Chapter 91
Both of them seemed to sense each other at the same time, and they froze.
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Just then, the elevator lights flickered back on. Charles glanced over at Yolanda and saw Samuel standing
beside her.
Samuel was looking down at his phone, trying to call someone outside. He glanced up when he noticed Charles staring at him, his expression puzzled.
Charles quickly looked away, tightening his grip around Yolanda’s waist.
Yolanda let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, catching a glimpse of Ian, who had somehow slipped quietly to stand just behind her.
She felt her whole body flush with heat, lowered her head, and even the tips of her ears were burning.
Everything that had happened between her and Ian went against all the rules she’d grown up with. It was the first time she’d ever felt this kind of betrayal, and she couldn’t help but feel anxious.
She wasn’t like Charles, who could cheat and still flirt with his wife at home without a care in the world.
Yolanda was so tense, Charles assumed she was just frightened. He reassured her in a low voice, “Don’t worry. We’ll be out of here soon.”
Yolanda swallowed hard and gently rested against his chest.
Sure enough, the maintenance crew showed up in no time. They apologized to those stuck inside, then quickly pried open the elevator doors with their tools.
Yolanda stuck to Charles like glue the entire time.
The director chatted briefly with the group, then left with Ian in tow.
Charles pulled out a cigarette and lit it, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “Samuel, I’ll get Yolanda home first, alright?”
Samuel looked over at Yolanda and offered her a tissue.
She pressed her lips together and murmured a quiet thank you.
Charles saw the exchange, his brows knitting together.
Once they were back in the car, Yolanda checked her phone, but Ian still hadn’t messaged her.
Her heart was hanging in suspense, both thrilled and uneasy.
Charles sat down beside her, about to say something when his phone rang. It was Vivian.
Vivian was about to get out of the hospital. She was still pissed that she hadn’t managed to destroy Yolanda’s
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Chapter 91
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studio, but with all the online drama still raging, she couldn’t do much else–so she set her sights on Megan
next.
One way or another, she was hell–bent on making sure that bitch Yolanda never got a moment’s peace.
And besides that, she was determined to keep hooking up with Yolanda’s man.
But what she didn’t expect was for Charles to actually turn her down.
“Yolanda had a scare today. Let’s talk about it another time.”
After ending the call, he drew Yolanda close. “You and Samuel have always been that close?”
He couldn’t help but recall how Samuel had put his arm around Yolanda’s waist in the elevator. Sure, it was an emergency, but those two had spent so many years together.
Yolanda didn’t really think much about it and just answered honestly, “Samuel’s always swamped, and we barely talk. Plus, he’s way too uptight.”
Honestly, Samuel had this kind of maturity that was way beyond his years–it made people feel kind of pressured around him.
Besides, if there was ever anything between those two, Yolanda wouldn’t have had feelings for Charles for fifteen years straight.
Charles knew he was just overthinking things.
After dropping Yolanda off at Moonbay Estate, Charles left right away, saying he was heading over to Sinclair manor to see Renee.
Ever since she fell into the pool, Renee hadn’t set foot outside Sinclair manor, and May was furious with Yolanda, blaming her for it all.
Renee had always been pampered, and this time she just couldn’t swallow her pride. She started raising hell at home, cursing Yolanda every single day.
May was already pissed off, and seeing her daughter like this thanks to Yolanda just pushed her over the edge.
“Mom, I swear, every time I close my eyes, I feel like the pool water is coming for me. You have no idea how terrified I am. That bitch Yolanda! Why does Charles keep her around if he doesn’t even care about her?”
May reached out and gave her daughter a comforting pat on the head. “If you really can’t stand her, then start thinking about how to get your brother to divorce her. Samuel’s project is locked in with our family this time -he’s not about to blow it all just for Yolanda.”
Renee’s eyes darted as she started scheming. She’d called Vivian earlier, but it looked like Vivian hadn’t managed to get the job done.
A sly smile tugged at her lips as she grabbed some gifts and made her way to visit Vivian.
Vivian’s brain just short–circuits whenever Charles is involved.
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Renee sat beside her on the hospital bed, grabbing her hand and putting on her cutest, most innocent act. “Vivian, you don’t know how bad Yolanda really is. She’s always talking trash about you to my brother. I never thought she was that kind of person.”
Vivian couldn’t help but think about how Charles had just rejected her, and it made her blood boil.
Charles was always sweet to everyone–there’s no way he’d turn her down unless Yolanda was messing things up. That bitch!
Vivian’s chest heaved with anger, her eyes blazing with fury.
Renee felt a surge of pride seeing Vivian like that. “You’re honestly my top pick for sister–in–law. I’m going to find a way to split up my brother and Yolanda–I’m on your side.”
Vivian was thoroughly pleased, gripping Renee’s hand in return. “No need for you to step in. If I can’t deal with something this trivial, how could I ever help your brother run the company?”
“Alright, Vivian, I’ll leave it to you.”
Renee had come to pick Vivian up from the hospital today. Once Vivian was settled in the car, Renee stood outside and called out, “Take care, Vivian. If you ever need anything, just let me know.”
Vivian nodded, watching her head off with a spring in her step.
Inside the car, her uncle Grady Andrade noticed her sour expression and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Vivian took a deep breath and leaned back in her seat. “Greg screwed up again. Get someone to put the squeeze on him. If he can’t cough up the money, break his legs. Corner a guy like that, and he’ll be desperate enough to do anything we want.”
Grady nodded. Greg had gotten himself into debt because of their scheme.
Now, Greg was completely trapped in their web.
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Yolanda called in a cleaning crew to give the studio a thorough once–over. She was worried Greg might come back around, so she called Megan to ask where he was.
Megan was at the hospital for a prenatal checkup, and Greg was there with her.
It had been a long time since he’d stayed by her side like this, and she hadn’t felt this happy in ages.
“He’s here with me for the checkup. This baby was such a surprise, and I’m really anxious about it. Yolanda, he really has changed. I’ll make sure he stays on the right path.”
Greg knew it was Yolanda calling, and just thinking about how close he’d come to getting what he wanted made his heart race with excitement.
Yolanda was drop–dead gorgeous, filthy rich too–if he could ever get her into bed, man, that’d be the score of a lifetime.
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He was still lost in those thoughts when his phone suddenly rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, the color drained from his face.
Megan caught the look on his face and frowned. “Didn’t I tell you to change your number? You need to cut off contact with those people. I’ve already paid off all your debts for you.”
Pretty much everything she made these past few years went straight to paying off Greg’s debts.
She just wanted Greg to break away from that crowd and for the two of them to live a normal life together. As long as they worked hard, they’d be fine.
Greg just brushed her off. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I haven’t talked to any of them. Babe, go get your checkup.”
As soon as Megan disappeared inside, Greg checked his messages right away.
It was a hospital address.
William Bennett, the orphanage director, had just undergone a kidney transplant and was still recovering in the hospital. Yolanda would probably come visit him, and if Greg hung around long enough, he was bound to run into her.
Greg swallowed hard, quickly hiding his phone when he saw Megan coming back out.
Even though Megan was pregnant and it hadn’t been easy for her, they were flat broke. He had to figure out a way to get some money–otherwise, the kid would just end up suffering as soon as he was born.
Plus, he had a mountain of debts Megan didn’t even know about. There was no way she could cover them, and if he didn’t pay up, those guys would have no problem breaking his legs.
He helped Megan into the car, and while she was asleep, he took her phone and pulled out cash advances on every credit card she had. Then he made sure to delete every single verification code text so she wouldn’t notice a thing.
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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.
