From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 163

Xavier was not in the backseat.

Wesley slammed his foot on the gas, and the car sped off.

She didn't know if she was making the right choice, but she refused to break her promise.

Arriving at the hospital, she sprinted toward the VIP ward.

Panting heavily, she stopped at the door, noticing two unfamiliar men inside. One of them wore dark robes—Father Miller.

Eleanor had all her IV lines removed, leaving only the heart monitor and an oxygen mask.

"Lydia..." she called out weakly.

Xavier turned toward the door.

His expression was somber, carrying a heavy weight of grief, yet he remained flawlessly dressed in a tailored suit.

It suddenly struck her that his outfit was perfectly suited for a funeral. A lump formed in her throat as she hurried over and grasped Eleanor's hand.

"Grandma Eleanor, I'm here!"

She had made it. Thank God.

With trembling effort, Eleanor guided Lydia's hand toward Xavier.

Understanding her intent, Lydia quickly took his outstretched hand. "Grandma, Xavier and I are great together. We really are."

"Good..." Eleanor gasped, marshaling the last of her fading strength. "Xavier... marry..."

Through her tear-blurred vision, Lydia felt Xavier's grip tighten around her fingers.

"Ms. Sterling, do you take Mr. Ford to be your lawful wedded husband?" Father Miller asked gently.

"For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health?"

She trembled, a teardrop falling from her lashes to reveal Xavier's handsome, yet profoundly gloomy face.

His gaze was complex—a mix of quiet resignation and something unreadable. Seeing her frozen in shock, he gave her fingers a subtle squeeze.

Overwhelmed, she felt she couldn't possibly go through with a charade of this magnitude, but one look at Eleanor's fading pulse told her she had no choice.

A painful fit of coughing shook the elderly woman.

"I... I do," she whispered.

"Mr. Ford, do you take Ms. Sterling to be your lawful wedded wife?"

"For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health?"

The man's low, resolute voice echoed in the room. "I do."

"You may exchange rings."

The other unfamiliar man stepped forward, presenting two open velvet boxes.

Xavier took one and slipped it onto her ring finger, seamlessly covering the faint indentation left by the pink diamond she had worn for years.

A strange, surreal feeling washed over her as she watched his actions.

It felt as though they were truly bound together for the rest of their lives.

But deep down, she knew this fake engagement was nearing its end.

As he pulled away, his fingers lingered, squeezing her hand as if displeased by her hesitation.

Snapping to attention, she retrieved the silver band and quickly slid it onto his ring finger.

"You may now kiss the bride," Father Miller said softly.

Startled, Lydia looked up, meeting Xavier's dark, bottomless gaze.

He leaned in slowly, his large hand settling on her waist before sliding to the small of her back, pulling her flush against him.

The world seemed to move in slow motion, her pulse racing to fill the quiet room.

He dipped his head.

His long lashes shadowed his deep eyes, hiding whatever intense emotions brewed beneath.

His warm breath grazed her lips.

Panic flared in her chest, and she instinctively placed a hand against his chest to push him away.

But in a flash, he crushed her tightly against him.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket again. The thirty-eighth missed call.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ford," she whispered. "I can't stay. I have to go."

His grip on her shoulder instantly tightened. Clearly, no one ever dared to refuse him.

She winced slightly in discomfort.

Just as quickly, he let go.

But his stare grew frighteningly cold, a dark storm brewing in his eyes that threatened to swallow her whole.

Intimidated, she took a step back, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry for your loss."

That was the only thing she could muster.

Her phone rang again.

Turning swiftly, she hurried to the door and pulled the handle.

The moment she stepped into the hallway, a chaotic clamor hit her ears.

"Eleanor Michel has passed away..."

"It's breaking news all day! If we can get a shot of Mrs. Ford, skipping the Foster press conference will have been worth it!"

"I just ran over from the Foster event! Word is, Mrs. Foster bolted because she couldn't handle her husband's betrayal..."

Lydia glanced down the hall and froze, seeing a mob of reporters rushing toward her.

Terrified, she darted back into the room and slammed the door shut.

Her panicked eyes collided with Xavier's darkened gaze.

Suddenly, heavy pounding echoed against the wood behind her.

The relentless force felt like they were trying to break it down.

The handle began to turn violently.

Overpowered, she stumbled backward as the door swung open!