The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 223

< Chapter 156-A Good Team”

+25 Points

Chapter 156: “A Good Team”

Clara

I walk beside Alexander in silence. the hotel corridor feels longer than normal… Or maybe it’s me, still with my mind in the room. In Ethan. In his gaze. In everything that was suspended between us.

I gently squeeze my fingers around the bag, I didn’t say anything when we went out. I couldn’t, because if I spoke… I was going to say more than I should have. And right now… I can’t afford it.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for Ethan to be here,” Alexander says suddenly.

His voice breaks the silence precisely, I don’t look at him, I keep walking as if I hadn’t heard.

But of course I did, every word, every intention behind it.

“Clara,” he insists, lowering his tone slightly. “If he came here, it was not by chance.”

I breathe slowly, in a controlled way.

“He had reasons,” I finally reply, without stopping.

I don’t explain more, I don’t want to

Not now.

I feel his gaze on me, heavy, analyzing.

“What kind of reasons?” he asks.

I do look at him there, just for a second.

“Personal reasons.”

Short, direct, enough. But not for him… It’s never enough for him.

Alexander lets out a small exhale through his nose, as if he’s processing something bigger than what I’m

saying.

doesn’t sound good,” he murmurs.

e… That way of saying it…

Comfortable.

o sound any way,” I reply, keeping my tone steady. “It’s my life.”

ef one, but heavy.

nue walking. The sound of our footsteps on the elegant floor of the hotel is the only thing that

heard for a few seconds… until he speaks again.

ere’s something wrong, isn’t it?”

his time his voice changes.

M

Chapter 156-** Good Team”

Less direct, more… insinuating.

t look at him again. And now I do frown slightly.

“No.”

“Clara,” he says, pausing for a second to force me to do the same. “I’m not an idiot.”

There… Something inside me tenses.

“I never said you were.”

“Then don’t act like I’m not seeing the obvious.”

His gaze is fixed on mine, and for a second… I feel like he’s reading me too much.

Too close, too uncomfortable.

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“Ethan appears out of nowhere,” he continues. “You leave the room upset. There is tension between you… and pretend that nothing happens.”

I purse my lips because yes, it happens. Of course it happens,

But it is not something that corresponds to him.

“Alexander…”

“Is he pressuring you?” he interrupts. “Is he demanding something from you?”

“No.”

My response comes out faster than I expected.

Firmer.

“Then what is it?”

Silence.

And in that silence… I feel something I don’t like. That feeling of being… cornered.

Questioned. As if I had to answer for something.

And no. I am not going to allow it.

“It’s my relationship,” I say finally. “And what happens in it… It has nothing to do with this meeting.”

I hold his gaze, without looking down, without giving in.

“So, please… Let’s focus on what we came here to do.”

Something in his expression changes, very little. But I notice it. As if he’s measuring whether to keep pressing….or not.

Finally, he nods.

M

* Chapter 156-“A Good Team”

“Good.”

He picks up the pace, and so do I. But the atmosphere… is no longer the same.

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There is something that remained floating among us, sormething that was not said. And that, probably… is

going to come back.

We arrived at the living room, large, elegant doors. An assistant opens the door to us formally, and there

he is.

Mr. Bustamante standing, waiting for us.

His presence fills the space effortlessly.

“Miss Clara,” he says, with a slight nod. “I’m glad to see you again.”

His tone is kinder than last time.

That’s already a sign, I smile slightly. Professional.

“Mr. Bustamante. Thank you for having us.”

Alexander intervenes naturally, resuming his role without difficulty. And then… everything changes.

Because in here… I’m not the woman who a few minutes ago was discussing silences.

Here I am another version of me, firmer… More focused, more… safe.

We sit down, the documents are opened. The words flow, we talk about figures, projections, risks. Of opportunities, of growth. And little by little… I feel like I’m regaining control.

How do I return to my center. To what I know how to do, to what I have built.

I answer every question clearly, without hesitation, without doubting. I stand by every point, every

decision.

Every vision. And when I speak… I feel his full attention.

Bustamante’s. Alexander’s. Everyone’s.

Because here… I know exactly who I am.

Time passes without me noticing, until that moment arrives. That small change in the environment.

When postures relax, when gazes stop analyzing… and they begin to accept.

Bustamante closes the folder slowly, looks at both of us. And smile.

“I must admit,” he says “- that it is not easy to impress me.”

My breathing barely stops.

“But you did.”

I feel a slight warmth in my chest.

M

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