By the time I reached the driveway, Eva was already being helped into the car, one hand pressed dramatically to her stomach, the other holding onto Lucian.

Lucian didn’t wait for me.

He didn’t look half as composed as he used to. That is when I realized that he was scared_ for the baby, of course. And for her.

Nobody else mattered in that moment. Not even me.

I stood by the sidelines, clutching the divorce papers to my chest, as the car sped away.

No one asked if I was coming.

No one looked back.

I arrived at the hospital half an hour later.

Eva lay on the bed, pale and fragile, surrounded by machines and nurses.

Lucian stood by her side, his hand never leaving hers. Sometimes he stroked her cheek, other times he looked deep into her eyes and reassured her that everything would be okay.

I looked away, pretending not to see it. Convincing myself that it didn’t matter— I was being discarded anyways.

Lucian spoke to a nurse, asking questions and absorbing every word she said, like it mattered more than anything else in the world.

I stood near the wall, invisible.

A doctor finally emerged. He was blonde, middle aged and composed. Too composed.

“She’s fine,” the doctor announced. “There’s no sign of distress. The baby is unharmed.”

Lucian heaved a sigh of relief, his shoulders loosening for the first time since I’d arrived.

Eva whimpered dramatically, pressing herself closer to Lucian.

“I was so scared,” she whispered loud enough to be heard. “I thought I was losing the baby.”

Lucian took her hand, then kissed the back of her palm gently.

Just like he used to do to me in the early years of our marriage.

“I won’t let anything happen to you. Or the baby.” He reassured her. “It’s over now.”

Over.

As if nothing had happened.

As if my name hadn’t been dragged through the mud an hour ago.

As if I hadn’t been accused of something so… unthinkable.

The doctor murmured something about stress and adequate care, then stepped away.

No ultrasound machine, no screen, no heartbeat.

Just words spoken too quickly to be questioned.

Lucian finally turned to me then. His eyes were cold and harsh.

He had never looked at me with so much rage and hatred before. But things were different now. He didn’t care about me anymore_ only Eva. And his heir.

“This cannot happen again,” he warned, staring me down.

I blinked. “Lucian, I—”

He raised a hand, cutting me short. “I don’t care what you were trying to do,” Lucian said, his voice ringing out clearly through the room. “I don’t care what you say happened. From now on, you stay away from Eva.”

The nurses exchanged awkward, gossipy glances, and from the corner of my eyes, I could see Eva’s lips curve into a smile.

“I didn’t poison her,” I said, my voice shaking despite myself. “You know I wouldn’t—”

“Enough. You’ve caused enough trouble.” Lucian said. His tone was sharp. Final.

“If there’s one more incident like this, I won’t spare you.” He warned.

There was no love in Lucian’s eyes when he looked at me. No restraint when he pointed in my face and yelled harsh words.

As if I were the enemy.

“Come with me.”

Margot and I sat in her car, with the engine running, warming my cold, numb hands.

My lips parted several times, words begging to escape.

“I didn’t poison her.” I blurted out suddenly.

Surely, Margot didn’t understand me. But she didn’t look surprised either.

“I know.” She said softly.

I didn’t tell her everything. I couldn’t.

But I told her enough. I told her about Eva and the pregnancy. About the divorce papers in my pocket. About the prenuptial agreement that would surely leave me stranded.

Margot listened without interrupting.

When I finished saying the much I could, Margot exhaled slowly.

“I’m expanding my firm,” she said. “I need people who understand how power works.”

I frowned, shaking my head. “I don’t think I’m in any state to—”

“You’re exactly in the state,” Margot cut in gently. “You graduated top of your class. And you’ve been linked to Dhark holdings for years, you’ve observed how power works. You understand better than anyone, what it does to those beneath it.” She explained.

“I believe you would be a great addition to my legal team, Claire.” She met my eyes, then smiled softly. “You should apply.”

I looked at her, my mouth slightly agape.

“But Lucian—-“

“Your husband and Ms. Sterling cannot destroy what they cannot control.” Margot stated firmly. “Your mind is capable. And it is the one thing that cannot be taken from you. This is your decision to make.”

As I walked out of Margot Sinclair’s car, I felt something unfamiliar stir in my chest.

Hope.

For the first time since the betrayal, a door had been opened. One that had nothing to do with Lucian.