Chapter 96
When Yolanda returned to Moonbay Estate, she didn’t ask when Charles would be home. She ate alone at the
table.
After just a few bites, Charles came back.
She couldn’t help but wonder if it was just her imagination, but lately, he seemed to be traveling less and less.
‘Where are Sophie Sutton and Vivian?‘ she wondered.
She frowned, but when she looked up, her expression had already softened into a sweet smile.
“Honey, you’re home so early tonight? How’s your mom doing?” she asked.
Charles handed his coat to the servant and replied flatly, “I thought you didn’t care about her.”
She didn’t, but she had to put on a show.
Charles glanced at the table loaded with food, lowered his eyes, and sat down beside her. “You don’t wait for me to eat anymore?”
Back then, no matter how late he came home, Yolanda would always foolishly wait up for him.
Sometimes, he’d be out with his mistresses, having so much fun he’d forget all about home–and her. He wouldn’t even bother to call. When he finally dragged himself back in the morning to wash up, he’d always find her curled up alone on the couch. The servants would say she’d waited until midnight, refusing to eat a single bite by herself.
Charles never felt guilty about it. He never asked Yolanda to wait–it was all her own doing.
When it comes to love, the one who cares more is always the one who gets hurt.
Somehow, Yolanda had stopped waiting up for him.
She actually seemed more comfortable just being home by herself.
That thought unsettled him.
They had known each other for fifteen years. Ever since Yolanda was brought back to the Grant residence, she’d been just an accessory in his life.
He gripped her chin, making her look at him. “You can eat even when your husband isn’t home?”
Yolanda had no idea what was up with him. She just smiled and served him some food. “You haven’t eaten yet, right? Eat up.”
Charles lowered his eyes and ate the piece of meat she’d given him.
Yolanda asked the servant to bring another plate and fork, but she passed her used fork to Charles and took a
Chapter 96
fresh one for herself.
Charles couldn’t shake the feeling that she was somehow put off by him.
‘How could Yolanda possibly be put off by me?‘ he thought.
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They’d been married for two years, but they barely slept together. Every time, she had to quietly ask if he wanted to, and only then would he agree.
Yolanda was always reserved about this kind of thing, too shy to make the first move. The only time you’d see any real emotion on her face was when she finally managed to ask.
Once every two months, like clockwork.
Now, though, it’s been almost three months–and she hasn’t said a word.
He took a few bites and then stopped.
Yolanda sat beside him, her head down, attention glued to her phone as she quietly messaged someone.
He was hardly ever home, but whenever he was, she always sat quietly beside him, never making a fuss.
Charles frowned, turned to see her still messaging, and asked, unable to hold back, “Who are you chatting with?”
Without even looking up, she replied, “Megan Carter. You’ve met her before, right? She’s pregnant, and her husband’s totally unreliable. I’m just worried about her.”
He took her phone and glanced at the screen. Sure enough, it was Megan Carter.
He didn’t even know why he was doing it.
Yolanda finally looked up at him, smiling as she slipped her arm around his.
“Babe, can you make me president of Starlight Entertainment?” she asked with a sweet smile.
To Charles, Starlight Entertainment was just a tiny piece of his whole business.
He didn’t really care about it, but parachuting someone in like that would definitely piss off the people over there.
Business stuff just wasn’t Yolanda’s thing.
She was better off staying at home, looking pretty and keeping quiet.
He stayed silent, but she tugged at his sleeve, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Can’t you let me? Your family’s business empire is massive, and Starlight Entertainment is just a small part of it. My studio hasn’t really taken off yet, so let me work there for a while. I want to pick out a few promising talents.”
He found her request amusing and kept his tone soft. If you didn’t know better, you’d think they were the perfect couple.
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Chapter 96
“You want to steal my talent away?” he said.
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She lowered her eyes and pressed her lips together. “I heard some gossip that the higher–ups at Starlight Entertainment have been giving the talent a really hard time.”
“Trying to be the savior now?” he teased.
Yolanda hated the way he acted so above it all, like nothing ever touched him and everyone else was just
beneath his notice.
She stood up, about to head upstairs, but Charles grabbed her and pulled her right back into his arms. “Well, look at you–finally got some attitude. Who’s been teaching you to talk back?”
Her heart gave a little jump, and she turned her gaze away. “I can’t always be the way I was before. You never liked that, did you?”
Charles raised an eyebrow, keeping her pressed against him. For the first time in ages, he actually felt that old urge stirring inside.
“Honestly, I like you better this way,” he murmured.
Yolanda felt a little sour inside. Charles’s sweet talk could melt any woman, not just her.
With a face and background like his, who could blame her for falling so hard? It was just too easy to think it
was love.
Charles loosened his tie and cupped her face, leaning in for a kiss, but she turned her head away.
His expression darkened, and he wrapped his arm around her waist. “You in a bad mood lately?”
Actually, she’d just been texting Sophie Sutton. With Charles coming home so often these days, she really didn’t want him hovering over her all the time.
If Charles ever caught wind of Ian Foster, she couldn’t even imagine what he’d do to her.
A golden boy like him could never tolerate betrayal–he’d ruin her without a second thought.
“Yeah, it’s that time of the month,” she said.
Charles never bothered to keep track of her cycle. Even if she used that excuse three times a month, he’d never notice.
Right then, his phone buzzed–it was Sophie Sutton, calling to complain that she’d hurt her hand and it was killing her.
Charles was already irritated and needed an outlet. If his wife wasn’t interested, he’d just turn to someone else.
He got up, falling back on his usual excuse. “I’ve got some work to do at the office.”
He leaned in and nipped at her lips. “Finish eating and get some rest. Don’t stay up late when it’s that time of
the month.”
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Chapter 96
…
She hummed in response.
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Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed he was actually wearing that watch. He’d swapped out the old strap for a new one since the original didn’t fit.
Charles took a few steps, then suddenly turned back. “I’m off to work late at the office. You know, you could’ve just acted cute and made me stay.”
Yolanda turned back to the table, her face blank. “Go focus on your work. As your wife, I wouldn’t want to be a burden to you.”
Charles’s expression darkened.
Later that night, even as he tried to lose himself with Sophie Sutton, nothing felt right–no matter what he did, there was this lingering discomfort he just couldn’t shake.
Yolanda’s words stuck with him, pricking at his mind like a thorn.
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Chapter 97
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.
