The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 172

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-TWO_ NATHANIEL’S POV

The atmosphere at KVEK was subdued after the verdict.

The firm was too quiet. Too stiff.

Associates who normally moved through the halls confidently now spoke in lowered voices.

Phones rang less and noticeably, conversations died much faster.

Losing a case that publicly-especially to Sinclair & Co-had hit the firm’s pride hard.

And Victoria Merlyn’s mood certainly wasn’t helping.

I stood inside my office, reviewing the documents spread across my desk again.

Claire’s original infertility diagnosis.

Eva Sterling’s original report.

Claire’s latest medical results.

Three documents.

One life destroyed by a lie.

My jaw tightened as I thought about it.

This Dr. Ramon was finished- completely finished.

I had no intention of negotiating with him privately anymore.

No quiet settlement, no warning, no courtesy.

He didn’t deserve any of that kindness.

What he had done went beyond malpractice.

It was cruelty-pure, calculated cruelty.

Claire had mourned children she could have had.

She had spent so long believing her body failed her.

And Lucian-

I exhaled slowly.

He wasn’t the one affected the most. He wasn’t the one who had to suffer the shame and ridicule.

Even thinking about the full scale of what had been stolen from Claire made anger crawl beneath my

skin.

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INDRED AND SEVENTY TWO NATHANIELS POV

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The medical board would revoke Ramon’s license instantly once the evidence surfaced- that was unquestionable.

And prison?

Very likely too.

Especially once the conspiracy angle fully unfolded.

Then eventually-

Eva.

Because once we officially filed against her, I would subpoena this Dr. Ramon directly.

And when the pressure hit hard enough?

He would testify.

One way or another.

I heard a knock on my office door before an associate stepped in briefly with paperwork requiring

signatures.

I handled it quickly before finally gathering my things for the evening.

The moment I stepped into the corridor, I spotted Victoria near the conference rooms.

She looked furious.

Not upset.

Furious.

I almost laughed as she approached, stiff and red, basically boiling from the inside.

“You seem unusually comfortable after what just happened,” she said coldly.

I adjusted my coat calmly. “You can’t win every day, Victoria.” I stated, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Her eyes narrowed instantly.

“This isn’t about losing,” she snapped. “It’s about Claire Moreau embarrassing this firm publicly while one of our partners practically applauds from the sidelines.”

I sighed quietly.

Not this again.

“Claire won because she was better prepared,” I replied evenly. “You’ll survive it.”

Victoria let out a humorless laugh, though her eyes shone with hatred. “You’ve become unbelievable.”

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NONDO AND SEVENTY TWO NATHANIEL SPOV

“No,” I corrected calmly. “I just stopped confusing ego for professionalism.”

That clearly irritated her more.

Good.

I walked past her before she could continue.

And honestly?

I didn’t care anymore.

Because right now, my priorities were much clearer than KVEK politics.

My priorities were Claire… and our future.

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By the time I got home, the house was quiet.

And Claire was asleep on the couch, the warm lighting glowing softly across her body.

I stopped moving for a moment just to look at her.

She had changed into one of my shirts at some point, curled beneath a blanket with her shoes discarded nearby.

She was beautiful.

Exhausted, but safe.

Something softened inside my chest just at the sight of her.

I set my keys down quietly before approaching.

Claire stirred as I crouched beside the couch.

“Nathaniel?” She called, brown eyes squinting up at me.

Her voice was sleepy and slightly slurred from alcohol.

I smiled despite myself.

“Long night?”

She laughed weakly. “Daniel Reyes forced tequila on everyone.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

“It was.”

She opened her eyes more fully then, smiling lazily at me.

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PONERELT AND SEVENTY TWAY NATHANIELS POV

“But we won.”

There was still disbelief in her voice.

And more important, there was pride too.

God, she deserved this victory.

She deserved to finally feel proud of herself.

“You were incredible today,” I told her honestly.

Claire groaned softly before burying part of her face into the pillow.

“I made an absolute fool out of Victoria Merlyn.” She giggled.

I couldn’t stop myself from laughing then.

“Yes. She’s currently mourning her dignity.”

Claire smiled against the pillow.

“That case made the firm millions.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“How many?”

She named the figure softly.

Honestly, it impressed me too.

“That’s Sinclair & Co’s highest earning case this year so far,” she added.

The pride in her voice made something ache warmly inside me.

Because for so long Claire had diminished herself.

Apologized for herself, even hidden herself.

And now?

Now she was finally beginning to understand how exceptional she truly was.

And that made me happier than anything else.

I brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face.

“I’m proud of you.”

Claire looked at me quietly then.

Softly.

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UNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO NATHANIFTS POV

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Vulnerably.

“I love you.”

The words came easily from her tonight.

And hearing them still affected me more than I wanted to admit.

I leaned down, and kissed her forehead gently. “I love you too.”

Claire shifted upward slowly until her arms wrapped loosely around my neck.

Comfortable.

Trusting.

I kissed her properly then- slowly. Tenderly.

And when she kissed me back, smiling faintly against my mouth-