From His Silent Bride to the Queen of Comebacks

Lydia stumbled a bit, almost losing her balance.

When she turned around and saw who it was, her face changed.

"Henry? What are you doing here?"

Henry's expression darkened as he stared at the direction she'd just looked, where Clara stood, and asked coldly, "What were you looking at?"

"I was just..." Lydia started, about to mention Clara, but the second the thought of their connection crossed her mind, her chest tightened painfully.

Instinctively, she didn't want him to know Clara was there, so she quickly changed tack.

"I wasn't looking at anything."

Henry's expression stiffened. His voice dropped lower, like ice spreading under her skin.

"Lydia. Do you think I'm blind?"

She blinked. "What's that supposed to mean...?"

He took a step closer, his eyes sharp, searching hers.

"You think I didn't see it? You standing there like you were waiting for someone-then suddenly pretending nothing happened?"

Lydia's breath caught in her throat.

Henry's voice dipped lower, more dangerous now. "You've been acting strange for days. And now you're sneaking around, meeting people behind my back?"

"I wasn't sneaking-"

"You're lying again."

He said nothing for a moment, just looked at her with that unreadable expression that always made her chest tighten.

Then his voice came, calm and final. "Get in the car."

She hesitated.

"Now."

Lydia followed, heart pounding.

The drive back to the estate was silent. When they arrived, Henry stepped out of the car and walked ahead without a glance. At the door, he stopped just long enough to speak.

"You're not leaving this house," he said. "Not unless I say so."

Then he left her standing there, frozen.

Bitterness pooled in her chest. He never trusted her-only his own version of the story.

She'd been so scared in that elevator. But all he saw was something to accuse.

Upstairs, she closed the door to her room with a soft click. Then she crossed to the shelf and opened a cardboard box.

Inside were rows of oddly shaped little robots -all handmade by her over the years as she taught herself how to build them. They were the only things that still brought her a little peace.

If Henry wouldn't let her out, then fine-she wouldn't go.

Honestly, Lydia didn't feel like dealing with people anyway. Compared to making small talk, she'd rather hole up and tinker with her little robot buddies.

Right now, she was working on a chubby little bot-that was the one she'd be using to compete in a couple of days.

Just thinking about the weekend's robotics competition made the corners of her mouth lift slightly.

Martha had already helped her sign up on the sly. And luckily, Henry was supposed to be out that day-perfect chance for her to sneak out with the bot and join the competition without getting caught.

The weekend came.

Lydia got up early, made sure the coast was clear, then tiptoed out with her robot in tow.

Outside the competition venue-

Clara spotted Henry stepping out of the car and quickly rushed over, trying to latch onto his arm with a bright smile.

But Henry gave her a cold glance, making her freeze mid-action. Awkwardly, she forced a laugh.

"You're here, Henry!"

"Yeah." Henry's tone was as flat as ever. His eyes shifted to Charles walking up behind. "Professor Spencer."

Charles gave him a nod and smiled, "Let's head in. This year's competition's drawing quite the crowd, thanks to your backing, Mr. Lawson."

Henry replied coolly, "Quality matters more than numbers."

"Exactly!" Charles nodded thoughtfully. "Our country started late in R&D; we've lost so much talent over the years. Only recently have things started picking up. Hopefully we'll see some real promise this time."

After exchanging a few words, they began making their way inside-just as a taxi pulled up at the front entrance.

Out stepped a figure.

Henry caught her in his peripheral vision, and his face darkened on the spot.

Lydia?

He didn't even think-just strode toward her with long steps.

Clara also noticed Lydia, her expression changing instantly.

Why is she here?!

Panic kicked in as her eyes darted to Charles.

And sure enough, Charles was staring at Lydia, a thoughtful look settling on his face.

He was just trying to place where he'd seen her before, but in Clara's eyes, that gaze meant something else entirely.

Her heart started pounding.

In the meantime, Henry had already reached Lydia.

And the second Lydia saw him, all the color drained from her face.