The Wife He Threw Away 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 11 - 챕터 20

Shortly after Eva and Lucian left my room, the household staff cleared the ruined clothes, like they were erasing a simple mistake. I knew Eva hadn’t just wanted to stop me from going to the interview. She wanted me to go looking like a failure— just like she saw me. I stood in my closet, trailing my fingers past silk dresses and tailored pieces I hadn’t worn in months. Clothes meant to be worn beside Lucian, as Mrs. Dhark, not as Claire Moreau. I pulled out a simple, modest navy dress instead. It was plain and forgettable, not the outfit of a woman walking into her future. But it was the only thing even close to professional in my closet. When I looked in the mirror as I dressed, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me. She looked smaller. Her eyes were numb but steady. She had already survived the worst days of her life. Eva was waiting near the staircase when I stepped into the hallway, with a teacup in her hand. Her posture was perfectly relaxed, as

The house was too quiet. But not the peaceful kind of quiet, but the dreadful one. The kind of quiet that made one feel watched. I sat on my bed, staring at the unsigned divorce papers on my desk. I told myself I was waiting for stability. For a first paycheck that would let me leave without begging. But what if I never got that? What if Sinclair&co didn’t accept me? What if my image was far beyond repair? I heard footsteps approaching before I saw her. Eva entered like she owned the air itself—unbothered and composed. She glanced around the room, before her eyes landed on me. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You don’t look very optimistic.” She said, almost mockingly. “Where exactly did you apply?” The question was too casual. “I don’t see how that’s relevant,” I said, hoping to put a quick end to the conversation. Eva laughed softly. “Of course it is. I want to know how quickly you’ll fail or which idiot is willing to take you seriously.”

Lucian told me about the gala four hours before it began. "There's a charity event tonight," he said, not bothering to look at me as he adjusted his cufflinks. "We need to appear united." ‘Need’ Not ‘would you like to?’ I waited foolishly, for him to ask if I wanted to go. He didn't. I looked up from where I sat. "Will Eva be there?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Lucian hesitated before answering. "She was invited separately," he replied. “As an actress. But it makes sense for us to arrive together." The invitation, I later realized, had never been meant for me at all. It was traditionally addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Dhark. I was still his wife on paper, and that was the only reason I was invited. And it was my obligation to attend. The mansion’s staff prepared Eva openly. She stood in the sitting room while a stylist adjusted her ivory dress. Her hand rested constantly over her stomach as if she was reminding everyone why she matt

I left the mansion at the crack of dawn, before anyone noticed. No driver, no announcement, no pause at Lucian’s study door. I didn’t even tell Camilla. I didn’t want Eva asking questions I wasn’t ready to answer. And I didn’t want to watch Lucian pretend like this wasn’t happening. I was lucky enough to find a cab just outside the estate. But this time, the ride to Sinclair & Co felt different. It felt sharper, like I was walking into something that would either stabilize my future or ruin it entirely. Margot Sinclair was already there when I arrived. Her office was understated but classy in a way only real power could afford. Her space was all clean lines, glass, and silence. The kind of silence that commanded attention. As the wife of Lucian Dhark, I knew all about that kind of silence. Margot didn’t offer pleasantries. “Sit.” She said, gesturing to the chair opposite her desk. I sat without hesitation. “I’ll be direct,” Margot started, staring at

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. 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. 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 poundi