Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 11

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks**

**Chapter 11: Stomach Ache Flared Up Again**

The project meeting, which was supposed to be a routine affair, dragged on longer than anticipated, stretching well past the designated lunch hour. Zane returned to his office, closing the door with a soft click that echoed in the stillness. He slumped over his desk, feeling utterly miserable, the weight of discomfort pressing down on him like a heavy blanket.

Midway through the meeting, his stomach had begun to protest violently, a familiar and unwelcome sensation that he had learned to endure. His relentless dedication to his work, however, would not permit him to abandon the gathering for something as trivial as a stomachache. He had gritted his teeth and pushed through, a fine sheen of cold sweat forming on his forehead, betraying his internal struggle.

Instinctively, he reached for his water glass, only to be met with the disheartening realization that it was empty. A wave of frustration washed over him. He attempted to rise from his chair to fetch some stomach medicine, but the pain doubled him over, forcing him to remain seated, trapped in his own body.

In that moment of agony, Zane found himself reminiscing about the days when Darcy was still a constant presence in his life. If only she were here now—he could almost picture her keen eyes noticing his discomfort during the meeting. After it wrapped up, she would have found some excuse to pop into his office, a bottle of water and his medication in hand, her soothing presence a balm to his troubled spirit.

But Darcy was not here.

A sudden pang of realization struck him: another week had slipped by, and there had been no word from her. She seemed so distant lately. He wondered if her mother’s illness was more serious than he had initially thought, consuming all of Darcy’s attention and leaving no room for him in her life.

His phone lay silently on the desk, a beacon of hope that felt just out of reach. Zane’s fingers twitched with the urge to call her, to hear her voice and share his burdens. Yet, the searing pain in his abdomen yanked him back to the present. Relief was his only priority at the moment.

With a determined sigh, he pressed the intercom button. A moment later, Rex knocked and entered the office, his expression shifting from casual to alarmed as he took in Zane’s pale complexion and the sheen of sweat on his brow. “Mr. Vance, are you alright? Should I take you to the hospital?” Rex asked, concern lacing his voice.

Zane shook his head, his lips a ghostly white. “No, just get me a packet of the stomach medicine,” he replied, his voice strained yet steady. He didn’t need to give Rex directions to the first aid kit; Darcy had made sure he knew where everything was.

Rex quickly rummaged through the supplies, finding the medicine and mixing it with water before handing it over to Zane. The cool liquid slid down his throat and into his stomach, bringing with it a wave of comfort. Gradually, he felt the medication working its magic, dulling the relentless ache that had plagued him.

Feeling slightly better, Zane turned to Rex, “Could you order me something light for delivery?”

“Right away, Mr. Vance,” Rex replied, leaving the office. He nearly collided with Zora, who had been poised to knock on the door.

“Dr. Moss,” Rex acknowledged her with a nod, stepping aside.

Zora’s lips curled into a warm smile as she inquired, “Is Zane in?”

The familiarity of her address sent a ripple of unease through him. Didn’t she know how much Zane despised mixing personal and professional matters?

Before Rex could respond, Zane had already risen from his seat, leaning heavily on the desk for support, a strained smile plastered on his face. “I’m here,” he said, trying to mask his discomfort.

Seeing him take a bite, Zora beamed with satisfaction and scooped more food onto his plate. “Here, try another one! It’s spicy, but so flavorful.”

Zane pressed his left hand against his abdomen, feeling the discomfort intensify. That single, small bite had been more than enough; the pain that had just begun to recede now surged back with renewed vigor.

But how could he refuse Zora’s kindness? “Yes, it’s very good,” he managed to say, a slight frown creasing his brow, although a faint smile lingered on his lips.

Zora, blissfully unaware of his discomfort, continued to serve him more food, her enthusiasm infectious.

When she finally set down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin, Zane couldn’t help but notice the way her usually serene, intellectual face was now flushed from the spice, giving her a charming, delicate appearance—a different kind of beauty that captivated him.

His heart, typically a still, deep pool, felt as though a pebble had been dropped into it, sending ripples across the surface.

“Are you free on Saturday?” Zora asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Why do you ask?” Zane replied, a mix of curiosity and apprehension flooding his mind.