The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 273

Lunch was surprisingly peaceful.

At first, we talked about everything except the trial. From the hospital, to my upcoming discharge, life at the Dhark mansion. Even work.

And the things we’d do once this nightmare was finally over.

Then Claire asked me: “What are you going to do when you get home?”

“Work.” I immediately replied. Because there was much of it to be done.

She groaned. “Of course.”

“I have a company to run.” I stated.

“You almost died.” Claire countered.

“And?”

“And maybe you could take a break.”

I smiled. “I’ll consider it.”

“You’re lying again.”

I shrugged. “Probably.”

Claire shook her head in defeat.

I watched her for a moment. There was something different about us now—

The way we spoke, the way she looked at me, the way she would reach across the table without thinking and touch my hand.

It almost felt natural. Like something that had always belonged there.

I turned my hand over and intertwined our fingers.

She looked down at our intertwined fingers, then looked back up at me.

“What?”

“Nothing.” I smiled. “I was just thinking,” I paused.

“That’s dangerous.” Claire teased.

“I could propose right now.”

The words had barely left my mouth when Claire burst into laughter.

“Here?” She asked, amidst giggles.

“Why not?”

She stared at me. “You’re serious?”

“Completely.”

She shook her head. “Lucian.”

“What?”

“You can’t just propose in a restaurant.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” She simply said.

“That isn’t an argument.”

Claire laughed again.

I squeezed her hand. “I mean it.”

Her smile softened. “I know.”

“But?”

She sighed. “It’s still too soon.”

I nodded.

I wasn’t disappointed— not anymore.

I’d learned that wanting Claire didn’t mean I was entitled to making decisions for her.

If I wanted another chance at a life with her, I had to give her time to choose it too.

So, I simply smiled. “All right.”

She looked surprised. “Wow, that was easy.”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“I’ve learned patience.”

She smiled. “I’m proud of you, Mr. Dhark.”

“I’m improving.”

She laughed.

Then the waiter arrived with our food.

The aroma reached me immediately, making me realize I was actually hungry.

Claire’s expression changed slightly.

She looked down at her plate, then away.

“You don’t like it?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No. It smells fine.”

“You barely touched it.”

She shrugged. “I guess I’m just not very hungry.”

Claire laughed so hard at one point that she had to put her wine down.

“You remember how they kept calling you Mr. Dhark every five seconds?”

“I remember.”

“They were terrified of you.”

“I wasn’t doing anything.”

“You were sitting there looking intimidating.”

“I was drinking wine.”

“Exactly.”

I smiled at her. “I’d like to do that again someday.”

Claire tilted her head. “Wine tasting?”

“Anything.” I paused. “With you.”

Her smile became softer.

“Me too.”

And for a few seconds, the future didn’t feel frightening.

It felt possible.

After lunch, we discovered that the restaurant’s private suites were available upstairs.

Claire looked at me.

…and I looked at her.

Neither of us said anything, but the decision was made without words.

We stayed. The past several weeks had taught me to appreciate each and every night spent outside a hospital.

And tonight, just like the last night Claire and I spent together in her apartment, there was no courtroom. No reporters, no Eva.

Just us.

We spent the evening talking, laughing and holding each other.

And eventually, conversation gave way to something deeper again. Something the both of us now yearned for.

By the time we finally settled into bed, Claire’s body remained curled against mine.

I pressed a kiss against her forehead as she smiled sleepily.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” She whispered back.

I closed my eyes, willing myself to drift off to sleep without thinking about tomorrow.