The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 254

The shrill buzz of my phone shattered the peaceful silence.

I groaned without even needing to look at the screen.

Lucian chuckled softly. “I suppose we’re back to reality.”

“I’m afraid so.” I said, reaching across the bedside table and picking up my phone.

I was quite surprised to see Tessa’s name across the screen. Usually, she would call Lucian— being his executive assistant.

I answered immediately. “Good morning, Tessa.”

“I certainly hope it is.” Her voice was as warm as ever, but I could already hear the amusement hidden beneath it.

“The driver is downstairs.” She informed.

I glanced toward Lucian, who just sighed dramatically.

“Please remind Mr. Dhark that doctors were very clear.”

Lucian rolled his eyes. “I’m coming.”

“I’ll see you both shortly.”

I ended the call, then slowly lowered my phone.

Lucian looked quite entertained. “Are you embarrassed that people might know we spent the night together?”

“I’m never embarrassed.”

Lucian looked thoroughly amused. “You absolutely were.”

“I was… surprised.”

“You turned the exact same shade as the wine we had last night.”

“I hate you.”

“No,” he smiled. “You definitely don’t.”

I smiled despite myself.

“No. I really don’t.”

⸻

Less than twenty minutes later, we were both dressed for the day.

Lucian insisted on buttoning his own shirt despite the obvious discomfort it caused him.

“You know I can help.” I said, subtly reminding him that it was okay to ask for help or at least accept it.

“I know.” He huffed as he struggled with yet another button. “But I still possess enough dignity to dress myself.”

“You also possess several stitches.”

“I’ve noticed.” He sassed.

I stepped forward anyway. “Move.”

Lucian narrowed his eyes at me. “I’ve got it.”

“You absolutely don’t.” Without waiting for permission, I gently took over, my fingers working carefully through the remaining buttons, making sure not to brush against the bandages beneath his shirt.

I tried to ignore Lucian watching me the entire time, until I couldn’t.

“What?” I snapped.

“You fuss.”

“I do not.” I shot back, laughing.

“You absolutely do.”

“I’m trying to make sure you don’t reopen your wounds.”

“You tucked my collar in.”

“It looked uneven.” I said, shrugging my shoulders dismissively.

“You straightened my sling.”

“That was uneven too.”

“You’ve become terrifying.”

“I was always terrifying.”

He laughed softly.

“I somehow missed it.”

I finished adjusting the sling before stepping back.

“There.”

“You approve?”

“I tolerate.”

“I’ll take it.”

A knock sounded at the apartment door.

I opened the door to let Tessa in.

Her eyes immediately swept over Lucian and I, then over the apartment.

Then back to us.

A knowing smile appeared. “I see Mr. Dhark survived the night.”

Lucian coughed. “Barely.”

“I wasn’t referring to your injuries, sir.”

I covered my face. “Tessa…”

“What?” She asked, feigning complete innocence. “I said nothing inappropriate.”

Lucian failed spectacularly at hiding his laughter.

Tessa turned toward him. “The driver is waiting, sir.”

“I know.”

“So are your doctors.”

He squinted. “I liked Claire’s apartment better.”

“I suspected as much.” She looked toward me. “Thank you.”

I frowned. “For what, Tessa?”

“For giving me one peaceful night’s sleep.” She smiled sadly. “I hadn’t slept properly since he was admitted— none of us have.”

Neither had I.

But whe seemed to understand that without me saying a word.

She squeezed my hand gently, the looked back at Lucian.

“Let’s go, Mr. Dhark.”

We got downstairs together.

Tessa climbed into the car first.

Lucian turned toward me. “I’ll see you after court.”

“You’d better still be in your hospital bed.”

“I make no promises.”

“Lucian.”

“I’m joking.”

“You’ve said that every time right before doing something reckless.”

“I’ve become predictable, haven’t I?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify