The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 304

I woke before my alarm.

For several seconds, I remained completely still, staring at the ceiling.

Then I remembered what day it was.

The trial was starting again.

After two weeks of waiting, preparing and wondering what Eva Sterling would do next, we were finally going back into that courtroom.

I sat up very slowly. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach—a new habit.

There was nothing to feel yet—no movement, no bump, nothing that would tell the world that my entire life had changed.

But I knew that there was a tiny life inside me.

My baby.

Our baby.

A smile tugged at my lips before anxiety quickly swallowed it again.

But then again, what reason did I have to be anxious?

Hart Sullivan had agreed to cooperate. The phone he’d given Margot contained hundreds of messages between him and Eva, spanning across years.

We now had more evidence than we had ever even imagined we could get our hands on.

We had a witness who knew Eva better than almost anyone.

And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were walking into something dangerous.

Especially after that photograph.

The anonymous envelope containing a picture of me leaving the hospital had made one thing clear:

Someone was watching me.

Naturally, I assumed it was Eva. I mean, who else would it be?

But how could she possibly do me any harm on her own? I had spent enough time under the same room with Eva to know that she wasn’t exactly toilsome.

And Hart’s warning continued to echo in my mind.

“Something desperate.” He had said.

“A last act to ruin you.”

I pushed the thoughts away and started getting ready.

By the time I entered the dining room, Lucian was already there.

He was dressed for work, looking far more like the intimidating CEO I’d fallen in love with than the man who had spent weeks in a hospital bed.

His recovery had been remarkable.

He still wasn’t completely back to normal, but he looked stronger every day.

His eyes immediately found me.

“Good morning.”

“Morning.”

I took a seat beside him.

Breakfast had barely started when Lucian said, “You’re taking security today.”

I looked up with the speed of someone who had been stung. “No.”

He didn’t even blink. “Yes.”

“I already have security at Sinclair & Co.” I stated.

Lucian shook his head. “That’s not what I said.”

I sighed. “Lucian.”

“I’m assigning two bodyguards to you,” he spoke like he was announcing a decision to board members.

I stared at him. “Two?”

“Yes.”

I dropped my fork. “I’m not a celebrity.”

“I know.”

“Then why do I need two bodyguards?”

Lucian looked at me like I had lost my mind.

“Because someone sent you a photograph of you leaving a hospital?”

His voice had lost its teasing quality.

I looked down. “I’ll be fine.”

“No.”

“Lucian—”

“No.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m being careful.”

“I’m a lawyer.” I stated. “I go to court every day. People are going to see me, regardless.”

“Exactly.” He leaned closer. “Which means you’re constantly exposed.”

I folded my arms in front of my chest. “I don’t need two people following me everywhere.”

“You do.”

“I don’t.”

“You do.”

I stared at him.

He stared right back.

Neither of us would budge.

Finally, I groaned. “You’re such a bully.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

“A dictator.” I hissed.

“I’ll accept that too.”

“Controlling.”

Lucian shrugged. “Probably.”

“Annoying.”

He smiled. “Definitely.”

I tried not to smile back—of course it didn’t work.

“One.”

Lucian’s smile died immediately. “One what?”

I shook my head and got into the car. Somehow, I knew this was going to be a very long day.

⸻

The courthouse was already surrounded by reporters when we arrived.

The moment the car stopped, cameras started flashing from every direction.

“Claire!”

“Ms. Moreau!”

“Is Hart Sullivan testifying today?”

“Is it true he’s cooperating with the prosecution?”

“Do you believe Eva Sterling will be convicted?”

“Claire, are you and Lucian Dhark back together?”

The questions were endless—coming from every direction.

I stepped out of the car and immediately regretted it.

There were too many people. Too many cameras. Too much noise. Too much chaos.

For a moment, it felt like the ground had tilted beneath my feet.

I stopped.

My hand instinctively went toward my stomach.

“Breathe,” I whispered to myself.

Before I could steady myself, my bodyguard stepped in front of me.

“Give her some space.”

I silently thanked him as he guided me through the crowd, keeping the reporters away as much as possible, as we headed toward the entrance.

I glanced back once. The crowd was still shouting.

I finally understood why Lucian had insisted on security. Maybe one bodyguard wasn’t so ridiculous after all.

Once we were inside, I finally let myself breathe.

Margot was already waiting. Jonathan stood beside her, holding several files.

“You look pale,” Margot said, her grey eyes widening at the sight of me.

“I’m fine.”

She gave me a knowing look, but didn’t push further. “Sure.”

I smiled weakly. “I’m just a little bit overwhelmed.”

“Understandably so,” her expression softened. “But today will be difficult.”

“I know.” I glanced toward the courtroom.

People were already talking. I could hear Hart’s name being mentioned repeatedly.

The rumors had clearly spread. Everyone knew something was different about today’s hearing.

Hart Sullivan might testify. And if he did, everything could change.

For the first time since the trial began, I felt like we weren’t simply defending ourselves anymore.

We were finally going after Eva.

But somewhere in the back of my mind, I couldn’t forget one thing.

Eva’s lawyers knew it too.