The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 218

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Chapter 151 Assumptions? 1

Chapter 151: Assumptions?-1

Ethan

The house is silent. It is not that pleasant silence of home, which is sometimes felt when Clara is in another room working, or when we are both in different spaces, but sharing the same air. No… This one is different. This one is heavy. Restless.

I look at the phone once more and nothing. Not a message. Not a single call. Not even that quick “everything fine” she usually sends when she knows I’m pending.

I clench my jaw. I don’t want to be that type of man who invades, who pressures, who suffocates. I’ve had enough of that before. I’ve already made mistakes that cost me losing her once… and I am not going to repeat them.

That’s why I didn’t call her last night, that’s why I didn’t write to her after that last message l sent her.

I gave her space, because I know how important that event was for her. Because I know how hard she has worked to get to where she is. Because I admire that part of her… that strong, focused woman who earns everything she has. But… I take a deep breath, running a hand over my face.

There is something that does not add up with me, it is not only silence.

It is a sensation, that discomfort that settles in the chest without asking permission… as if something is out of place, even if you don’t have clear evidence of it.

I get up from the couch and walk to the kitchen. I pour myself coffee, although I’ve already had more than I should this morning.

The taste is bitter, more than normal. Or maybe it’s me.

I rest both hands on the countertop and under my gaze.

“Relax…” I murmur to myself. “She’s fine. She’s just busy.”

That makes sense, that’s logical. That should be enough… But it is not enough.

Because Clara doesn’t disappear like that, not with me. Not now… Not after all that we have been rebuilding.

I exhale forcefully, no. This is not paranoia, this is… instinct.

I walk back to the living room and pick up the phone. I unlock it, open our conversation. I

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reread the last message I sent her last night.

Let me know when you arrive at the hotel.”

She didn’t respond, and my fingers tighten slightly around the device I don’t like it, I do any of this

In order not to think about the same thing, I decided to do something different. And without thinking too much… I dial my assistant’s number. Answer the second tone.

“Good morning, sir,” she replies with that efficiency that always characterizes her

“Good morning,” I say, directly. “I need to confirm something.”

There is a brief silence on the other end of the line, as if she is already preparing to score

“Sure, tell me.”

I walk slowly around the room as I speak.

“The event we were invited to… the one Clara attended… the businesswomen’s event. Was the girl who was designated to attend that event there? Do you know if she’s given us any information about it?”

It is not a random question. I know that Clara was alone, that’s what she told me.

I remember perfectly her voice, the way she looked at me while she was packing…

“Don’t worry, it’s a short trip. Besides, I’m going alone.”

My assistant responds naturally.

“No, sir.”

I stop in my tracks.

“What do you mean?”

“Mrs. Carmel couldn’t attend,” she explains. “She had a last-minute personal situation.”

I frown slightly.

I didn’t know that.

“So who went?”

There is a small second of pause, a very small one. But enough for something inside me…

tenses.

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