Yolanda was unfazed. She pulled out her phone and acted like she was dialing the police.
Henry’s eyes went wide with panic. “You bitch! What the hell are you doing?” he shouted.
Gamblers like him were terrified of cops. He’d only come after Megan because he owed a mountain of debt.
He shoved past the guards and locked eyes with Yolanda, his gaze wild and menacing. “Just you wait,” he snarled. “You’ll regret this.” Then he spun and stormed off.
Yolanda pressed her lips together and tucked her phone away. She hadn’t called the police. When it came to studio, she preferred to handle things quietly.
She took a deep breath and turned to the doctor. “How is Megan?”
“Out of the woods. She just needs rest–lots of it,” the doctor replied.
Yolanda nodded. Just then, the ER doors slid open, and Megan was wheeled out toward a room downstairs.
Yolanda followed, sitting by the bed.
Ten long minutes later, Ian stepped in and held out a can of bruise spray.
Yolanda paused for a moment and then took it. “Thanks. Listen, with Megan out, I’ll go with you to sign the contract tomorrow morning. After that, you’ll head to set. You’re a great actor -I’ll find more roles for you.”
“Got it,” Ian whispered, his gaze sticking to her. She looked fragile, like she might break, but her eyes were bright, sharp with resolve.
Since the doctor said Megan wouldn’t rouse until morning, Yolanda stood up and said to Ian, “Let’s head back. Work comes first.”
Just as they stepped outside the hospital, Yolanda clutched her stomach and doubled over, fighting the urge to puke.
Ian hesitated for a moment. “I’ll drive you home.”
Sweat beaded on Yolanda’s forehead. She managed a weak smile. “No, it’s fine. Go rest when you get back. Wait-”
Before she could finish, a gust of wind whipped by.
11:32 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 16
“Bitch, you
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think you can call the cops on me?” Henry roared, swinging a stick at Yolanda.
Yolanda reached out to block, but suddenly a shadow fell over her.
Ian caught the stick mid–swing and kicked Henry hard, sending him sprawling.
Henry clutched his stomach and spit up blood, his face pale. “You two will regret this!” he snarled, staggering to his feet. This time, he really ran away.
Yolanda darted over, grabbing Ian’s hand. “You okay? Did he hurt you?”
She checked his hand carefully, saw no marks, and let out a relieved sigh. “Don’t step in front of me like that again.”
Ian’s fingers twitched. He looked away.
Yolanda’s gaze lingered on his wrist–firm, steady, a hint of the strength under his good looks. She pulled her hand back. “Studio at nine tomorrow. See you then.”
With that, she flagged a cab and climbed in, leaning back once the door shut. Her face was pale, nausea coiling in her stomach, and her ankle throbbed like crazy.
The cab stopped at Moonbay Estate. As she stepped out, a sick feeling settled over her. Still, she dragged herself forward and unlocked the door with her fingerprint.
The hall lights were on. Charles sat on the couch, the air so quiet it felt heavy.
Yolanda started to kick off her shoes in the entryway. As she bent down, a sharp pain knifed through her stomach. She bolted to the bathroom, retching into the sink–those drinks earlier were wrecking her.
When she walked back to the living room, Charles was still on the couch.
She knew he was angry. The madder he got, the quieter he got. She stayed where she was, waiting for him to speak.
Charles slowly set his papers down. “Tough week?” he asked. “Is that why you’re so snappy?”
Yolanda froze, her eyes burning.
‘How ridiculous, she thought. ‘When I was hanging on his every word, he never gave me a second thought. Now that I’ve let go and pulled back, suddenly he cares. Guess guys only want women who beg and whine, huh?”
Her face was still pale. She grabbed the banister and started up the stairs.
Charles watched her retreating back and finally said, “Yolanda, you can’t get pregnant.”
11:32 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 16
Yolanda froze, but her voice stayed calm. “I already told you–I’m not pregnant.”
“But before, you wanted kids.”
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Yolanda’s knuckles went white on the stair rail, the cold metal seeping into her skin like a knife. to the heart.
“Charles, I know who you’re waiting for,” she smiled icily. “I was stupid to think that after all these years, you might love me. But I get it now–no more fantasies.”
Charles stared at her rigid back, a faint sigh escaping. “How many times have you said that, Yolanda? Let’s not do this again.”
He walked over, sliding an arm around her waist. Only then did he notice that her face glistened with sweat–she was clearly feeling terrible.
He gently wiped the sweat from the tip of her nose with his fingertips and spoke softly, “The baby can’t stay. I’ll take you to the clinic tomorrow. I’ll make it right. Just be good.”
Yolanda’s lashes fluttered wildly. She blamed herself for loving Charles too much–too openly –so no one believed she’d ever walk away. Besides, she was from the Grant family. No Grant woman got divorced; that was shameful.
She quit fighting, realizing nothing she said would ever reach Charles.
Catching her silence, Charles gave a subtle smile and gently pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. The touch was tender, yet it felt oddly cutting.
“Quit stirring up trouble. Bring Mom that emerald bracelet tomorrow and apologize,” he said softly. “Yolanda–you’re wife material. Don’t make me sorry I picked you.”
Yolanda shut her eyes slowly. His tone was sweet, but the words cut like blades. Without saying anything, she limped the rest of the way up the stairs.
Charles finally noticed her hurt leg. But he didn’t say a word–he never bothered with that
stuff.
Yolanda went to the master bedroom and forced herself to shower. Only when she sat on the bed did she see how swollen her ankle was.
She grabbed the spray Jan had bought her and spritzed herself. Then she called a maid, asking her to move all her clothes to the guest bedroom down the hall.
The maid looked uneasy. “Mrs. Sinclair, I’m not sure if-”
Yolanda cut her off, her voice steady. “Just do it.”
11:32 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 16
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The maid had no choice but to start moving things.
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Charles came upstairs, took in the scene, and let out a soft laugh. He stepped to Yolanda, brushing her cheek with the back of his fingers. “You naughty brat.”
Yolanda’s expression shifted. Suddenly, a wave of helplessness swept over her.
Just then, Charles’s phone rang–it was Sophie. He didn’t answer. Yolanda’s little rebellion tonight caught him off guard, and he found it kind of funny.
He smiled, “Sweetheart, you’ve had your fun. Don’t wear me out over house drama. You want separate beds? Aren’t you afraid I’ll find someone else?”
Yolanda turned her head away. Seeing that the last of her things was carried out, she headed for the end of the hall. “Do whatever you want,” she said.
Charles stood at the master bedroom doorway, chuckling softly. “Don’t come begging me later.”
That was always his tone–teasing, like nothing matters. Everyone knew how cold he could be, and he’d had plenty of other women.
‘How rare. A guy like Charles actually falling in love and waiting for a woman for two whole years, Yolanda thought bitterly.
11:32 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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.
