Chapter 153
May felt a surge of panic. Charles had never defended Yolanda like this before. Just what happened lately? she asked herself.
She tightened her fist at her side, struggling to speak, but in the end, she stayed silent.
As the car slowly rolled forward, Yolanda felt a bit dizzy, but she couldn’t help trying to convince Charles. “You shouldn’t talk to May like that. Renee’s like this, and it hurts her too.”
Charles gave her cheek a playful pinch. “Even now, you’re worried about others. That’s why you’re my amazing wife.”
Yolanda let her eyelashes drop, forcing a bitter smile. “You chose Renee over me before. I know she’s so important to you, so that’s why I always did my best to look after her. Thinking of you is the least I can do, honey.”
Charles’s playful smile faded, replaced by a look of silent wonder as he saw how earnest she was. ‘She really is hopelessly sincere,‘ he thought, a strange ache rising in his chest.
Even he still thought what he had done–the trade–was unforgivable, yet Yolanda spoke about it so lightly, as if it was just another small thing in life.
It was proof she never once resented him. Only someone that gentle would rush over to care for Renee like this today.
‘She really does love me…‘ he thought.
At the hospital, the doctor patched up Yolanda’s wound. Thankfully, she didn’t need any stitches–it just bled quite a bit.
Once she was bandaged up, Yolanda sat quietly in a chair, waiting for the test results. Charles had insisted on getting her checked for a concussion, worried something might’ve been missed.
The nurse glanced at her and spoke up.
“Your husband treats you so well. This is just a minor injury–there’s really no way you’d have a concussion, but he wouldn’t rest until we ran all the tests.”
“Plus, he’s super handsome and probably loaded. You’re one lucky girl.”
Yolanda simply smiled, staying silent.
When the results came back clear, Charles guided Yolanda back to the car, supporting her the whole way.
He took a wet wipe from Jiang and began cleaning her fingertips, gently removing the dried blood that lingered in the creases of her skin.
He went over each finger, utterly focused, his movements slow and careful–like she was the most precious thing in the world to him.
- IV.
Chapter 153
65 vouchers
When they got home, Charles’s phone rang. It was Quinn Cooper, asking him to come over for drinks.
He’d been busy with things at the Andrade manor lately, so he hadn’t gotten in touch with his friends for quite a while.
Tonight, he finally had a free moment, but for whatever reason, he just didn’t want to go.
That kind of thought had never even crossed his mind before.
Yolanda let out a big yawn, her eyes sleepy. “I’m heading to bed, just wanna have some quiet time to myself.”
Charles walked her to the living room. “Alright, I’ll go hang out with Quinn and the guys for a bit.
Yolanda nodded.
Charles stepped into the private lounge and saw the crew was already there, hanging out.
True to form, Quinn had a few gorgeous party girls around, flashing that mischievous grin of his.
“You’ve been tied up lately, huh? Been calling you nonstop, but you just ghost me,” Quinn teased.
Charles sat down, gracefully undoing his tie with those long, elegant fingers.
One of the party girls instantly scooted closer, trying to feed him a grape.
He tilted his head away, looking icy. “Sit over there.”
The girl paused, visibly disappointed, and hurried to sit next to Quinn instead.
Quinn took a few seconds to react, then tsked, waving for the girls to head out.
“What’s got into you, Charles? Settling down or something? Anyway, it’s been a while since you brought that little actress along,” Quinn teased.
Back then, Charles used to bring Sophie to parties like this without a care, and nobody would’ve ever bothered Yolanda about it.
Charles picked up a glass of wine, a soft smile flashing across his face. “Yolanda’s honestly amazing.”
Quinn perked up, clearly loving the gossip. “Dude, Yolanda’s waited fifteen whole years for you, and now the jerk finally comes to his senses? Seriously, that’s something worth celebrating. Wanna throw a party? Have all your old flings over and just tell them it’s done.”
Charles just smiled, keeping his silence.
Quinn’s smirk disappeared in an instant and he shot up in his seat, stunned. “Holy crap, are you actually
serious?”
Leo was sitting off to the side, playing a game on his phone. But the second they brought up Yolanda, his thumbs froze. He was totally zoned out, mind drifting way off–there was no way he could concentrate
anymore.
10:15 Fri, Oct 3
Chapter 153
Charles leaned back, carrying a mix of gentle charm and that signature hint of recklessness. “Who knows? Maybe it’s time I actually take things seriously.”
He shared how he’d once put Rence above Yolanda, making that trade–then went on about how, even tonight, Yolanda had rushed over to care for Renee. As he spoke, his gaze softened, filled with a quiet tenderness.
Quinn set his glass down with a sigh. “Honestly, man, what you did back then was really unfair. Yolanda’s always been kind of timid–you can imagine how freaked out she must’ve been. Yet tonight she still went out of her way to look after Rence, like, she absolutely adores you. From day one, she’s never bothered to hide how much she cares, not even a little. Sure, I always joke she’s got a one–track mind for love and that falling for you’s basically ruined her life, but truth is, I’m kinda jealous. Most girls are after your money, but she’s only ever wanted you for you.”
Leo dug at his ear, half–convinced he was hearing things.
‘What the hell is this?‘
Yolanda’s supposed to be into Charles? For real?‘
‘Get outta here! The guy’s got women all over town!‘
‘Man, what a faker–playing everyone like that.‘
Leo clenched his phone, shooting Quinn a look that could kill.
Quinn caught him staring, touched his face and joked, “What? Is there something smudged on my cheek?”
Leo smirked, his tone dripping with bite. “Nope, not a thing.”
Out of everyone in the lounge, only Leo really knew what Yolanda was truly like.
Thinking about that, a strange warmth bloomed in his chest.
He set his phone aside and quietly stared at the drink in his glass.
Quinn’s mood soured in an instant and he kicked at Leo. “You’ve been acting real weird lately, man. That look you gave me were you trying to laugh at me or what?”
“Nah,” Leo replied, ice–cold.
Quinn was about to go off on him, but then remembered they were still talking about Yolanda, so he just let out a sigh.
“Charles, if you’re really thinking about settling down with Yolanda, then it’s time to get serious and stop messing around. You’re still in the game, man–it’s not too late. She’s your wife, the one you actually put your name next to on that marriage certificate. And come on, with how stunning she is, you know half the guys out there are probably dreaming about stealing her away,” Quinn said.
Just as Quinn finished speaking, Leo suddenly cut in, “Heard Joelle Monroe’s coming back.”
10:15 Fri, Oct 3
Chapter 153
The lounge went dead quiet, and Quinn clicked his tongue. “Seriously? You just had to bring that up, huh?”
Leo pulled out his phone again and fired up a random game, not really paying attention.
“Me, bringing it up on purpose? I’m just stating facts. Joelle Monroe made an announcement overseas–she’s coming back to make it big here. Wasn’t she always Charles’s dream girl, the one that got away? Pretty obvious she’s got her sights set on him this time. Back when Charles had his accident, she ran off with some nobody, but now she’s a famous actress–probably hoping to pick up where she left off”
When Joelle’s name came up, Quinn didn’t know what to say.
Back then, Joelle could’ve just ridden Charles’s coattails and worked the scene in the entertainment world, but nope–she was after the real deal: love, honesty, and some damn respect.
Charles couldn’t give her what she wanted, so she bailed. Ever since then, she’s been the girl who stayed stuck in his heart–the one he calls his “white moonlight.”
Charles was totally into her. Joelle had this stubborn streak, made guys wanna win her over just to see if they could.
She’s been killing it abroad these past few years, and word is Charles actually flew out to see her more than
once.
Honestly? He still can’t get her out of his head.
Leo kept tapping at his phone, looking like he was totally into his game, but then just threw out, “Charles, if Joelle Monroe comes back, would you try to rekindle things with her?”
Quinn glanced at Charles too, but Charles just gripped his glass and stayed silent.
Quinn let out a sigh of relief. “With this guy still acting like a total player, I swear Yolanda’s probably got another fifteen years of waiting ahead of her.”
Leo lowered his eyes, his fingers just mindlessly swiping at his phone–even though his game character had gotten killed a long time ago.
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.
