Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 31

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks 31**
**CONTENT:**
**Chapter 31: The Leaked Photo**

Zane was in denial, and he refused to accept the harsh reality that loomed over him like a storm cloud.

Slumping back against the worn fabric of the sofa, he pressed his fingers to his temples, trying to soothe the headache that had been building. “Mom,” he said, his voice strained but firm, “you need to stop worrying about my life. I know what I’m doing.”

Olena paused, her silence heavy in the air, before she spoke with an abruptness that cut through the tension. “Your grandfather is already pressuring your father to hand over the company’s management to Lilian.”

Lilian Vance, a name that sent a jolt of frustration through Zane, was his half-sister from his father’s previous marriage.

Years ago, Viktor, Zane’s father, had grown increasingly discontent with his first daughter, feeling that she was a disappointment for not giving him more children. This dissatisfaction had led him to cheat on his first wife, seeking solace in Olena.

For over a decade, he had kept Olena and her son, Zane, hidden away, only bringing them into the light of the Vance Manor after severing ties with his first wife.

In the sprawling Vance family, apart from Viktor himself, no one had ever shown Olena or her son an ounce of kindness.

Zane’s grandfather had been particularly harsh, outright declaring that he would never allow Zane to work at the Vance Group.

This was precisely why Zane had resolved to launch his own business right after graduation—he was determined to carve out his own identity, to shift the Vances’ perception of him and his mother.

Summit Core Tech was gaining traction, emerging as a promising venture, but it still fell short of his grandfather’s expectations.

However, if Zane were to marry Zora and secure the backing of her influential family, the narrative could change entirely.

Olena sighed deeply, the sound filled with resignation. “I’m not going to pressure you—just think it through carefully, okay?”

With that, the call ended, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake.

Zane reached for the pack of cigarettes resting on the table, tapping one out with a practiced flick of his wrist before lighting it. He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke swirl around him, enveloping him in a haze that mirrored his turbulent thoughts.

No matter what obstacles lay ahead, he was resolute—he would not let Darcy slip away from him!

They had been together for seven long years. Seven years was ample time for her presence to become a comforting habit, a part of his very being.

And he was utterly convinced, without a shadow of a doubt, that Darcy felt the same way—that she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him either.

Meanwhile, Darcy arrived at the hospital, her heart racing as she spotted her mother still awake.

A nurse was present in the room, diligently explaining the discharge procedures and the necessary care for the following day.

“Oh right, I completely forgot to ask Jethro for some time off,” she thought, pulling her phone from her pocket and quickly typing a message.

“Mr. Blackwood, my mother is being discharged tomorrow morning. I need to request half a day off. I’ll submit the formal request shortly. Please be advised.”

Within moments, Jethro’s response pinged back, “Okay.”

Just as Darcy was about to lock her screen, Jethro added, “Your mom just got discharged—half a day off won’t cut it. Put in for a full day, and I’ll approve it right away.”

A warm wave of gratitude washed over Darcy, filling her chest with appreciation.

What a dream boss he was!

As the nurse departed, Darcy settled onto the edge of her mother’s bed, exchanging a few light-hearted words with her mom. After a while, she shifted to the couch, her fingers mindlessly scrolling through her phone.

Suddenly, a post caught her attention.

The caption blared, “OMG! My ship has sailed!!!”

Beneath it was a moody, romantic photograph of a couple.

Darcy’s knuckles turned white as she gripped her phone tightly, a sharp, needle-like pain piercing her heart.

She had believed that Kaia simply admired Zora too much, oblivious to the history between Zane and Zora.

She had thought Kaia had merely made a few foolish mistakes, momentarily misled by her infatuation.

But now, she realized that human emotions could be far more complicated than she had ever imagined.

A tear slipped down her cheek, landing on the back of her trembling hand.

Quickly, Darcy wiped it away, casting a glance toward her mother’s hospital bed.

Thank goodness. Mom’s asleep.

Closing her eyes, she fought against the redness threatening to spill over, trying to regain her composure.

She couldn’t shake the nagging thought of when exactly Kaia had begun to resent her.

When Darcy was just twelve, a new neighbor had moved in next door. Kaia and her foster mother had rented the small house.

Kaia’s foster mother worked late every single day, leaving Kaia often hungry and alone.

One fateful day, little Kaia had cracked the door open and glimpsed little Darcy savoring a cinnamon roll, her eyes filled with longing.

Without a word, little Darcy had dashed back to the kitchen, returning with a freshly baked cinnamon roll for Kaia.

From that moment on, they became inseparable friends.

Kaia had never gone hungry again. After school, the two girls would skip home hand-in-hand to the Gale residence, where Ione would greet them with smiles and an array of prepared snacks and fruits. Sometimes, Kaia even stayed for dinner, feeling welcomed and cherished.