Chapter 3 Framed

Nichole's POV

My whole world turned sideways when I saw Lydia standing in front of me. She was clinging to my robe that barely covered her body. My head spun with annoyance as my eyes dilated for a moment before regaining focus. She was wearing my night robe. The realization hit me like a dagger to the heart.

What was she doing here in my house? Wearing my clothes? God, where was Blake?

He really had some fucking explaining to do.

"Why are you here?" My brows knotted together as I stared at her. At the very least, I expected some sort of shock or remorse from her. Instead, she gave me a weird smile.

Her lips curled as she crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. At this moment, she was a stark contrast to the frail girl I saw yesterday.

"Why are you even here? A part of me was wondering when you'd die in that hospital," she said with a sigh, her gaze shifting to her nails as she examined them, turning them from side to side. She clicked her tongue before looking back at me.

"But not all of us get what we want, isn't that right, love?"

Okay, what the flipping flamingo was going on? This Lydia girl just switched up her aura. It was almost intimidating, but I was never one to get so intimidated.

My fists tightened as I moved closer to her. I was going to give her a piece of my mind, once and for all.

I stepped closer, and her smirk only widened, which made me want to smack her across the face. If she kept running her mouth, it was only a matter of time before I actually did it.

"Listen, you-"

My voice caught in my throat when I heard my mother-in-law's voice.

"Honey, why are you here? You should be resting. The doctor strictly warned you not to do anything strenuous."

I scoffed in disbelief. How does opening the door count as something strenuous? What a joke.

Her voice came closer, and I could see the way she rolled her eyes. In all the years I'd been married to Blake, she had never once pretended to like me.

"Mother, it's alright. I'm fine. I was just coming to open the door for the visitor-"

"I think you mean Blake's wife," I snapped, cutting off her pretentious tone.

God, everything about her got under my skin.

My mother-in-law scoffed and turned to Lydia, her voice softening with tender care I had never received.

"Come inside, dear. You need to lie down. Your health is our top priority," she said, placing a hand on Lydia's shoulder and guiding her inside the house.

There wasn't an ounce of remorse in her eyes when she glanced at me. I hadn't been home since yesterday, and no one had bothered to call me. Lydia showed up wearing my clothes, and no one cared.

"You, girl, come inside and make breakfast. It's about time you made yourself useful, given all the money my son spends on you daily," my mother-in-law barked.

With determination, I pushed myself off the doorframe and stumbled inside. That's when my eyes met his.

"Nichole, where have you been?" Blake asked, his eyes scanning me skeptically.

I bit my tongue, shaking my head with a scoff.

"Where did you go last night? The night of our wedding anniversary, Blake Hamilton William?" I swallowed hard, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. "Do you even care about me?"

Blake ran a hand through his hair and exhaled heavily.

"Nichole, what is your problem, honestly? You've been acting out lately. It's not like you work, so we can't even call it work-related stress-"

"That's a fact. Blake, you've spoiled her too much, and now look how pompous she is. A lowly orphan like you should be grateful you even married into this family," my mother-in-law interjected.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

"I never really thought all of you felt that way about me," I muttered, my voice laced with disbelief.

Gasps filled the room as I grabbed Blake's suit.

"If you hated me so much, then why did you marry me, huh?"

Blake rolled his eyes, gently taking hold of my hand. His other hand tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

"Because I love you. I don't know why you're so insecure about things that don't matter. We're a family, okay?"

The tears welled in my eyes as my fists clenched. How dare he say those words without a proper explanation for what was going on with Lydia?

"Yesterday, I saw that you-"

Blake placed a finger over my lips, silencing me.

"Shh. It's not what you think. The media is just trying to stir up drama. You know how they photoshop things."

I searched his eyes, desperate for anything to comfort me, to make me believe him. But nothing settled the unease in my heart.

"That doesn't explain why she's here, in our house," I said warily, casting a glance at Lydia, who was curled up against my mother-in-law like a puppy. "Or why she's wearing my robe."

Blake pulled me into a hug. The scent of his cologne did little to ease the tension in my heart, but I found myself sinking into his embrace.

"She came over with Mom. She spilled something on her clothes yesterday, so Mom gave her yours," he explained, rubbing my back. "Would you have preferred she wore mine?"

"NO!"

Blake chuckled, lifting my chin.

"You're so cute when you're jealous," he teased.

I wasn't amused.

"Blake, we need to-"

"We'll talk later. For now, why don't you make breakfast? Mother doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"Blake, I-"

He hushed me and nudged me toward the kitchen. I wanted to protest, but I didn't know how to say no to him.

"Fine. After breakfast, we'll talk. Okay?"

He nodded, and I sighed in relief.

Despite needing rest, I found myself working tirelessly in the kitchen. After thirty minutes, I set a buffet on the table.

Lydia squealed with joy.

"My God, this looks amazing! I can't believe you made this for me. Thanks, sis!"

My stomach churned.

"I didn't make anything for you," I muttered.

My mother-in-law scoffed, brushing past me.

"Don't be so rude. Even if you don't have parents, you're old enough to know better."

I frowned, setting the plate on the table with more force than necessary, surprised it didn't break.

"At least I don't try to ruin people's marriages," I snapped.

"Nichole, enough! It's too early for this," Blake said, diffusing the situation.

I moved to sit with Blake, but Lydia nudged me aside, dropping into the seat next to him and clinging to his arm.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed.

"Nichole, not now. Just let Lydia be," Blake said calmly.

I closed my eyes, exhaling deeply before forcing a smile.

"Sure."

I poured myself a glass of wine and downed it.

The sound of shattering glass made my head snap toward Lydia and Blake.

My heart raced in fear and shock.

"Lydia!" Blake called out as she jerked against his body, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"What's happening to you?" I asked, horrified.

I stayed frozen in place as Lydia's face twisted in fear.

"The food... I think... it was poisoned," she stuttered, and my heart dropped.