The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 233

Chapter 164: She Is My Need, Part 1.-1

Ethan

I cross the threshold of her room with a feeling that i can’t quite define

It’s not discomfort… But it’s not complete security either. It’s something in between, as if every step I take in here has a different weight.

Because it’s not just a hotel room, it’s her space. And the fact that she allowed me in… It means more than anyone could imagine.

I gently close the door behind me and take a few steps, looking around without really seeing anything specific.

I am aware of her, of her presence, of her closeness.

I take a seat, trying to appear calmer than I really am.

I need to break this silence… but not just any way.

Grati

“Is it okay if I order a wine?” I asked, looking at her. “For you… for us.”

She nods gently.

“Yes… Okay.”

Her voice is calm, that gives me a little calm. I pick up the phone and place the order, a red wine.

Nothing too elaborate, just… enough. The minutes that follow are short, but they feel long.

There is a gentle tension in the air, not uncomfortable. But yes… expectant.

When there’s finally a knock at the door, I get up almost immediately. I take the bottle, thank them, and

close the door.

I place it on the table, look for the glasses. I breathe and do something simple.

I pour the wine, two glasses carefully. As if that gesture had more importance than it really has. But at this moment… everything does.

I extend one to her, and our fingers barely touch. And that minimal contact… It’s enough for something in me to be activated.

We stayed close, very close. Too close to pretend nothing is happening… I take a small sip of the wine and without thinking too much… I speak.

“Do you remember that day?”

She looks up at me, her eyes meet mine.

“What day?”

hold i gaje

The day we were introduced

I pause for a while.

“I knew your father. I knew who you were. But I’ve never seen you up close

I lower my voice a little..

“I didn’t have a real reference to you.”

She nods slowly.

“Yes.. how to forget it.”

A faint smile crosses her face, but it doesn’t last long. Because what is coming… It weighs in.

“What happened to us?” she asks.

And there… There everything changes, her tone is not aggressive, it is not accusatory. It is… honest.

And that… it makes it stronger.

“Or what happened to you?” she continues. “When we separated… I even thought that was your plan.”

I frown slightly.

“Which one?”

“To make me fall in love… and then just abandon me.”

Her words fall with a weight that I cannot ignore.

I don’t want to do it.

“Why did you try hard, Ethan?” she adds. “You made it all start… you were special… and then…”

She pauses for a second.

“Everything went out.”

I close my eyes for a moment, because I know she’s right, because there’s no excuse that can erase that.

I take a deep breath.

“I got too confident.”

I look straight at her.

“That was my biggest mistake.”

I don’t soften the truth, I don’t make it up.

“I thought that what we had… it could not be broken.”

“And when you believe that you stop caring

I clench my jaw

“And that’s what I did.”

I look down a little.

“I stopped taking care of the most important thing I had.”

I return to her.

“But I already understood.” a

My voice is firmer now.

“I learned my lesson.”

I get a little closer.

“And I understood that I never… you must never give anything… or anyone… for sure.”

I extend my hand carefully, rest it on her soft leg, without invading… But present.

3

I feel the warmth of her skin through the fabric, and something on my chest… it tightens.

I lean a little more towards her, and leave a soft kiss on her lips, short, but heavy.

“Clara,” I murmured.

I rest my forehead slightly close to her.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify