The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 255

The courtroom settled into tense silence as everyone took their seats.

I placed my files neatly on counsel’s table before looking toward the gallery.

Lucian wasn’t here today.

And although I knew he had to be absent, a small part of me still instinctively searched for him anyway.

Then I reminded myself that he was exactly where he was supposed to be—in a hospital bed, hopefully listening to absolutely none of the news coverage and, for once, doing what his doctors told him.

“Counsel, are you ready to proceed?” the judge asked.

Jonathan rose first.

“Yes, Your Honor.”

Across the aisle, Eva’s attorneys stood as well.

“We’re ready, Your Honor.”

The judge nodded.

“Very well. Ms. Moreau, you may continue.”

I stood. “Thank you, Your Honor.”

The courtroom became so quiet that I could hear the soft scratching of one juror’s pen.

I walked toward the evidence monitor.

“Yesterday, this court heard testimony concerning the financial theft perpetrated against Mr. Lucian Dhark and Dhark Holdings.” I paused. “Today, we’ll move to another aspect of this case.”

I looked briefly toward Eva, who held my gaze defiantly. For now.

“This portion concerns deliberate medical fraud.”

A murmur rippled through the gallery before the judge’s sharp look silenced everyone again.

I pressed the remote, and the first exhibit appeared on the screen:

A series of text messages, the date glowing clearly at the top.

The messages were from exactly a year ago, and the sender’s name had already been authenticated during discovery.

Eva Sterling.

And the recipient? Dr. Ramon.

I began reading.

“‘I need you to fake her diagnosis.’”

The courtroom remained silent.

“‘The report has to show severe uterine scarring.’”

I clicked again, and more messages appeared.

“‘Neither she nor Lucian can know the truth.’”

Another.

“‘Just make it convincing.’”

I didn’t need to embellish the words— they spoke loudly enough on their own.

Eva shifted in her chair.

One of her attorneys leaned toward her, whispering something urgently.

She didn’t respond.

Instead, she kept staring at the screen.

I continued.

“These messages were recovered from both Dr. Ortega’s phone and Ms. Sterling’s cloud backup pursuant to the court’s discovery order.”

Jonathan handed certified copies to the bailiff, who distributed them to the judge and the jury.

I waited while they read.

One juror frowned deeply.

Another slowly underlined something with her pencil.

Good.

They were paying attention.

I pressed the remote again.

“This next exhibit is an audio recording.”

I glanced toward the judge.

“With the court’s permission?”

“You may proceed.”

The recording began.

At first, only static filled the room.

Then…

Eva’s unmistakable voice.

Smooth.

Confident.

Cold.

“Claire is nothing but a low-grade replacement.”

Every hair on my arms stood up.

I’d heard this recording dozens of times while preparing for trial.

It still made my stomach twist.

“I had that diagnosis years ago.”

“Just copy mine.”

“No one will question it if it comes from you.”

The courtroom seemed to shrink.

“She’ll never be able to give him children anyway.”

“This just… speeds things along.”

Silence.

No one moved.

No one breathed.

Then Dr. Ramon’s voice came through the speaker.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Eva laughed.

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