The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 30

CHAPTER THIRTY_CLAIRE’S POV

A knock sounded on my door.

I already knew who it was.

I had learnt everything about him- from his perfume, to his favorite tie and even the way he knocked on doors.

“Come in.” I said with a sigh.

Lucian entered, then closed the door behind him. His presence filled the room immediately – the quiet authority that followed him everywhere. Authority no one dared challenge- not even me.

His gaze moved over me quickly, assessing my face.

“You came home late.” He said, voice low.

“I was working.” I simply replied.

After all, our marriage was hanging by a legal thread- I didn’t owe him any explanations.

Lucian nodded once, but something tense lingered beneath the gesture.

“We need to talk.”

I almost rolled my eyes.

In my experience, conversations that start with “we need to talk” do not end well.

I leaned against the dresser, waiting for him to start speaking.

J

Lucian exhaled slowly, as if he were choosing between truth and emotion.

“You assured me that you would sign the papers by the end of the week.” He said.

There it was.

“We had an agreement; I reinstated your access, and the board approved your position. I upheld my side. of the deal.”

His voice hardened. “I expect you to uphold yours.”

I watched him carefully, whilst wondering what I could possibly say to him. How could I keep stalling?

“I haven’t decided yet.” I replied, jutting my chin forward, waiting for whatever argument was going to

ensue.

Lucian’s expression transformed. First it was disbelief. Then irritation, which sharpened into anger.

“That wasn’t the arrangement, Claire.” He scowled.

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“I know.” I replied haughtily.

I could’ve been polite. I could’ve apologized for breaching the terms of our agreement.

But I’d grown to realize that while fighting a man like Lucian, softness was weakness.

“Then why are you reconsidering now?” His voice rose. “Do you understand what delaying this divorce means? Legal complications. The media is already speculating all sorts of nonsense!” 1

“I just need time.” I replied flatly.

“Time for what?” He snapped.

I held his gaze.

“For myself.”

Silence stretched between us again.

Lucian ran a hand through his hair, evidently frustrated.

“This isn’t emotional negotiation,” he stated. “This is reality. Dragging this out benefits no one. In fact, dragging it out only creates more problems.”

I didn’t argue.

Didn’t defend myself.

And somehow, that seemed to anger him more.

Before he could continue, his phone vibrated sharply in his hand.

He glanced down, the irritation still visible – then he frowned.

I saw the name on his phone. His assistant had sent him a message- a link.

He opened it.

I watched his expression change almost immediately. Whatever that link contained… it wasn’t good.

“What is it?” I asked, rising to my feet immediately.

He didn’t answer at once. Instead, he turned the screen slightly toward me.

It was an article.

Photos from tonight’s charity event had already gone viral.

Eva stood in the center of every picture, elegant and radiant, surrounded by donors and fellow actresses.

The headlines and comments praised her philanthropy, her worldwide influence, and her “commitment to family legacy.”

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Lucian appeared beside her in several images. They were the epitome of a perfect pair.

And then I saw it.

One photograph captured a candid moment near the terrace.

Guests were laughing, while Eva stood, speaking to reporters.

Lucian stood beside her.

And me? I was in the background, holding a tray, head slightly lowered.

The caption read:

Eva Sterling hosts intimate charity evening celebrating family as Lucian Dhark prepares for the next

chapter of his legacy.

No acknowledgment of my presence or my identity.

I could’ve as well been the help.

I felt my heart still.

At first, I felt no emotions- only clarity.

This was what they were trying to reduce me to.

Lucian looked up at me, with something in his eyes I couldn’t quite decipher.

“I didn’t approve this,” he said quietly. 2

I nodded once. “I know.” I simply said.

What else could I say to him at that point?

It didn’t matter what he did or did not approve. It was already done.

“You don’t even notice when it happens anymore,” I said softly.

His gaze snapped to mine.

“That’s not fair.”

“Isn’t it?”

He exhaled sharply. “These things are handled by media teams. Not everything is intentional.”

Exactly. That was the problem.

Lucian wasn’t cruel.

He just allowed cruelty to exist around him.

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