The Wife he threw Away (Claire and Lucian) novel Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN_ Claire’s POV

I was alone in the guest sitting room when the broadcast began.

I stood static, in front of the television. My nerves simply wouldn’t let me sit.

Lucian appeared on the screen, standing behind a podium, framed by microphones and flashing

cameras.

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My chest tightened the moment the camera turned to Eva, who was standing beside him.

She looked regal, in a gorgeous red dress and perfect makeup.

Even I could admit that they looked perfect together.

I

In fact, it looked like they had rehearsed this moment in private, before today.

Lucian spoke first.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice.”

His voice was calm, his tone controlled. It was the same voice he used in boardrooms, when it was time

to make irreversible decisions.

“I’ll be brief.” He said.

I wrapped my arms around myself, bracing for the impact of his next words.

“As you all know, recent developments in my personal life have attracted public attention…”

I knew what was coming. But it didn’t stop my heart from pounding rapidly in my chest.

“Claire and I have mutually agreed to separate.”

Mutually.

The word landed like a slap, evoking a kind of pain I wasn’t sure I’ve felt before.

We had never agreed on anything.

“This decision was made with consideration for everyone involved.”

Eva shifted beside him, her hand resting over her stomach. Her smile was immaculate, like the star she was. Like a woman who had just won a contest.

Then a reporter asked about the pregnancy.

“Yes.” Lucian answered in a beat.

No hesitation, not even an attempt to feign empathy.

“Eva is expecting my child.”

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Eva inhaled softly, as if she needed strength.

Lucian continued. “My priority is ensuring a stable environment for my family.”

Family.

I wasn’t part of that word.

I hadn’t been for a long time.

Another reporter raised an unexpected question.

“Is Mrs. Dhark in support of this arrangement?”

I noticed Lucian’s jaw tighten.

“She understands the circumstances.” Lucian answered evenly. “We are handling this privately and respectfully.”

Handling this privately?

I almost laughed.

Eva stepped forward then, taking the spotlight without being invited- true to her character.

“I never wanted this to become public.” She spoke gently.

Liar.

“But I believe honesty matters.” Her voice softened even further.

“This pregnancy was unexpected. But it’s also a great blessing.”

Cameras flashed explosively. Her eyes gleamed under the lights- Eva basked under spotlight.

“I’ve always admired Lucian’s sense of responsibility,” she continued. “His commitment to doing what’s right even when it’s difficult.”

Lucian placed a hand on her back.

The gesture was intimate but familiar. Almost like it had been practiced.

That’s when a reporter asked how this situation had affected her personally.

Eva paused.

It appeared like she was thinking of how to answer the question, but I knew that wasn’t the case.

She was hesitating long enough to appear vulnerable.

“Honestly, it’s been emotionally taxing.” She said quietly, lowering her eyes and shaking her head. “I’m carrying a child, and stress isn’t good for the both of us. I think the most important thing is protecting

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our peace. For the baby.” She added.

Lucian nodded beside her, in agreement.

“I won’t allow unnecessary conflict to harm my family.” He spoke firmly.

Unnecessary conflict.

Of course, that was all I was now.

One of the reporters pressed further.

“Are you implying Mrs. Dhark has been difficult during the separation?” He asked.

I felt my heart drop.

The answer to that question could destroy my image. Lucian knew that. And so did Eva.

For a split second, Lucian looked like he might speak.

But Eva beat him to it.

“No one is to blame.” She said gently. “These situations are complicated and emotions run high.”

Then she looked directly into the camera. “I only hope everyone involved chooses dignity.”

I knew she was speaking to me. Everyone watching the broadcast knew it too.

I stared back at the screen, seeing my reflection faintly hovering over her face.

Eva had subtly painted me as a difficult, desperate woman.

Lucian didn’t correct her. He didn’t defend me. He didn’t even say my name once.

“This is all we’ll be sharing.” He concluded stiffly.

And just like that, it was over.

The screen cut to commentary. Headlines began forming right before my eyes.

DHARK HEIR ANNOUNCES SEPARATION

ACTRESS EXPECTING CHILD, SEEKS PRIVACY

WIFE SILENT AMID SCANDAL

I turned the television off.

The room felt too quiet.

I sat there for a long time, staring at my hands, replaying every word in my head- every deliberate pause, every omission of the truth.

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Mutually agreed.

Stability.

Dignity.

Lucian hadn’t insulted me, neither had he blamed me for the situation.

No, he had done something far worse- he had erased me.

And for the first time, I understood something terrifying.

This wasn’t just about divorce anymore.

This was about rewriting history. It was about control.

And if I didn’t fight back now, I wouldn’t just lose my marriage, I would lose my name.

My phone vibrated beside me.

Margot Sinclair was calling.

I answered at once, without speaking.

“I saw it.” Margot started. “That wasn’t a press conference. That was positioning.”

I swallowed. “He made it sound mutual.”

“Yes, because miss Sterling understands how powerful public opinion is.” Margot stated.

She paused and for a moment, neither of us said anything.

“They’ve officially escalated this,” she added. “They’re changing the public narrative, creating image

warfare.”

I closed my eyes, letting the weight of her words settle.

“You did the right thing by not reacting,” Margot said. “Now listen to me carefully; from this point on, you

don’t move without me.”

I exhaled shakily. My heart was pounding loudly in my chest.

“And Claire?” she added, her voice sharpening just slightly. “You are not silent anymore. You are strategic.”

She hung up.

I sat there, staring into space.

Eva believed she had cornered me.

She had no idea she’d just forced me to fight back.

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AINTY CRAIG POW

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