After She She Stopped Loving Him

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 cafter 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 cto

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, lan 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,” lan 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 lan, “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.

lan 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.

lan 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 lan’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 oflike that

again.”

lan’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. “Stuat 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 | was hanging on his every word, he never gavea 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, | know who you're waiting for,” she smiled icily. “I was stupid to think that after all these years, you

might love me. But | 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 makesorry | 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.”

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Chapter 16

The maid had no choice but to start moving things.

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Charles cupstairs, 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 wearout over house . 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 cbegginglater.”

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

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