The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 248

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHT_ LUCIAN’S POV

The hallway gradually emptied around us.

Claire walked a short distance away with Nathaniel, though I caught the way she glanced over her shoulder every few seconds.

A pair of security officers lingered several feet away, pretending not to listen.

For the first time in what felt like forever, there were no cameras flashing in our faces.

No reporters shouting questions.

No audience waiting for someone to perform.

Just Eva and me.

Eva took a slow breath.

“I don’t think I ever thanked you.”

I looked at her without saying a word.

She gave a small, almost wistful smile. “For everything.”

When I didn’t say anything, she continued.

“You gave me opportunities I never would’ve had otherwise.” Her gaze drifted somewhere beyond me, as though she were watching an old film only she could see.

“The introductions, the connections… the people you introduced me to… honestly, they opened doors I

didn’t even know existed.”

She laughed softly. “You used to call producers before I even asked.”

I remembered.

Back then, I had believed in her talent with an almost embarrassing certainty. Whenever someone doubted her, I found myself defending her before she’d even spoken.

She still was a very talented woman. But that talent was now tainted with something so ugly… something that couldn’t be wiped away.

“I still remember the premiere in Milan,” she continued. “You flew in for less than twenty-four hours just because I said I was nervous.”

Her smile deepened. “I thought no one could ever make me feel safer than you did.” She said. “I was right.”

I listened quietly.

Eva wasn’t apologizing. She was reminiscing.

Frankly, she was trying to awaken something that no longer existed.

“And when we… found each other again…” Her voice softened. “You were still kind to me.” 1

She swallowed. “When you thought I was carrying your baby… you protected me.”

Images flashed through my mind the moment she said that.

I, in my web of stupidity, had moved her into my house, hired extra security.

I tried to shield her from the media, to make sure they didn’t paint her as a home wrecker or a loose woman and ruin her career.

I had ignored every instinct telling me something wasn’t right.

I had ignored Claire. I had caused her so much pain and embarrassment- the thought of it all made me despise myself.

Eva looked at me with damp eyes. “You saved my reputation.”

She waited, still hoping I’d meet her halfway.

Instead, I said quietly, “You skipped a few chapters.”

Her smile faltered. “I did?”

“You skipped Claire.”

The color drained from Eva’s face immediately.

Regardless, I continued. “You skipped the lies.”

She lowered her eyes.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify