter 109
Yolanda stepped into the room, holding onto the key card Jack had given her.
56
55 vouchers
As she entered, she was greeted by a spacious living room. Her luggage had already been taken to the bedroom.
She pulled out her phone and messaged Blake for an update.
Blake replied with a single message: [Just met. Ten days should be enough. Just keep your husband out of the way.]
Yolanda quickly deleted the message–no trace left behind. She never bothered saving Blake’s number on her phone; she just kept it in her head.
There were only four presidential suites on this floor–one for Charles, one for Vivian, one for Simone, and one for Raelyn, the female lead.
Yolanda wasn’t really here for the so–called temple fair; her real goal was to get Charles out of her hair.
She sent Charles a message, telling him she’d be wandering around nearby.
Charles didn’t respond–he was tied up in a meeting.
It was already evening, and the last rays of sunlight spilled gold and red across the revolving glass doors.
Just as Yolanda turned the corner, Ian’s arms slid around her waist. “Let me go with you,” he said.
Yolanda sent a guilty glance at the security cameras and patted his hand. “Let go.”
Ian let go and stood quietly by her side.
Yolanda rubbed her temples, thinking, ‘Wasn’t he supposed to be busy with filming?‘
Ian shrugged and said, “Filming doesn’t start till tomorrow. It’s not like Ms. Sinclair’s some kind of slave driver.”
Everyone had spent over four hours in the car today; nobody had the energy to do anything else.
Ian had a hat and a mask on, and Yolanda had switched into something more low–key. Figuring Charles was still stuck in a meeting, and with the temple fair kicking off tonight for a whole week, she saw no reason to wait around–so she stepped right out.
Ian fell in step behind her in silence as they headed out along the hotel drive.
The hotel had a prime location, barely a ten–minute walk from the biggest festival in town.
Crowds were already starting to gather.
Yolanda kept quiet, but her gaze sparkled with curiosity every time she glimpsed those odd and quirky stalls
13:33 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 109
along the way.
55 vouchers
Red lanterns hung overhead, colorful flags fluttering, with vendors shouting and the lively bustle of street food all around–the whole place was practically buzzing. For Yolanda, this was her very first time experiencing such a festival, and she couldn’t help but feel a little exhilarated.
Before she turned ten, she’d been cooped up in the orphanage; after that, life with the Grant Family kept her mostly inside–she’d hardly gone anywhere at all.
As Yolanda zoned out, a skewer of candied hawthorn suddenly appeared in front of her, offered by a slender, graceful hand. She looked up along the hand and met Ian’s smiling face.
The candied hawthorn was already unwrapped; Ian gently held it up to her lips.
Ian said softly, “Go ahead, try it.”
Yolanda took a bite, and as the glossy syrupy shell cracked, a burst of sweet and sour flavor filled her mouth.
She rarely indulged in treats like this. As a kid, money was always tight, and a single skewer of candied hawthorn had to be split between a bunch of children. Yolanda, ever the considerate one, always let the younger kids take the first bite. Later, with keeping her complexion flawless as a priority, sweets were absolutely out, and spicy food was forbidden too. Her meals were strictly clean and plain—she’d always held herself back, even when she really wanted a taste.
“Do you like it?” Ian asked, leaning in close.
He took a bite from the skewer, right where Yolanda’s teeth had just left their mark.
Yolanda worried that his good looks would draw a crowd–he’d been all over trending topics not long ago. She quickly pushed him away and fixed his mask back in place, whispering, “Promise me you won’t take it off again.”
Ian’s cap was pulled low, showing off his elegant jaw and the angle of his throat. Hearing her, he smiled and replied softly, “Mm–hmm.”
Yolanda snacked her way through the fair with Ian, picking out little treats from the stalls. By the time they made it all the way through, she had a lotus lantern dangling from her hand.
Ian stayed glued to her side, leaning in close and murmuring right by her ear with playful warmth, “Ms. Grant, I’m spending the night alone. Why don’t you keep me company?”
As he spoke, his arm quietly wrapped around her waist, a gentle and secretive gesture.
It was pitch dark, with no one else around–the fair’s noisy calls echoed faintly from a distance, leaving them wrapped in their own little bubble.
Yolanda glanced at him, then shoved him up against the wall and kissed him hard.
13:33 Mon, Sep 22 N
Chapter 109
55 vouchers
lan’s cap got knocked sideways as he instinctively leaned back, slipped his arm around her waist, and flipped the game, holding her tight.
The bag slipped from Yolanda’s hand and hit the ground as Ian scooped her right up, pressing her between himself and the wall.
In the gloom, there was a predatory gleam in his eyes–so different from the withdrawn, brooding man he’d been when they first met.
The kiss lasted a long, long time. Eventually, Yolanda turned her head away, catching her breath. “We should really head back,” she said.
Ian was tense, every muscle wound tight.
“When can I finally taste you?” His voice was low and husky, whispered right against her skin.
He gently nuzzled at her neck, leaving no trace behind.
Yolanda’s legs were left dangling as she gave a little wriggle.
But even that small movement was enough to make her feel something… waking up underneath her.
She let her lashes drop and tugged his mask back into place. Yolanda whispered, “We’ll talk about it later.”
Ian dropped his gaze, long lashes shadowing his eyes. Something flickered there before it faded. He smirked and teased, “You know, I’m starting to think you’re trying to train me like a dog.”
Yolanda burst out laughing, grabbed his hat from the ground, and set it back on his head herself.
They headed back to the hotel with Ian close behind Yolanda. She had just finished getting ready for bed when her phone buzzed–Simone was calling, saying they needed one more for mahjong and asked her to come fill in.
No
way she could refuse, so Yolanda headed over. When she walked in, she found herself face to face with Charles, Ian, and Simone already gathered at the table.
Yolanda paused, tempted to turn and run for it.
But Simone waved her over. “Come on, Yolanda! Tonight I’ll help you clean up–besides, your hubby’s loaded anyway!”
The mahjong table was top–shelf, made of rich walnut wood.
Yolanda took a deep breath, plastered on a smile, and slid into her seat.
To her left was Ian, to her right was Charles, and across from her was Simone. Just as they were about to start, the doorbell rang.
Yolanda went to answer the door, only to find Vivian standing right outside.
This was Simone’s suite–Vivian wouldn’t just drop by out of the blue unless she’d already found out where
13:33 Mon, Sep 22 N
Chapter 109
…
:0
(56
E 55 vouchers
Charles was hanging around.
She
gave the room an easygoing grin and called out, “Mahjong night? Count me in, I’m no rookie.”
Simone’s expression darkened. Vivian was thirty–one, three years older than Charles. Back when they were kids, this whole group used to hang out together all the time, and Vivian had always been the outgoing, bold type–popular with the boys, never shy, and totally up for any game, even those forfeit games where you’d have to take off a piece of clothing if you lost.
Vivian didn’t even bother acknowledging Yolanda at the door, striding straight over to the mahjong table and taking Yolanda’s seat like she owned the place.
With a smirk, Vivian challenged, “Mrs. Sinclair, you don’t mind, do you?”
Their feud was no secret–Yolanda was done playing nice. She stormed over and shot back, “Actually, I do mind. Move.”
Vivian’s smile was all teeth, no warmth. “The Sinclair family and the Andrade family are working together now. Mrs. Sinclair, you really don’t seem to understand how the business world works.”
you think?” Then she turned to Charles, her voice sweet but sharp. “Mr. Sinclair, what do
Charles never glanced up from his cards. “Whoever wants to play, go ahead.”
Before Charles had even finished talking, Ian got to his feet and grinned, “Mrs. Sinclair, you can have my seat.”
Yolanda shot Vivian a quick look as she caught that faint, totally mocking chuckle.
‘Whatever,‘ she thought, pressing her lips together before scooting into Ian’s seat.
Simone snorted, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Wow, you’re really not lifting a finger for your wife, huh?”
Charles set down his tile, sounding utterly relaxed. “Yolanda’s at the table now, isn’t she?”
Simone seethed inside, ‘Whatever, keep acting like you don’t care!’
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.
