Chapter 144
Greg couldn’t hear anything else; it felt like thunder exploded inside his head.
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He ran out like a madman, never letting go of his phone, and blurted out the hospital’s address to the driver.
The driver looked freaked out, seeing Greg all beaten up with his face swollen beyond recognition.
Greg’s lips quivered, his voice shaky as he begged, “Please, my wife is in the hospital. I need to see her now.”
Only then did the driver step on the gas.
When they got to the hospital, Greg stumbled as he got out of the car, but he quickly scrambled back to his feet, clutching his stomach and still rushing forward.
But when he got to Megan’s hospital room, his courage deserted him–Greg just stood outside, suddenly terrified to go in.
Just then, Yolanda opened the door and stepped out. Seeing Greg in that sorry state, she paused for a moment and frowned. “Did you go meet those loan sharks again?”
Greg wanted to say he didn’t, but after all the awful things he’d done to Yolanda, he knew she would never believe him, no matter what he said.
Forget Yolanda―for someone like him, not a single sane person out there would ever believe a gambler could turn his life around.
‘Once you get mixed up with loan sharks and gambling,‘ Greg thought to himself, ‘no one’s ever gonna trust a thing you say again. That’s just how it is.‘
‘This is what I deserve, Greg realized bitterly. ‘Guess it’s karma, huh!‘
Greg collapsed onto his knees right there in the hallway, every bit of courage draining out of him. He just couldn’t bring himself to walk through that door.
Yolanda lingered at the doorway, something unreadable flashing in her eyes as she looked back into the hospital room, ignoring Greg completely.
Yolanda finally broke the silence. “I’ve looked into everything. It was Renee Sinclair–Charles’s sister–who forced Megan to lose her baby. Renee’s absolutely ruthless, and her whole Sinclair family shields her no matter what she does. She’s totally unreasonable. If you even try to confront her, she’d destroy you too. In her world, anything that annoys her shouldn’t be allowed to exist at all. I’m scared Megan won’t be able to handle all this, so… when she wakes up, take her back to your hometown and start fresh. I’ll set you two up with enough money to get by.”
Greg suddenly started laughing, his swollen face almost unrecognizable. He collapsed backward onto the floor, shoulders shaking so hard he looked like he’d lost his mind.
Yolanda hesitated—she really didn’t trust a man like Greg with Megan. But still, it’s what Megan wanted, and Yolanda couldn’t go against that, no matter how worried she felt.
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Greg slowly rose to his feet, blood leaking from his mouth. Every inch of his body throbbed with pain.
“Miss Grant,” Greg rasped, desperation in his voice, “just tell her you didn’t see me tonight. Say those loan sharks beat me to death.”
With that, Greg practically dragged himself away, forcing every step as he hurried down the hall.
Yolanda just stood there in silence.
She was determined to stay with Megan tonight.
Megan woke up the next morning, her hand automatically resting on her belly. She didn’t ask anything; she just gazed out the window, looking pale and fragile.
Yolanda ordered some delivery and carefully fed Megan a spoonful of soup.
Megan parted her lips–yet before the spoon reached her mouth, tears were already sliding down her cheeks.
“Yolanda,” Megan choked out, her voice soft and trembling, “I can’t eat… Did Greg Guffman come to see me last night?”
Yolanda’s hand froze for a moment as Greg’s words flashed through her mind. She quietly shook her head.
Yolanda figured it was better to sever all ties–let there be no more lingering hope in Megan’s heart.
Megan managed a pale, shaky smile, her hand trembling as she touched her belly. “I get it. I shouldn’t have expected anything from him. It’s all on me, always clinging to those memories… How we used to squeeze together on the narrow bed in that run–down apartment, the roof leaking while the rain poured outside. He told me, once he had money, he’d buy me a car, buy me a house…”
Some women spend their whole lives clinging to memories.
Yolanda handed her a glass of water, her heart aching as she saw Megan’s eyes so swollen from all the crying.
Megan shook her head. Her throat ached so much she couldn’t swallow a thing, and her lips stung, split open in painful cuts.
Yolanda didn’t say a word, just quietly set the glass down beside her.
Megan, still in disbelief, pulled out her phone and dialed Greg’s number again.
This time, it wasn’t just that he didn’t pick up–he’d blocked her.
Megan switched to WhatsApp, and the red exclamation mark stared back at her, mocking her.
Just then, her phone rang again. It was the bank, telling her she’d maxed out her credit card.
All the color drained from Megan’s face. She clutched her phone, half sobbing, half giggling like she’d completely lost it.
Good thing her credit card limit was only a few grand, nothing crazy. If she got some rest and got back to
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work, she could pay it all off.
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Megan wiped her tears, looking at Yolanda. “Yolanda, am I a total joke? I used to tease you, laugh at how you couldn’t get over that jerk Charles. But at least you ended up with some money out of it. Me? I lost my baby, racked up
debt, and I’m covered in bruises. What right do I have to laugh at you? I’m the biggest joke of all
Yolanda grabbed some tissues and gently dabbed at Megan’s tears.
Megan sucked in a shaky breath, her voice steadier. “I need to heal up–fast. I’m heading back to the studio, back to work, back to managing my talent. I can’t keep falling apart like this, or I won’t even be able to look myself in the mirror. The baby’s gone, it is what it is. If I can’t have kids anymore, then whatever. Why should I need a guy beside me? I can hold myself up just fine. I was such an idiot.”
Yolanda let out a breath of relief, seeing Megan pull herself together so quickly. “Glad you’ve figured it out.”
Megan was determined–without a second thought, she signed the consent forms for surgery herself.
Yolanda wanted to stay with her at the hospital, but Megan gently persuaded her. “Yolanda, I really appreciate how good you’ve been to me, but I just need some quiet time here for a few days. When I’m ready to come back to the studio, I’ll reach out to you, okay?”
Yolanda could only nod. She arranged for a nurse to stay with Megan, picked up some fresh fruit, and finally, somewhat reluctantly, left.
After spending the whole night at the hospital, Yolanda now had to head straight to the office.
But when Yolanda arrived, she found out Tony Sutton had run into trouble. Two guys from his crew told her Tony got beat up last night and ended up in the hospital.
Yolanda thought they were just making stuff up, but then they pulled out the hospital paperwork as proof.
Tony was actually in the hospital.
Yolanda cracked a smile. Just yesterday, Tony was acting all tough, and now some mystery do–gooder had put him out of commission. ‘Serves him right,’ she thought.
The other two guys from Tony’s crew were on edge, glancing at each other uneasily–they were pretty sure Yolanda had something to do with this.
Leon had just gotten kicked out, and now Tony ended up in the hospital. Come on, who would believe this wasn’t Yolanda’s doing?
‘Damn, that woman doesn’t hold back. She’s seriously ruthless,‘ they muttered.
This morning, they’d called Tony, asking if Yolanda was involved, but Tony just acted cagey and never gave a straight answer.
‘Maybe Tony figured out what kind of person Yolanda really is, and now he’s too scared to say anything,‘ they guessed.
‘Just what kind of backing does that bitch have?‘ they muttered, still suspicious.
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This time, the two of them respectfully handed over their rewritten reports to Yolanda, every section explained in painstaking detail.
One of them even offered to forfeit his whole year–end bonus right then and there, just so the staff could bring on a brand–new body sculpting coach.
Premium body shaping trainers always cost a fortune–their fees alone could wipe out the annual budget.
With money basically being shoved into her hands, Yolanda would be stupid to say no. She curled her lips into a sly smile. “Alright.”
Ken and Wayne looked on with thinly veiled contempt. They couldn’t believe how fast these guys switched sides–pathetic.
Ken and Wayne had made up their minds–they’d never let a woman boss them around or take charge over
them.
They shared a glance, then handed in their reports for today.
These reports were much more thoughtfully done than yesterday’s. Yolanda didn’t have much to criticize, so
just stood
up and said, “Over the next few days, I’ll be working with Mr. Maine to redo the contracts with the talent. Any objections?”
she
The old contracts were ironclad and totally unfair–basically, they owned you, like you were selling your soul.
Now Yolanda was about to rewrite them. Who knew what kind of insane new rules she’d come up with?
So everyone just kept quiet and watched to see how things would play out.
As soon as Yolanda stepped out, Ken Ford couldn’t wait to stir things up in the group chat.
This chat was packed with talent, and some folks were always buttering up the execs, hoping to score some favors and make life easier for themselves.
Sure, most people genuinely wanted to get rid of those slave contracts. But there were also plenty who were happy to sell themselves for the fast cash and wild nightlife. Hanging out with the bosses paid way more than actually hustling, and staying, “clean” just wasn’t their thing. Not that anyone cared, really.
In a place like this, there were always a few trying to act all high and mighty–and even more people ready to roast them for it.
Ken Ford basically implied in the group that Yolanda was about to roll out contracts even nastier than the last ones. He dropped a hint that he’d gotten a sneak peek, so everyone ought to watch their backs.
Ken stirring up drama in the group chat sent all the goodwill Yolanda had built up these past few days straight down the drain.
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.
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.
