Chapter 114
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Five hours later, Raelyn arrived at Cedric’s place.
Two hours after that, she was completely worn out, barely hanging on.
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Cedric slapped her across the face several times. “You slut! Cheating on me with Charles? Haven’t I warned you before? I can’t stand that guy!”
Raelyn’s face was so swollen she was unrecognizable. There was no way she’d be working on set anytime soon.
She fell to her knees, crying desperately. “Cedric, I swear, I have no idea who Charles even is.”
“Drop the act! I saw the damn photos myself!”
“I didn’t! I swear, Cedric, you’ve got to believe me!”
Cedric kicked her hard, sending her sprawling. His eyes were cold and cruel. “Believe you? Are you really saying you haven’t been seeing other men?”
Raelyn’s eyes betrayed her guilt. She’d actually been meeting someone else.
Cedric caught it right away. He grabbed a stool and smashed it down onto her back. “Just die already!”
Raelyn blacked out instantly.
Cedric still wasn’t satisfied. He walked over and kicked her a few more times before his rage finally eased up a
bit.
He lit up a cigarette, scoffing as he called outside, “Drag her out—take her to the hospital, and make sure she doesn’t die.”
The people waiting just outside came in to deal with her, looking like this was routine for them.
Cedric was halfway through his smoke when his phone rang. It was Vivian.
Vivian had been put through the wringer by Charles last night, and this morning, he wouldn’t even look her way at the meeting–she totally snapped.
“Cedric, I want you to get rid of Yolanda in three days! I can’t wait any longer. Didn’t Grady say he was interested in her before? Get him to take her to Raventon–I want her to never know a moment’s peace for
the rest of her life.”
Cedric raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t we already taking care of it? I’ll go light a fire under Greg.”
“That’s too damn slow! I want her gone–now! Just the sight of her makes me want to gag!”
Cedric rubbed his temples, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes as he sneered, “Then that’s perfect–Yolanda’s in the next city. Charles is only there for work, so once Yolanda’s out on her own, that’s when I’ll strike. She won’t be coming back.”
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Chapter 114
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Relief washed over Vivian after hearing that.
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Yolanda had been in town for four days now, mostly hanging around the set or occasionally dropping by, or just sitting in on Charles’s meetings.
Charles had been fairly nice to her these past couple of days–especially since he’d publicly said he was only here to keep her company.
But when she caught the raw hatred in Vivian’s eyes, Yolanda immediately knew she was about to make a
move.
Right now, Yolanda was powerless against the Andrade family–her only option was to find a way to deflect. the danger onto someone else.
Yolanda glanced at Charles walking beside her, lowered her eyes thoughtfully, then hooked her arm right around his.
“Hey, babe, can we go up the mountain tonight? I heard there’s this place nearby where they hang paper lanterns all along the path–it looks absolutely stunning.”
Charles caught the sparkle in her eyes and, remembering what happened with Renee, figured he owed her one and just couldn’t say no.
“What time?”
“Eight. You head over first, okay? I’ve got a surprise planned for you later.”
For all the years they’d been married, Yolanda had always been so quiet and withdrawn–he’d hardly ever seen her act so girly before. ‘Is she actually in a better mood these days?‘ Charles wondered.
‘Or am I just imagining it?‘ he mused to himself.
“What’s the surprise?” he asked.
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise! I’m heading out to pick it up now.”
Charles let out a soft laugh. “Alright,” he said.
Yolanda went out and bought two sets of workout clothes, then wandered the mall for ages before finally finding what she needed.
When she handed the clothes to Charles, he frowned. Casual outfits were reserved for workouts or golf- never any other time.
He pinched the fabric critically between his fingers, then watched as she put something that looked like a digital watch onto his wrist.
He was already wearing a watch–the one she’d given him for his birthday.
He didn’t really know why he let her put it on him, almost like he was on autopilot.
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Yolanda slipped a plastic wristband onto her arm, earnest as she explained, “Supposedly if we’re within twenty meters, it’ll start beeping. I want to use it to track you down when we’re on the mountain.”
Her voice was gentle, her eyes clear. As she lowered her head, a lock of hair brushed her ear.
Charles gave her ear a playful pinch. “Since when are you into this kind of thing?”
Yolanda looked up, “Weren’t you the one who called me boring?”
‘She got me there, Charles thought, left speechless. Instead, he just gave her cheek a teasing squeeze. “Alright, whatever you say, honey. I’m all yours.”
Yolanda gave him a half–smile and nudged him out the door. “Go on, you and Jack head out first. I’ll catch up soon–I wanna find you myself, just like when we played hide–and–seek as kids.”
Hide–and–seek had been their thing when she was eleven. At some fancy party, all the other kids ignored her, but her one little victory was finding Charles hidden behind a fake rock feature.
She was tiny back then, all big eyes and fragile limbs. Charles, worried she’d spoil his hiding spot, just lifted her right off the ground.
“Don’t say a word,” he ordered.
She was so frightened she barely dared to breathe, struggling to hold back sobs as tears silently streamed down her cheeks, her whole body trembling.
Back then, Yolanda was so timid–terrified of the Grant family, scared of everyone else. She really was as fragile as glass.
Charles hardly ever looked back on his time with her; he had plenty of childhood buddies, and with his relaxed, gentle nature, he could be friends with anyone.
So now, when these memories surfaced, it surprised him–he hadn’t realized just how much they’d been through together.
“Sure thing, baby. I’ll be waiting for you to come find me,” Charles teased.
He always knew how to say all the right things, but Yolanda had built up a total immunity to his smooth talk. She just grinned at him in response.
Charles suddenly felt his heart skip a beat, his eyes lingering on her face as he pulled her into his arms. “Getting out seems to have done wonders for your mood,” he said, noticing the change in her,
He dipped his head and pressed two quick kisses to her lips, then turned and walked away,
The smile in Yolanda’s eyes vanished right away. She purposefully wandered downstairs to the restaurant, where she “bumped into” Vivian Andrade. Pulling out her phone, she put on an act, pretending she was chatting with someone.
“Yeah, Golden Peak. I’ll head up there in a bit for a climb–they say at night the view’s unreal, whole city sparkling! Just me, all by myself,” Yolanda said, her voice light and breezy as if she genuinely didn’t have a
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She lazily stirred her juice, barely glancing at it, then got up to leave.
Vivian, who was sitting close enough to catch every word, nearly burst with excitement at what she overheard. She didn’t waste a second before firing off a message to Cedric.
Yolanda changed into her workout gear, and just as she heard a knock, she walked over to open the door- there was Ian standing right there.
‘Seriously, did he bug the place or something?‘ Yolanda thought to herself with a hint of exasperation. ‘How does he always manage to show up when Charles isn’t around?‘
Ian had just finished a full day of filming. With his hat pulled low and a mask covering his face, he looked all mysterious and effortlessly cool.
He stepped inside without saying a word, shut the door behind him, grabbed her face, and kissed her fiercely.
Yolanda was pressed back until she collapsed onto the couch, lying back as he crowded in.
Ian followed her down, his kisses messy and desperate against her lips.
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Chapter 115
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.
