The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 291

The moment Laurel dropped me at the Dhark mansion, I knew something was different.

The house was too quiet.

Usually, there was always someone moving around.

A housekeeper, a security guard, sometimes just someone carrying something through the halls.

Tonight, there was nothing.

I stepped inside.

“Hello?”

No answer.

I frowned.

“Camilla?” I called again.

Still nothing.

I turned toward the living room.

It was empty.

My heart suddenly began to beat faster.

I took another careful step. “Lucian?”

“I’m here.”

I jumped.

I turned around to see Lucian, standing at the end of the hallway.

And smiled.

The moment I saw him, something inside me loosened.

He walked toward me.

“You’re late.”

“I know.”

His eyes moved over me.

“You okay?”

I nodded.

“I’m fine.”

His gaze lingered on my face.

“You don’t look fine.”

I smiled.

“I’m just tired.”

He seemed unconvinced.

But instead of questioning me, he reached for my hand.

“Come with me.”

“Where?”

“You’ll see.”

He led me toward the terrace.

The moment I stepped outside, I stopped.

I couldn’t speak.

The entire terrace had been transformed.

Candles flickered across the table.

Soft lights hung around the edges.

The table was beautifully arranged for two.

There were flowers everywhere.

And in the center of it all sat the largest bouquet I had ever seen.

White roses.

My favorite.

I stared at everything.

Then at Lucian.

“What is this?”

He smiled.

“Dinner.”

“I can see that.”

He laughed softly.

“I wanted to do something nice for you.”

I looked around again.

“Where is everyone?”

“I gave them the night off.”

“You did?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted you all to myself.”

My lips curved into a smile.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I’ve been told.”

I walked toward the flowers.

There were so many that I could barely see the vase beneath them.

I touched one gently.

“You bought all these?”

“I did.”

“Why?”

Lucian shrugged.

“No special reason.”

I looked at him.

He stepped closer.

“You’ve had a difficult few months, Claire.”

“Then help me understand.”

I smiled.

“You’re making it very difficult not to cry again.”

“Then cry.”

He kissed my forehead.

“You’ve spent enough time pretending you’re strong around everyone else.”

His hand remained against my cheek.

“You don’t have to do that with me.”

I closed my eyes.

That was exactly what I needed to hear.

I leaned into his touch.

And then I remembered the photograph.

The fear.

The hospital.

The tiny image waiting inside my bag.

My heart began pounding again. But this time, it wasn’t from fear.

I stepped away from Lucian.

His eyebrows furrowed with confusion. “What is it?”

I reached into my bag. My fingers touched the ultrasound photograph immediately.

I held it tightly.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

His expression immediately changed. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” I shook my head. “Nothing is wrong.”

I pulled the photograph out.

Lucian looked at it—then at me.

“What is this?”

I smiled, trying to blink back the tears that were already gathering in my eyes.

“Something I’ve been waiting my whole life to see,” I answered.

He stared at the photograph, but I could tell he still didn’t understand.

Or perhaps he did, but was just having a hard time grasping it all.

I took a step closer, and placed it in his hand.

“Lucian…”

His eyes lifted to mine.

“We’re having a baby.”

For a moment, he didn’t move. He didn’t blink. He didn’t even seem to breathe.

Lucian looked down at the ultrasound, then back at me.

“What?”

My smile trembled. “We’re having a baby.”