Ex-wife Strikes Back: No Love Left For You, Hubby!

"It's been ages since we've had a moment like this..." Shane Brooks' lips brushed lightly against Yvonne Burton's ear, his voice as smooth as velvet.

"Shane, I need to go to the hospital now..." Yvonne turned her head away, avoiding the kiss Shane tried to steal.

"Just this once!" Shane insisted.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly, like a taut string ready to snap.

It wasn't until Yvonne felt the world around her spinning, faintness threatening to take over, that Shane finally let her go.

"Did I hurt you?" His voice, rich and deep, carried a blend of concern and teasing. "How about I make it up to you with the latest designer bag?"

Yvonne's eyelids fluttered open, her gaze locking onto him.

The man before her was breathtakingly handsome, with features so refined they could have been sculpted by an artist. His usual cool and distant demeanor was still there, though now tinged with a faint, lingering passion-proof of their recent intimacy.

After three years of marriage, Yvonne had come to recognize this look. It was his tell, a sign that he was satisfied.

That was why he was being so generous to her.

Yvonne's lips curved into a bitter smile. "Did you forget? I haven't completed my sentence."

"Then you can use the bag when you're out," Shane replied casually as if discussing the weather.

Yvonne's chest tightened painfully.

Shane had said it so nonchalantly, as though serving time was just a mundane inconvenience.

"You will be released from prison soon, right?" His fingers trailed along her cheek with practiced ease. "I told you before, one year would fly by in the blink of an eye."

Yvonne swallowed the lump in her throat, her hand clutching his as desperation seeped into her voice. "The hospital called me... They said my grandmother wasn't doing well. Could you come with me to the hospital to visit her?"

Since she was still serving her sentence, she couldn't leave here freely.

But she had earned a day of temporary release due to her good behavior in prison.

Initially, her plan had been to go straight to the hospital. Yet, she had hesitated, worried her frail grandmother, Maggie Thomas, might be unsettled by her disheveled appearance. Returning home to freshen up had seemed like the right choice, but unexpectedly, she had run into Shane at home, who had just gotten back from a business trip overseas.

She had really wanted to rush to the hospital, yet Shane had stopped her. He had been adamant, demanding his needs be met first, leaving her spending the entire morning here.

Still, she thought, maybe this was good. If Shane accompanied her to the hospital, it would make her grandmother happy.

But the next second, Shane pulled his hand away.

Yvonne's heart sank like a stone tossed into deep water.

"I've got something to do this afternoon. You can go on your own." Shane's words came out without hesitation. Standing up, he retrieved a card from the bedside drawer and held it out. "Use this to buy something nice for your grandmother."

This wasn't unexpected for Yvonne-she had seen this play out before. Shane's preferred method of problem-solving always involved money.

But she knew Maggie didn't need fancy gifts. What Maggie needed, what she longed for, was to see Shane and her being happy together as a family.

Shane showered, got dressed, and left without so much as a goodbye.

Yvonne rose slowly, her legs still weak and trembling as she got out of bed.

She then busied herself with packing some homemade food to bring to the hospital-something Maggie would appreciate more than any store-bought gift.

When she entered Maggie's hospital room, the sight before her made her blood run cold. The bag with the food slipped from her fingers, hitting the floor as she cried out, "Grandma!"

Though Maggie had endured numerous hospital stays throughout her illness, she had never needed to use a ventilator. This really shocked Yvonne.

Yvonne rushed to Maggie's bedside, her voice quavering with worry. "Grandma, I'm here! Open your eyes and look at me, Grandma!"

Maggie's weathered eyelids fluttered open, a dim spark of recognition lighting her aged eyes. "Yvonne, you're here..."

"Grandma, what happened?" Yvonne's words tumbled out in a panic. "The nurse said you were just feeling a bit unwell and missed me. Why does your condition look so severe?"

"I asked the nurse not to worry you too much. Yvonne, I think I don't have much time left," Maggie replied.

"No! That's not true!" Yvonne's trembling hand flew to Maggie's face. She then assessed Maggie's condition.

Soon, her fears were confirmed-Maggie indeed had not much time left.

Tears carved burning paths down Yvonne's cheeks as sadness threatened to tear her heart asunder.

"Yvonne, life and death walk hand in hand. Don't cry." Maggie's papery fingers brushed Yvonne's wet cheek. "Having such a great granddaughter, I am satisfied with my life. I am just concerned about how you will live your life after I am gone."

"Grandma, please stay with me!" Yvonne hastily scrubbed away her tears, forcing brightness into her voice. "I'll be out of prison in a month. Then I'll never leave your side. Remember how you longed to return to our hometown? Once you recover, we'll go back together."

"That would be lovely." Maggie's gaze held infinite tenderness. "Bring Shane along, too."

Though her heart knew otherwise, Yvonne nodded fervently. "Of course. Shane wanted to be here today, but urgent business matters demanded his attention."

"Work always comes first." Maggie withdrew a half-moon pendant from beneath her pillow, pressing it into Yvonne's palm.

The pendant was made of high-quality jade and was carved with a bird.

"Yvonne, keep this safe. It's your-" The door's sudden opening cut short Maggie's words.

Shane's commanding presence filled the doorway, his dark suit emphasizing his statuesque frame. He looked elegant with every move.

Joy illuminated Yvonne's tear-stained face. "Grandma, look! Shane came to see you!"

But as Shane approached, there was something amiss about his expression.

His customary mask of cool detachment had cracked; he looked uncharacteristically anxious and worried. "Yvonne, Jayde needs an immediate blood transfusion."

The words stabbed through Yvonne's momentary happiness. She had thought Shane was looking worried because of her grandmother, but it turned out he was just concerned for Jayde Davis.

Of course. In Shane's world, no one could eclipse his childhood sweetheart, his eternal flame, Jayde. All others paled in comparison.

Yvonne fought to suppress the familiar ache in her chest. "My grandmother lies here, critically ill. I must stay by her side. Can't Jayde use blood bank supplies?" she said.

"The rare blood type isn't available here, and the nearest bank is an hour away. Jayde can't wait that long." Shane's fingers closed around Yvonne's wrist like steel bands. "Yvonne, her life hangs in the balance. You need to come with me now."

"I won't leave my grandmother! Let go of me!" Yvonne's struggles proved futile against Shane's strength.

"Yvonne..." Maggie's frail voice called out, her hand reaching toward her granddaughter. "I never told you about your parents. The truth is, you..."

"Grandma!" Yvonne cried out, but Shane had already dragged her out of the room before she could hear the rest of her grandmother's words.

Though protocol limited blood donations to 400 milliliters, Shane demanded double that amount from Yvonne.

This left Yvonne ghost-white and trembling after the donation.

Despite her weakness, she forced herself upright, using the wall for support as she stumbled back to Maggie's hospital room. The sight that greeted her sent her world spinning-the silent ventilator, Maggie's still form covered by a white cloth...

Yvonne's legs betrayed her, sending her collapsing to the floor.

Grief had stolen even her tears. She crawled forward on trembling limbs until she reached the bedside.

"No... Grandma... Don't leave me..." She clutched Maggie's lifeless hand, drowning in waves of desolation.

"My condolences, Yvonne." Shane's deep voice cut through her anguish with detachment. "Jayde is stable now. Thank you for your help... By the way, the prison requires your immediate return."

Yvonne's chest constricted with unbearable pain as she desperately grasped Shane's leg. "Shane, please," she said through trembling lips, "help me appeal to the prison authorities. My grandmother has passed away, and I need to handle her funeral arrangements. I can't go back now."

Shane's features hardened into a disapproving frown. "Prison regulations aren't something we can simply circumvent with money. Your grief is understandable, but you need to think rationally before you speak."

"Think rationally?" Yvonne gazed up at him, her voice quavering with emotion. "For eleven months, I've been imprisoned, and four times you've arranged my temporary release to donate blood for Jayde-all by using your financial influence. Why is this time different?"

"The circumstances aren't comparable," Shane replied coldly.

"How can you say that?" Raw anguish seeped through Yvonne's voice as she continued her plea. "I understand Jayde holds the highest place in your heart, but my grandmother just passed away. She raised me, yet I couldn't be there in her final moments. I must accompany her on this last journey-I can't bear the thought of her spirit departing alone. Shane, I am begging you; just do this one thing for me."

"You still have an uncle, don't you? I'll help and ensure your grandmother receives an honorable funeral," Shane said.

"That's not what this is about." Tears coursed down Yvonne's cheeks unchecked. "My grandmother is already gone. A lavish funeral means nothing now. I just want to bid her farewell in person. If you grant me this, I swear I'll donate blood for Jayde whenever necessary."

Shane's gaze turned glacial as he looked down at her. "Are you treating blood donation as some kind of bargaining tool? This is your obligation to Jayde. If not for your actions, she wouldn't be confined to a wheelchair."

Yvonne squeezed her eyes shut. She could feel Shane's words piercing her heart.

Jayde's incident had happened a year ago. She had tumbled down the stairs, suffering spinal injuries that had left her paralyzed below the waist. She had accused Yvonne of pushing her down the stairs.

The Brooks family unanimously condemned Yvonne. Without surveillance footage or witnesses to clear her name, Yvonne stood defenseless against the accusations.

Shane, her husband, had delivered the ultimatum: "Yvonne, Jayde's suffering is immeasurable. Legal consequences are necessary considering what you have done to her. Such an assault typically carries three to ten years, but Jayde's compassion moves her to request only one."

The irony of it all had left Yvonne feeling bitter.

She had initially refused to go to prison, demanding police intervention.

But Jayde had produced damning evidence-a video showing Yvonne pushing her down the stairs.

The collective revulsion in the Brooks family members' eyes as they watched that video still haunted Yvonne.

It was as if they felt even breathing the same air as her was repulsive.

***

Shane's bodyguards eventually escorted Yvonne back to her prison cell.

The combination of severe blood loss and overwhelming grief left Yvonne bedridden for two days, her body too weak to rise.

On the third day, fate dealt another cruel blow. In the prison's recreation room, the television broadcasted Jayde's extravagant birthday celebration.

The media were saying that the Brooks Group's CEO Shane had spent a hundred million in celebrating Jayde's birthday.

The screen captured Jayde in her wheelchair, her natural beauty undimmed by her condition.

Shane hovered attentively at her side, his expression radiating tenderness and devotion.

Together, they looked really good together, like a match made in heaven.

Fresh tears carved silent paths down Yvonne's cheeks as the reality struck her.

While her grandmother Maggie was being laid to rest today, Shane-who had promised to assist with the funeral arrangements-was instead orchestrating an elaborate celebration for Jayde.

In that moment of crushing clarity, Yvonne finally grasped the bitter truth: Shane's heart held no love for her. No sacrifice she made would ever be enough to change that.

Yvonne had a secret-she had loved Shane for ten years.

Shane had once only existed in a realm far beyond her reach, while she remained just another face in the crowd, their paths never meant to intersect.

Fate had intervened three years ago through a devastating car accident that had left Shane comatose.

The Brooks family had exhausted every medical resource, consulting countless renowned physicians without success.

It was Shane's grandmother, Lydia Brooks, who turned to superstitious beliefs. She suggested that marriage might bring the fortune needed to restore Shane's health.

Fate had taken another unexpected turn when Jayde, Shane's betrothed, had suddenly been kidnapped.

With the wedding date looming, Lydia had desperately searched for another bride with a compatible horoscope. She had then discovered Yvonne, who had been working part-time as a caregiver for the Brooks family at that time.

Marrying Shane came with a precious opportunity for Yvonne-Yvonne's ailing grandmother would receive treatment at the hospital under the Brooks Group.

The hospital was one of the top hospitals in Zlamsas. Ordinary people couldn't afford to get treatment there.

Yvonne had agreed to the marriage without hesitation, but her reasons extended beyond merely seeking top-notch medical care for her grandmother.

For seven years, she had harbored an unspoken love for Shane. She had been willing to tend to him even if he would never emerge from his coma.

A month after the marriage, Shane had miraculously awakened.

His fury upon discovering the reason for his marriage to Yvonne had led to immediate demands for divorce.

Yet, these demands had ceased abruptly when he had discovered Yvonne shared Jayde's blood type.

From that moment forward, Yvonne had become nothing more than Jayde's living blood bank.

Determined to make Shane happy, Yvonne had shouldered this burden silently.

For two years, she had devoted herself to caring for Shane and his family, striving to embody the perfect wife-until Jayde's false accusation had led to her imprisonment.

Ten years-she had loved Shane for ten years.

She had given Shane her purest love and most selfless devotion, but what did she get in return?

Shane only had eyes for Jayde, his heart perpetually closed to her.

Perhaps she had been naive to hope Shane might one day even care about her a little bit.

***

Rain poured from leaden skies the day of Yvonne's release from prison.

No one had come to pick her up. After a lengthy journey on multiple buses, she arrived at Serenity Villa, Shane's residence, her clothes clinging to her because of the rain.

The fingerprint lock granted her entry, and she found Shane descending the staircase when she entered, his appearance impeccable in stark contrast to her disheveled state.

Surprise flickered across Shane's features when he saw her. "Why are you here?" he asked.

Yvonne's fingers trembled as she replied, "I was released today."

"Ah, I forgot." Shane paused briefly before her. "Get some rest. I'm heading out now."

"Shane," Yvonne suddenly called out. "I need to talk to you about something."

Shane glanced impatiently at his watch. "We can talk when I return."

As Shane moved past Yvonne, Yvonne grasped his sleeve to stop him. "It won't take long."

Shane halted reluctantly, irritation evident in his expression. "Make it quick."

Yvonne studied his perfect profile, a slight smile on her face. "Shane, let's get a divorce," she said, her tone resolute.

Shane's confusion was palpable as he turned to face her. "You want a divorce because I didn't pick you up from prison?"

"This isn't about today." Yvonne's smile didn't waver. "I genuinely want a divorce. We can handle the paperwork when you're free."

"Yvonne, I don't have time for your antics right now." Shane's expression darkened as he shook off her hand. "You should take a shower and clear your head. You are not thinking straight."

After Shane's departure, Yvonne stood motionless, lost in thought.

Shane thought she was not thinking straight.

But that was not true. In fact, her mind had never been clearer.

***

Upstairs, Yvonne drew a bath and powered on her fully charged phone.

A month's worth of WhatsApp messages awaited her-none from Shane.

As she absently scrolled through her feed, she suddenly froze upon seeing something.

Jayde had just posted something. "True love is shown through enduring companionship."

The accompanying photo showed her beaming at the camera while Shane peeled an apple beside her, the perfect picture of devotion.

Yvonne blinked. So that was why Shane had been in a rush to leave, not even wanting to talk about the divorce with her. He had been eager to go and spend time with Jayde.

A familiar ache seized Yvonne's heart, spreading numbness through her chest.

Yvonne had scrolled through numerous posts of Jayde parading Shane's affections on social media before.

Each post had torn at her heart, yet something had kept drawing her back to look at the posts.

Now, finally, she resolved to end this cycle of torment.

Her fingers moved swiftly as she deleted both Shane and Jayde from her WhatsApp contacts.

After her shower, Yvonne just finished getting dressed when her phone rang.

Shane's name blazed across the screen.

Wasn't Shane supposed to be spending time with Jayde now? Why was he calling her?

Yvonne hesitated for a moment but eventually picked up the call. "Shane?"

"Did you delete Jayde on WhatsApp?" Shane asked.

"Yes. What's wrong with it?" Yvonne replied.

"You have the nerve to ask that?" Venom dripped from Shane's words. "Jayde wanted to congratulate you on your release but then discovered you had deleted her. She thought you still resented her. She broke down remembering when you had pushed her down the stairs. Yvonne, when will you stop causing trouble?"

His sharp words pierced Yvonne's heart, but she maintained her composure. "Shane, deleting her was my freedom," she said.

"You are still talking about your freedom?" Shane's voice grew colder. "Jayde is a patient, Yvonne! She is already stuck in a wheelchair because of you. She is now emotionally fragile. The least you could do is show some compassion!"

Yvonne's lips curled into a bitter smile as she closed her eyes, forcing her tears back. "If she's as fragile as you say, then it's all the more reason for me to keep my distance-in case I'm held responsible again for her suffering."

"Yvonne, don't-"

Yvonne didn't let Shane finish. The call ended with a sharp click, and she wasted no time blocking his number.

After that, she made herself a simple plate of spaghetti and ate quietly, her thoughts heavy. Then, umbrella in hand, she headed to the cemetery.

The rain fell in a quiet drizzle, soaking the earth. Yvonne stood before Maggie's tombstone for what felt like an eternity, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her chest.

When she returned to Serenity Villa, it was already evening. Just as she entered, she saw Shane sitting on the living room sofa.

Yvonne froze for a moment, caught off guard by his presence. Normally, when Shane was with Jayde, he wouldn't come home until late at night, after Jayde was asleep.

Not wanting to delve into Shane's unusual behavior, Yvonne ignored him and headed upstairs.

"Stop right there." Shane's voice cut through the quiet like a knife.

Yvonne halted but didn't turn around.

Shane rose from the sofa and walked to stand before Yvonne, his gaze locking onto hers. "You've grown bold, haven't you? Hanging up on me and even blocking my number?"

Yvonne said nothing, her body tense as she tried to walk past him. But Shane grabbed her wrist, his grip firm. "I'm talking to you. What's the matter-did prison leave you deaf?"

The words stung Yvonne hard, but she met his gaze, her voice trembling with restrained emotion. "Yes, Shane, I've been to prison. My life is already in ruins because of it. Isn't that punishment enough for you?"

Shane's brows furrowed as his eyes searched her face. He noticed the puffiness around her eyes, the faint redness. "Have you been crying? Did you go to visit your grandmother's grave?"

Yvonne tried hard to hold back her tears. "I wasn't there for her when she was buried. Do I need your permission to visit her now?"

Shane's expression darkened when he heard that. "Yvonne, the reason I pushed for you to return to prison that day was because I didn't want you to dwell in your grief. It was for your own good."

"For my own good?" Yvonne let out a hollow laugh, her bitterness spilling over. "Are you even listening to yourself? You can't even lie convincingly anymore, Shane."

With a sharp tug, she pulled her wrist free. Her voice was steady now, cold and final. "I'm fed up with you, Shane. Let's just end this. Let's get a divorce."

***

Yvonne went to the master bedroom's walk-in closet, dragging out an old suitcase to pack her belongings.

She wanted to leave behind everything the Brooks family had given her after the wedding, which left little to take.

"Yvonne, stop with your antics!" Shane's exasperated voice cut through the silence. "It was just a year in prison. I made sure you weren't mistreated there. What more do you want?"

Yvonne's hands stilled over her clothes as she turned her head to face him. "You certainly ensured I was treated differently. Every meal there was packed with spinach and liver to replenish my blood, keeping me ready for the next blood transfusion for Jayde."

Shane's brow furrowed. "So this circles back to Jayde again. The transfusions saved her life. You work in medicine-you should have some compassion. And I've compensated you generously."

"Compassion?" A hollow laugh escaped Yvonne's lips. "Show me one doctor who has bled themselves dry for a patient."

She gestured toward the wall of luxury handbags-a collection worth hundreds of millions, coveted by countless women.

"Is this your idea of compensation? One bag per transfusion. I always get the ones Jayde rejected."

Each bag was Jayde's selection, and Shane paid for it.

Jayde would claim the ones she preferred, leaving Yvonne with the ostentatious pieces-expensive but impractical for daily use.

Yvonne had never requested bags, yet both Shane and Jayde believed exchanging blood for luxury bags was a good deal for her.

"I won't take a single bag," Yvonne said with a slight smile. "Keep your compensation. I never agreed to donate my blood."

Shane massaged his temples.

Throughout their marriage, Yvonne had remained compliant-occasionally sulking but never defiant, never speaking to him like this.

Shane gripped Yvonne's shoulders, softening his tone. "I know you're upset after staying in prison for so long. Let's not fight, okay? I asked Zoey to prepare your favorite dishes. Let's go and have a meal together."

Yvonne shrugged off his hands, grabbed her suitcase, and moved toward the door.

The next second, in one fluid motion, Shane swept Yvonne into his arms.

Before Yvonne could resist, she was placed on the soft bed by Shane.

He trapped her hands above her head, his scent surrounding her as he whispered in her ear, "Yvonne, stop being angry, alright? Tonight, I will make love to you until you're satisfied."

Yvonne's heart thundered in her chest.

Previously, when anger took hold of her, she would always melt under Shane's bedroom tactics, quick to forgive.

Shane had found amusement in this pattern, drawing her to bed whenever she showed displeasure.

His sexual dominance had always overwhelmed her, pushing her limits until she broke into tears, begging for mercy and agreeing to his every demand.

Shane's breathing deepened as he claimed Yvonne's lips, his fingers working at her blouse buttons.

Yvonne suddenly snapped back to reality, struggling to break free. "No... I don't want this..."

"You don't want this?" Shane raised his head, desire flashing in his eyes as he studied her beneath him. "You're saying no now, but soon, you'll be clinging to me, begging for more..."

Heat flooded Yvonne's cheeks when she heard that.

Shane's lips curved as he trailed kisses down her neck. "This past year without you was torture... I worked late almost every night just to hold back my desires..."

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, silence cloaked the night, broken only by the steady drumming of rain. Inside the room, the air was thick with passion.

Three years of marriage had taught Shane every nuance of Yvonne's body. His every touch was precisely calculated to break her restraint.

Yvonne shuddered, her body taut as she grasped at her crumbling resolve. Though she struggled against him, Shane seemed determined to draw her into the moment, refusing to release her.

Shane muttered, "Yvonne, I want you..."