The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 264

Chapter 188: I Know the Answer.

Vanessa

A few days ago… The night is too quiet, one of those unsettling nights. One of those nights where

the noise of your own thoughts is louder than anything outside.

I’m sitting on the sofa, a glass of wine in my hand, not really drinking it. I just swirl it between my

fingers, watching the liquid move slowly… hypnotic… almost therapeutic. But it doesn’t work,

nothing does. Because my mind is still in the same place… Clara, I haven’t stopped thinking about

her.

Now, the image of them together won’t leave my mind… that damn news, that event everyone’s talking about.

Last year I went with him, I asked to accompany him, and he just shrugged, accepted it without a

second thought. And this year, when he was nominated in several categories, he went with her…

That event, that… The way he looks at her.

I clench my jaw. Had she not returned, I’d be with him right now… maybe at some businessman’s

house, having drinks somewhere private in the city and chatting.

It was late, too late… my body was at home, but my mind was there.

“Of course you came back…” I murmured softly. “You weren’t going to let her go.”

And she… Neither was she.

I took a sip of wine, this time a longer one, letting the bitter taste settle in. It’s not a surprise, not

really. But that doesn’t mean I like it. Or that I accept it, or that I’ll just stand idly by.

I set my glass down on the table when I heard a sound, a knock on the door. I frowned and looked

at my watch. It was late… Too late for visitors.

My body tensed automatically; I wasn’t expecting anyone, there shouldn’t be anyone here.

I get up slowly, walking cautiously toward the door.

Another knock… but this one is firmer, more impatient.

“I’m coming…” I say, though I don’t know if whoever’s outside can hear me.

My hand rests on the doorknob. I hesitate for a second, but I open it. And there he is… he’s here,

standing in front of my door.

Alexander.

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Chapter 188 I Know the Answer

My eyes open slightly, surprised. No… I wasn’t expecting that, not at all.

+25 Points

My gaze takes him up and down in an instant, his posture, his expression. The way he’s standing,

as if he came straight here without thinking twice.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you,” I say, sincerely.

He doesn’t smile, there’s no politeness, no beating around the bush.

“We need to talk.”

My eyebrow raises slightly. Interesting… Very interesting. I lean one shoulder against the doorframe, crossing my arms calmly.

“And how did you know where I lived?”

It’s not a loaded question, it’s genuine curiosity. And a little bit… of playfulness.

He holds my gaze without hesitation.

“I can find out anything I want with a phone call.”

A smile slowly spreads across my lips, ah… So we’re at that point. I step away from the door,

opening it wider.

“Come in.”

He enters without hesitation. And I close the door behind him, watching him closely. There’s

something different about him. He’s not the same composed man from the restaurant, his tone

isn’t the same measured tone. There’s… tension, impatience. Something that isn’t entirely under

control. And that… That interests me.

I walk slowly toward the living room, aware of his presence behind me.

“Want something?” I ask, turning slightly. “A drink?”

He shakes his head.

“No.”

Direct, terse. I stop in front of him, tilting my head slightly.

“Then speak.”

Silence, a brief one. But heavy.

He watches me, as if deciding where to begin. As if gauging how much to say. Or… how much he

can trust.

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Chapter 188 1 Know the Answer

“I saw them.”

There it is, I don’t need any more context.

I barely smile.

“Who?”

+25 Points

I played dumb, just to get him to talk a little more. But it’s just a provocation, because we both

know the answer.

His jaw tightens.

“Clara… and Ethan. At today’s event…”

My smile doesn’t fade.

“Oh, really?”

I walk to the table, picking up my glass again, giving it a small swirl before speaking.

די

“The press is thrilled with them,” I say lightly. “I suppose you saw it too.”

I mean, the same thing I saw on those stupid gossip sites. He doesn’t answer right away. And that

confirms everything.

I turn to him.

“That bothered you, didn’t it?”

It’s not a question, it seems… but in my head it’s a statement. He doesn’t deny it, he doesn’t confirm

it with words, but his silence… is enough.

I take a small sip of wine.

“Interesting…”

I observe him more closely now.

“You don’t seem like the type of man who’s bothered by those things.”

His gaze hardens slightly.

“It’s not that.”

“No?” I tilt my head. “Then explain.”

Silence again, but this time… shorter.

“I don’t like what’s happening.”

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Chapter 188 I Know the Answer

There it is, that’s what I wanted to hear. Finally… he’s honest.

My lips curve slightly.

“What exactly?”

He takes a step toward me. “You know what.”

I hold his gaze, without looking away. Without softening anything.

“No, I don’t really know… I want to hear it from you.”

Because I need him to say it, to acknowledge it, to make it real.

+25 Pointé

I’ve known the answer for a long time, because I saw it… from the first time I saw him next to her l

knew it…

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