Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 22

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 22**
**CONTENT:**
**Chapter 22: I Want to Call Off the Engagement**

After all these years, there existed an undeniable connection between them, a silent understanding that transcended words. Darcy could sense it in the air—the way Zane’s gaze lingered on her, the way he shifted uncomfortably, signaling that he desired a private conversation.

Coincidentally, she had her own words simmering within her, waiting for the right moment to surface.

With a determined breath, she rose from her seat, fabricating a casual excuse. “Mom, I’m just going to grab some water.”

Zane immediately fell into step beside her. “I’ll join you,” he declared, his tone casual yet laced with an underlying urgency.

As they stepped outside the room, Darcy turned to him, her demeanor direct and unyielding. “You wanted to talk to me?”

Her voice was cool, devoid of the unrestrained joy that used to illuminate her face whenever he was near.

Zane felt an unsettling jolt in his chest, as if a sudden chill had swept through him.

He couldn’t help but reflect on their recent interactions. Ever since Darcy had taken a leave of absence, that radiant smile seemed to have vanished, replaced by an unsettling distance.

Where once her eyes had sparkled with warmth, now they held only a frosty reserve.

Had she discovered something she shouldn’t have?

A frown creased his brow at the thought, though he quickly dismissed it. It was absurd. Darcy had been preoccupied with her mother’s care at the hospital, far too busy to keep up with the whispers circulating around the company. How could she possibly know about the changes?

Even if someone had been gossiping, with her character, if she truly harbored suspicions, she would have confronted him head-on by now.

Yet, she hadn’t posed a single question.

So, she likely remained in the dark.

Unconsciously, they had wandered to the end of the corridor. A glass window stood ajar at the far end, allowing a gentle breeze to flow in, refreshing Zane’s spirit and slightly easing the tightness that had settled in his chest.

He exhaled slowly, attempting to dispel the rising tide of guilt within him.

I haven’t done anything to betray her. Why am I feeling this way?

Even if Darcy had learned about Zora, what of it? It was a standard hire. As the CEO, he had the authority to employ whomever he deemed fit.

This realization bolstered his confidence, allowing him to shake off the unease that had begun to envelop him.

Yet, it had been an eternity since he had seen Darcy.

Watching her stand by the window, her brown hair dancing gently in the breeze, stirred something deep within him.

Ines often chattered incessantly in his ear, questioning what he saw in Darcy.

But the truth was, beyond her remarkable skills and gentle demeanor, Darcy possessed a beauty that was subtle yet profound.

In contrast to Zora’s vivid, eye-catching allure, Darcy’s beauty was the kind that revealed itself slowly, like a cherished secret waiting to be uncovered.

If one were to compare them to flowers, Zora was a striking rose, bold and vibrant. And Darcy—

She was akin to a delicate lily of the valley.

The lily of the valley symbolizes devotion, profound affection, and resilient vitality.

Zane reached out, his large, defined hand brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, a tender gesture that caught her off guard. She flinched slightly, startled by the unexpected intimacy. By the time her mind caught up, his hand had already retreated.

Zane stared at her, a frown deepening on his face.

“Darcy, please don’t speak about him like that.”

Darcy’s patience had worn thin. “I don’t want to discuss him any further. You sought me out for a reason beyond just him, right? Whatever else you have to say, now is the time.”

She was on the verge of asking him if he had received the letter she had sent, and whether he had considered her suggestions regarding resigning and calling off the engagement.

Life had been so hectic lately that she had nearly forgotten about it. But seeing him standing at her door tonight had reignited those thoughts.

Zane closed his eyes momentarily, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he steeled himself to speak. When he finally did, his voice trembled with emotion. “I want to call off the engagement.”

Darcy froze, her body going rigid in shock.

Despite having mentally prepared herself for this moment, despite her own intentions to discuss the same subject, hearing those words tumble from Zane’s lips sent a tremor through her.

It felt as though a knife had been driven deep into her heart, and now it was bleeding profusely.

Leaning against the wall for support, she fought to maintain her composure. Though her heart was in turmoil, her expression remained surprisingly calm.

She lifted her gaze to meet Zane’s.

So he had received her letter. And he had embraced all the suggestions she had proposed in it.

Perhaps this was for the best. It would spare them from a messy confrontation later on.

“Okay,” Darcy replied, her voice steady. “I have no problem with that.”