The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 38

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT CLAIRE’S POV

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Inside, the lobby got quiet the moment people recognized us. Heads turned, conversations stopped.

Lucian followed me toward the conference floor. 1

“You’ve adjusted quickly,” he said lightly as we walked. “Sinclair&co suits you.”

“I’m not here for aesthetics.” I retorted.

“No,” he murmured. “You’re not.”

After a moment, he spoke again. Casually this time. “I underestimated you,”

I glanced at him, then shrugged. “That seems to be a pattern.”

His jaw tightened just slightly.

When we reached the conference room, Lucian let me walk through the doors first.

The lawyers inside visibly paused when we walked in together.

Margot’s brows lifted before she could mask her shock.

I moved toward her instantly and whispered, “Car trouble.”

Understanding flickered in her eyes immediately.

Lucian took his seat at the head of the opposing side.

And then I saw him.

Nathaniel Vale sat across from me.

Charcoal suit, silver watch, a legal pad placed perfectly with the edge of the table.

Nothing about Nathaniel was careless.

He looked up and our eyes met.

Brown orbs against brown orbs.

There was no surprise, only assessment.

He rose smoothly to his feet.

“Ms. Moreau,” he greeted.

Professional.

I matched his tone. “Mr. Vale.”

Lucian’s gaze shifted between us.

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ROSSIN POHL CLAIRES POV

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He hadn’t known that Nathaniel and I knew each other.

I watched as the realization settled in him quietly.

I didn’t bother to clarify.

Instead, I took my seat, placed my own file on the table, and folded my hands calmly in front of me.

Across the glass walls of the conference room, the city moved as usual.

But inside these walls, the war had changed shape.

The mediator entered moments later, and everyone in the room stood briefly before settling again.

Preliminary procedural remarks were made and timelines were confirmed.

Then Nathaniel began.

He did not rush.

“Our position,” he said evenly, “is that this is a straightforward contractual enforcement matter. The prenuptial agreement was entered voluntarily, with full legal representation. Marital breakdown, while unfortunate, does not invalidate binding terms.” 2

His tone was calm, almost academic.

He did not look at me while speaking. Actually, he acted like I wasn’t even there at all.

He framed the entire dispute as structure, not betrayal. Not damage.

Very good.

Margot waited until he finished before responding.

“With respect,” she said coolly, “the issue before the court is not emotional dissatisfaction. It is informed consent. My client entered that agreement under representations that materially shaped her

understanding of the marriage’s foundation.”

Nathaniel’s pen moved once across the page as Margot continued speaking.

“We intend to examine the timeline of decisions made regarding succession planning, marital expectations, and third-party involvement prior to the alleged breakdown.”

There it was. Not explicit- at least not yet- but deliberate.

Just the slightest hint that we would use the affair with Eva against Lucian in court.

Lucian remained still.

Nathaniel’s pen paused briefly on the page.

Again, he did not look at me. He looked at Lucian instead. Questioningly.

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VRTY NIGHT CLAIRES POV

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It lasted less than a second- he was a professional after all- but I noticed.

I remembered Nathaniel’s weaknesses and mannerisms just as he remembered mine.

Lucian met his gaze evenly. Unblinking.

That’s when I understood that Nathaniel might not know everything.

Nathaniel spoke again, tone unchanged. “Counsel will need to demonstrate relevance for any further discovery requests.”

Not refusal, not acceptance.

Margot inclined her head. “We intend to.”

The mediator asked about scope.

Margot was precise.

Requests for communications relating to marital planning, and correspondence regarding heirs.

Nathaniel objected only where necessary.

Cleanly, and without theatrics.

Lucian remained silent- until he didn’t.

“This is turning into spectacle,” he said abruptly.

The room shifted.

For the first time, he had not spoken through counsel, he had spoken as himself.

That was unconventional.

I knew it was bound to happen- I knew Lucian more than everyone in the room.

He could never stay contained for long. He liked being in control. And the moment he felt control slipping from him, he got uncomfortable. Irritated. That was his flaw.

Nathaniel’s head turned slightly toward him.

“My client’s position is that relevance must be defined to preserve the integrity of these proceedings.” Nathaniel said smoothly, taking over again.

Lucian leaned back in his seat.

But something had slipped, and everyone had seen it.

The mediator concluded scheduling adjustments and adjourned.

Chairs moved as everyone started gathering their papers and exiting the room.

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NIS RIGHT CLARES POW

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The formal tension dissolved slowly into the strategic quiet that followed the end of every important meeting.

I closed my file slowly, aware of movement near me before I looked up.

Nathaniel had stepped closer.

Not intimate, not inappropriate.

Just private enough to avoid unnecessary ears.

“You’ve adjusted your strategy,” he said quietly.

“So have you.” I replied pointedly.

“Emotion rarely survives litigation.” Nathaniel spoke his favorite principle.

“Neither does reputation.” I countered.

He studied me for a moment. “You’re not here to settle,” he observed.

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