The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 274

Chapter 195: A Treasure.

Clara

I enter my mother’s room while she stands in front of the mirror.

She’s always been like this… effortlessly elegant. She doesn’t need much to look good. She has that natural bearing, that way of carrying herself that commands respect without even trying.

I watch her silently for a few seconds. She’s putting on earrings, small but delicate. Her movements are calm, precise. As if each gesture has its own rhythm.

“You look beautiful,” I say, leaning gently against the doorframe.

She looks at me in the mirror. And she smiles.

“You too, my child.”

I walk toward her slowly.

I stop beside her and look at her reflection next to mine. For a moment… I feel small again. Like when I used to come to her room to tell her things, to ask for advice, to seek refuge. And perhaps… that’s exactly what I’m doing now.

“I haven’t seen you like this in a long time,” she says suddenly.

I look at her.

“Like what?”

She turns slightly to look at me more closely, assessing me with that all–seeing gaze of hers.

“Relax…” she replies. “There’s something calmer about you.”

I lower my gaze, thinking.

“I’m fine, Mom… really.”

She nods slowly, but not entirely convinced.

She turns completely toward me and puts her earrings back in their place.

“Are you really okay?”

The question isn’t superficial. It’s not curiosity, it’s concern.

I hold her gaze.

“Yes… we’re fine.”

“Are you happy?”

That question… That one pierces me a little more.

Chapter Fuller

breathe.

“Yes,” I reply. “I’m… becoming happy again.”

She’s silent for a few seconds. She watches me as if searching for something more in my answer.

“Becoming again?”

I nod.

“Yes…” I say softly. “It’s not like before… but… it’s Better in many ways.”

My mother tilts her head slightly.

“Explain.”

I let out a small laugh.

+25 Points

“Before…” I begin, “I felt like everything was moving too fast. That… that I adapted to a life without fully understanding what I really needed.”

She doesn’t interrupt me.

“And now…” I continue, “I feel like I’m making choices. That I’m seeing everything more clearly. That I’m not taking anything for granted.”

My mother nods slowly.

“That’s good.”

I move a little closer to her.

“Ethan is changing, Mom…” I say. “Or maybe he was always like this and I didn’t see it… I don’t know. I’m just trying to focus on the man he is now and forget what he was…”

She gently crosses her arms, leaning against the vanity.

“And you?”

I frown.

“What about me?”

“Are you changing too?”

I look at her. And I smile a little.

“Yes… I think so.”

She sighs.

“I like that better.”

There’s a brief silence. A comfortable one.

“I don’t want you to get lost again, Clara,” she says finally. “Not because of him… or anyone else.”

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Her words are soft… but firm.

“I won’t.”

She raises an eyebrow, as if she wants to believe me, but needs a little more reassurance.

“Are you sure?”

I nod.

“Sure.”

+25 Points

My mother comes closer and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. That gesture… so simple… disarms me a little.

“You’re a valuable woman,” she says. “Never forget that.”

I look at her, in silence.

“You deserve to be treated like the treasure you are, Clara.”

There it is. That phrase… I feel it in my chest. Because it’s not just advice, it’s a truth she wants me to never question again.

“Mom…”

“No,” she interrupts gently. “Let me finish.”

Her tone isn’t harsh, but it is resolute.

“You can love… you can take a chance… you can try a thousand times if you want,” she continues. “But never accept less than you deserve.”

I swallow.

“I don’t.”

She watches me for a few more seconds.

“Is he treating you like this?”

I don’t need to think about the answer.

“Yes.” And this time… there’s no doubt in my voice.

My mother nods.

“Then… give him a chance.”

I blink.

“Just like that?”

She smiles.

“It’s not easy… but it’s simple.”

୮

Lsay nothing.

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“If he’s good for you… if he respects you… if he takes care of you…” she adds, “then don’t sabotage yourself

out of fear.”

I take a deep breath, because… yes. There is fear, even if I don’t say it.

“I’m trying to do it right this time,” I confess.

She smiles tenderly.

“That’s already a big step.”

I glance toward the door, then back to her.

“Do you like how he is now?”

She doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

That surprises me a little. “Really?”

“Yes,” she repeats. “I notice he’s different. More… aware.”

I nod. “He is.”

My mother picks up her purse. “And so are you.”

I barely smile. “I guess we needed to get lost a little…”

She looks at me.

“Sometimes it’s necessary… to learn how to come back.”

I remain silent, processing that.

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“But don’t get used to losing yourself,” she adds. “It’s not a place you should stay.”

I shake my head.

“I won’t.”

She leans in and kisses my forehead.

“I hope so.”

I close my eyes for a second, savoring the moment.

“Ready?” she asks.

I nod. “Ready.”

We both glance at ourselves in the mirror one last time, and in that reflection… I see something different. Not just us, but me. More grounded, more confident. More… aware of what I deserve, and as we leave the room… I have no idea what Ethan is planning, but I do know one thing for sure. This time… I won’t settle for less.

Chapter 196

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