The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 305

The courtroom filled up slowly.

Lawyers moved between tables, court officers spoke quietly to one another, and reporters took their seats, already typing furiously on their gadgets.

Margot and I were seated side by side, while Jonathan reviewed the documents spread across the table.

I tried to focus—I really did.

But somehow, my mind kept wandering.

First to Hart, then to Eva.

The phone, the messages, Hart’s warning.

I didn’t realize when my fingers tightened around the edge of the file.

“Stop.”

I looked at Margot.

“What?”

“You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?” I asked, even though I knew exactly what she was speaking of.

She rolled her eyes. “Thinking yourself into a headache.”

I sighed in defeat, then sank deeper into the chair. “I can’t help it.”

“You can.” She tapped the file in front of me.We have evidence. We have our key witness—Hart. We have the digital records. You need to trust the work we’ve done.”

I nodded. “I do.”

“Then breathe.”

I inhaled slowly, then sat up straighter.

Before I could answer, the courtroom doors opened.

The sound immediately drew my attention.

Eva walked in.

My breath caught.

She looked… better.

At least better than the last time I’d seen her.

Her face was still slightly thinner than it had been before all of this, and there were faint shadows beneath her eyes, but she had clearly made an effort.

Her hair was styled to perfection. Her makeup was breathtaking. She wore a simple corporate outfit that somehow still managed to look expensive and striking.

Nothing about her suggested desperation.

She looked very composed—controlled, even. Almost calm.

My eyes followed her as she walked toward the defense table.

Then she stopped and looked up. She looked straight at me.

Our eyes met.

For a few seconds, neither of us could look away.

Then she smiled.

It wasn’t warm a warm smile. And it definitely wasn’t friendly.

It was a tiny curve of her lips that somehow felt more threatening than if she had just glared at me.

A chill ran down my spine.

Margot noticed. “Don’t look at her.”

I immediately looked down at my papers. “I’m not.”

“Good.”

I swallowed.

Something about her confidence made Hart’s warning seem more terrifying.

From the corner of my eyes, I watched her take a seat. Her lawyers leaned toward her and whispered something.

He was listening to Margot with great care—she was Margot Sinclair after all.

I silently said a prayer. Whatever the judge would decide about that phone could drastically change the direction of things.

Finally, he leaned back. “The court is satisfied that there is sufficient basis for the evidence to remain provisionally admitted.”

I let out a small breath of relief, though I really felt like jumping with joy.

I heard Jonathan whisper a “thank God.”

The judge continued. “Any objections concerning weight or credibility may be addressed during the appropriate stage of proceedings.”

The defense attorney turned red, but promptly took his seat.

Margot returned to our table.

I exhaled.

She leaned toward me. “They were always going to try that.”

“I know.”

“They’re scared.”

I looked toward Eva, who was sitting perfectly still.

There was no hint of fear in her expression. In fact, she didn’t even react.

Nothing.

Then her eyes found mine again.

And that tiny smile returned.

I looked away.

While I didn’t know what Eva was planning, I knew she wasn’t finished.

Not yet.

And neither was I.