After She She Stopped Loving Him

Yolanda texted lan to ask what time he was going to the set tomorrow.

He replied right away: [10 AM. You coming?]

Yolanda felt a bit better. In the suffocating Sinclair family, chatting with Ian was surprisingly relaxing. [I’ll be there. Is your boxing room all set up?] she replied.

Ian sent a photo a minute later. It showed a 1000–square–foot space with one punching bag standing on the floor and a few more hanging from the ceiling.

He was in a black short–sleeve, one hand slipped into a black boxing glove. Even from the picture, Yolanda could see the veins in his arm, subtle but noticeable.

Yolanda’s lips twitched into a small smile. If Ian got that lead role in Simone’s show, his career would take off for sure.

Charles‘ voice cut in from beside her, “Who you texting?”

Yolanda tightened her grip on the phone for a split second, then set it down casually. “Megan, my partner at the studio,” she said flatly. “She had a car accident a couple days ago. I’m just checking in.”

Charles poked her cheek with a finger. “Smiling that soft for her?”

‘I smiled softly? No, that was an ambitious grin,‘ Yolanda thought. Still, she put on a tender smile, though she couldn’t care less about him. “I smile like that for you too, honey,” she said.

As they held each other’s gaze, Flora interrupted, “Since you two are so close, when are you gonna think about kids? Charles, you’re twenty–eight–time to start thinking about it.”

Charles’s smile faltered. He took Yolanda’s hand, lacing their fingers together. “Yolanda’s health isn’t the best. We’ll talk about it in a few years.”

‘He doesn’t want kids, but he used me as a shield. Bet Flora will now think I can’t have babies, Yolanda thought.

Sure enough, Flora’s face soured. She turned to the butler beside her, ordering, “Arrange a full checkup for Yolanda. See if there’s something wrong with her womb.”

“Yes, Mrs. Sinclair,” the butler replied.

Yolanda tensed, anger flickering for a second as she glanced at Charles.

Charles stayed cool, calmn as ever. “Grandma, no need for that. She’s just on the delicate side.

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Chapter 25

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make her worse. Let’s

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55 vouchers

to have kids? It’s been two years–nothing. Wait much longer, and

when she looked up, her face was all worry. “Honey, I can handle it. Let’s try

Charles’s expression clouded over.

“sensible.” She smiled, “I have some special wine. Take a bottle

slowly letting go of Yolanda’s hand.

Flora had someone fetch a bottle of her special wine, which was packed with

might not be enough. Could you get a few more? Charles…” She paused, seeming

five more bottles. These were packed with heavy–duty stuff, the kind that’d make even a

from the side. ‘Yolanda’s got some

the car, jaw tight. He didn’t say

guys carrying the wine. “Stick those in the trunk, please. Thanks,”

a phone gesture, signaling they’d connect

then climbed into the car with

didn’t head to Moonbay Estate. Instead, they drove to Muse Club. It was the spot for rich kids, a fancy bar that burned

top of his collar, clearly ticked

lips curved a little. He

into his lap. “You think I can’t perform because I’ve

face flickered, but quickly she collected herself.

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Chapter 25

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