From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 36

"A restraining order?"

"For that, we need proof that he poses a threat to your safety," Daniel analyzed. "Lydia, filing for that kind of clause will damage his reputation. The other side definitely won't agree to it, and it will only complicate the mediation."

She hadn't realized a restraining order was necessary, nor had she ever intended to destroy his reputation. After all, he had saved her life once.

Daniel lowered his voice. "Lydia, did he threaten your safety?"

"No."

Her gaze darkened. The last time he demanded her body, she could somewhat understand—he hadn't agreed to the divorce yet and still viewed them as husband and wife. But now that he was actively preparing to divorce her, why did he treat her like that just now?

Did Sierra fail to satisfy him, or was it...

The legendary breakup sex?

But she was exhausted and no longer wanted to decipher his twisted psychology.

After hanging up, Lydia freshened up and walked into the room. Frederick had already left. Seeing her mother in a good mood, she kept her company for a while before heading straight to Avery Hope Academy, the school funded by The Foster Foundation. Today was the groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Once this was over, her projects at the foundation would officially be wrapped up, and she could resign.

Though it was the official groundbreaking day, the construction crew had already moved in and started working.

Excavators, lifts, and piles of angle iron scaffolding were crammed into the busy site...

She felt a twinge of concern. After a detailed discussion with the construction manager, she stepped out of the site and saw Frederick and Sierra standing side by side, surrounded by wealthy socialites from the foundation.

Frederick stood tall, wearing a custom handmade suit that accentuated his striking, handsome features. He stood closely beside Sierra, who was dressed in an elegant gown and flawless makeup.

They looked like a picture-perfect couple.

The socialites gathered around them, showering them with endless praise.

One of them even suggested blatantly, "The chairwoman is dressed far too plainly today. It won't look good for the press. Ms. Sutton, why don't you take her place and cut the ribbon with Mr. Foster?"

They were asking her to step aside.

It was obvious to everyone that Frederick was paving the way for Sierra to take over.

"I don't think that's appropriate. Lydia is the chairwoman."

Sierra politely declined, yet she brazenly looped her arm through Frederick's, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Freddie, what do you think?"

"It's just cutting a ribbon. Come with me."

The man shot Lydia an indifferent glance before walking right past her with Sierra.

They weren't divorced yet. He wasn't allowed to die.

Workers joined the rescue effort. Fire trucks and ambulances arrived one after another, securing the scene and pulling her out of the danger zone. Though she refused to leave, she was forced to wait anxiously on the sidelines for the sake of the rescue operation.

When the firefighters finally cleared the last layer of steel and began pulling people out, Frederick emerged slowly from the smoke and debris, carrying Sierra in his arms.

He was covered in dirt and blood, while Sierra was completely unharmed.

Seeing that he was safe, she let out a long breath, but an even deeper wave of bitterness swelled in her heart.

Once upon a time, he had risked everything to save her, throwing himself in front of a moving car.

Watching them survive a life-and-death ordeal together, she realized he was willing to throw his life away for Sierra.

Lydia pressed a hand gently against her chest as tears soaked her eyelashes.

She kept telling herself that once the divorce was final, everything would be okay.

But that was a lie.

Watching him slip away completely, branded by another woman.

Her heart still ached, and she had no idea how long the pain would last.