Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 23

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 23**

**Chapter 23 A Rear-End Collision**

Zane had meticulously crafted a script in his mind, filled with soothing words, heartfelt promises, and vows that spoke of a future together. He had envisioned the moment when he would ask Darcy to marry him, but he never anticipated her enthusiastic agreement.

For Darcy, marrying Zane had been a dream she had cherished for years.

Their journey together had begun in college, and now, after seven long years, it felt as if they had woven a tapestry of memories that spanned the entirety of their youthful days.

Seven years was no small span; it represented a significant chapter in the lives of many.

Throughout this time, even his mother had urged him to take the plunge into marriage sooner rather than later, which is why Zane had taken the initiative to bring up the topic of engagement himself.

There had been no grand proposal, no romantic setting. Just a casual remark shared over dinner, a mere suggestion tossed into the air. “Maybe we should get engaged this year and married next year?”

Darcy had responded with an exuberance that reminded him of a child unwrapping a long-desired toy, her head nodding vigorously. “Okay!”

Yet, in an unexpected twist, he now found himself suggesting they call off the engagement, and Darcy’s response was shockingly calm. “Okay, I have no problem with that.”

There was no anticipated breakdown, no dramatic outburst of tears. Just a serene acceptance that left Zane feeling unmoored.

In that moment, he felt a wave of panic wash over him.

He stepped closer, enveloping her in a tight embrace, as if he could meld their souls together, whispering softly into her hair, “I’m sorry, it’s just—”

But before he could finish his thought, the words “temporarily call off” barely escaping his lips, his phone began to ring insistently from his pocket.

He fished it out, and the screen illuminated with Zora’s name.

Darcy caught sight of the caller ID too, and a chill seemed to seep into the air between them. She pushed him away, her voice turning frosty. “Someone’s looking for you.”

With a heavy heart, Zane answered the call, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Hello?”

Whatever Zora conveyed on the other end made his expression tighten, the urgency of her words slicing through the moment. “Stay right where you are. I’ll handle it.”

After hanging up, he turned back to Darcy, his heart racing. “There’s an emergency at the company. I have to go.”

Without waiting for her to respond, he dashed towards the elevator, his heart pounding with a mix of dread and urgency, disappearing downstairs without a second glance.

It wasn’t until he was seated in his car, the engine purring beneath him, that the weight of his actions struck him like a cold wave.

He had just told Darcy he was calling off their engagement and left her standing there, alone, without a single word of comfort.

But she loved him deeply; surely, she would understand.

As he waited at a red light, the silence of the moment pressed down on him, and he quickly typed out a message to Darcy: “I’ll explain everything in person once I’m done.”

Meanwhile, Darcy remained in the corridor, her heart heavy as she turned toward the window, tears cascading down her cheeks in silent streams.

It was for the best, she told herself. This day had to come eventually.

Taking a few deep breaths, she wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, trying to compose herself before she ventured out to buy some water.

By the time she returned to the room, her demeanor was restored, her face a mask of calm, as if nothing had transpired.

Is that all? Zane frowned, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. “Have you called the police? Let them determine fault. She’ll pay whatever damages she’s responsible for.”

The BMW owner crossed his arms, still brimming with attitude. “I already called them. They’ll be here any minute.”

Zora tugged on Zane’s sleeve, her voice trembling. He turned to her, speaking softly to calm her nerves. “Don’t be afraid. Once the police determine fault, we can leave.”

“I’m so sorry, Zane. I haven’t been back in the country long. I’m still not used to the roads here.” Her eyes glistened with regret as she looked at him.

“It’s fine,” Zane reassured her, his tone gentle.

He quickly called Rex, relaying the address and urging him to arrive without delay.

Before long, the police arrived, and the situation unfolded smoothly. The responsibility was clear, no one was injured, and there was no dispute about the accident, allowing the process to proceed swiftly.

However, as he observed Zora’s shaken demeanor, Zane felt a pang of concern for her well-being.

He turned to Rex, his voice firm. “Stay and help handle the rest.”

Then, he and Zora climbed into his car, driving away from the scene, leaving Rex standing on the curb, lost in thought.

He called me out late at night just to deal with Dr. Moss’s fender bender?

I’m just a tool to him!

Inside the car, Zora continued to apologize profusely, her voice filled with remorse.

“I’m so sorry. It’s such a minor thing, but I made you come all the way out here.”