The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 278

Two days later, Lucian was finally discharged.

I had never seen anyone look so pleased about leaving a hospital.

“You’re smiling,” I pointed out as I watched him sign the final discharge papers.

“I’ve been trapped in here for almost two weeks.” He replied.

“You’ve been recovering from a gunshot wound and a stab wound.” I stated.

“Exactly.”

“That doesn’t make you sound any less dramatic.”

Lucian gave me a look.

And despite myself, I still smiled.

He looked better— so much better than he had when I’d first seen him lying unconscious in that hospital bed.

There was still a sling supporting his injured shoulder, and the stitches along his side remained, hidden beneath his clothes, but the color had returned to his face.

He was standing on his own now, walking without assistance.

And, most importantly, he was going home.

Camilla stood beside me, holding a small bag containing some of his belongings.

The moment the doctor finished speaking, she began repeating his instructions as though she were personally responsible for enforcing them.

“No gym.” She stated.

Lucian sighed.

She continued. “No heavy lifting, and no working late.”

Lucian sighed, then looked at me.

I raised both hands. “Don’t look at me. I agree with her.”

“And no driving for now,” Camilla added.

Lucian stared at her. “I have a driver.”

“Exactly.” She retorted. “You need to remember that.”

The doctor gave him one last look. “Take it easy, Mr. Dhark. You’re doing well, but you must remember that you’re not fully recovered yet.”

Lucian nodded. “I understand.”

I almost laughed.

He ‘understood.’ Whether he intended to obey was another matter entirely.

We eventually made our way out of the hospital.

As we walked out of the exit door, I expected Lucian to head toward the car that would take him back to the mansion.

Instead, he stopped beside me.

“Come with me.” He said.

I frowned. “I am coming with you.”

“To the mansion.”

My expression changed before I even finished processing it.

“Oh.” I said.

Lucian watched me carefully.

I knew exactly what he was doing. “You’re coming home with me.”

“I have my own home.”

“I know.”

“I have work.”

“You have two weeks before the next hearing.”

“I still have work.”

“You’ve been working nonstop.”

“I like working.”

“You also like pretending you’re not exhausted.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That is completely unrelated.”

Lucian smiled, but I knew he wasn’t giving up just yet. “Come home with me, Claire.”

I looked at Camilla, who had suddenly become very interested in the hospital corridor.

Traitor.

“Camilla?”

She smiled innocently. “I think it would be nice to have you back at the mansion, Claire.”

“Of course you do.”

She might have testified against Lucian in court during our legal battle, but in times like this, she would always take his side.

It was endearing to say the least.

Lucian chuckled.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “I’ll visit.”

“Today.”

“Another day.”

“Today.” He insisted.

“Lucian.”

“Claire.”

I stared at him.

He stared right back.

It was ridiculous how stubborn he could be. What was even more ridiculous is how I still got butterflies from staring at him too long.

I finally sighed. “Fine.”

His smile widened.

I pointed a finger at him. “But I’m only staying for a little while.”

“Of course.”

“And don’t think you’re going to convince me to stay overnight.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He said, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.

I narrowed my eyes.

Lucian looked entirely too pleased with himself.

“You’re lying.” I accused.

“Probably.”

I shook my head as we walked toward the exit. “I think you just kidnapped me.”

Lucian laughed. “You came with me willingly.”

“Under false pretenses.”

“You knew where we were going.”

I gave a small, humorless laugh. “And then the last time I was there…”

I didn’t need to finish. We both remembered the crash vividly.

The destruction, the screams, the hospital.

Pain flashed across his expression. “Claire.”

“I know it wasn’t the mansion’s fault.”

“I know.”

“But sometimes places hold memories.” I stated.

Again, Lucian nodded slowly. “I know.”

For several seconds, all I could hear was the quiet sound of the car moving along the road.

Then Lucian spoke. “I should never have brought Eva into our home.”

I looked at him.

His voice was low. “I should never have allowed her to treat you that way.” He said. “I should never have watched you cook for her.”

His eyes met mine, dark orbs against dark orbs. “I should have protected you.”

I didn’t say anything.

“I was your husband,” he continued. “And I failed you.” His voice cracked slightly on the last word.

“I failed you in ways I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for.”

I squeezed his hand.

I wanted to tell him something reassuring, I wanted to tell him not to blame himself. I wanted to tell him it wasn’t his fault.

But I knew that wouldn’t be entirely true.

Lucian shook his head. “No. Let me say this.”

I remained silent.

“I can’t change what happened.” He said.

“I know.”

“I can’t take away the nights you cried.” He looked down at our hands. “I can’t take away the humiliation or erase the divorce papers. I can’t erase the crash either.”

His voice became quieter. “But I can spend the rest of my life making sure I never become that man again.”

My eyes stung with tears.

Lucian continued. “I don’t expect you to forget.” He looked at me. “I just hope one day you’ll forgive me.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything.

All I did was move closer, and rest my head against his chest.

His good arm immediately wrapped carefully around me.

Protectively.

I could feel his heartbeat, steady beneath my cheek.

For a few moments, neither of us spoke.

And somehow, that silence said everything I couldn’t.

Then eventually, the car slowed.

I lifted my head to look through the window.

My stomach tightened as I caught sight of the familiar gates.

We were at the Dhark mansion.