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Early the next morning, Yolanda drove to lan’s place. She banged on the old door for ages, no one answered. Just as she reached for her phone to call him, the door creaked open.
Ian was in a black T–shirt, one cheek swollen red–like he’d taken a punch.
Yolanda’s brows shot up. She scanned the messy yard, spotting signs of a fight everywhere. “What happened?” she asked.
Ian’s charming eyes glistened, like he was holding back tears. “I’m fine.”
Yolanda took a sharp breath, grabbed his arm, and hauled him inside.
but
When she’d visited yesterday, the place was tiny but neat. But now, it was a total disaster. Every single piece of furniture was flipped, the only cup lay shattered in pieces–nothing was left intact.
Yolanda’s face went dark. Since Ian wasn’t gonna talk, she turned for the door.
Ian hesitated and then blurted out, “Some strangers showed up last night. I don’t know who they were.” He rushed the words, as if she’d walk out if he slowed down.
Yolanda stopped and turned back to him. Sweat beaded on his forehead–his injuries must be worse than he let on. She propped up the sofa and said softly, “Sit. Let me check.”
Ian froze, and then slowly sat down.
Yolanda lifted his shirt, exposing his chest. There were wounds, but what really caught her eye was his chiseled abs, the perfect V–line, his broad shoulders, and lean waist–he could easily pass for a fitness model.
Her fingertips felt a sudden tingle, and only then did she realize her move was a little out of line.
Ian bit his lip, his ears burning red. Finally, he gave up and turned away, clutching the hem of his shirt–like he’d just been taken advantage of.
Yolanda cleared her throat, locked her gaze on the bruises dotting his chest, and forced herself to stay calm.
“Anywhere else hurt?” she asked, pressing gently on the bruises and glancing up. “Did they crack a rib?”
Jan sucked in a breath, yanking his shirt down harder. “No.”
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Chapter 21
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Yolanda let out a relieved sigh. She stood up and said, “Pack your stuff. We’re moving today. You can’t stay here anymore.”
lan let go of his shirt slowly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Where?”
“I got you a place–a nice villa, good security. Even when you become famous, you’ll be safe there. At the very least, you won’t have to deal with stuff like being followed or getting into fights,” Yolanda replied.
Ian hesitated a beat before asking softly, “Won’t your husband get mad?”
Yolanda paused, taking a second to process it, and then realized he’d misunderstood. She laughed, finding him kind of cute for some reason.
“It’s not my husband’s,” she explained. “It’s my brother’s. He looks tough, but he’s good to me. Besides, he’s got so many houses–he couldn’t care less about this one.”
Ian looked down and stood up. “Got it.”.
Yolanda watched his back, sighing quietly.
Ian didn’t have much to pack. Just ten minutes later, he emerged with a backpack and a small suitcase.
His hair was a bit messy, and his arm muscles flexed subtly as he carried his backpack. His eyes were captivating, set in a face that spelled trouble–handsome enough to spark conflict and settle it with just a glance.
After he got in the car, Yolanda drove to the villa.
It was in a prime spot, right in the heart of Beloris–super valuable. Samuel must’ve put thought into picking this when he gave her the keys.
The villa was beautifully designed, with two stories and a well–manicured garden. Samuel had someone fix it up beforehand, clearly,
lan, dressed all in black, didn’t seem awkward stepping into the big house. He looked calm, almost like he belonged.
Yolanda loved the setting. “Come here,” she said. “I’ll add both our fingerprints to the system, so we can put the keys away for good.”
Jan set down his backpack, took off his hat, and walked over.
Yolanda scanned her fingerprint first, then grabbed his finger to add his. Once they were done, a voice prompt confirmed both owners‘ fingerprints were successfully registered.
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Yolanda winced a little–that voice prompt sounded kinda suggestive. She took a deep breath, pushing away the strange thoughts creeping into her mind.
“Ian,” she called, keeping her voice steady. “You like boxing, right? I’ll grab a heavy bag and pro gloves. Pick any room and make it your mini gym.”
The villa had plenty of space. He’d be alone here, free to do whatever he wanted.
“Yolanda,” he called out suddenly.
It caught her off guard. “Hmm?” she replied, realizing it was the first time he’d called her by her first name.
“I’ll buy my own. Keep your money.”
‘Is he trying to save me money? Never figured someone so quiet could be this thoughtful, Yolanda thought. For a second, she didn’t know what to say.
Now she understood why guys went crazy when a girl looked out for their wallet. Such souls were so pure that the others just couldn’t help but be kind to them.
On a whim, Yolanda pulled out her phone and ordered a few pairs of boxing gloves and a heavy–duty punching bag.
Then she turned to Ian. “They’ll deliver this afternoon. You can set them up. Filming starts the day after tomorrow, so heal up fast. And you should’ve called me last night.”
As she spoke, she pulled out her phone to check messages and saw one from Sean: [Is your talent in trouble? Heard some gossip this morning–Mr. Sinclair stepped in for Sophie.]
Yolanda’d had a hunch, and now it was confirmed. Anger flickered in her chest. She turned to Ian, her voice sharp with suspicion. “You know who did this last night?”
Jan stayed silent. He dropped his gaze, quietly sorting through his stuff.
Looks like those guys introduced themselves last night,‘ Yolanda thought. She fixed her gaze on lan, her voice serious. “lan, whatever happens, you have to tell me. If you keep this up, I’ll be really mad.”
Jan looked up at her, whispering, “I don’t want to put you in a tough spot.” Then he dropped his gaze and went back to organizing his things.
Tan’s way too touchy. He probably sensed how rocky things were between me and Charles. He was worried that if I found out Charles was behind all this. I’d lose it and our already shaky marriage would fall apart, Yolanda thought, understanding.
“Listen,” she said, her voice firm, “you might end up being my cash cow someday. Charles is
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Chapter 21
not half as important as you.”
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lan’s fingers froze for a split second. Something flashed in his eyes–gone too fast to read. Then he mumbled, “Got it.”

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.