Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 21

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 21**

**Chapter 21 Poor Darcy**

Cindy’s curiosity was piqued, an inquisitive spark lighting up her eyes. “How thick is that skin of yours? Thick enough to withstand the pain of watching your boyfriend betray you?”

Darcy found herself momentarily at a loss for words, her mind racing as she processed the question.

This conversation was clearly over…

Noticing the abrupt shift in Darcy’s demeanor, Cindy quickly sensed the tension and made a hasty excuse to leave, her heart heavy with concern.

Once back at her desk, Cindy felt compelled to act. She pulled out her phone and typed a message to a contact, her fingers flying over the screen.

“Can you dig up some information for me? I need to know about her relationship history.”

Time passed slowly, and after what felt like an eternity, a reply finally came through. Cindy opened the file, her frown deepening with every line she read.

Damn it. Poor Darcy had fallen for a scumbag. All those years of loyalty and love, gone to waste.

Ugh. This was all too reminiscent of what had happened to my brother.

She had once thought that Darcy and her brother would make a perfect match, a couple worth nurturing. But now, the thought felt tainted.

With a slight shake of her head, she tried to dispel the unsettling thoughts.

Later that day, Darcy made her way to the hospital, as was her routine, to visit her mother. She also intended to inquire about the discharge procedures, hoping for some good news.

As she entered the bustling main lobby of the hospital, she unexpectedly crossed paths with two men exiting the elevator.

Both men halted abruptly, their eyes widening slightly as they recognized her.

They were Zane’s friends—Hugo Sterling and Ines Cross—both of whom hailed from affluent families in Aethelburg.

Hugo, typically courteous, offered Darcy a polite nod, a gesture that felt almost foreign to her.

Ines, on the other hand, had never been one to mask his disdain. His gaze was icy, and a sneer played at the corners of his lips.

Darcy had overheard his derisive comments about her on several occasions, each one like a dagger to her heart.

When she and Zane had first started dating, Ines had been quick to dismiss her, claiming she was merely social climbing, driven by ulterior motives.

He had mocked her, labeling her a lapdog, insinuating that her affection for Zane was nothing more than an act of servitude.

And after she had torn up her acceptance letter to graduate school to launch a company with Zane, she had caught Ines advising Zane against giving her too much authority, warning that she would eventually seize all of his assets.

Whether Zane had heeded his friend’s advice was unclear, but one thing was evident: throughout her five years at SummitCore, she had never held any real power. No equity, no significant authority.

This lack of recognition had allowed others to exploit her hard work, brazenly taking credit for her achievements, as if they had done the labor themselves.

Initially, she had brushed it off, thinking that the company belonged to Zane, and by extension, she was part of it. What was the point in fighting when they were all working towards the same goal?

Zane’s brow knitted in confusion. “Stop talking nonsense. Her mother is in the hospital. She’s here to take care of her.”

“Oh, I see,” Hugo replied, his tone shifting to one of sympathy. “That’s tough on her—working all day and then caring for her mother at night.”

“She’s not working. I gave her a month off to…” Zane hesitated, searching for the right words, “…to rest and care for her mother.”

Huh? Not working? Hugo recalled seeing Darcy just moments ago, dressed in formal office attire, as if she had just come from the office.

Had he misjudged the situation? He must have been mistaken.

“In that case, after we visit Mr. Cross, you should go see your future mother-in-law.”

The phrase “future mother-in-law” caused a flicker of surprise to cross Zane’s face.

He had come to the hospital for two reasons: to visit Ines’ father and to find Darcy to discuss their engagement.

“Yes, I intend to,” he replied, his voice steady.

After visiting Ines’ father, Zane found himself standing at the door of Ione’s hospital room, pacing nervously as he gathered the courage to knock.

“Zane! You’re here! Come in, sit down!” Ione exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy upon seeing him. She gestured for Darcy, instructing her to pour him a glass of water.

Darcy complied, pouring the water with a practiced ease, and then they both settled onto the sofa in silence, the air thick with unspoken words.

Zane exchanged a few pleasantries with Ione, but his gaze soon drifted toward Darcy, searching for a connection amidst the tension.