The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 296

To my surprise, Nathaniel showed up at my office later that afternoon.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I looked up from my computer, and a grin took over my face.

He held up a small paper bag. “I come bearing gifts.”

I stared at it. “What kind?”

“Food.”

I smiled. “You’re bringing me food?”

“I assume you’re going to need it now.”

I froze—then a smile formed very slowly.

His eyebrows rose.

“How did you know?” I asked.

He stared at me.

I laughed, instinctively placing one hand on my stomach. “I haven’t told you yet.”

I watched Nathaniel’s green eyes go wide.

“You’re pregnant?”

I nodded.

His face broke into the biggest smile. “Oh my God, Claire.”

He walked toward me. “Claire!”

He hugged me very tightly.

I laughed. “Careful!”

Nathaniel immediately loosened his arms. “Sorry.” Then he looked at me suspiciously. “Wait a minute.”

I frowned. “What?”

He pointed at my stomach. “How do we know it’s not mine?”

I stared at him for a second. “Nathaniel.”

He burst out laughing. “I’m kidding!”

“You’re horrible.”

“I had to.”

I shook my head, laughing.

“Congratulations,” he said, his voice becoming even more sincere.

“I’m really happy for you.” He added.

I smiled. “Thank you, Nathaniel. That means a lot.”

“No, seriously.” His expression softened. “I’m so happy for you, Claire. I know you’ve always wanted this more than anything.”

Something about the way he said it touched me.

There was no bitterness. No sadness. Nothing complicated.

Just happiness.

I smiled.

“Thank you.”

Then I pointed at him.

“But you can’t tell anyone.”

He raised his hand.

“Your secret is safe with me.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

I nodded.

“Good.”

He sat down across from me.

“So…”

He smiled.

“I’m going to be Uncle Nathaniel.”

I laughed.

“Don’t get too excited.”

“Too late.”

We talked for a while.

Eventually, I asked about his sister.

“How’s your elder sister?” I asked.

Nathaniel’s sister, Maureen, had been nothing but nice to me when we dated. But she’d been mad at me after the breakup, and honestly I couldn’t blame her.

“She’s good.” He answered.

Security had checked it.

Everything was fine.

Still, I stood beside it for a moment before getting inside.

I placed my bag on the passenger seat.

Then I sat down.

The silence inside the car felt peaceful.

I rested both hands over my stomach.

My mind wandered—from Lucian, to Margot and even Nathaniel.

Then finally, it settled on the baby. On Lucian and I’s future.

I wondered what our child would look like.

Would they have Lucian’s eyes? My smile? Perhaps even his stubbornness?

Hopefully not.

I laughed softly just before another thought came to me.

What if it was a girl?

I imagined a little girl with dark hair and bright eyes.

A little girl running through the mansion, holding my hand, calling Lucian Daddy.

My heart melted at the thought alone.

I smiled.

“Elena.”

The name came to me naturally—perhaps because I’d heard it so many times already.

Lucian’s mother.

I said it again. “Elena Dhark.”

I rested my hand over my stomach. If I was carrying a girl, that was what I wanted to call her.

Elena Dhark.

I smiled to myself.

Maybe it was too early to choose a name. Maybe everything could still change.

But for once, I didn’t mind dreaming too far ahead. I had spent so many years of my life preparing myself for things to go wrong.

Now, I wanted to prepare myself for everything that could go right.