His Invisible Wife

Ethan! You married such an ugly woman, made our entire family a laughingstock, and now you're throwing your life away for her! How long are you going to keep this up?

The hospital room door wasn't fully closed. My mother-in-law's voice was sharp and piercing.

My hand froze on the door handle. I heard a few seconds of silence inside, then his calm, emotionless voice.

"Mom, you know what I want."

"I knew it. You're still doing all this for Serena."

My mother-in-law's voice trembled with rage. "No matter how much you love her, it's useless. Using Elara Winters to provoke us won't work either."

My whole body went cold.

Three years. I thought he was the only one who didn't find me ugly when everyone else did. I thought his life-risking rescue was love.

Turns out I was just a pawn he used to defy his family.

Turns out every time he looked at me, he was looking through me at another woman.

I steadied myself against the wall and slowly backed away to my own hospital room.

If that's how it is, this marriage isn't worth keeping.

Elara's POV

I'm known as the ugly woman in our circle.

Thick bangs covering half my face. Black-framed glasses thicker than bottle bottoms. Face always caked with dark foundation. Lips blurred with deep-colored lipstick. Walking down the street, no one gives me a second glance.

But no one knows I make myself ugly on purpose.

All because of my mother.

My mother was famously beautiful back in the day. My father pursued her for years before she finally married him.

But less than three years into their marriage, he started cheating constantly. My mother went from heartbroken to desperate, eventually dying of depression.

Before she died, my mother grabbed my ten-year-old hand and looked at my face, though young, already showing signs of stunning beauty.

With her last bit of strength, she said, "Elara, remember what Mom tells you. Being too beautiful, men will deceive you. Nothing good comes of it. You must protect yourself. Hide that face."

I remembered.

From then on, I started making myself ugly. My bangs got thicker, my glasses heavier, my clothes always the most unremarkable colors.

My father arranged countless blind dates for me. Every single man ran away because of my ugliness.

On my hundredth blind date, I sat in a caf across from a man in a suit.

The moment he saw me, his brow furrowed.

"Miss Winters," he began, voice dripping with undisguised disgust. "The matchmaker didn't tell me... you looked like this."

I kept my head down, saying nothing.

"Honestly, looking like that... how do you even dare go on blind dates?" The man sneered. "Who would want to marry you?"

I gripped my coffee cup tighter.

The man picked up his own cup and suddenly splashed it in my face.

"Your makeup's ruined. Suits you better."

The cold liquid ran down my cheeks, washing away the foundation and revealing the fair skin underneath.

I looked up, about to stand.

"Bang!"

A long, slender hand reached over from the side and grabbed the man's wrist, twisting hard.

"Ah!" The man screamed.

"Apologize." A deep, cold voice spoke.

I turned to see a man in a custom-tailored suit.

He was tall with an upright posture, deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips pressed together. His whole presence radiated an air of cool elegance and nobility. Right now he was gripping that man's wrist, his eyes cold as ice.

"Who the hell are you?!" the man struggled.

"Apologize." He repeated, his voice not loud but carrying undeniable authority.

The man was intimidated by his presence and stammered out "I'm sorry" to me before scrambling away.

The man let go and pulled a handkerchief from his suit pocket, handing it to me.

"Here."

I stared, taking the handkerchief in a daze.

"Women shouldn't have to put up with that kind of treatment." He looked at me, his gaze calm. "Next time something like this happens, call the police."

With that, he turned and left.

I stood there watching his tall figure disappear through the caf door, my heart pounding.

I remembered him.

After returning home, I started investigating.

His name was Ethan Sterling, the youngest heir to Sterling Enterprises. Twenty-six years old, he'd been running the family business for three years with decisive methods and outstanding ability. He was recognized in our circle as the perfect man.

Even more rare, his private life was clean. No scandals whatsoever.

I fell for him.

But before I could figure out how to approach him, Ethan Sterling came to me first.

"Miss Winters," he sat in my family's living room and got straight to the point. "I want to propose a marriage alliance with you."

I was stunned.

"Why me?" I asked. "I'm not good-looking."

Ethan looked at me, his expression very calm. "Appearance doesn't matter. I think you're very suitable."

His words weren't romantic, but coming from him, they made my heart race.

Mom said being too beautiful meant getting deceived by men.

But I made myself ugly, and he still wanted to marry me.

I thought I'd met the right person.

For three years of marriage, Ethan treated me well.

He never minded my ugliness. In fact, when others gossiped about my appearance, he would gently take my hand and say, "Elara, you're wonderful."

I loved design, so he invested in opening a studio for me.

I had a sensitive stomach, so he remembered which foods I couldn't eat. Whenever he came back from business dinners, he'd bring me oat milk.

On my birthday, no matter how busy, he'd cancel work and spend the whole day with me.

Once, I was in a car accident. The car flipped into a ditch and could explode any moment. Ethan rushed over without hesitation, pried open the deformed car door with his bare hands, and dragged me out.

Not ten meters away, the car exploded.

He shielded me with his body. The flames licked his back, leaving severe burns.

When I woke up in the hospital, the first thing I asked the nurse was, "Where's my husband?! How is he?"

"Mr. Sterling's back burns are serious, but he's not in life-threatening danger," the nurse said. "He's in the room next door."

I immediately pulled out my IV and stumbled over to the next room.

Just as I was about to push the door open, I heard Ethan's mother's voice inside.

"Ethan! You married such an ugly woman, made our entire family a laughingstock, and now you're throwing your life away for her! How long are you going to keep this up?!"

My hand stopped on the door handle.

A few seconds of silence inside, then Ethan's calm, emotionless voice without any feeling.

"Mom, you know what I want."

"I knew it! You're still doing all this for Serena!" His mother's voice shook with anger. "I'm telling you, you're the best heir in our family. Serena can never enter our household! No matter how much you love her, it's useless! Using Elara Winters to provoke us won't work either!"

I stood frozen, my whole body turning cold.

What were they just saying?

For Serena? Who's Serena?

Overwhelming panic and an ominous premonition swept over me like an icy tide, drowning me instantly.

I steadied myself against the wall and slowly backed away, retreating to my hospital room.

After several seconds, I pulled out my phone with trembling hands and sent a message to a private investigator.

"Look into every connection between Ethan Sterling and Serena. The more detailed, the better."

Elara's POV

Every minute, every second waiting for the reply felt like torture.

My head was buzzing. His mother's shrill voice and Ethan's calm response echoed repeatedly in my mind like poisoned knives, cutting my barely warmed heart to bloody shreds.

Finally, the information came through.

I opened it with trembling hands.

Inside was a thick stack of documents with many photos attached.

Serena Hayes, heir to the Hayes family, Ethan Sterling's first love. The two were perfectly matched, recognized in their circle as the ideal couple.

Three years ago, they were preparing to marry, but during premarital health checks, they discovered Serena couldn't have children.

For a top-tier elite family like the Sterlings, heirs were of utmost importance, so the Sterling family firmly opposed the marriage.

But Ethan loved Serena deeply and insisted on marrying her. The Sterling family began aggressively targeting the Hayes family business. Eventually, unable to withstand the pressure, Serena tearfully broke up with Ethan.

After the breakup, Ethan started going on frequent blind dates, but he didn't like any of the women.

Until he met me, the famously ugly woman in the circle.

From then on, everything connected.

He didn't marry me because I was special, much less because he saw my inner beauty.

It was simply because among all the blind date candidates, I was the most unacceptable. The most embarrassing. The most shameful. The best tool to humiliate the Sterling family and force his parents to compromise.

He deliberately married an ugly woman to defy his family, to make them give in and agree to let Serena marry him.

I stared at the information on my phone and suddenly laughed.

As I laughed, tears fell.

Pain wrapped around me like a huge net, tightening and tightening until it nearly strangled me.

Mom said being too beautiful would get me deceived, but even making myself ugly, I was still deceived. Deceived more thoroughly, more ridiculously, more pathetically!

These three years, what I thought was happiness was just an elaborate performance.

I was just a tool Ethan Sterling used to defy his family.

Just a pawn to express his love for Serena.

I thought I'd found light, not knowing that light was just someone else's mirror reflecting somewhere else!

I sat in the room and cried for a long time.

Then I wiped my tears, took out my phone, and called Ethan's mother.

My voice was calm. "I want to divorce Ethan Sterling."

A few seconds of silence on the other end.

"What did you say?!" She raised her voice in disbelief, as if she couldn't believe what she'd heard. "Elara Winters, looking the way you do, you dare ask for a divorce? Do you know how many women in our circle are desperate to marry Ethan?"

"How I look is none of your business," I said. "I must divorce him. If you don't agree, I'll get a lawyer and go through legal channels. Making a scene won't be good for anyone."

She was furious on the other end, but I could hear a hint of relief and eagerness in her tone.

Of course. She had long been disgusted by me, this "ugly woman," and wanted me gone to make room for a beautiful, suitable socialite.

In her mind, Serena wasn't good enough for Ethan, and I was even less worthy.

"Fine!" She finally agreed. "I'll handle the divorce. Wait a few days."

After hanging up, I took a deep breath, checked myself out of the hospital, and went home.

The first thing I did when I got home was throw things away.

I took out everything Ethan had given me over the years, necklaces, bracelets, rings, handbags, and threw them all in the trash.

Just like throwing away three years of foolishness.

A few days later, Ethan came home.

His back burns hadn't fully healed, slowing his movements, but he still wore an impeccable suit, his posture upright, his features handsome.

"Why are you sitting here?" he asked, his tone habitually gentle. "The servants said you've barely eaten these past few days."

I looked up at him.

Before, every time I saw this face, my heart would race and my face would flush.

But now, looking at him, I only felt strange and cold.

Ethan didn't seem to notice the change in my expression. Or rather, he'd never truly paid attention to my expressions.

He glanced at the calendar on the wall and casually took my hand. "Are you upset I haven't been back to keep you company? Today's your birthday. I had them prepare a party at the most luxurious Hilton hotel downtown. It's still early. Let me take you to pick out a dress first, okay?"

Before, hearing him remember my birthday and specially prepare a party would have made me ecstatic.

But now, my heart felt only barren indifference.

Still, I didn't expose him.

"Okay," I said softly.

Ethan drove me to a high-end boutique.

As soon as we entered, his phone rang.

"You pick first. I need to take this call," he said, walking aside.

I paid no attention and went upstairs to look at dresses.

I liked a champagne-colored gown, simple and elegant.

"This one. Wrap it up for me," I told the saleswoman.

"I want this dress."

A soft female voice suddenly spoke from behind me.

I turned and saw the woman speaking. My blood instantly ran cold.

Serena Hayes.

The bright, radiant face from the photos, nestled beside Ethan, that face was now right in front of me.

She wore a cream-colored suit with slightly curled long hair and exquisite makeup. Her eyes carried an innate sense of superiority as she stared at the champagne dress in my hands with a half-smile.

Elara's POV

"Sorry," Serena walked forward, her voice soft but her tone anything but polite. "I also like this dress. Even though you were here first, but..."

She looked me up and down, taking in my thick bangs and black-framed glasses. The corners of her mouth curved into a perfectly measured smile. "I think it suits me better. Why don't you just let me have it?"

I gripped the dress tighter. The fabric was soft, but right now it felt like thorns.

"No." I turned to the saleswoman. "Ring it up."

Serena's smile faded a bit. She reached out and grabbed the other corner of the dress.

"I really love it. Miss, looking the way you do... you'd look about the same in anything. Why not do me a favor? Just let me have it, can't you?"

We stood there in a standoff, the air thick with silent tension.

"What's going on?"

Ethan's deep voice came from the stairway. Having finished his call, he came up and saw this scene. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Serena saw him and her eyes lit up instantly, though her hand didn't release the dress.

"Ethan? You're here too?"

Her gaze moved between me and Ethan, then showed a look of realization. "I see, this must be your wife? If I'd known she was Mrs. Sterling, I wouldn't have fought for it. This dress can go to Mrs. Sterling."

She let go as if her earlier insistence had been just a joke.

But the next second, Ethan reached out and took the champagne dress directly from my hands, handing it to Serena.

"No need to give it up." He looked at Serena, his voice gentler than before. "This suits you. Go try it on."

A flash of triumph crossed Serena's eyes. She took the dress, smiled at me, and walked into the fitting room.

My hand froze in mid-air, my fingertips still holding the sensation of the fabric being taken away.

I slowly lowered my hand, clenching it into a fist, nails digging into my palm. The slight pain couldn't suppress the dull ache in my chest, like a knife slowly cutting through flesh.

Only then did Ethan turn to me, as if he'd just finished handling some trivial matter.

"Elara, that was Serena, a friend of mine. She's rather straightforward, but she means no harm. It's just a dress. We can pick another one."

I looked up at him through my thick lenses.

"Why don't you just tell the truth? You're saying she suits it better because you think my face doesn't deserve this dress, doesn't deserve anything beautiful, right?"

Ethan was clearly taken aback.

He seemed surprised I would ask this, even more surprised I would directly pierce through this veneer of decency that no one had called out before.

"That's not what I meant." He quickly adjusted his expression, his tone taking on a hint of helplessness. "If I thought you weren't good enough, why would I have married you in the first place?"

Why marry me?

Those words were like a poisoned blade stabbing straight into my heart, the pain making my vision go dark.

Yes, why?

Because I was ugly in just the right way, the perfect tool, the ideal pawn to infuriate the Sterlings and force them to compromise!

Growing up, hiding my appearance, I'd heard countless mockeries.

Classmates' whispers, blind dates' cruel words, my father's sighs. Those words were like needles. After being pricked long enough, I had grown numb.

But Ethan was different.

These three years, his gentle consolations, his casual protections, even his life-risking rescue, like warm water, they slowly softened my frozen heart, making me develop impossible fantasies and dependence.

Then, he personally, in the calmest, most casual way, completely shattered that false warmth.

This hurt worse than direct cruelty!

I suppressed the sob in my throat and the surging pain, said nothing, and turned to another rack, randomly grabbing a plain black dress.

Just then, the fitting room curtain opened.

Serena walked out.

The champagne dress perfectly outlined her figure, making her skin look like snow and her presence dazzling. She twirled, the hem creating an elegant arc.

"Miss Hayes, this dress is perfect for you!" the saleswomen gushed. "It's like it was custom-made for you!"

Ethan's gaze also fell on Serena.

His eyes were deep, clearly reflecting Serena's image. In those usually cold eyes, I now saw a tenderness I'd never seen directed at me.

Though it was just a fleeting moment, I caught it.

My heart felt like an invisible hand was squeezing it tight, the pain making it hard to breathe.

"Ethan, does it look good?" Serena asked with a smile, her gaze casually sweeping over me nearby.

"Yes, very good." Ethan nodded, his tone affirmative.

Serena's smile grew brighter.

She walked to Ethan's side and naturally tucked her hair behind her ear. "By the way, I heard tonight is Mrs. Sterling's birthday party? At the Hilton?"

"Yes." Ethan nodded.

"I happen to be free tonight." Serena looked at me with a proper smile. "Mrs. Sterling, you don't mind if I come celebrate your birthday too, do you?"

Before I could answer, Ethan already replied, "Of course not. You're welcome to come."

Elara's POV

The Hilton hotel's top-floor ballroom was brilliantly lit.

The birthday party Ethan prepared for me was massive, inviting nearly half of New York's elite.

I wore that unremarkable black dress, my thick bangs and glasses obscuring my face as always, standing beside Ethan like a mismatched shadow.

I could feel gazes from all directions, curious, probing, and mostly undisguised contempt and snickering.

"What was Mr. Sterling thinking, marrying someone like..."

"She really is so ugly. Mr. Sterling is so outstanding. Why would he marry her?"

"Who knows? Maybe... unique taste?"

The scattered comments buzzed like mosquitoes, drilling into my ears.

I kept my back straight, my expression blank, as if I heard nothing.

Soon after the party began, Ethan publicly gave me a gift, an expensive diamond necklace.

When the velvet box opened, gasps and envious sounds rippled through the crowd.

"Thank you," I accepted it, my voice flat.

Serena arrived a bit later.

The moment she appeared, she drew everyone's attention. In her champagne dress with exquisite makeup and an elegant smile, she seemed like tonight's true protagonist.

"Sorry I'm late." Serena walked up to me, her tone sincere. "I didn't have time to prepare a gift. Don't be upset, Mrs. Sterling. Let me play a piece to wish you happy birthday."

Then she smiled at Ethan. "Ethan, I remember you play piano beautifully too. How about we play a duet? Consider it entertainment for Mrs. Sterling's birthday. What do you say?"

The guests started cheering.

"Yes!"

"Miss Hayes and Mr. Sterling are such a perfect match!"

"Exactly, they look like a real couple."

Ethan looked at Serena's expectant eyes, glanced at silent me beside him, hesitated briefly, then actually walked over.

A harmonious duet began, a four-hands version of "Fr Elise." The man cool and noble, the woman bright and moving, sitting together like a perfect painting.

The surrounding comments grew louder, this time with less pretense of discretion.

"Now that's a perfect match..."

"If only Mr. Sterling had married Miss Hayes."

"Such a shame..."

"That Elara Winters is really... taking up space. Someone so ugly actually married New York's most outstanding heir. What a waste."

Each comment was like a poisoned needle, densely piercing my heart.

I stood there, feeling the air around me growing thinner, those gazes and words nearly drowning me.

I turned and went to the balcony.

The night breeze was cool, dispersing the suffocating warmth and noise from the ballroom.

I leaned against the balcony railing, took a deep breath, then slowly released it.

Light footsteps sounded behind me. Then a warm body pressed close, arms wrapping around my waist from behind.

My body stiffened.

"Why did you come out here alone?" Ethan's deep voice spoke near my ear. "Don't take those people's words to heart. They're just boring gossip."

I didn't move or speak.

Ethan seemed to think I was still upset. His chin gently rubbed the top of my head, his tone softening further with a coaxing quality. "Elara, I've told you, you're wonderful. You don't need to care what others think of you. As long as I like you, that's enough."

Like?

I almost laughed coldly.

What did he like about me?

Did he like using me as a tool to defy his family? Or like using me as a foil for his devotion to Serena?

Ethan probably felt verbal comfort wasn't enough. Seeing my continued silence, he suddenly turned his head and unexpectedly kissed my neck.

The warm, soft sensation came. My whole body trembled, instinctively about to push him away.

Just then.

"Bang!"

The glass balcony door was suddenly pushed open.

Serena stood in the doorway, her face still wearing a smile she hadn't had time to hide. Seeing us embracing, especially Ethan's kiss on my neck, her smile instantly froze. Her face paled slightly, her eyes quickly misting over.

"Sorry, I'm interrupting."

Her voice was somewhat choked. After speaking, she turned and ran off, her retreating figure looking somewhat disheveled.

Ethan immediately let go of me, his expression clearly changing, his eyes following Serena's disappearing direction with obvious worry and a hint of struggle.

Elara's POV

He quickly withdrew his gaze and looked at me, his tone returning to calm. "Don't take what happened earlier to heart. As long as I like you, that's what matters. I'm going to make a call."

He hurried after her.

I stood there, looking at the empty doorway, tried to twist my lips into a self-mocking smile, but couldn't even manage that.

I couldn't stay at this birthday party another moment.

I turned to leave. Just as I reached the curb by the hotel entrance, a figure blocked my path.

It was Serena.

Her eyes were still a bit red, but her expression had already been adjusted, carrying a condescending scrutiny.

"Mrs. Sterling, leaving already?" Serena looked at me, her tone soft but her words barbed. "The birthday girl leaving early isn't very appropriate, is it? Or are you upset seeing Ethan chase after me?"

I didn't want to entangle with her and moved to walk around her.

"Don't go." Serena reached out to stop me. "Let's chat. About Ethan, about your ridiculous marriage. I think you need to know some things..."

"Move." My voice was cold.

"What, feeling guilty? Knowing you're occupying a position you shouldn't?" Serena didn't shut up. She even stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. "Let me tell you, Ethan doesn't even..."

"Let go!" I tried hard to shake her off.

We struggled on the curb.

Serena was wearing heels. Her foot seemed to slip. She screamed, her whole body falling backward, and she gripped my arm tightly.

She pulled me off balance too.

"Ah!"

The sharp sound of brakes and impact came almost simultaneously!

In the chaos, I only felt a huge force strike me. I was thrown, my forehead and cheek experiencing unbearable pain. Warm liquid instantly blurred my vision.

Serena's scream was right in my ear.

Intense pain and dizziness consumed me. My consciousness blurred. I felt people gathering around, chaotic voices, the ambulance siren...

In my haze, I seemed to see Ethan's hurried figure. That usually calm, cool face showed clear panic for the first time.

Then I heard fragments of conversation, as if from far away.

"Mr. Sterling, both patients are severely injured and need surgery urgently, but there's only one operating room available. Mrs. Sterling's face is injured with a deep wound. Without immediate treatment, she may be disfigured. Miss Hayes injured her hand. Without immediate treatment, it may affect her piano playing."

Then I heard Ethan's voice.

"Save Serena first. She still needs to play piano."

"But Mrs. Sterling..."

"Don't worry about her. Appearance doesn't matter to her anyway!"

Doesn't matter.

Those words were like a knife, stabbing through my heart.

Yes, because I'm ugly, it doesn't matter...

My vision went black. I completely passed out.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital room.

No one was beside me.

I touched my face, wrapped in thick bandages.

The door opened. Serena walked in with a group of friends.

Her hand was also bandaged, but she wore a smile.

"Elara Winters," she walked to the bed, looking at me with contempt. "I heard you were badly hurt, your face all torn up. I thought you would definitely be disfigured this time. I didn't expect the doctors the Sterling family found would be good enough to fix you."

"Though even fixed, it can't hide your original ugliness. Those thick bandages match your bangs and glasses nicely, equally hideous."

The men and women behind her let out low laughs.

I closed my eyes, not even bothering to look at them.

"Get out."

Before Serena could speak, a girl next to her in a pink suit with curled hair shrieked first. "What's your attitude? Serena came to visit you out of kindness, and you dare tell her to get out? Being ugly is bad enough, but your manners are terrible too. So disgusting."

I opened my eyes, my gaze coldly sweeping over that girl, then looking at Serena. "Take your dog and get out. You're not welcome here."

"Who are you calling a dog?" The pink-dressed girl's face flushed with anger. She rushed forward to hit me, raising her hand to slap my face.

My face was injured and my movements hindered. Just as that slap was about to land.

"Hey, Emma, it's not good to hit a patient." A man in a floral shirt stopped the pink-dressed girl. He looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with lecherous eyes. He looked me up and down on the hospital bed, a malicious smile on his lips. "So you're Mrs. Sterling? Quite the temper. But I have a method that cures all kinds of disobedience."

He took two steps forward, approaching the bed, his gaze sticky and presumptuous. "I've seen plenty like you, not much to look at but full of attitude. Women like you just need to be put in their place by a man. No matter how proud you are, you'll behave after being with enough men."

As he spoke, he actually reached out to pull back my blanket.