Chapter 123
Ian’s puppy–like devotion to pleasing her was almost too much–he’d gone all out with his look, all just to win her over, and wow, was it working.
Yolanda had never been intentionally teased or flirted with like this before, and honestly, she couldn’t handle
- it.
Then lan leaned in, the soft, hazy light making his intentions
Crustal clear. “Shall I?” he murmured.
Yolanda swallowed, and honestly, there was no way she could say no to that.
Time seemed to blur into one big, hazy mess.
After it was all over.
Ian glanced over and asked, “Did you like it?”
Yolanda felt like she was about to lose herself completely, as if he’d stolen her soul.
Her vision was hazy, as if she were a kite lost in a sea of clouds, drifting aimlessly with nowhere to focus.
Ian’s fingers played with her hair, lazily twirling stray locks–each touch making her heart skip.
Yolanda lay there for ages, struggling just to steady her breath.
Their eyes locked, and the air between them grew heavy, sparking with something electric.
Yolanda’s face flared red, embarrassment and irritation mixing as she instinctively tried to shove him away.
Ian nuzzled deeper into her neck, whining softly, “Come on, cut me some slack. Just stay put.”
Yolanda froze, her mind racing as she realized what he meant.
The bedside lamp was still on, casting a gentle light. Ian stayed quiet for a long moment before finally whispering, “So… did you like it?”
“Yeah…” she answered, her voice barely audible as she buried half her face in the blankets, cheeks on fire.
Ian let out a low chuckle, his chest trembling with laughter.
Yolanda was all flustered and a tiny bit annoyed, but the exhaustion hit her hard. With half her face tucked in the blankets, she dozed off, cheeks still burning.
Ian settled in next to her, letting his eyes drink in every delicate detail of her face. He reached over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
She was unbelievably cute and downright gorgeous–and even when she got mad, she couldn’t utter a mean word.
7:50 Fri, Sep 26
Chapter 123
When Yolanda woke up, lan was already gone–off to shoot his scenes, no doubt
She felt totally refreshed, like she’d just stepped out of a spa or something: lan probably made sure the was all cleaned up before slipping out.
She’d slept like a rock, and now it was already ten in the morning.
She picked up her phone and dialed Blake.
Blake was out on a date with Renee today. Ever since he’d dropped to his knees, begging her not to leave him, Rence had completely melted. Their relationship was stronger than ever.
These days, Blake was practically glued to Renee’s side, taking her out all over the place. Renee hadn’t been home in over two weeks.
She’d been in a pretty dark place after losing her finger, but with Blake by her side, she was slowly starting to pull herself out of it.
The Sinclair family had no idea she was out having fun with someone else, but whenever they called and heard her happy, upbeat voice, they felt a little more at ease.
Blake glanced at Renee waiting in the distance for him to deliver her snacks, his voice relaxed and a bit teasing. “Don’t worry, just wait till the morning sickness kicks in.”
Yolanda hung up the phone and picked up the Starlight files, getting right back to her reading.
Half an hour later, she got word about Grady’s passing.
Grady used to be a force to be reckoned with in Beloris–no one dared mess with him. Now that he was gone, rumors were swirling everywhere.
Yolanda’s fingers gripped the files tight, and she just knew in her gut this was Charles’s handiwork.
In Charles’s world, challenging his authority only led to one outcome–this.
Even the mighty Andrade family couldn’t escape his wrath.
Yolanda drew in a deep breath, any trace of last night’s heat wiped clean. She really had to keep Ian out of sight otherwise, she’d be done for before she even realized it. Charles would make sure she was wiped off the face of the earth.
With Grady gone, Vivian wouldn’t be able to give her any grief for the next few days–but that wasn’t Yolanda’s ultimate goal.
Pain didn’t scare her, but even so, there was no way she could stand against the Grant, Sinclair, or Andrade families now.
In a city ruled by families like these, she was just an insignificant ant. All she could do was attack their hearts.
7:50 Fri, Sep 26
Chapter 123
When it came to dealing with someone like Vivian, Yolanda knew she couldn’t let up for a second–the timing was everything if she wanted to really mess with her head.
Feeling smug, she fired off another tweet.
[Just picked up some interesting news–mood’s on point! Time to treat myself and hit the shops!]
After firing off that tweet, she sent Charles a message without a second thought.
[Got a bunch of juicy details from Aunt Simone last night. Feeling seriously good about Starlight now.]
She even tossed in a heart emoji at the end, just to mess with him a bit.
Back in the day, she would’ve never dared to send something like that–she was always so worried about upsetting Charles.
But now that she was completely over him, she could say–and send–whatever she damn well pleased.
Charles just stared at that little heart emoji, totally stunned. For the first time ever, he actually went and liked one of Yolanda’s Moments.
Back then, out of the handful of posts she’d ever made, Charles hadn’t liked a single one–not even those about his own birthday or their anniversary.
Word spread fast; everyone knew she’d been chasing after him for years. Folks always thought she was way too hung up on him.
But now? The moment her friends saw Charles give her post a like, her notifications blew up–likes poured in and it hit a new record high.
Yolanda strolled back to Moonbay Estate, took her time with breakfast, then changed into a fresh outfit–she was really heading out to hit the shops.
But to Vivian, that post was a straight–up smack to the face–like Yolanda was deliberately rubbing it in.
Vivian had always thought Yolanda wasn’t worth her attention, but after getting hit with jab after jab–and losing Grady on top of it–seeing that Twitter update nearly set her on fire inside.
She sent all the files on her desk flying, her teeth practically rattling with fury.
“Yolanda! Bitch! Total bitch!” Vivian yelled, her voice trembling.
Cedric burst in, his brow furrowing as he took in the chaos. “Vivian, calm down,” he said, his voice steady.
By rights, Vivian was always the cool–headed one–way more composed than Cedric. But the moment Charles came up, it was like she lost all sense, turning totally obsessed and unhinged.
No one ever realized just how much she adored Charles. All those years, she kept her feelings locked so deep, she was terrified to even admit she liked him, desperate to cling to any fragile thread tying them together.
Vivian’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she sank into her chair, feeling utterly drained. “Cedric, did you find out
7:50 Fri, Sep 26
Chapter 123
anything?” she asked, her voice trembling.
She pressed on, unable to hide her anxiety. “Was that gun really Grady’s?”
Cedric shook his head, gathering up the mess on the floor. “Grady’s gone, and with no proof left, there’s nothing we can do. The way he always handled things, no one’s going to buy that he was set up. With Minister Howard in charge, there’s zero wiggle room. For now, we have to keep it low key. Grandpa Jonathan wants you home tonight–he’s not happy.”
Back in the day, Vivian managed to become CEO of the Andrade Group–a tough spot for any woman. It was Grandpa Jonathan who supported her every step and made sure she held onto that power.
Honestly, unless it was something to do with Charles, nobody could touch Vivian in the business world–she was a force to be reckoned with.
The scary part was, anyone who understood how much she cared about Charles could use it against her and drive her absolutely crazy.
Vivian instantly sobered up the moment she heard Grandpa Jonathan wanted to see her, her face turning pale.
Getting called in by him was never good news. With the whole Andrade family gunning for her spot–and now that one of her biggest backers was gone–she knew everyone was ready to swoop in the moment she slipped.
She took a long breath, swallowing back all her rage and anxiety. “I get it,” Vivian forced out, voice barely steady.
Cedric set the files back on the desk and tried to soothe her. “Just wait for my chance, Viv–I’ll make Yolanda pay, I promise. You just have to grit your teeth and hold on a little longer.”
A flash of viciousness crossed Vivian’s face, but for now, this was all she could do.
Later that evening, Yolanda’s phone buzzed–it was Charles calling: family dinner at the Sinclair house tonight.
Back then, she’d practically bend over backwards, prepping little gifts for the Sinclairs, hoping to score some points and curry a bit more favor.
But now she knew better; she’d rather spend her cash spoiling herself. No matter what she did, the Sinclairs were never going to be happy with her anyway.
*****
Charles’s car pulled up to the mall to pick her up, and he gave her a quick reminder. “When you see Renee, try not to get worked up.”
Yolanda nodded, settling back in her seat to rest.
Charles kept quiet, and the whole ride to the Andrade manor was wrapped in silence.
7:50 Fri, Sep 26
Chapter 123
食品
As soon as they walked in, Wyatt called Charles off to the study, and Yolanda found herself stuck facing May alone.
May’s glare could’ve stripped paint off the walls. She didn’t even let Yolanda sit down, just jabbed a finger at the kitchen and snapped, “Why are you still standing there? Get in there and help out! Did you think marrying into the Sinclair family was some kind of ticket to luxury?”
After everything that went down with Renee, May’s hatred for Yolanda was pure poison.
Yolanda didn’t bother saying anything–just walked straight into the kitchen and pretended to help.
Back when she was naive, she actually tried to do all the work herself. Now? She just leaned against the counter, playing on her phone, knowing full well nobody here was going to make her do a thing.
If some servant who didn’t know better tried to give her orders, Yolanda would toss back a halfhearted reply and go right back to messaging.
She’d act like she was listening, but she wasn’t about to actually do anything.
Plus, hanging out in the kitchen was a hundred times easier than having to stare at May’s resentful mug all night.
AD
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.
