The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN_ Claire’s POV

The house was too quiet. But not the peaceful kind of quiet, but the dreadful one.

The kind of quiet that made one feel watched.

I sat on my bed, staring at the unsigned divorce papers on my desk.

I told myself I was waiting for stability.

For a first paycheck that would let me leave without begging.

But what if I never got that? What if Sinclair&co didn’t accept me? What if my image was far beyond repair?

I heard footsteps approaching before I saw her.

Eva entered like she owned the air itself-unbothered and composed. She glanced around the room, before her eyes landed on me.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You don’t look very optimistic.” She said, almost mockingly.” Where exactly did you apply?”

The question was too casual.

“I don’t see how that’s relevant,” I said, hoping to put a quick end to the conversation.

Eva laughed softly. “Of course it is. I want to know how quickly you’ll fail or which idiot is willing to take you seriously.”

I met her eyes confidently. The kind of confidence that came with hope.

“Sinclair & Co.” I answered.

Eva immediately stilled.

She wasn’t dramatic.

She wasn’t visibly shaken. She just paused.

As if the room had shifted beneath her feet and she needed time to regain her balance.

“Sinclair,” she repeated.

“Yes.”

For a moment, she didn’t smile.

Her face was tight with what seemed like horror. Maybe even fear.

Then she laughed brightly. Too brightly. “Sinclair&co?”

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I nodded.

Clave POV

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“Margot Sinclair,” Eva said, throwing her head back a little. Her tone was laced with nostalgia. “How… ambitious. But I’m not surprised; Margot loves collecting lost causes.”

“She seemed impressed.” I argued, feeling anger rise in my chest.

“I’m sure she did.” Eva’s gaze sharpened. “Margot has always had a soft spot for strays.”

“That’s not how she-”

Eva didn’t let me finish. “Be careful, Claire.” She said, voice soft. “Margot Sinclair is not the woman you

think she is.”

I didn’t argue or explain- but I knew I wasn’t going to back down.

I studied her bare face. “You sound like you know her.”

Eva’s smooth smile returned to her face. “We’ve crossed paths.”

“Recently?” I asked, curious.

How would Eva possibly know Margot? They were as different as chalk and cheese.

Eva’s eyes glinted with something I couldn’t quite describe. “Not exactly.”

Eva started pacing around my room, slowly. “Claire,” she started. “I’m going to say this once and I’m going to say it kindly.”

She paused, staring at me intensely, checking if she had my undivided attention.

She did. 1

“I think it’s best if you don’t pursue this job.”

I frowned, confused. “You want me to sign the divorce papers and leave. Now you also want to stop me from working?”

Eva stopped walking.

“That job will complicate things.”

“For who?”

“For everyone!” She snapped.

I inhaled deeply. “You can’t have it both ways. I can’t leave this house unemployed.”

Eva looked at me then, from head to toe, her gaze sharp with distaste.

“You don’t get to negotiate.” She retorted. “You only need to comply.”

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“With what?” I asked, jutting my jaw out, ready to challenge her. “Leaving or being unemployed?” 1

“With knowing your place.” Eva sneered.

The words settled heavily between us.

For a moment, neither of us said a word. We stared at each other in intense silence, each woman waiting

for the other to bend.

“I won’t sabotage myself.” I finally said, breaking the silence.

Eva almost laughed at that. “Oh, you silly little thing.” She said, shaking her head slowly. “You already did that when you married Lucian.”

I stiffened. Eva had a talent for telling harsh truths at the right time to break down an opponent.

She straightened, ready to leave. “Sign the papers, leave quietly. And forget about Sinclair & Co.”

“And if I don’t?” 1

Eva smiled. “Then you’ll discover what I’m truly capable of.”

She turned to leave, the paused at the doorway.

“Oh, Claire?” she added lightly. “Margot doesn’t protect anyone forever.”

She was gone immediately after saying that.

I sat there long after her footsteps faded down the corridor.

Eva wanted me gone, but not independent.

Not protected.

And definitely not connected to Margot Sinclair.

My hunch told me there was history between them- history I wouldn’t want to be involved in. 1

I sat on my bed, replaying Eva’s words in my head, over and over.

‘You’ll discover what I’m truly capable of”

I told myself it was intimidation.

That Eva didn’t have that kind of power.

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