Everything Taken I Left to Become CEO (Darcy and Zane) novel Chapter 38

**TITLE: Pain Refines the Soul — Jason Brooks**
**Chapter 38: What Other Friend Do You Have?**

The notion of betrayal hung heavily in the air, much like the lingering scent of a once sweet perfume turned sour. Darcy couldn’t help but feel the weight of it as she reflected on her friendship, which had crumbled just as dramatically as her love life.

Her gaze dropped, a silent acknowledgment of the hurt that had woven itself into the fabric of her past.

Moments later, their meals arrived, steaming and fragrant. They dug in, the clatter of cutlery mingling with their laughter and conversation.

Cindy, with her effervescent personality, was an open book. Despite their brief acquaintance of just over two weeks, she shared her life story with an unreserved honesty that both surprised and delighted Darcy. She recounted her history—the triumphs, the failures, the moments that made her laugh out loud, and the embarrassing slips that made her cringe.

Darcy nodded along, occasionally stifling laughter behind her hand, feeling a warmth spread through her chest as she connected with Cindy’s exuberance.

As the evening began to wind down, Cindy leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “What about you, Darcy?” she asked, her tone inviting.

“Me?” Darcy set her fork down, wiping her mouth delicately with a napkin. “Honestly, my life’s pretty uneventful. There’s not much to share.”

Her voice carried a hint of shyness, as if revealing too much would expose her vulnerabilities.

“My parents divorced when I was a child. My dad…well, he cheated. He chose to leave my mom and me for a girl from a wealthy family. My mom raised me alone after that. School, work… it’s all been quite ordinary.”

Cindy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What?! That’s terrible!” she exclaimed, her voice rising with shock, as if she had just heard the most outrageous gossip.

Darcy simply smiled, a bittersweet expression crossing her face. Anyone else would have reacted with outrage at the thought of a father abandoning his family for riches, but for her, it was an old story—one she had grown accustomed to.

Cindy, sensing the gravity of the topic, probed gently, “And what about your love life?”

Darcy paused, her hand clutching her fork momentarily frozen in mid-air. “I have an ex. We broke up.”

In her mind, the end of her engagement felt just as painful as a breakup.

“Oh,” Cindy said, her voice softening as she processed this revelation. “Your ex must be a fool for letting go of someone like you.”

Darcy smiled, but her silence spoke volumes. It was evident she preferred to keep the details of her heartache close to her chest.

Cindy sighed inwardly, her admiration for Darcy deepening. She wanted to forge a friendship, but even more, she envisioned a future where Darcy could be the perfect partner for her brother.

In her eyes, they complemented each other flawlessly. Both were calm, rational thinkers, blessed with intelligence and looks that would turn heads.

The only obstacle in their path was the disparity in their family backgrounds. Yet, Cindy brushed that concern aside.

The Blackwood family was at the pinnacle of Aethelburg’s social hierarchy, and they had no need for alliances to maintain their status.

Cindy felt a stirring of hope. Only a woman like Darcy could help her brother emerge from the shadows cast by his previous relationship.

Just give it time. Time has a way of mending even the deepest wounds.

After dinner, they made their way downstairs. As they reached the first floor, Cindy suddenly remembered she had left something behind and dashed back up, leaving Darcy to wait alone.

With a slight frown, Darcy surveyed the club’s opulent lobby, feeling a tinge of boredom creep in. The lavish decor was undeniably stunning, a testament to the wealth that attracted the elite to such places.

With that thought, she turned and began to walk toward the exit.

“Hey, aren’t you going to wait for your friend?” Kaia called after her, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

“I’ll wait outside,” Darcy replied, her tone firm but resigned.

Watching Darcy’s almost hurried departure, Kaia smirked with a mix of disdain and amusement.

Still pretending to be here with a friend, huh? She came alone. Who knows what she’s really up to!

As the elevator doors slid open, Kaia nearly collided with Cindy, who was stepping out just in time.

Cindy had been oblivious to the tension in the lobby. She didn’t see Darcy until she stepped outside, where she found her waiting by the car.

“Why did you come out?” Cindy asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

Darcy scrambled for an excuse, “The night air is nice.”

No sooner had the words escaped her lips than a sleek Rolls-Royce glided to a stop in front of them.

That car…

As if to confirm her suspicions, the window rolled down slowly, revealing a strikingly handsome face that made Darcy’s heart skip a beat.