The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 174

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FOUR CLAIRE’S POV

The first thing I noticed when I walked into Sinclair & Co that morning, was the noise.

Not literal noise.

But energy.

Movement.

Phones rang constantly, assistants hurried through corridors, conference rooms were heavily occupied. And most importantly, new clients waited in reception.

Victory changed everything.

Especially a victory against KVEK.

“Claire!”

Daniel Reyes appeared beside me carrying two folders and coffee at the same time.

“You’re late.” He said.

I glanced at him dryly. “It’s eight-fifteen.”

“Exactly,” he said. “You’re usually here at seven-thirty pretending you don’t need sleep.”

I took the coffee from him with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Also-” he lowered his voice dramatically, “three more major corporations reached out

this morning.”

I blinked. “Three?”

Daniel grinned. “Apparently defeating Victoria Merlyn in open court has become very attractive to people.”

I groaned softly while he laughed.

By ten in the morning, my office desk was covered in potential cases.

Corporate fraud, environmental misconduct, a wrongful termination suit involving a major tech company

in the country.

Another class action.

I leaned back slowly in my chair while flipping through one of the files.

This was what I had worked for.

Not fame, not headlines.

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TREET AND SEVENTY TOUR CLAIRES POV

+25 Bonus

This.

Being respected.

Being good enough that people wanted me to fight for them.

For the first time in a long time, I finally felt like my life belonged to me again.

A knock sounded against my office door, then one of the assistants peeked inside looking visibly

startled.

“Um… Claire?”

“Yes?”

“There’s… something downstairs for you.” She said.

I frowned slightly before following her out.

The entire floor seemed unusually distracted.

People were whispering, staring toward reception.

My steps slowed the moment I saw it.

“Jesus Christ,” Daniel muttered, appearing beside me.

The bouquet was enormous.

Massive white and soft pink carnations arranged so beautifully they barely looked real.

My favorite flowers.

The arrangement was so large, it occupied nearly half the reception desk.

Even the receptionist looked overwhelmed by it.

“Oh my God,” another associate laughed. “Nathaniel Vale is completely insane.”

“Read the note!” Daniel demanded immediately.

Several people around us agreed eagerly.

Heat crept up to my face, flushing my cheeks.

“This is embarrassing.” I spoke, with a roll of my eyes.

“No, this is very expensive,” Daniel corrected, “Read the note, Claire.”

Everyone was so ecstatic, I had to pretend not to be.

I sighed before finally reaching for the envelope.

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WEDEN RED AND SEVENTY FOUR CLAIRES POV

+25 Bonus

My fingers paused the second I recognized the handwriting.

I unfolded the card slowly, my stomach tightening with every breath I took.

“Even the sky would not be able to contain your shine.

– L. Dhark”

Silence.

Then Daniel blinked. “Oh.”

Someone coughed awkwardly nearby.

Another associate suddenly became deeply interested in their phone.

I was glad he at least pretended not to pay attention.

I stared at the note too long.

Of course it was from Lucian.

Of course.

Daniel recovered first.

“Well,” he announced finally, “that’s… emotionally complicated.”

A reluctant laugh escaped me. “You think?”

He glanced at the flowers again. “They’re still beautiful though.”

I looked back at the carnations. They really were beautiful- that was undeniable.

And Lucian remembered.

After everything-he still remembered my favorite flowers.

Daniel leaned closer conspiratorially.

“Honestly? Keep them.”

I gave him a look.

“They’re too big and expensive to throw away,” he defended. “That would practically be environmental damage.”

That made me laugh despite myself.

And after that laugh, the ache in my chest seemed to worsen.

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MAIN MONDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR CLAIRES POV

+25 Bonus

By evening, I found myself back at the hospital again.

The security outside Margot’s floor was impossible to miss.

Armed personnel stood near elevators and entrances with thorough professionalism, watching everyone carefully.

Lucian had kept his word.

For nearly two weeks now, these men had been here protecting Margot around the clock.

Paid for by him, even while Dhark Holdings was bleeding publicly. Even while his world collapsed.

The thought made me feel… strangely warm. Then I pushed it away immediately.

I stepped quietly into Margot’s room, to be welcomed by the soft hum of machines and dim lights.

Margot looked pale and fragile. Too still besides.

I moved toward her bed slowly before sitting beside her and taking her hand gently into mine.

“Hi,” I whispered.

No response.

I swallowed hard.

“I won the Virex case yesterday.”

A weak smile touched my lips. “You’d probably say my closing arguments were too emotional.”

Silence.

I looked down at her manicured hand. “Professor Grant brought us the report. Eva’s infertility report.”

My throat tightened immediately, because even saying it aloud felt strange.

“You kept digging even when everyone else wanted to let it go.” I shook my head slightly, fighting the tears that were filling my eyes. “You’re the real hero in all this, Margot.”

“She’s going to pay for what she did,” I said quietly. “I promise.”

I looked away briefly before speaking again. Because I knew that was I was about to say to her was something I wouldn’t have the courage to confess if her eyes were open.

“And now I don’t know what to do. I love Nathaniel.”

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