After She She Stopped Loving Him

Chapter 614: The Nerve

Nnenna didn’t even need to glance at it to know it was his phone number. So he’s actually serious? What a weird guy, she thought, blinking at him.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the treatment," Darius announced, standing with theatrical flair. But not before flashing one last smile at the nanny by the door, and then letting his gTitan 205

To be honest, Yolanda felt she ought to call Ian and tell him to quit messing around–this was his job, and he needed to stick to an actor’s basic principles. If he wanted any future in showbiz, he had to handle all that came with it.

If he was planning to survive in the entertainment world, he’d just have to put up with it.

But why, of all people, did it have to be Joelle?

Simone was still saying something, but Yolanda tuned her out completely–her mind was elsewhere.

After hanging up, she got in her car. She’d planned to drop by Starlight, since the people blocking the entrance had finally cleared out. She’d already called the crew to fix the shattered glass doors.

Right at that moment, her phone lit up with a call from Charles.

Charles’s voice came through: “Aunt Simone’s putting together a hiking trip. Want to come blow off some steam?”

Ian had mentioned in passing that he’d probably show up too.

Simone would definitely invite a whole crew, and with things at Starlight finally calming down, Yolanda figured she might as well join the fun.

“Count me in,” Yolanda replied easily.

She hadn’t expected so many people–turns out, this wasn’t just any old hike. There was a full–blown resort at the top, and getting there meant a three–hour trek from the foot of the mountain, starting at 2 in the morning. If you made it to the summit in time, you’d catch the sunrise.

Yolanda did a quick walk–through at Starlight. As night settled in, her phone lit up with a message from Ian.

[You joining the hike?]

Then Leo reached out with a text of his own.

[Hey, you hiking or not? Just asking–no big deal.]

Yolanda ignored Leo and shot back a quick reply to Ian: [Yeah, I’m in.]

She enjoyed a hot shower, then, at one in the morning, jumped into Charles’s car and headed out to the base of the mountain.

When they got there, the whole area was brightly lit, and a crew of staff were already hanging around. They’d take the cable car up ahead of everyone to get breakfast ready at the top.

This mountain was privately owned. Normally, anyone could hike it, but when they closed the place off, it was strictly VIPs only.

Yolanda stepped out in black athletic gear, backpack slung over her shoulders, only to spot Joelle sporting matching black gear and the same backpack vibe.

Joelle was Oscar’s guest, and besides him, there were a few other famous directors in attendance, Simone included.

The rest of the crew were young elites who lived for this kind of thrill–mountain climbing was basically the hottest trend in their circle.

Charles, rarely seen in athletic gear, cast a glance at lan, who was standing next to Simone. He couldn’t help but frown, a slight crease forming between his brows.

Ian wasn’t looking at anyone, his mask covering most of his face, with only his indifferent eyes showing. He seemed completely silent and kept to himself.

Just as everyone was about to head out, Xavier and Quinn Cooper showed up, their voices ringing across the crowd.

Wow, so everyone’s going hiking and nobody bothered to call us? Lucky we got here before you left!” Xavier joked loudly.

Xavier yanked Leo over, remembering how his little brother had blurted to the Lawson family yesterday that he might be into someone. The whole family was hyped, demanding Xavier dig out this secret crush. With Leo suddenly way too keen on this hike, Xavier figured the girl he liked had to be among tonight’s crew.

He swept his eyes over the eight or nine women gathered there–first Yolanda was off the list, then Simone, both ruled out because, come on, they were on a totally different level, practically family.

After that, his gaze started sizing up the remaining six, lingering a bit longer as he tried to sniff out any clues.

Quentin showed up too–his eyes locked on Joelle from the very moment he arrived. It was old news that he used to have a crush on her; nobody even bothers to keep it under wraps anymore.

“These love triangles are just the same old story–boring,‘ Yolanda thought, totally uninterested. She fell in step behind Simone, ready to get this hike going.

There were five trails leading up the mountain, and with so many people here, everyone just broke off into little squads with their usual crew, planning to stick together for the climb.

Yolanda wasn’t really familiar with most of these folks, so she hung by Simone’s side, seriously picking her brain about the film business.

Charles was about to head over to Yolanda when Quentin called out, “Joelle, is your wrist still giving you trouble?”

Charles glanced in their direction, remembering that Joelle had only just been snatched by that lunatic Andrew yesterday. ‘And now she’s here climbing a mountain… She must’ve come for me,‘ he thought.

He frowned, staying put.

Sure enough, Joelle approached him, careful to keep a respectful distance. “Charles, which trail are you taking

-left or right?”

Charles glimpsed Yolanda and Simone taking the middle trail, and a flicker of irritation showed in his eyes- he hated being left out, even if he’d never admit it.

Still, he hid it perfectly, keeping his expression smooth and unreadable.

Quentin sidled up to Joelle, whispering, “Joelle, let’s take the right trail–it’s way easier.”

Joelle ignored him, her eyes fixed on Charles, clearly waiting for his answer.

Charles headed straight for the middle trail, and Joelle tried to catch up, but she tripped hard–hadn’t even started climbing and her ankle was already swollen from the fall.

Quentin rushed over, his voice full of concern. “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Joelle took a deep breath and said seriously, “Quentin, I’ve rejected you more times than I can count. Don’t put me on the spot. I can get to the hospital on my own.”

With that, she limped to her feet, didn’t even look at Charles, and made her way back to her own car.

Quentin hurried up after her. “You don’t even have a manager with you–who’s gonna get you to the hospital?”

Leo watched the whole thing, then elbowed Charles. “You not gonna help her out? Looks like her ankle’s in pretty bad shape.”

7

A

Xavier was right there, catching Leo’s comment. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Wait, seriously?‘ Xavier wondered. ‘Is Leo into Joelle too?‘

“He’s been keeping tabs on her from the start. Now with Charles here, maybe he’s too shy to offer a ride himself? Xavier guessed, more confused than ever.

‘Has he had his eye on her this whole time, just waiting for a moment to do something?‘ he thought, picking up the tension.

Xavier’s mood soured. “There are already more than enough guys chasing after Joelle, and Leo–man, he’s no Casanova. With that many rivals, he doesn’t stand much chance,‘

Charles wasn’t planning to help out, but after Leo nudged him and saw Joelle still shutting Quentin down, he finally gave in and walked over.

“Let me drive you,” he said.

Joelle gave him a grateful–even slightly guilty–look. “Won’t you miss out on the hike because of me?”

“Hospital’s just a half–hour from here. I’ll drop you off and get back before anyone even notices.” Charles replied.

really appreciate it,”

9:35 Sat Oct 25

Chapter 203

the

156 vouchers

turning it over in his mind: Wait, isn’t Charles basically with Yolanda now? As long as that’s still a

Chapter 206

her backpack

really booming right now. Should we consider having

respond when Ian suddenly

Grant.” Ian called

“Yeah?” Yolanda looked over.

turned to face him, noticing he seemed

I talk to you about Ms. Sinclair’s new script?” Ian

Ian was turning down the role, so she gave Yolanda

of golden opportunity wouldn’t even land in his lap. His popularity is soaring, but his list of credits is way too short. After Zack’s show finishes up, mine is coming next, and if he adds this film to the mix, he’ll

was talented, worked hard, kept his head down, and always acted

him, Aunt Simone,” Yolanda

some privacy, so she called out to the rest and led them

a nearby little pavilion and sat down,

an interesting way–some were higher, some

one.

sat on the lower bench at her feet. He took her backpack, opened it, and started transferring the

could tell he

a teasing grin, she propped one

hands mid–motion, giving her a sideways look. “Careful, Grant.

catch us.”

up and

laugh, leaning back with an easy swagger. “Still holding a

got any right to be mad? You told me to chill out.

curb,” Ian shot

on his face, Ian tucked her sunscreen spray into his own

a high ponytail, her black sportswear making her skin look almost porcelain pale. Her jet–black hair looked sharp against her fair face, and her eyes

I don’t want you to

still for a second, eyes lowered, the barest hint

a playful pinch. “If you did, the female lead wouldn’t be Joelle. Honestly, I can’t handle you getting all close and personal

Ian was sulking like a sad puppy, and now he

me work with her, I’d just vanish.

chin on her shoulder, lashes down, back all

up and gave his hair a little tousle. “Let’s go. We’ll miss the

grabbing her hand and pulling her up the path. But halfway there, Yolanda caught footsteps behind them, so she quickly dropped his hand and opened up some space

firing off a snarky remark. “Well, well, you two again. Guess I took a whole lap just to

fed up with Leo and his prickly sarcasm. She definitely wasn’t about to let him sniff out what was

stuck to them like some soggy, creepy

figured he was just taking

up; slow down, he slowed down.

seriously like a shadow that just wouldn’t

shot him a

mentally scoffed, ‘Talk about extra.

yours or something?” Leo shot

wasn’t about to waste her breath on him. Thankfully, they’d reached the top. The lights from the mountain lodge glowed nearby, and everyone who’d made it was already waiting on

walked past lan, shooting him

to hit the restroom and just handed her bag off to lan. “Go snag us a good spot for the sunrise -I’ll catch up

more, she strode off toward the

stood there clutching her bag, was just about to take a step after

move a table,” Simone called

eyes lit up, and he swaggered toward the lodge, tossing a cocky line over his shoulder. “Superstar, you better get moving. If

wanting to get

later, and the staff was already hustling around, getting

down, so he just headed

the restroom on the first floor, but the door was wide open

frowned–where had Yolanda

second floor, then the third,

but before he could dial, someone cracked him hard on the back of

courtyard and shoved

out cold.

been knocked

so annoyingly persistent, hanging around looking for people,

in from outside, but inside it was stripped completely bare–just piles of scattered bricks on the ground, a single locked door, steel bars over the windows, and a camera

corner of his eye, he noticed someone behind him. Turning around, he saw Yolanda leaning

in a chair.

instinct was to reach for the chain around her ankle and try to undo

wrong

like his whole body was overheating, his skin prickling with heat as if he might explode any second. ‘What the

the only chair in the place–a grimy, beat–up thing, way too shabby for someone like her. She looked so out of

Her pale skin seemed to almost shimmer under the weak sunlight, and her athletic outfit traced every curve. Leo found

Hey, Yolanda?” Leo called out, his voice dry and low, and he slowly dragged himself

her attention, his body heavy and off–balance as he moved

were tied behind his back, so he could only nudge her

so much of the knock–out

keeping himself in check as he fought the urge to give in

he muttered, his voice

like Yolanda. How

him?

behind this? Is it me they

it worse, until he just gave in and pressed his face right

his voice barely

like he was boiling alive, trapped in a desert, the heat suffocating him. Getting close to her was the only

her, frowning in discomfort as she

feel awful,” Leo mumbled, voice thick with

the window caught everything–streaming every second live for

watch.

straight–up crazy. He blasted the group link out to a bunch of people: Charles, Ian, Samuel,

as he sent out that link, most people instantly blocked him and didn’t give it a

the Sinclair family, cast out and unwanted–no one needed

handful were left in

ually stands a chance.

“Aren’t you going with

car door and pushed his

you–don’t let Ms. Monroe

letting Charles know he liked Joelle too, so he was keeping

this kid get so low–key? Navier thought, a

look that said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve

lips in a

headed for the trails, and with the car already gone, Xavier didn’t even realize he’d picked the

shamelessly on

his seat. "What do you mean the treatment’s over?"

fact, she’s taken this whole thing like it’s a vacation trip to the tropics. Her mental health’s fine. Honestly, you would see that too

Carl froze, jaw tightening.