Chapter 210
Quinn stepped in, blocking Leo and saying, “Come on, Yolanda didn’t set this up. No need to throw a
tantrum.”
Leo’s veins were standing out on his hand as he strode over to the bedside, grabbing the collar of Yolanda’s hospital gown. When his eyes accidentally landed on the skin exposed beneath the collar, his cheeks turned red–he immediately averted his gaze in embarrassment.
Still fuming, he snapped, “Yolanda, I’m not done with you!”
Yolanda felt the tug on her collar and stared at Leo’s furious face, doubts creeping into her mind. ‘Wait, did I end up sleeping with Leo?”
‘Is that why he’s this pissed?‘
But immediately, she shot the idea down. ‘No chance. If it really was Leo, he’d burst in swinging a machete.
She knew better than anyone just how much Leo couldn’t stand her.
Leo’s face turned bright red but Quinn and Xavier just looked at him and figured he was totally pissed.
Xavier yanked him back, sounding cold as ice. “Dude, you were out of it–why are you making a big deal about some girl? It was just a first kiss.”
“Xavier!” Leo’s entire body was shaking with rage.
‘Wait, is that seriously what’s got me pissed?‘ he thought, fuming.
He dropped his gaze, anger swirling inside him. ‘I was so damn pathetic, reaching out to her, and she just booted me to the curb like I didn’t matter at all.‘
Every time he thought about that kick, it was like his heart got stomped to pieces. Even now, just remembering it still hurt.
His eyes welled up with tears, threatening to spill over.
Xavier was still trying to calm him down, but when he turned back and saw those tears rolling down Leo’s cheeks, he just froze.
“Seriously, man? It’s just a first kiss. Isn’t that a bit much to cry over?” Xavier said, half–shocked, half–mocking.
“Of course it’s a big deal! Why shouldn’t it be?! I hate her so freaking much!” Leo shot back, voice shaking.
Then he stomped off toward his own hospital room, his head still wrapped in bandages, looking pretty ridiculous.
Leo’s shouting was so loud, and since it was right outside Yolanda’s room, she couldn’t help but hear every
word.
She breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Well, looks like Leo wasn’t the one I slept with after all,‘ she thought.
Yolanda rolled her eyes, muttering to herself, ‘Just look at this guy–acting like a total wreck over a few lousy kisses. If we actually did the deed, he’d be howling at the moon.‘
‘So, who the hell was it?‘ Yolanda wondered, her headache coming back all over again.
Right then, her assistant over at Starlight called, sounding frazzled. “Ms. Grant, a bunch of our talents are handing in their contracts to quit. What should we do?”
These folks were all stuck with the old contracts. The ones who left before had to cough up money, but these talents didn’t want to pay a cent–they just wanted out, plain and simple.
Yolanda let out a long sigh. “Just tell them, if they want to leave, they’re free to go. Anyone who wants to stay, can stay. The company won’t ask for any compensation. Starlight will only get better, and I swear every hard worker will have a chance at something big.”
Walter quickly spread the word, and suddenly, all the talents at Starlight were stuck in a tough spot, trying to decide what to do.
Online, the entire narrative about Yolanda did a complete 180–these days, everyone was hyping her up
nonstop.
Some fans even showed up at Starlight with flowers, but the security guards at the entrance turned them away. Starlight had beefed up security big time–no one could get in unless they were a talent or staff.
Yolanda had made sure to fix up the front gate and set up strict access controls. It wasn’t just for show–it was a way to keep the talents safe.
Yolanda was staying in one of Sinclair Group’s VIP hospital suites. After getting up and taking a shower, she heard a sound outside. When she opened the bathroom door, there was Ian, standing with a container of hot
soup.
His gaze lingered briefly on her still–steaming figure before he looked away, eyelashes lowered. “Have some soup, Ms. Grant,” he murmured gently.
Seeing him, Yolanda couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable pang
of guilt.
She’d promised herself Ian would be her one and only, but now, instead of letting him get close, she’d ended up letting some other guy get lucky instead.
She felt uneasy inside. Sitting down at the edge of the bed, she opened the container and quietly sipped the
soup.
Ian pulled up a little stool and sat beside her, softly massaging her legs. His tone was gentle. “Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”
Yolanda only felt more and more guilty the sweeter and more considerate lan was.
She wasn’t the type like Charles–someone who could sneak around behind their partner’s back and still pretend nothing happened.
“Ian, is Aunt Simone still talking to you about the script?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“Yeah, Ms. Sinclair said she’s waiting to see what you decide,” Ian replied.
Yolanda had just finished a small bowl of soup when Ian leaned in and whispered, “You’re done. Now, isn’t it
my turn?”
Her face flushed bright red. She glanced at the door, which had a small window. If anyone saw them, it would be a disaster.
She got up, locked the door, and leaned against the bathroom door, her back pressed tight against it. “Come here,” Yolanda whispered, a hint of nervous excitement in her voice.
“Wow, you’re really being sweet today, huh?” Ian said with a grin, teasing her gently.
Yolanda couldn’t meet his eyes; her cheeks flushed as she turned her head, feeling awkward and shy all of a sudden.
Halfway through his soup, Ian heard someone knocking outside the door.
Yolanda didn’t pay any attention, and neither did Ian.
Another ten minutes ticked by.
Ian leaned in, his lips grazing her ear as he teased, “So, you and that guy have been pretty chummy these days, huh?”
“Huh?” Yolanda said, a bit lost.
She wondered, ‘What’s he getting at? Why’s he saying this?‘
“I can see it,” Ian replied, raising his eyebrows with a sly smile.
Yolanda stiffened, her whole body tense as the realization hit her–her cheeks flushed a fiery red in an instant.
She hurriedly glanced away, mumbling, “We’re still married… nothing I can do about it.”
She was obviously flustered, and outside the door, the knocking grew more insistent–Charles’s voice called out, making her guilt spike even higher.
Charles knocked softly at the door, calling out, “Yolanda, are you still resting?”
Yolanda rushed out, shutting the bathroom door behind her. She leaned in and whispered to lan, “Don’t come
out.”
Ian, tall and lean, stood with his back against the sink, arms casually braced behind him, his whole demeanor
distant and aloof.
“Mm,” he replied, barely making a sound.
Yolanda felt even more guilty as Ian’s words echoed in her mind.
She locked the bathroom door behind her, refusing to even glance back at Ian inside.
Ian casually wiped his lips with his fingertips.
After about three minutes, Yolanda finally cracked open the door, feigning a sleepy, dazed look.
Charles was standing outside in a tailored suit, his voice gentle as ever. “Did I wake you up?”
“Yeah, I just woke up,” Yolanda answered, still acting groggy.
Charles stepped in, his gaze immediately landing on the soup container. “Who dropped by?” he asked, sounding casual but with a hint of suspicion.
“Megan,” Yolanda replied curtly, not missing a beat.
Charles had even brought a thermal soup container this time–totally not something he’d ever do. But what happened to Yolanda recently, she knew was all tangled up with him; she’d nearly lost her life because of it. ‘Guess even he’s feeling guilty now,‘ she thought.
“I’ve already taken care of your discharge paperwork. You’re good to go–head home and get some proper rest.” Charles said, gentle yet resolute.
1
“Okay,” Yolanda answered without hesitation, secretly wishing Charles would hurry up and leave before he got any funny ideas about checking the bathroom.
She agreed in a flash, nervous that Charles.might stick around and try to check the bathroom soon.
She quickly gathered her things–really just two outfits and her phone.
She followed behind him towards the door, and just as they reached it, Charles suddenly reached for the bathroom door.
The handle wouldn’t turn. Charles shot her a confused look.
Yolanda’s expression remained perfectly calm. “Megan’s still in there,” she replied, steady as ever.
Charles didn’t pay it any mind–girls always took ages in the bathroom, anyway.
Yolanda called out toward the bathroom, “Megan, I’m heading out now. Grab the soup container when you’re done. Thanks a ton for bringing it, and next time, dinner’s on me!”
Then she slid her arm into Charles’s. “Come on, honey, let’s get out of here.”
As they stepped into the elevator, Yolanda lowered her lashes, unable to hold back. “Honey, were you the one who picked me up yesterday?”
“Yeah. Andrew Sinclair’s missing. For now, stay inside–he probably wants revenge on me and might be watching you,” Charles said, his voice gentle but worried.
Yolanda pressed her legs together, still tingling from Ian’s touch just moments ago.
She couldn’t fool herself–ever since she went missing that afternoon, until yesterday evening, she’d clearly spent all that time with another man…
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.
