The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 213

hapter 147 At My Door 2

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Chapter 147: At My Door.-2

There’s another silence. But this one… is different. More… personal.

Alexander takes a step closer, he does not invade completely, but he shortens the distance.

“Did something happen?”

The question sounds simple, but it is not. Because I know he’s not just asking about the

event.

He is looking beyond.

I shake my head slightly.

“No.”

A lie. And he knows it.

I see it in his expression, in how he tilts his head just barely. In how his eyes don’t leave mine.

“Clara…”

His voice drops a little, more measured.

“You left in the middle of something important.”

I press my fingers against my arms.

“I know, Alexander.”

My tone changes, a little firmer. A little more defensive.

“And I’ll handle it.”

I don’t need him to do it for me, not now, not ever.

He watches me for another second. And then… nods. But not entirely convinced.

“I hope so.”

Silence.

My mind goes back to the necklace, to Vanessa, to everything. And for a second… I feel the need to say it.

To ask him, to let it out. But no, not to him.

Chapter 147 At My Door 2

He’s not the one I should ask that, he’s not the one I should unburden myself to.

Claun

My gaze moves unintentionally, towards the bed, towards the necklace. And there… I notice

Alexander sees it too, his gaze following mine. His gaze lingers on the small diamond.

But impossible to ignore, he says nothing. But he sees it, of course he sees it.

And something in his expression… changes very slightly. Almost imperceptibly, but enough.

“Nice jewel,” he finally says.

His tone is neutral, but not completely. I feel something in my chest.

“Yes.”

I don’t add more, I don’t explain. I do not justify… Nothing, because I don’t want to talk about

Alexander looks away, as if it wasn’t important. But I know he recorded everything.

“You should get ready,” he says. “We’re going to have to fix what happened last night.”

I return to him.

“I know.”

He nods.

“The partner wants to talk to you today.”

Perfect, just what I need.

More pressure, more things, more… everything.

“I’ll be ready.”

My voice is firmer now. Because it has to be, because I can’t afford to fail at this too.

Alexander watches me for another second, as if he wants to say something else. But he

doesn’t.

“I’ll wait for you downstairs in an hour.”

I nod.

“Okay.”

Chapter 147 At My Door-2

He turns, walks to the door. And just before leaving… stops. Without turning around.

“Clara…”

My breathing barely stops.

“Don’t lose focus.”

There it is, again. His words, his form.

I purse my lips.

“I won’t.”

He nods as soon as he leaves. The door closes, and silence returns.

But now… it’s different.

Heavier, fuller. More… real.

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I stand there. Without moving and then… My gaze returns to bed… To the necklace, to that little bright spot that now weighs more than anything.

I walk toward it. I pick it up, I hold it once more. And this time… I don’t hesitate.

“Ethan…” I whisper.

Because I can’t wait anymore, because I can’t ignore it anymore, because I need to know the

truth.

Even if I don’t like it, even if it changes everything, I squeeze the necklace between my fingers. I take a deep breath.

And I know… that this conversation… it will change everything.

I close the bathroom door harder than necessary. The click of the lock sounds louder than normal, as if everything at this moment is amplified. My breathing. My thoughts. My own

pulse.

I stand in front of the mirror and for a second… I don’t recognize myself.

The smudged, dark makeup under my eyes. Messy hair falling over my shapeless shoulders. The wrinkled dress, still on, as if the night had never ended.

As if I hadn’t come out of it. I swallow hard.

“God,” I murmur quietly.

Chapter 147 At My Door-2

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I run my fingers under my eyes… And when I look at them, I see the black trace on the yolk.

I sigh. No… This is not me or maybe it is. Maybe this is me when I stop holding everything.

I felt ashamed of what Alexander saw… I close my eyes for a second, resting both hands on

the sink.

Ethan. His name appears in my mind as an automatic reflex. Like a safe place that I want to

run to. I have to talk to him… I need it.

I open my eyes quickly, as if that idea gives me back some stability, and I pick up the phone. The screen lights up too early.

I frown slightly. Should I call him?

My fingers are suspended over his name, I want to do it. I need to.

Tell him about the necklace. Tell him what happened last night. Tell him how I feel. But

then…

The sound of a notification breaks the silence, under the gaze. A message from Alexander.

“Half an hour, Clara, you have half an hour. The partner just called me.”

My chest tightens.

Half an hour… I close my eyes tightly.

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