Ynda 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,pletely unlike her.
She shouted. “Charles, remember that cross ne I gave you? You gave it-“The words died in her throat.
He doesn’t know I know about Sophie, she realized in a sh. Confronting him now would be a mistake. He’d just offer some hollow 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 <b>leave</b>.
She needed a new n to get the ne. “Nothing. I’m going to bed,” she muttered.
But his hand shot out, mping around her wrist. He pinned her against the ruined door, his gaze dropping to her mouth. “Are you sure you didn’te here to keep mepany?” he murmured, his voice low.
Ynda’s eyes flickered to his shoulder. Fresh, red scratches ran <b>across </b>his skin. They were clear marks from someone else’s nails.
The truth <b>hit </b>her like a physical blow. “How could I 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. I don’t think it’s time for this.”
The light in his eyes died instantly. He wasn’t going to do anything, anyway. He let go without another word.
Ynda fled. The moment she was in the hall, her phone buzzed insistently. Another message from Sophie lit up the screen.
Sophie: [Charles said this ne was from you. It’s so in. Are you that hard up for cash even after <b>you </b>married him? Forparison, he gave me two apartments. Fifteen million dors. Said he didn’t want me to 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. Sinir?]
Two weekster, Ian was back to shoot a coffeemercial. Ynda personally picked him up and escorted him to the studio at 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 Sinir Group.
the
Whilen was in the makeup chair, Ynda stepped out to wander the hall, her face hidden behind a mask.
That was when she saw it: the small cross ne dangling proudly from Sophie’s neck. A makeup talent was fussing over it. ‘Sophie, <b>this </b>is beautiful Guess it must be some special gift. huh<b>?</b><b>” </b>
7:45 Thu, Sep 11
Sophie’s eyes instantly found Ynda standing in the doorway, a wave of smug satisfaction washing over <b>her </b>expression.
“Oh, this? My boyfriend gave it to me. He said he wanted me to have a piece of him watching over me, she said, her voice <b>sweet</b>. “I just never wore it.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet,” the talent gushed,
With a deliberate flick of her finger, Sophie made sure the ne rested prominently outside her cor, <b>a </b>tant trophy disyed for the one woman she’d stolen it from. The message was clear: she had won.
Ynda 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 <b>room</b>. As the Sinir Group’s top endorser, flush with fame, she had every right to be arrogant.
Ynda remained by <b>the </b>door, her calm, beautiful eyes unblinking. I 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, Ynda cut in. “That star from overseas. You know, the <b>lively </b>girl with eyes just like yours. Rumor has it Mr. Sinir waited for her all night once and got stood up. They had a history.
She leaned in, her whisper a de aimed straight for Sophie’s insecurities. “Your realpetition 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 p Ynda, who caught her wrist <b>easily</b>. Furious, her face flushed a deep red, Sophie trembled with rage. “Get out, she shrieked at the room. “Everyone, get out NOW!”
The makeup <b>talents </b>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 pped me before, <b>and </b>we haven’t settled that score. Now you have the nerve toe here and poison my <b>mind</b>? You bitch!”
Ynda 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<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“So now you give in? It’s toote for that,” Sophie snapped.
“I’m <b>not </b>giving in. I’m offering you information, Ynda corrected gently. “And I’m a friend of Mrs. Sinir’s.
I know all her weaknesses. If you want to rece her, we could be powerful allies.”
Sophie sized Ynda up, her expression shifting from <b>dark </b>suspicion to outright scorn.
Ynda remained unppable. She nudged a broken makeuppact on the floor with the toe of her shoe. “Look into Mr. Sinir’s dealings with Joelle. If I’m lying, you can make me pay.
Sophie glowered, pointing a sharp, manicured finger. “If you’re ying me, I will make you regret it.”
“In our world, it’s better to have a partner than an enemy. Think it over, Ms. Sutton. I have a feeling you’ll be
7:45 Thu, Sep 11
calling me.” Ynda ced Tessa’s business card on the vanity.
Sophie snatched it up and immediately threw it in the trash. “Get out.”
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Ynda opened the dressing room door and stopped short. Ian was standing right there, his tall frame blocking 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 nomittal “Hmm” and turned, walking back toward his own prep room. Ynda 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 I look in this?”
They’d styled him for the coffeemercial in all ck. Every hair was perfectly in ce, and his makeup was wless. He was still damp from the shoot, hair andshes beaded with moisture. <fnff14> Newest update provided by find{n}ovel</fnff14>
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.”
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AD