The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 296

<Chapter 212-Phe Dismissal, Part 2

+25 Points

Chapter 212: The Dismissal, Part 2.

Ethan

The sound at the door arrives just as the clock strikes the end of the workday. A soft, precise knock. And I

know it’s her.

I don’t need my assistant to announce anything. I don’t need to check the time again. I don’t need to confirm. Vanessa.

I swallow… My throat feels dry for a second, something that almost never happens… but today isn’t just any conversation, today isn’t a work meeting. Today I’m closing a chapter on something that’s been looming in my life for years.

“Come in,” I say.

My voice is firm, controlled.

The door opens and there she is.

She enters with that confidence that has always defined her. Elegant, impeccable… but her brow is barely furrowed, as if she already senses that this isn’t a normal meeting.

She closes the door behind her, her eyes fixed on mine. Analytical.

“Did you send for me?”

I nod.

“Yes. Please come in.”

She approaches, doesn’t sit down immediately. She stands in front of the desk, observing me with that mixture of curiosity and caution. I know her; she can read a room. And this… isn’t a comfortable one.

I gesture toward the chair in front of me.

“Sit down.”

She hesitates for barely a second… but she does it, crosses her legs, rests a hand on the arm of the chair. And waits. Direct, no beating around the bush. She’s always been like that.

I take a breath, because I know that this first moment… defines everything.

“Vanessa…” I begin.

And I pause, not out of doubt. But because I want to do this right.

“We’ve known each other for a long time.”

Her expression doesn’t change. But I know she’s listening attentively.

“We’ve worked together at different times… in different contexts.”

She nods slightly.

Chapter 212-The Dismissal, Part 2

“And I’ve always recognized something in you.”

I tilt my head slightly.

“You’re very good at what you do.”

I say it without embellishment, without falsehood. Because it’s true.

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“Your judgment… your analytical skills… your way of handling complex situations…” I continue, “have been invaluable to this company.”

She doesn’t smile, doesn’t thank me. She just looks at me, as if expecting the blow. Because she knows this isn’t just a compliment, and she’s right.

“You’ve been an important part of it,” I add. “And I won’t deny that.”

Silence. The room fills with something heavy… contained. Until she speaks.

“Ethan…”

Her tone is firm, very direct.

“The Ethan I know doesn’t call me to his office to give me flowers.”

Her eyes lock onto mine.

“What’s wrong?” There they are, no beating around the bush, no masks.

I exhale slowly and nod.

“You’re right.”

There’s no point in dragging this out any longer.

I open the desk drawer and take out the folder. I place it in front of me… and for a second, I look at it. It’s incredible how something so simple… can weigh so much.

I open it, turn a page. And then… I turn it toward her.

“Your contract,” I say. “The last one you signed.”

She lowers her gaze, recognizing it immediately.

“It’s been renewed several times,” I continue. “And it’s about to expire.”

She nods slowly, but this time… her expression changes. It hardens; she understands. I don’t need to say more… but I’m going to say it anyway. Because this isn’t a game.

“I’ve decided not to renew it.”

Silence, a long, heavy silence. She doesn’t speak, not right away.

Her eyes scan the documents… but I know she’s not really reading… She’s processing.

“Besides…” I add, “I’ve opted for early termination.”

<Chapter 212-The Dismissal, Part 2

turn over another sheet of paper, holding it a little closer.

“Here’s the compensation for the remaining time.”

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Her gaze slowly rises to mine; and this time… there’s something diffèrent. Something I hadn’t noticed before.

“Are you firing me?”

Direct, no embellishment.

I hold her gaze.

“Yes.”

There’s no other way to say it, not with her. Not with what we’ve been like.

Silence again, but now… it’s heavier. More oppressive.

She leans back slightly in her chair, her lips tightening.

“Wow…” A short, humorless laugh. “I didn’t see it coming like this.”

She doesn’t respond angrily, not yet. But she feels it, and it shows.

“There are additional clauses as well,” I continue, remaining calm. “Enhanced confidentiality and a temporary non-compete agreement.”

She looks at the papers again, this time actually reading them. More deliberate, more aware.

“All within the law,” I add. “And with compensation included.”

Pause.

“I want this to be… clean.”

She looks up and observes me. Really, right into my eyes.

“Clean?” she repeats.

There’s something in her tone… Something that’s starting to crack.

“Is that what you think this is?”

I don’t answer, because I know it’s not just that. And so does she.

She leans forward, placing the folder on the desk.

“Is it because of her?”

There it is, direct… no more beating around the bush, no more of those silly filters.

Clara.

My jaw tenses slightly, but I don’t look away.

Chapter 212 The Dismissal, Part 2

turn over another sheet of paper, holding it a little closer.

“Here’s the compensation for the remaining time.”

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Her gaze slowly rises to mine, and this time… there’s something diffèrent. Something I hadn’t noticed before.

“Are you firing me?”

Direct, no embellishment.

I hold her gaze.

“Yes.”

There’s no other way to say it, not with her. Not with what we’ve been like.

Silence again, but now… it’s heavier. More oppressive.

She leans back slightly in her chair, her lips tightening.

“Wow…” A short, humorless laugh. “I didn’t see it coming like this.”

She doesn’t respond angrily, not yet. But she feels it, and it shows.

“There are additional clauses as well,” I continue, remaining calm. “Enhanced confidentiality and a temporary non-compete agreement.”

She looks at the papers again, this time actually reading them. More deliberate, more aware.

“All within the law,” I add. “And with compensation included.”

Pause.

“I want this to be… clean.”

She looks up and observes me. Really, right into my eyes.

“Clean?” she repeats.

There’s something in her tone… Something that’s starting to crack.

“Is that what you think this is?”

I don’t answer, because I know it’s not just that. And so does she.

She leans forward, placing the folder on the desk.

“Is it because of her?”

There it is. direct… no more beating around the bush, no more of those silly filters.

Clara.

My jaw tenses slightly, but I don’t look away.

<Chapter 212-The Dismissal, Part 2

“It’s my decision.”

She lets out a small laugh, more bitter this time.

“Of course.”

She shakes her head.

“Always so proper.”

She gets up and takes a few steps around the office. She stops, her back to me.

“I worked with you for years, Ethan.”

Her voice lowers slightly.

“I was here when this company wasn’t what it is today.” She turns around. “And that’s it?”

There’s no open reproach, but there is… pain. And I understand. But it doesn’t change anything.

“It’s not about what you did or didn’t do professionally,” I reply. “I already told you.”

And it’s true, this isn’t about her work.

“Then tell it like it is.”

She takes a step toward the desk.

“It’s personal.”

Silence.

I look at her. And for the first time in the entire conversation… I don’t dodge anything.

“Yes.”

Her expression hardens, but also… softens slightly. As if, deep down, she already knew.

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“I understand…” she murmurs. But it doesn’t sound like she understands. It sounds like she accepts it… because she has no other choice.

“I don’t want any conflicts, Vanessa,” I add. “Not for you, not for the company.”

She smiles. But it’s not a real smile.

“Relax…” she says. “I’m not going to make a scene.”

She picks up the folder and closes it.

“I knew this moment would come.”

That hardly surprises me.

“I just…” she adds, “I didn’t think it would be like this.”

I watch her, silent.

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<Chapter 212-The Dismissal, Part 2

I always knew she was the weak point,” she finally says.

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And there… There’s something more than professionalism there. But I won’t get into that. Not today, or here.

“Sign it when you’ve reviewed it,” I tell her. “Human Resources will take care of the rest.”

She nods.

“Sure.”

She turns, walks toward the door, and just as she’s about to leave… She stops, without looking at me.

“I hope it works this time.”

Her voice is low, but clear.

“Because if it doesn’t…” She doesn’t finish the sentence; there’s no need.

She opens the door and leaves.

The door closes, and the silence… Returns.

I remain seated, motionless. Staring at the space where I was a second ago. And I exhale slowly, deeply. There’s no immediate relief, no satisfaction. Just… closure. A necessary one… One I should have done a long time ago.

I lean back in the chair, close my eyes for a moment. And I think of Clara, of us. Of what we’re building. And even though this… wasn’t easy.

I know it was the right thing to do. Because some decisions… aren’t made from a place of comfort. They’re made from a place of responsibility, and today… I chose well.

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