Chapter 148
Chapter 148
After a long while, lan finally paused and leaned down to gently kiss her.
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Yolanda glanced at the time–an entire hour had gone by. ‘No wonder he’s still so young, she thought to herself.
‘Youth really does make a difference,‘ she added inwardly.
“Yolanda, are you only ever like this with me?” Ian asked, his voice low and raspy.
Yolanda barely hesitated before she answered, “Of course.”
‘Honestly, if Charles ever saw this side of me, he’d probably kill me himself. That guy only goes for the sweet, homey type,‘ Yolanda thought to herself.
Ian’s Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed, eyes still closed, lashes casting shadows on his cheeks. “I’m only like this with you,” he said softly.
Yolanda’s fingers tingled with warmth, and she quickly withdrew her hand, clearing her throat. “We should get some lunch. I already booked a place.”
She put on her hat and mask and headed over to the driver’s seat.
Ian didn’t cling to her either. After days of grueling shoots, he’d finally gotten a day off, only to be pulled back in for more reshoots.
The car pulled up outside an upscale restaurant. Inside, everything was peaceful and discreet—each dining suite was set apart, decked out in classic style, everything you could imagine.
Yolanda and Ian walked in together, only to find themselves face–to–face with Leo in the hallway.
Yolanda had her mask and hat on, covering her face completely. She figured Leo wouldn’t recognize her, so she just kept walking without acknowledging him.
Leo was on the phone, but his gaze suddenly locked onto Ian.
Ian pretended not to notice and quietly followed Yolanda.
Xavier was ranting on the phone.
“I’ve already sorted things out with Tony behind the scenes. If you get into trouble again, you’re out of the country for good, you hear me? What’s with you lately–moving out, picking fights, acting like you’re possessed. What’s next? Chasing after women?” Xavier growled.
Leo wasn’t even paying attention. He hung up mid–rant.
Xavier stared at his phone, his face clouded over as he took a long breath.
‘He’s my own brother… he’s my own brother, Xavier muttered in his head, forcing himself to calm down.
9:24 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 148
He gritted his teeth, choking back the urge to strangle the guy right then and there.
Leo watched lan head into the second–to–last private suite, convinced that the woman bundled up beside him had to be Yolanda.
That bitch!‘ Leo cursed to himself.
He just couldn’t keep his cool whenever she was around, and for the life of him, he had no idea why..
He knew better than anyone–Charles and his whole crowd included–that Yolanda was far from innocent. She played hard, never followed the rules, and even learned to keep a lover stashed away, just like some people did behind closed doors.
He took a deep breath, not even sure what got into him, and found himself heading straight for that suite
anyway.
His suite was right next to Yolanda’s.
But instead of standing at his own door, he found himself at Yolanda’s, just about to knock–when suddenly, his own door swung open.
Quinn leaned in the doorway, arms folded and voice full of mischief. “Your brother told me at least a dozen times to keep an eye on you. Got your brains slapped loose or something? Can’t even remember which room is yours now?”
Leo let his hand drop, looking a bit sheepish, and shuffled back to his own suite.
Quinn shut the door and threw his arm around Leo’s shoulders like they were bros. “Seriously, man, why go out of your way to piss off your brother every damn day? He’s the boss of the family–keep pushing, he’ll pack your bags for Africa and finally have some peace.”
Leo gave Quinn a look of utter disdain, brushed his arm off, and dropped onto his seat.
Quinn, always one for mischief, grinned as he sat down. “I mean, I get that Charles has been crazy busy lately. But you, cooped up in your room all day long–if I didn’t know you, I’d swear you were hiding some girl in there.”
Then again, anybody else might have a side chick stashed away—but not Leo. His catchphrase was literally: ‘Women aren’t half as fun as gaming.’
Max was there too, silent and keen–eyed, never one for the dumb jokes or trouble Quinn liked to stir up.
Just thinking about Yolanda and that damn pretty boy next door made Leo’s blood boil. He felt like he was on fire, ready to just burst in there and kick that guy out the window himself.
‘Why’d Yolanda pick this restaurant anyway?‘ Leo wondered to himself.
‘Was it just because this place is so secretive?‘ he grumbled inside.
‘What the hell is she planning to do with that pretty boy in there?‘ Leo fumed.
9:24 Thu, Oct 21
Chapter 148
Charles is so busy lately, he wouldn’t notice if his whole house was burning down. What a joke, Leo thought.
Leo knocked back his drink, but it burned on the way down and he started coughing.
Quinn’s fox–like eyes narrowed as he patted Leo’s back. “Seriously, dude, you’re acting weird. Did someone wipe out your game account or what? You look totally out of it.”
“Get lost! I just can’t stand people who cheat!” Leo shot back.
As soon as Leo said it, the room went dead quiet.
Quinn couldn’t help cracking up, his shoulders shaking. “Man, don’t ever say that in front of Charles. Me and him, we’re single, so who cares.”
Leo sneered. “Max doesn’t, but you’ve got that broke–ass girlfriend, right? Thought she was top of her class too, studying at film school or something?”
Quinn leaned back, looking totally at ease. “It’s just a fling, no need to call her my girlfriend.”
“Scumbag,” Leo spat.
Guy’s got cash to burn, but plays poor in front of her, making that girl juggle a dozen jobs just to keep him afloat.
People like Quinn seriously deserve to get struck by lightning.
Quinn couldn’t care less about the insult. Guys like them? Playing around was just part of the game–no one took it seriously enough to actually settle down for real.
If they ever did get married, it would have to be to someone from their own class, someone who matched their status.
And he was totally on the same page as Charles–marriage wasn’t gonna magically make him loyal. That’s just how women are, anyway.
Leo couldn’t be bothered arguing anymore. He dropped his gaze, clutching his glass. “Hypothetically… say there’s a woman who’s not bad looking, and her lips feel really soft when you kiss her. But, she’s also been with a lot of guys. Would that bother you?”
With a clang, Quinn’s glass hit the floor.
He gave his ear an exaggerated poke and stared at Leo. “Run that by me one more time? Did I just hear you talking about women? For real?”
They’d always joked about girls around Leo, but he’d never taken the bait.
Now, unbelievably, he was the one starting the topic.
Man, this really was a ‘sun rising in the west‘ kind of day.
Leo’s face flushed and he pressed his lips together. “Just answer the damn question.”
9:24 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 148
Quinn glanced over at Max, sitting across from them.
Max’s face didn’t move an inch; he never pulled his punches, especially with these guys around.
“So
you
wanna be her number five, six, maybe seven, and now you’re asking if we’d be cool with that?” Max shot back.
With strangers, Max was basically a robot, but around us, he’d let loose with that venomous tongue. “She’s got a whole crew of guys already–what makes you think you’ll even get a turn, Leo? You barely know women, you barely know men. Competing for her attention? Please. You don’t even know how to lay on the sweet talk, do you?”
“No way,” Leo muttered.
Honestly, he was clueless about keeping a girl happy–just opening his mouth was enough to piss one off half the time.
“Why the hell should I bother with her? She’s nobody. Like she’s even worth it!” Leo spat out.
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.
