The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 48

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT CLAIRE’S POV

The courtroom stayed quiet long after Camilla finished speaking.

“I saw things that made Mrs. Dhark very unhappy.”

The words still hung in the air. Goosebumps rose on my skin.

Every person in the room seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for what would come next.

Across the aisle, Nathaniel stood very still beside Lucian.

I watched him intensely.

For the first time since the hearing began, something in his composure had shifted-just slightly. He had covered up his confusion in a second, but I had seen it. And I’m pretty sure Margot had seen it too.

Margot rose slowly beside me.

“Yes, Your Honor,” she said calmly.

Nathaniel turned toward her as she stepped forward, her heels echoing softly across the courtroom floor.

“Camilla,” she started gently, “you mentioned seeing things that troubled you.”

Camilla nodded faintly.

Margot paused for a moment, letting the silence stretch. This was the moment she had been waiting for.

“Were those things connected to the articles that began appearing about Mr. Dhark and another woman?”

Nathaniel stood immediately. “Objection, Your Honor!” He called. “Counsel is leading the witness.”

His tone was composed, procedural. He didn’t sound defensive-he sounded like he was falling back to a routine courtroom discipline. It was the smartest thing to do in that moment. And the only thing he could do anyways.

The judge considered for only a moment.

“The witness has already indicated that she observed troubling behavior. I’ll allow limited questioning.” He dismissed Nathaniel’s objection.

Nathaniel nodded once and sat down again, but I saw the change in him now.

His focus sharpened.

He hadn’t expected this, I could see it.

Margot turned back toward the stand.

“Camilla,” she continued, “do you remember when the first articles about Mr. Dhark and another woman appeared in the press?”

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“Yes.” Camilla’s voice was quiet, but steady. “I remember.”

Margot gestured lightly.

“Tell the court what happened in the house when those articles came out.”

Camilla clasped her hands together tightly.

“At first… Mrs. Dhark didn’t believe them.”

My chest tightened all over again, just like it had when I had first seen those pictures. The memory hit harder hearing it spoken out loud.

“She wanted to believe that the articles were lies. Rumors.” Camilla paused again. “She was devastated.”

Margot nodded. “And what happened after that?”

Camilla looked down briefly before answering.

“Mr. Dhark stopped coming home as often. He stayed away for days sometimes,” she continued. “Mrs. Dhark would wait for him.”

I stared down at the table in front of me, trying to hold back the tears gathering in my eyes.

I remembered those nights too clearly.

Margot asked gently, “Did anything else happen during that time?”

“Yes.” Camilla nodded. “There was an argument.”

Now she had everyone’s undivided attention.

“A loud one,” she continued. “I heard it from the hallway.”

Margot let the silence settle before asking the next question. “And after that?”

“After that… the other woman came to the house.”

A ripple of whispers spread through the room.

Nathaniel didn’t move, but I could see his attention sharpening even further.

Margot remained calm. “Did you know who that woman was?”

“Yes.” Camilla answered. “Her name is Eva Sterling.”

The name moved through the courtroom like a spark. Everyone’s interest was ignited.

Margot continued. “What happened when Ms. Sterling Came to the house?”

Camilla’s expression tightened slightly. “She moved into the house.”

My fingers curled tightly against the edge of the table.

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Margot spoke again. “While Mrs. Dhark was still living there?”

“Yes.” Camilla answered without hesitation.

A murmur spread through the gallery again, louder this time.

Even the judge’s interest sharpened from what I could tell.

Camilla continued slowly. “The house changed after that.”

Margot tilted her head slightly to the left. “How so?”

Camilla looked toward me briefly, then started speaking again. “The rooms began to be reorganized.”

“For what purpose?” Margot asked.

“For the baby.”

The entire courtroom went completely still.

Margot didn’t look surprised. “Whose baby?” she asked, louder this time.

Camilla swallowed. “Mr. Dhark’s… and Eva’s.”

Nathaniel shifted slightly beside Lucian, his eyes darting towards him briefly.

It was subtle, but noticeable.

Margot took a few steps closer to the stand. “And during this time,” she asked, “where was Mrs. Dhark living?”

“In the house.”

“And how was she treated?”

“She was…” Camilla trailer. “She was pushed aside.”

I felt my throat tighten.

“She was given chores,” Camilla continued quietly. “Tasks she had never been asked to do before.”

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