The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 301

2216 Through her tears, Part 1.

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ring wheel vibrates beneath my hands, not from the routbud from the tension I’m carrying. It normal call, it wasn’t Vanessa being Vanessa. It was so nemething else.

e was uncontrolled. It lacked that calculated edge she bivalveys uses, that way she measures every This was raw. Disjointed. Broken And that is like kete haven’t seen much of her, but that g voice rattled me.

my jaw as I change lanes, ignoring a couple of homo amaratind me. I’m not distracted, but I’m not sent either.

is still on that call. On that tone. On that raggett brebreathing that rarely let me understand what she ng.

et me.”

more, no explanations, no context. Just thathaAndAnd she hung up. That’s what’s got me like this Vanessa doesn’t ask for help. Vanessa propoveokes, manipulates, controls but she doesn’t ask

rate a little more than I should; I don’t careatub just want to get there.

appears in front of me, and I pulb straigaight into the parking garage without wasting any time ed on coming to this building, but be the occasion warrants it.

quickly, turn onto the first ramp, and sd start driving through the levels. I look both ways: rows of pty spaces, cold white lightshts

o of the engine bouncing off the be concrete, but I don’t see her. I don’t recognize her car, and that ng to bother me. I drive arounut ad again, slower, observing, searching… Nothing

the hell are you…? I muttertter

sharply and slam on the brebeskies in the middle of the corridor.

y phone out of my pocket art and call her: Once, twice, even three times. She doesnt arven

phone tighter, about tot to ing up. when I hear it

ound, but clock. Angtogione

rn off the engine alitendu And then… there it is again, clearer. It’s coming from a love to

engineellist

of the car without closing the door and walk, following the sound past between mo and see a dark, slightly tinted windows. And the sound is coming fit to the

ction oppas arb the glass. I tilt my head slightly to get a better in And them,

“Vanessa

She’s leaning against the steering wheel, motionless.

The phone vibrates beside her. She doesn’t move, doesn’t lift her head. Nothing. Something in my chest tightens; it’s not immediate pity, it’s… shock. Because this isn’t the Vanessa I know, not the impeccable poised woman with her gaze held-high. This one is disarmed.

I raise my hand and gently touch the glass, there’s no reaction. I frown, walk around the car, and try the handle. It’s unlocked.

I carefully open the door.

“Vanessa…”

My voice comes out softer than I expected, but she doesn’t respond.

She just… breathes heavily, unevenly.

I lean slightly toward her.

“Vanessa,” I repeat, this time more firmly.

Then she barely moves, slowly lifting her head. And when she turns her face toward me… The sight hits me. Swollen, red eyes, smeared makeup. Skin damp with tears she’s no longer wiping away. Her expression… empty, but broken.

She says nothing, asks no questions, explains nothing. She just looks at me, and in that second. everything I thought before falls short. This isn’t just a bad moment; this is something that has pierced her Strong, real…

I swallow. Without thinking too much, I reach out and gently take her arm. It’s cold, tense

“Come on,” I say, more softly now. “I’ll take you home.”

She doesn’t resist, but she doesn’t fully cooperate either. She just… lets me.

Her eyes remain on me for a few more seconds, as if trying to get her bearings, understand where she is

T what’s happening. And then… she nods very slightly. Barely perceptible.

I look around, I hear footsteps, voices. People coming toward this part of the parking lot. And no, I’m not going to let them see her like this. Not her, not in this state.

I move a little closer

“Let’s go before someone sees you like this.”

This time her reaction is immediate.

She doesn’t speak, but she moves. She clumsily wipes her face with the back of her hand an if that mould erase the obvious I give her space to get out of the car, she gets out slowly unsteadily. And instinctively 1 place my hand on her back, supporting her. It’s not a calculated gesture, it’s natural, necessary

I close the car door with my other hand and guide her a few steps forward I feel her light weight lean little more than usual. And that… says more than any words

Chapter 1 h her, Pat

I don’t ask anything, not here, not now. I simply take her with me, heading straight for my car. Because There are moments… when understanding can wait, but holding on… cannot

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