From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 94

Just as Frederick leaned in to kiss Sierra on the screen, a large hand blocked the lens. A split second later came the sound of the phone hitting the concrete, and the screen went completely black.

Lydia whipped her head around and stared at the doorway, where Xavier stood.

His aura was cold and detached as he ordered Wesley to get the car ready.

It had been his hand blocking the camera.

If he hadn't intervened...

She would have had concrete proof to finally demand a divorce from Frederick.

Resentment and heartbreak crashed over her in equal measure.

Lydia averted her gaze, thanked Wesley once more, and brushed past Xavier without a word.

As she stood outside the corporate tower waiting for a cab, a black Bentley glided past. Through the tinted window, she caught a glimpse of his handsome, deeply somber profile.

She knew he had only grabbed her to save her life. If he hadn't caught her, she would have fallen into the path of a speeding car and been seriously injured.

She shouldn't blame him.

But right now, she almost wished he hadn't saved her. She would have gladly taken the injury if it meant finally being free from Frederick.

Why was she always one step away?

Her eyes dimmed with despair.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. It was a reminder—today was her mother's follow-up appointment.

Even though Alistair Vaughn had assured them there were no major issues yesterday, the initial checkup hadn't been done by him, so they were still on edge.

She rushed to the hospital and met up with Madeline and Julian. As she approached Alistair's office, she heard a grim voice drifting through the cracked door.

"Mr. Ford, you need to prepare yourself. Grandma Eleanor likely only has a few days left."

There was a heavy silence before Xavier finally replied, his voice laced with profound grief. "I understand. Please stay at the hospital for the next few days."

It felt like a sharp blade had dragged across her heart.

Was his grandmother really doing that poorly?

Knowing that Madeline was alive because he had brought in a specialist, yet he couldn't even save his own grandmother... he had to be devastated.

The door swung open, and Xavier walked out. His freezing gaze swept over her face without a hint of recognition before he strode away.

Lydia stepped inside, helping her mother to a chair.

After the examination, Alistair handed them a stack of requisition forms for further testing.

"Lydia, Julian told me that Mr. Ford was the one who got Dr. Vaughn to operate on me," Madeline said softly, squeezing her daughter's hand.

"Since his grandmother is in critical condition, you should really go check on him."

"Julian can take me to these tests. Go buy a fruit basket and take it up to her."

Wesley took the fruit basket from her as Lydia swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Right this way, Ms. Sterling."

"Thank you."

She followed Wesley into the inner ward.

It was her first time seeing Eleanor. The elderly woman lay frail and ghost-like against the stark white sheets, a tangle of tubes running into her emaciated arms. An oxygen mask covered most of her sunken face, obscuring her features, but the agony rolling off her was palpable.

Lydia's heart ached. She gently placed her hand over Eleanor's. "I hope you feel better soon."

Wesley sighed deeply beside her. "She can't even eat anymore."

The words hit Lydia hard. She remembered her own grandmother's final days.

Once they stopped eating, the end was imminent.

Fighting back tears, Lydia quietly left the room with Wesley.

In the lounge, Xavier was slouched on the sofa, his expression dark and exhausted as he flipped through the marriage dossier.

She gave him a polite, respectful nod, whether he cared or not, and walked out.

Just as Joanna arrived, she caught sight of Wesley escorting Lydia down the opposite end of the corridor.

A bitter sting hit Joanna's chest, but she smoothed her expression, knocked lightly on the door, and walked in when Xavier finally looked up.