The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 250

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY CLAIRE’S POV

When the courthouse doors opened, the noise hit us like a wave.

Questions started flying in from every direction before we had even taken three steps.

“Mr. Dhark!”

“Miss Moreau!”

“Did Eva Sterling attempt to negotiate a settlement?”

“Are the two of you back together?”

“Mr. Dhark, how are you feeling after the attack?”

“Miss Moreau, are you confident you’ll win this case?”

Flashes exploded so rapidly that they blurred together into one relentless white light.

For weeks, I’d stood in front of cameras as an attorney.

But somehow, today felt different.

Today, they weren’t just looking at the lead counsel in the biggest civil trial in recent memory.

They were looking at the woman standing beside Lucian Dhark.

I felt his hand brush mine.

Instinctively, our fingers intertwined.

It wasn’t a performance. Neither of us had even looked at the other.

It was simply something… natural.

Security tightened around us as we descended the courthouse steps. Officers guided reporters backward while photographers leaned over the barricades, shouting questions over one another.

One voice rose above the others.

“Mr. Dhark! Did Eva Sterling apologize to you?”

Lucian didn’t even slow down.

Another reporter shouted,

“Miss Moreau! Did she admit responsibility?”

Still, we kept walking.

A microphone nearly reached my face before a security guard gently pushed it away.

“Do you still believe justice will be served?”

That one made me glance toward the courthouse behind us.

Justice.

A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed justice was even possible.

Now…

I was helping build it piece by piece.

As we reached the waiting vehicles, Lucian finally looked at me.

“You okay?”

I smiled.

“I think I should be asking you that.”

He chuckled softly.

“I’ve had worse days.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“You were shot.”

“And stabbed.”

“And apparently cross-examined by the press.”

“I’d argue the last one was the most exhausting.”

I laughed despite myself.

God…

It felt good to laugh again.

Tessa was already waiting beside the SUV, arms folded tightly across her chest.

She didn’t even wait for Lucian to get into the vehicle before beginning.

“I hope you’re happy, Mr. Dhark.”

Lucian shrugged. “I usually am.”

“The hospital has been calling nonstop.”

“I had permission.”

“You manipulated them.”

“I persuaded them.”

Tessa squinted, worry etched into her expression. “You look exhausted.”

“I attended court.” Lucian replied flippantly.

She stared at him, then at me.

I smiled sympathetically. “You have my sympathy. He can be very stubborn.” I said. “But he’ll be fine ”

Camilla stepped forward from the opposite side of the car, her expression carrying the same mixture of affection and exasperation.

“Lucian Dhark.” She called.

Lucian sighed. “…Yes, Camilla.”

“You need to return to the hospital.”

Lucian smiled patiently in response. “I don’t think I do.”

Camilla looked heavenward. “Your mother always worried me about this.”

“My stubbornness?”

“No. Your talent for pretending you’re reasonable while doing the exact opposite of what everyone advises.”

I covered my mouth to hide another laugh.

Lucian noticed. “You’re enjoying this far too much.” He hissed.

“I really am.”

Tessa opened the rear passenger door.

“Hospital, sir?”

Lucian looked at me instead. “I’m not going.”

I frowned.

“What do you mean you’re not going?”

“I’m going with you.”

“… With me?”

“To your apartment.”

For a second, I thought I’d misheard him.

“My apartment?”

He nodded as though he’d suggested stopping for coffee.

“You need to rest.”

“So do you.”

“I can rest there.”

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