The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 143

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE LUCIAN’S POV

As always, I woke before the house did.

That hadn’t changed.

What had changed was what I saw when I walked to the window.

They were already there.

Press vans lined the road beyond the gates, cameras angled upward like they expected something to fall from the sky.

People moved in clusters-reporters, photographers, and nosy strangers who had no business being there but had shown up anyway.

All waiting.

From the look of things, they weren’t leaving anytime soon.

No, they were waiting for something worse.

I stood there a moment longer than necessary before turning away, and letting routine take over.

Shower. Suit. Watch.

Everything clean and precise.

Except-

I paused once, halfway through buttoning my cuff.

Somehow, the room felt larger than it used to.

Colder.

My gaze shifted, unbidden, to the other side of the bed.

It was empty.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise- it had been empty for a while now.

But the emptiness this morning, felt… particular. It felt louder.

The house hadn’t changed.

Only the person who gave it meaning had.

“Sir?”

Camilla’s voice came from the doorway, soft but steady. “Breakfast is ready.”

I nodded once and followed her down.

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CHACTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE LUCIANS POV

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The dining table was set the way it always was-perfectly arranged, untouched, and a little bit excessive for one person.

I couldn’t blame Camilla- she was used to organizing a breakfast for two.

I sat anyway.

The chair across from me remained empty.

For a second, I could swear I saw it differently.

Claire sitting there, quiet but happy. Asking how my day would go, not demanding attention.

Just… present.

I used to think the silence between us meant peace.

But now, it felt like absence.

Camilla moved around the table, adjusting things that didn’t need adjusting.

She glanced at me once, then again- longer this time.

She saw it.

Of course she did.

“This house,” she said after a moment, her tone careful but certain, “has seen more than this.”

I didn’t respond.

She continued anyway.

“Your mother built it to last. Not the walls, obviously, but everything inside it.”

She paused, like she was letting me absorb the words.

“You’ll be vindicated.” She said firmly.

I picked up my coffee, taking a slow sip.

I didn’t argue.

But I didn’t agree either.

Because truth be told, I had never dealt with something like this before.

My assistant was already waiting when I stepped outside.

She had a tablet in one hand, her expression sharp and focused.

“We’ve increased security,” she announced immediately. “An additional vehicle will follow behind us. There’ll be more personnel at the building.”

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE LUCIANS POV

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I glanced toward the gates.

“It’s excessive.”

She didn’t hesitate. “It’s not even enough.”

I didn’t respond- therr was no point in arguing.

I simply got into the car.

The moment the gates opened, the noise hit.

Voices layered over each other. Questions were shouted without pause, or even an expectation of answers. Cameras flashed in rapid bursts.

Movement everywhere.

Then the cars started moving-

And they followed.

It wasn’t just the press vans. People.

On foot, on bikes, on instinct.

This wasn’t just media coverage.

It was pursuit.

The car ride stretched longer than it should have.

Thankfully, the radio filled the silence.

Until-

“-Dhark Holdings CEO under intense scrutiny-”

Click.

Someone switched channels.

“-Eva Sterling’s emotional appearance-”

Click.

Same story, different voices, same conclusion.

I leaned back slightly, my jaw tightening.

“Do you want me to turn it off?” My assistant, Tessa asked.

“Leave it.”

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NORED AND FORTY THREE UTA ANS POV

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The next channel shifted directions a bit.

“… Meanwhile, corporate tensions continue to rise as Langford Industries faces off against Virex Holdings

I stilled.

“…Lead counsel Claire Moreau delivered a strong performance in court today-”

Her name landed differently now.

Clear, just like the name itself meant.

Uncontested and free from accusations.

Just recognition.

“She’s gaining significant attention for her handling of the case-”

I stared ahead, unmoving.

Whilst I was being dismantled, Claire was rising.

The only thing that overshadowed the regret I felt, was the feeling of pride swelling up in my chest.

Claire deserved all the recognition she was getting.

I knew there was no chance we would ever be together again, but I couldn’t help but be proud of her

from afar.

“Sir,” my assistant said, cutting through the moment, “Nathaniel Vale has requested a meeting by 1 p.m.”

That was as close to good news as I’d gotten within the last couple of days.

I nodded once.

“Schedule it.”

Dhark Holdings came into view, and so did the crowd- much bigger than the one at the gates.

And much louder. Closer.

This wasn’t just press anymore.

These were Eva’s fans.

Signs were raised high, with Eva’s face printed across them, slogans scrawled in bold letters.

#Cancel DharkHoldings.

The moment the car slowed-

they noticed it was mine.

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CONCO KONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE LUCIAN’S POV

+25 Bonus

That’s when everything shifted.

The shouting intensified.

Movement surged forward.

Something hit the car. Then another. Then another.

Eggs splattered across the windows, thick and sudden.

Toilet paper streaked across the windshield. Hands slammed against the sides and the windows.

The driver accelerated- barely.

But they didn’t move.

Instead, they pressed in.

For a second, it felt like the car wouldn’t get through.

Then finally, it did.