Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 24

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 24**

**Chapter 24: He Must Really Value You!**

Zora hesitated for a moment, her thoughts swirling before she spoke again. “I heard you had something important to take care of today, so you left work early. I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

Zane, well aware of Zora’s kind nature, could sense her discomfort. She had a deep-seated aversion to feeling like a burden to anyone.

With a soft and reassuring tone, he replied, “You didn’t disturb me at all. Zora, please, there’s no need to keep apologizing. I’m genuinely happy to help you.”

As the car rolled to a stop at a red light, Zane shifted slightly in his seat, his eyes meeting hers.

Zora felt her cheeks warm as she lowered her gaze, her lashes fluttering like delicate wings. “You’re far too good to me. I worry that I can never repay your kindness.”

Zane swallowed hard, feeling a lump in his throat. He had so much he wanted to say, words that danced on the tip of his tongue, but he clamped down on them, choosing silence instead.

His mind, however, began to wander unexpectedly to Darcy, who was likely still at the hospital. The messages he had sent her earlier felt like stones thrown into a vast ocean—sinking without a trace. He couldn’t shake the nagging thought that perhaps she was upset with him.

“Since it’s getting late, how about I treat you to a late-night snack?” Zora’s voice broke through the haze of his thoughts.

Zane pressed his lips together, contemplating her suggestion. “Sure, that sounds good.”

Later that night, Darcy returned home, the weight of the day pressing down on her. After washing up and slipping into bed, she found herself tossing and turning, unable to find solace in sleep.

Frustrated, she got up, her mind racing. She picked up some graduate school prep books, hoping to distract herself. But soon fatigue washed over her, and she remembered something crucial that she had yet to do.

She made her way to the storage room, her heart pounding as she opened the suitcase she had packed earlier. Inside lay a collection of gifts that Zane had given her throughout their relationship, including the engagement presents that had once filled her with joy.

The hotel reservation they had made together had long since been canceled, a stark reminder of the plans that would never come to fruition.

The only task left was to return this box of memories.

With a sense of finality, she opened a delivery app on her phone and arranged for a pickup first thing in the morning.

Once that was done, she returned to bed, a bittersweet ache settling in her chest.

The following morning, as she sat down for breakfast, a knock at the door startled her. When she opened it, she was greeted by the delivery driver she had scheduled.

Handing over the packed box, she paid him right then and there, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over her.

The items that had once held all the love between her and Zane were now gone, just like their relationship.

From this point on, they would be walking separate paths.

All that remained was the formal resignation process. Once she officially left SummitCore, she and Zane would truly become strangers.

After breakfast, Darcy made her way to the company. As she approached the building, her eyes caught sight of a sleek Mercedes-Benz van parked in the plaza.

It looked immaculate, as if it had just rolled off the showroom floor.

She didn’t dwell on it too much, assuming it belonged to a visiting client.

Taking the elevator up, she barely settled at her desk when Rowan knocked and entered.

In Darcy’s mind, Rowan was synonymous with Jethro; his presence likely meant Jethro had some instructions for her.

“Mr. Kerr, please, have a seat,” Darcy offered, gesturing to a chair as she moved to pour him a glass of water.

Rowan quickly waved her off. “That’s very kind of you, Ms. Gale, but there’s no need for that. I’m just here to deliver something and then I’ll be on my way.”

Curiosity piqued, Darcy asked, “What is it?”

“Regardless, I’m the one who will be using it. So, thank you,” Darcy insisted, her voice firm.

Jethro rubbed his temple, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Alright then. I accept your thanks.”

He then shifted the conversation. “You’re handling the POC at Easemark Ventures today, right?”

“Yes. Cade and I are heading there this afternoon.”

“Excellent. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need me to step in and coordinate anything.”

He finished speaking, but silence lingered on the line for a moment too long.

Jethro held the receiver, puzzled, before realizing the line had gone dead.

A wave of embarrassment washed over him, mixed with annoyance.

Why did I zone out just now?

In the afternoon, Cade knocked on Darcy’s office door, his voice breaking through her reverie. “I’m ready. When should we leave?”

Darcy gathered her bag and business cards, her excitement bubbling. “Let’s go now.”

Cade nodded, unlocking his phone to book a ride, but Darcy stopped him with a smile.

“Mr. Blackwood arranged a car for me. It’s parked downstairs. I’ll drive.”

“What?!” Cade’s eyes widened in disbelief.

When Darcy produced the shiny Mercedes van key, his voice cracked with astonishment. “A Mercedes van?! He must really value you!”