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Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Yolanda slept until dawn, waking just after six.
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Just as she stepped out of the guest room, Jack handed her a gift box. “Mrs. Sinclair, Mr. Sinclair asked you to deliver this.”
Yolanda took it and headed straight downstairs.
Jack blinked, slightly taken aback. Charles had been with Sophie for over ten days this month. Before, Yolanda would’ve dropped hints, fishing for details on his schedule. But now, she didn’t ask a single thing–just grabbed the box and went down.
Charles still wasn’t home. Yolanda guessed he’d spent the night with Sophie. She did a quick workout on an empty stomach, picked at a light breakfast, then headed out around 7:30 to make the delivery.
She’d really ticked May off yesterday. Seeing her this early, May’s face soured like she’d stepped in something gross.
“Charles asked me to bring you this bracelet,” Yolanda said, holding out the gift box.
May took it. Inside was the emerald bracelet–the kind one couldn’t just buy with money- she’d been obsessing over.
The bracelet worked its magic. Her mood lightened as she slid it on. Then she shot Yolanda a sideways glance. “Has Charles taken you to get checked? Are you pregnant or not?”
“I’ll go this afternoon,” Yolanda replied. “Just a stomach bug, probably.”
May’s eyes sharpened, a sneer in her voice. “Heard from the maid at Moonbay Estate that you’ve been hunting down herbal remedies to get knocked up. Is that right?”
Yolanda stiffened. She’d been desperate for Charles’s baby, and now it was only making her look like a fool. ‘I was such an idiot, thinking a kid could keep him around,‘ she thought.
May went on, “Charles treats you good, right? He gives you 60 thousand a month in allowance and bailed your family out more times than I can keep track of. Samuel wouldn’t be where he is without him.
“So don’t start thinking that just because your family’s rolling in cash now, you can play these games. Charles said it last night–you don’t deserve to have his baby.”
Yolanda’s fist tightened, but she wasn’t as stung as she might’ve been–she’d seen this coming. “No need to stress,” she whispered. “I’ll bring you the test results today. I wouldn’t even want to carry a Sinclair baby.”
11:32 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 17
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Her words were humble, but they hit May like a sharp edge–though she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what felt off.
“Enough. Get out of here,” she snapped. “Keep this up, and I’ll call the Grants, asking them how they raised such a daughter.”
Yolanda flinched, thinking of the Grant family’s memorial hall she’d always hated. There was a punishment room–cold, pitch–black, terrifying. She’d been locked in there once for two days and had come out barely alive.
She bowed her head, pressed her lips tight, and mumbled, “I’ll leave now.”
May finally felt satisfied. She knew very well Yolanda was terrified of returning to the Grant family—they were way harsher than the Sinclairs ever were.
‘Charles has been this good to her, and she never even thanked him. What an ungrateful woman,‘ May thought.
*****
Once Yolanda got in the car, she realized her back was soaked with cold sweat.
Honestly, the Grants hadn’t punished her very much, but their house always felt suffocating. Ever since she was a kid–after learning she was adopted–she’d lived with a constant fear of being abandoned.
So, she’d always pushed herself to be the best at everything. But she had never realized the Grants were grooming her to be the perfect wife.
Yolanda leaned back, her eyes stinging. She floored the gas pedal and sped toward her studio.
Ian was already there waiting. Today, he wasn’t wearing a mask, and his lean frame stood out -his sharp features impossible to miss. When he saw her, he dropped his gaze, lost in thought.
Yolanda had driven her own car. She nodded for him to get in.
Ian clutched the contract tight and slid into the passenger seat.
She leaned over to buckle his seatbelt, like she always did. Sensing his tension, she comforted, “We’re gonna be around each other a lot. Better get used to it. As your agent and assistant, I’ll even handle your wardrobe.”
“Got it.” Ian stared out the window, his fingers slowly curling into a fist.
Yolanda then drove to Zack’s film set. To her surprise, Sophie was there too.
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Chapter 17
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Sophie had been launched into stardom by Charles, and with major brand endorsements under her belt, she was now an A–list rising actress. Everywhere she went, people fawned over
her.
Spotting Yolanda, Sophie stormed over, her eyes blazing with fury. “Perfect. I’ve been wanting to find you. Didn’t think you’d have the balls to show your face here, you bitch,” Sophie spat.
She raised her hand to slap Yolanda, but Ian caught her wrist, tight.
Sophie yanked hard, but couldn’t break free. Her face flushed crimson with rage. “Aren’t you scared of getting your career destroyed? Just wait–you’ll regret this,” she snapped, pulling away and turning to make a call.
Yolanda frowned and stopped her. “Ms. Sutton, I’m pretty tight with Mrs. Sinclair.”
Sophie paused, knowing that was a threat. She cut off the call before it could connect and asked coolly, “What do you mean?”
Yolanda stepped closer. She was taller than Sophie, with looks and poise that outshone her completely.
Sophie’s cheeks flared even redder, feeling totally overshadowed.
“Hasn’t Mr. Sinclair told you not to push your luck?” Yolanda said. “If word gets to his wife, he might not have your back. The Sinclairs don’t like scandal–you should know that.”
Charles might spoil Sophie, but she was just a disposable placeholder. Yolanda was certain he’d never jeopardize the reputation he’d carefully crafted over years.
Charles could be sweet one minute, ice–cold the next. He could lift a woman to the stars today and drop her into hell tomorrow without a second thought.
Sophie’s expression kept changing, her eyes burning with raw fury.
Yolanda smiled coolly. “Let’s keep things calm. I’ll stay quiet about Mrs. Sinclair–hope you make your move fast, Sophie.”
Sophie ground her teeth hard enough to hurt, her chest heaving with rage. Ever since she’d been with Charles, no one had dared to treat her like this.
‘Damn it!‘ she seethed internally. I’m not letting the slap go. Just wait–I’ll make you crawl and beg for mercy!
“Go ahead and try. Say one word, and you’ll see how fast Charles drops you,” Sophie hissed. She whirled around and pulled out her phone.
‘Sophie’s seriously a handful,’ Yolanda thought, frowning. Then she brushed her off and took
11:33 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 17
Ian to meet Zack.
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Right before the contract was signed, Zack’s phone rang–it was Jack.
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Zack gripped the pen, his face changing as he listened. Before long, he hung up, set the pen down, and said, “Tessa, Jack just called. I can’t give you that role. You know I work for Starlight Entertainment—I could lose my job over this.”
Yolanda curled her fingers tight, knuckles whitening. “Sign the contract first, Mr. White. I’ll take care of whatever comes up.”
11:33 Wed, Sep 10
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.
