After She She Stopped Loving Him

Yolanda bolted out of bed and marched straight to the master bedroom. Without a second thought, she drove her

foot into the door, splintering the frame. It was a raw, violent act, completely unlike her.

She shouted. “Charles, remember that cross necklace | gave you? You gave it-“The words died in her throat.

He doesn’t know | know about Sophie, she realized in a flash. Confronting him now would be a mistake. He'd just

offer shollow apology and keep right on cheating, his conscience clear for good.

Charles stepped out of the bathroom, a towel around his waist, his hairgripping. The roar of the shower had

drowned her out. “What did you say?” he asked,

She took a step back. turning to leave.

She needed a new plan to get the necklace. “Nothing. I'm going to bed,” she muttered.

But his hand shot out, clamping around her wrist. He pinned her against the ruined door, his gaze dropping to

her mouth. “Are you sure you didn’t chere to keepcompany?” he murmured, his voice low.

Yolanda'’s eyes flickered to his shoulder. Fresh, red scratches ran across his skin. They were clear marks from

someone else’s nails.

The truth hit her like a physical blow. “How could | have been so blind? Everyone knows about his affairs but me.

No wonder he’s so brazen, she thought.

She just replied. “I have my period. | don’t think it’s tfor this.”

The light in his eyes died instantly. He wasn’t going to do anything, anyway. He let go without another word.

Yolanda fled. The moment she was in the hall, her phone buzzed insistently. Another message from Sophie lit up

the screen.

Sophie: [Charles said this necklace was from you. It's so plain. Are you that hard up for cash even after you

married him? For comparison, he gavetwo apartments. Fifteen million dollars. Said he didn’t wantto feel

cheated.]

The final text was a knife twist: [Two years as his wife, and you've got nothing to show for it. Doesn't that just

make you feel cheap, Mrs. Sinclair?]

Two weeks later, lan was back to shoot a coffee commercial. Yolanda personally picked him up and escorted him

to the stuat Starlight Entertainment.

As it turned out, Sophie was also on set, filming an advertisement of her own. She was a rising star now, fresh

young face securing major endorsement deals for the Sinclair Group.

the

While lan was in the makeup chair, Yolanda stepped out to wander the hall, her face hidden behind a mask.

That was when she saw it: the small cross necklace dangling proudly from Sophie’s neck. A makeup talent was

fussing over it. ‘Sophie, this is beautiful Guess it must be sspecial gift. huh?”

7:45 Thu, Sep 11

Chapter 39

Sophie's eyes instantly found Yolanda standing in the doorway, a wave of smug satisfaction washing over her

expression.

“Oh, this? My boyfriend gave it to me. He said he wantedto have a piece of him watching over me, she said,

her voice sweet. “I just never wore it.”

“Oh, that's so sweet,” the talent gushed,

With a deliberate flick of her finger, Sophie made sure the necklace rested prominently outside her collar, a

blatant trophy displayed for the one woman she’d stolen it from. The message was clear: she had won.

Yolanda simply walked back in and tried to ignore Sophie's speech.

Sophie looked up from the mirror with a sneer. “You can’t just barge into my dressing room. As the Sinclair

Group's top endorser, flush with fame, she had every right to be arrogant.

Yolanda remained by the door, her calm, beautiful eyes unblinking. | heard you're interested in the Magnifique

Cosmetics lipstick campaign.”

Sophie's face tightened. “None of your business. Now get out, before I—"

“The word is, they signed Joelle, Yolanda cut in. “That star from overseas. You know, the lively girl with eyes just

like yours. Rumor has it Mr. Sinclair waited for her all night once and got stood up. They had a history.

She leaned in, her whisper a blade aimed straight for Sophie’s insecurities. “Your real competition was never his

wife. It's Joelle. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? When he looks at you in bed, who is he really looking at?”

Sophie shot to her feet, her hand flying out to slap Yolanda, who caught her wrist easily. Furious, her face flushed

a deep red, Sophie trembled with rage. “Get out, she shrieked at the room. “Everyone, get out NOW!”

The makeup talents scrambled for the door, not daring to look back, and shut it quickly behind them.

“Let go of me, Tessa,” Sophie snarled, her face contorted. “You slappedbefore, and we haven't settled that

score. Now you have the nerve to chere and poison my mind? You bitch!”

Yolanda released her grip slowly. “I've had a change of heart, Ms. Sutton. There's no need for us to be enemies.

My talent is still on set, and frankly, maybe you could help us.”

“So now you give in? It's too late for that,” Sophie snapped.

“I'm not giving in. I'm offering you information, Yolanda corrected gently. “And I'm a friend of Mrs. Sinclair's.

| know all her weaknesses. If you want to replace her, we could be powerful allies.”

Sophie sized Yolanda up, her expression shifting from dark suspicion to outright scorn.

Yolanda remained unflappable. She nudged a broken makeup compact on the floor with the toe of her shoe.

“Look into Mr. Sinclair's dealings with Joelle. If I'm lying, you can makepay.

Sophie glowered, pointing a sharp, manicured finger. “If you're playing me, | will make you regret it.”

“In our world, it’s better to have a partner than an enemy. Think it over, Ms. Sutton. | have a feeling you'll be

7:45 Thu, Sep 11

Chapter 39

calling me.” Yolanda placed Tessa’s business card on the vanity.

Sophie snatched it up and immediately threw it in the trash. “Get out.”

iou voucherf

Yolanda opened the dressing room door and stopped short. lan was standing right there, his tall frblocking

the light from the hallway.

She recovered quickly, pulling the door shut behind her. “I thought you were still in hair and makeup?” she

asked, her voice soft.

He just murmured a noncommittal “Hmm” and turned, walking back toward his own prep room. Yolanda fell into

step a few paces behind him.

He stopped abruptly, making her nearly bump into him. “Well?” he asked, his voice low. “How do | look in this?”

They'd styled him for the coffee commercial in all black. Every hair was perfectly in place, and his makeup was

flawless. He was still damp from the shoot, hair and lashes beaded with moisture.

The shirt was unbuttoned to a reckless degree, a spreading water stain making the fabric cling to his chest. She

could sense the crowd trying to sneak pictures. The effect was breathtaking

She adjusted her mask and gave a simple, professional nod. “You look good.”

[S]

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