Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 10

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks**
**Chapter 10: A Rotten Sisterhood**

As Darcy stood there, watching Kaia walk away, a deep sorrow settled in her chest like a heavy stone. The sight of Kaia’s retreating figure stirred memories that were both sweet and painful, memories of a bond that had once felt unbreakable.

Kaia had been just a child of eight when she first entered the Gale household, a frightened girl seeking refuge. Ione, with her nurturing spirit, embraced Kaia as if she were her own flesh and blood. Darcy, the older sister, had always viewed her with a protective love, cherishing the moments they shared. Growing up, it was an unspoken rule that the best meals and finest treats were reserved for Kaia first. Darcy would often reassure herself, saying, “It’s alright. I’m older; it’s my duty to look after her.” But deep down, there was a flicker of resentment, a whisper that questioned why she had to always take the backseat.

When college approached, the financial strain became palpable. Kaia’s academic performance had not met the standards of a traditional university, and she found herself enrolled in a costly community college instead, with tuition fees that could send anyone into a panic. Yet, Darcy and her mother never wavered in their support. They scrimped, they saved, and they sacrificed, all to ensure Kaia could pursue her dreams. This meant Darcy had to juggle multiple jobs while keeping up with her studies, a burden she carried with quiet dignity.

Then came the Lark family, a whirlwind of chaos that claimed Kaia as their long-lost daughter. Darcy watched in heartbreak as Kaia left without a second glance, the promise of a better life pulling her away from the only family she had ever known. Darcy and Ione never held it against her; who could blame Kaia for wanting more?

But the reality of her new life with the Larks was far from idyllic. The daughter they had raised saw Kaia as an intruder, a rival for her parents’ affection. Life became a series of trials for Kaia, and eventually, she found her way back to the Gale family.

In those earlier days, Darcy’s heart ached for her sister. It felt as though fate had conspired against Kaia, a cruel twist of destiny that had left her battered and bruised.

But now, as Kaia stood before her, mocking her in front of a rival, Darcy felt a different kind of pain. Kaia had dredged up memories of Darcy’s part-time student days, using them as ammunition to belittle her. The younger sister whom Darcy had cherished and protected had transformed into someone unrecognizable, someone who had soured in the light of their shared past.

Darcy’s heart twisted painfully. This year had been a relentless storm of misfortune. First, love had turned its back on her, and now, the very fabric of her family was fraying, with Kaia wielding the knife.

“Maybe I should take a moment to visit the church,” Darcy thought, wiping away the tears that threatened to spill over. She needed solace, a moment of peace amidst the chaos.

With a heavy heart, she made her way down to the supermarket on the lower level. After gathering the essentials and grabbing a quick bite, she took the escalator back up to the first floor, her mind swirling with thoughts of her family and the tumultuous relationship with Kaia.

As she stepped off the escalator, her eyes landed on Kaia, who stood anxiously by the entrance of an upscale boutique. Panic etched across Kaia’s face, her gaze darting nervously inside the store. Only when she confirmed that Zora was still engrossed in conversation with a sales assistant did she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“Oh! Darcy! What a coincidence! You’re shopping too!” Kaia exclaimed, her laughter forced as she grabbed Darcy’s hand, pulling her toward a secluded corner away from prying eyes.

Darcy yanked her hand free, her expression cool and distant. Kaia, oblivious to the chill in the air, dismissed it; Darcy had always been the steady, reserved one, praised by adults for her composure. Yet, Kaia often wondered how someone as aloof as Zane could be drawn to someone like Darcy. Surely, someone as vibrant and outgoing as Zora would be a better match!

As she looked at Darcy, an idea sparked in Kaia’s mind. “Darcy, whose car did you come in?” she asked, curiosity piqued. She was convinced she had seen Darcy stepping out of a Rolls-Royce, and the driver had definitely been a man.

Darcy’s frown deepened, her grip tightening on her shopping bags. Kaia hadn’t even checked on their mother in the hospital or asked how she was holding up after her long business trip. Yet here she was, interrogating her about a car.

It was evident that Kaia had been coddled far too much. Darcy’s voice dripped with frost. “Mom had her surgery today. Instead of questioning me, you should find the time to visit her. She misses you.”

Kaia blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in Darcy’s demeanor. “Oh, I know,” she replied, her voice uncertain.

Not ready to back down, she pressed further, “So, whose car was it tonight? I thought I saw you getting out of a Rolls-Royce. Zane doesn’t own a Rolls, does he?”

Darcy felt her heart plummet. She had no intention of divulging her new job at Stratagem Tech. “You must have seen wrong,” she replied flatly. “I’m heading to the hospital now. Are you coming with me?”

Kaia hesitated, discomfort washing over her. “I… I’ll go tomorrow.”

“Fine. I’m leaving then,” Darcy said, her voice cold as she turned to walk away.

Just as Darcy’s figure faded from view, Zora appeared, her arms laden with shopping bags. “Kaia, where did you disappear to? I bought two bags! I think this pink one would suit you perfectly. Open it and see!”

“About my engagement with Zane… I want to—”

Suddenly, Ione was interrupted by a violent coughing fit, clutching her chest in discomfort. The caregiver sprang into action, pressing the emergency call button by the bed.

A nurse rushed in, followed by the surgeon, and a flurry of activity ensued. After a tense moment, Ione’s color returned to normal, but the surgeon’s words weighed heavily on Darcy. “It’s crucial for the patient’s recovery to maintain emotional stability post-surgery. A positive mood aids in healing. At her age, if she doesn’t recover properly, the risk of complications is significantly heightened.”

Darcy pressed her lips together, nodding. “Okay, Doctor. I understand.”

Watching her mother’s pale face, a heavy sigh escaped Darcy’s lips. *It seems I’ll have to wait to tell her about calling off the engagement.*

Time slipped away, and before she knew it, Friday had arrived with a sharp drop in temperature. As she prepared to leave home that morning, Darcy noticed the weather alert on her phone and bundled herself in a heavy coat.

As she scrolled through the temperature trends for the upcoming days, her eyes caught a saved note. “Remind Zane to watch his diet. The weather’s turning cold. Be careful of his stomach acting up.”

She recalled the cold snap forecast from a month ago while restocking Zane’s first aid kit. To ensure she wouldn’t forget to remind him to eat, she had set this reminder on her phone.

In the early days of their startup, Zane had pushed himself relentlessly, often neglecting meals, which led to a chronic stomach condition. Despite her diligent care, which had helped him recover significantly, his stomach remained sensitive to missed meals or excessive cold food.

But now, those reminders felt pointless. The woman who had cared for him was no longer in the picture.

With a bitter smile, Darcy deleted all the reminders and calendar alerts, feeling a sense of finality wash over her.