From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 7

Just as Caleb pulled the box from his briefcase, the ER doctor walked out. "Family of Lydia Sterling?"

"Come over here. I need to go over her discharge instructions."

Frederick glanced at the velvet box, deciding this wasn't the time to open it. "Go handle her discharge papers."

Caleb shoved the box back into his bag, nodded, and followed the doctor.

As Lydia gathered her coat to leave, she locked eyes with Frederick's furious, icy stare.

He stood rigidly in the doorway, his tone carrying an absolute command. "We're going home."

It was blatantly obvious that ditching Sierra's party to come here had pissed him off.

Suddenly, she thought back to the horrific car crash two years ago.

He was the very first person she saw when she woke up in the ICU.

The police and paramedics had told her that he was the one who called 911 and personally carried her into the ambulance.

He had saved her life.

When she first regained consciousness, the brutal impact had left her with a severe concussion and temporary blindness.

Growing up, it was just her and her mother against the world. Her mother's health was incredibly frail, making her unable to act as a caretaker, and Lydia refused to add to her stress.

Joanna had just switched her college major and was completely overwhelmed, so Lydia didn't want to bother her either.

During that incredibly dark time, Frederick was the one who stayed by her side. His presence had anchored her, slowly pulling her out of the trauma until she fully recovered.

Slowly, over days of constant companionship, her overwhelming gratitude had morphed into deep, unconditional love. And despite his naturally cold personality, he had returned those feelings.

She genuinely believed he loved her too.

Later, when she found out their families had an arranged marriage clause, they tied the knot without a second thought.

They really had been incredibly happy. But somewhere down the line, he became consumed by his work, and the distance between them grew into an uncrossable chasm.

Maybe that was when he had fallen for someone else.

Strangely, that realization brought her a tiny shred of comfort.

At least his grand romance with Sierra hadn't been going on behind her back before they met.

It wasn't some tragic, star-crossed love story where she was keeping them apart.

She hadn't been an unwitting pawn in their twisted game.

He had just simply fallen out of love with her and moved on to someone else.

If he had paid even a fraction of attention, he would have noticed the IV bruise right next to the bandage on her hand.

But the sickest, most twisted part of it all? This bracelet was an exact match to the emerald necklace currently resting against Sierra's collarbone.

He genuinely didn't give a damn about her.

Even his apology gifts were completely outsourced to his assistant.

When they arrived at the estate, Lydia pushed open the front doors, only to freeze dead in her tracks. Sierra was sprawled out on their black leather sofa.

Sierra had one of Lydia's sheet masks on her face and was parading around in Lydia's white silk robe. She had intentionally let the neckline slide off her shoulder, and the hem was practically hitched up to her waist, putting her entire body aggressively on display.

"Freddie! Lydia! You're back."

"I was practically falling asleep waiting for you." Sierra walked toward them, completely ignoring Lydia's murderous glare as she deliberately toyed with the lace on the robe. Her tone was innocent, but her eyes screamed victory. "Lydia, I didn't bring any clothes with me. We're roughly the same size, so you don't mind, right?"

Before Lydia could even open her mouth, Frederick's impossibly gentle voice spoke from behind her.

"Your sister doesn't mind. Go back to bed."

Sierra offered a sickeningly sweet nod and sashayed her way into the first-floor guest room.

The second her door clicked shut, Frederick turned to Lydia. "Her apartment is swarming with paparazzi. She's staying here for a couple of days until the heat dies down."