The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE LUCIAN’S POV

Morning arrived exactly as it always did in the Dhark mansion.

The estate around me felt orderly. Predictable. Progress was expected;

The papers would be signed soon. The media uproar would settle.

The disruptions that occurred during the past week would correct themselves, the way problems always did once the proper arrangements were enforced.

But in the midst of all my expectations, something felt… wrong.

Claire left the house just after breakfast, already dressed for work. She looked almost as composed as I did when I left for work.

She did not look toward me. Didn’t even pause for polite conversation.

For the first time in a long time, Claire made no attempt to ease tension.

I watched as the front doors opened for her, then closed again, leaving the house feeling strangely hollow behind her.

She moved through the mansion now like a guest – respectful, but no longer a part of it.

But she wasn’t hostile.

Just absent.

And for reasons I could not explain, that made me uncomfortable.

The moment i stepped foot in the office, my assistant fell behind me, following me with quick strides and a tablet, already in hand.

“The news coverage on the charity event escalated overnight, sir.” She stated.

“Handle it.” I ordered, setting my briefcase down on my desk.

“We’ve already attempted containment.” Her hesitation made me look up. “That’s the issue.”

With once swipe on her tablet, news reports filled my screen – headlines multiplying across different news outlets, faster than Dhark’s legal team could suppress them.

I skimmed through the commentary.

“Why was Lucian Dhark’s wife serving guests?”

“Was she humiliated publicly?”

“Is the marriage already over?”

The same photograph appeared again and again- Eva at the center, elegant and celebrated. I stood

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beside her. And in the background, Claire held a tray, serving guests.

Unidentified. Invisible.

Public reaction had shifted in a direction no one had anticipated- not even me.

The newfound sympathy towards Claire was shocking.

“The board is concerned,” my assistant added carefully. “They believe prolonged speculation could

affect confidence.”

Again with the damn board!

But I knew they were right. The family reputation was cracking.

And that was enough T to cause a shift in corporate perception.

For the first time, Claire’s silence was creating serious consequences.

It dawned on me that finalizing the divorce quickly was now a necessity.

Another message appeared a few moments later, from Communications. I opened it, relief already washing over me, as I expected confirmation of damage control.

But the contents of the message triggered irritation in me instead. Irritation and shock.

“She declined?” I asked.

“Yes, sir.”

My media team had requested a simple clarification from Claire today. Just a statement supporting the family, something neutral enough to dampen public speculation.

She had refused. 1

“She said she preferred not to comment,” my assistant added.

I leaned back slowly, into my chair.

The Claire I had married would have protected the Dhark name without hesitation.

She would have explained, softened the narrative_ and even absorbed blame if necessary.

This new version of her chose to be neutral.

And she knew very well, how much neutrality allowed the backlash to grow.

To the board- and to me- what Claire was doing felt dangerously close to opposition.

My phone rang.

Eva.

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“This situation is becoming unacceptable,” she said immediately I answered. “Claire’s behavior is encouraging speculation.”

I said nothing. Sometimes, allowing Eva rant to her satisfaction was more peaceful than talking to her.

“She is becoming a liability,” Eva continued. “You need to finalize the divorce immediately, Lucian! Delay only worsens things!”

Her tone remained controlled, but something beneath it felt strained. 1

“I believe you can accelerate legal proceedings, and force legal resolution for good.” Eva suggested firmly. Like it was something she had thought of, over and over again. “You are Lucian Dhark, you have all the power to make this end quickly!”

While listening carefully, I noticed something unfamiliar.

Eva sounded nervous.

I guess that’s because Claire was no longer predictable.

Because silence could not be managed.

“I’ll handle it,” I finally said, then ended the call before she could continue.

The office fell quiet again.

I stared out at the city, replaying some moments I had dismissed before. Moments when Claire was slowly revealing the woman she was becoming.

Her calm reaction to the article, her refusal to argue.

The absence of emotion when I expected resistance. Her silence when I expected her to put up a fight.

I was only starting to realize that Claire wasn’t delaying because she wanted reconciliation.

She was deciding something else.

And I did not know what.

The lack of information felt dangerously close to loss of control.

A notification from Legal appeared on my screen.

I let out an annoyed breath before I read the heading.

“Priority”

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