The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 80

EIGHTY CLAIRE’S POV

I stood in front of the mirror longer than necessary.

The dress I had chosen was simple. Elegant, but not excessive. Something appropriate for dinner. Something that didn’t demand attention, but didn’t hide either.

I adjusted the sleeve slightly, then stilled.

For a moment, I just looked at my reflection.

Composed.

Put together.

Ready.

At least, that was what it was supposed to look like.

My gaze lingered a second longer, searching for something I couldn’t quite name. Then my attention shifted-subtle, unintentional-to the perfume bottle sitting on the table beside me.

I reached for it automatically.

Paused.

And just like that, the memory came back.

Lucian.

Our first date.

I could still remember the way he had looked at me that night. Not casually. Not politely. Intently. As if I was the only thing in the room worth paying attention to.

I had felt it then-certainty.

There had been no hesitation.

No second-guessing.

Everything about that night had felt… effortless.

I lowered my hand slowly, the perfume bottle untouched.

The woman in the mirror wasn’t that girl anymore.

And this-

this didn’t feel effortless.

I exhaled quietly, stepping back.

1/7

⚫25 Bonus

Not insignificant-but not overwhelming.

The space felt… livable.

Warm in a quiet, understated way. The light came in through wide windows, settling naturally across the floors. It wasn’t trying to be anything more than what it was.

And for the first time that day-

I could see myself there.

I walked further inside, taking it in slowly.

No echoes of anything.

No memories attached.

Just space.

Mine.

I stopped near the center of the room, turning slightly.

“This one,” I said.

Nathaniel didn’t question it.

Didn’t suggest we look at more options.

He just nodded.

“Okay.”

The agent excused herself to make a call, leaving us alone in the apartment.

Silence settled easily.

Not uncomfortable.

Just… still.

I moved toward the window, my fingers brushing lightly against the frame as I looked out

It felt different.

Standing there.

Knowing that this-whatever came next-was entirely mine to shape.

Behind me, Nathaniel spoke.

4/7

GATY OLARES POV

“Why did you cancel dinner?”

I didn’t turn immediately.

Of course he would ask.

Of course he wouldn’t let it go unanswered.

I faced him slowly.

“I’m not ready.”

The words came out steady. Certain.

Not defensive.

Just true.

He watched me, waiting.

“I don’t want to start something when I’m still… somewhere else,” I continued.

A quiet pause.

“I don’t want to take something with potential and begin it at the wrong time.”

His gaze didn’t waver.

“I’d rather start clean,” I added. “When my head isn’t still tied to everything I just left behind.”

Silence followed.

Not heavy.

Not strained.

Just thoughtful.

Nathaniel nodded once.

“I’m not in a hurry.”

Something in my chest eased slightly at that.

“Good things don’t get ruined by waiting,” he added. “They get ruined by rushing.”

I held his gaze for a moment.

There was no pressure in him.

No expectation.

No demand.

+25 Bonus

5/7

Just patience.

And that-

that mattered more than anything he could have said.

+25 Bonus

We stepped out of the apartment a few minutes later, arrangements already being discussed, details moving into place.

For the first time since everything ended-

I felt like I was stepping into something that belonged entirely to me.

Not inherited.

Not shared.

Chosen.

My phone rang just as we reached the building entrance.

Unknown number.

I hesitated for a fraction of a second, then answered.

“Hello?”

“Good afternoon, Ms… Claire.”

I stilled slightly at the deliberate correction.

“Yes?”

“I’m calling from Harrow & Finch Financial Services.”

My grip on the phone tightened just a fraction.

“Alright.”

There was a brief pause on the other end.

“We’ve received a transfer request made in your name.”

My brows drew together slightly. “I didn’t request any transfer.”

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