Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

"Speak up!"

Cassius, growing impatient with Yolanda's silence, furrowed his brow.

Yolanda forced a smile, hiding the bitter sting in her heart. "Mr. Sterling, as long as you're not turning your love into hate, I'm fine with it. I couldn't handle that."

Her breezy attitude made Cassius's expression darken instantly. He grabbed Yolanda's wrist, frustrated. He wanted to ask her how she could be so indifferent after their breakup, how she could move on so quickly and start dating others.

Just as he was about to speak, there was a knock at the door.

"Mr. Sterling, the doctor has arrived. We're coming in."

Yolanda quickly scrambled off Cassius, making way as the doctor entered, carrying a medical bag.

She stepped back to the side of the couch to give the doctor room.

The doctor approached. "Lie down, please. Let me examine you..."

his stethoscope, but Cassius stopped him. "No need for that. It's not my internal organs that are

a

at Yolanda. "I'm about to be examined. Do you want

she'd seen it all before. If the doctor had been any later, she might have already started examining Cassius herself. But with the doctor present, the situation felt a bit awkward with three people in the

for a moment before

the maid left

even more confused. "So, what exactly

no real issue. Just follow my lead when I give the

doctor's expression turned bemused, and as Cassius explained

Yolanda and the

trying to catch any sound from inside. But whether it was the soundproofing or Cassius's pride

someone gently tapped her shoulder. A voice whispered near her

chest and turned to find Lizetta watching

Yolanda exhaled, "Shh."

Cassius, did you? A broken bone? What happened that you had to call