The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 304

Chapter 218: Through her tears, Part 3.

Alexander

The sharp sound of paper hitting the table cuts through the air

Vanessa doesn’t place it… she throws it. The documents slide a little, bump against my glass of whiskey and lie there, jumbled… like her.

I lower my gaze, observe them for a second, and then pick them up. I don’t need to read every line, there’s no need. I recognize the format, the structure, the type of contract… the type of decision. Even so, I flip through a couple of pages… Quickly, efficiently. Looking for the essentials, clear clauses. Correct dates well-defined conditions. No gaps, no obvious loopholes. Everything… neat.

I close the folder calmly. Too calmly, perhaps, for what she expects of me.

“Vanessa…” I don’t get to finish; she speaks first.

“The worst part is that he didn’t even wait for me to leave before looking for a replacement

Her voice trembles, but it doesn’t break. Not yet.

“He already has someone lined up to take my place,” she adds, her eyes fixed on mine. “I haven’t even left the company and he already has someone to replace me.”

Silence… A second… Two.

I gave her a moment to breathe.

“Can you believe it?”

I look at her directly, without hesitation, and nod.

“Yes,”

I don’t soften my words, I don’t embellish.

“I can believe it.”

I see the immediate change in her expression, I had expected something else Comfort, validation Perhaps shared indignation, but that’s not me. Not here, not with this…

I lean forward slightly, resting my forearms on my legs

“In a company. “I say, my tone firm, “we, human beings are replaceable”

I let the sentence fall, let it sink in.

“Any employee is

Her eyes widen slightly.

“You haven’t even left and he already knows who’s going to take you place

Chepler 218-Pugh her fears Part 3.

pause fly, observing her.

And

…with better abilities than you

TH

the direct blow, without anesthesia. And her reaction is immediate.

me as if I’ve just become something she never expected, as if I’ve crossed an invisible line.

ou telling me this?”

e is filled with anger, confusion, hurt.

back slightly on the sofa, without taking my eyes off her.

ause it’s the truth.”

ple, clear.

m not going to sugarcoat reality to make you feel better.”

barely incline my head.

That won’t do you any good.”

Her breathing quickens. She clutches the handkerchief in her hand.

“You’re just like him…” she says, disdainfully, “the way you talk.”

That… elicits a faint smile from me. Cold.

“Perhaps in the professional sphere… we’re equals, yes.”

I set my glass down on the table.

“But no.”

I look her up and down.

“Don’t compare me.”

A pause.

“How offensive

The ensuin

of that

ht”

table. But necessary, because someone had to pull her out wasn’t going to be with gentle words.

onds, processing or resisting I don’t know…

anything… she murmurs, more to herself than to me.

But then her gaze changes, hardens.

“But when I found out he was already conducting internal interviews to see who would fill my position.” She leans forward slightly. “I went and insulted him.”

There it is, I close my eyes for a brief second… As if I already know what’s coming next

“I told him everything I had to say.”

Her voice rises.

“I told him he’s a piece of shit.”

I open my eyes, observe her, analyze her. And I slowly shake my head.

“No.”

My voice is low, but firm.

“That wasn’t what you should have done.”

I sit up a little more.

“Everything’s wrong, Vanessa.”

Her lips part slightly.

“You’re doing everything wrong.”

Each word falls with precision.

“You’re letting yourself look hurt.”

I hold her gaze.

“And we…” I add, more slowly, “should never show our weaknesses.”

There it is, the point, the core.

She remains still, very still. And I can see the conflict in her expression, because part of her knows. Understands, but another part… is too hurt to accept it.

I pick up my glass and take a slow sip. Without taking my eyes off her.

“You just gave him exactly what he shouldn’t have.” I set the glass down. “Confirmation”

I tilt my head slightly

“Now he knows you care.”

A pause.

“And that… is power.”

The silence that follows isn’t empty, it’s dangerous Because now she’s not just hurt She’s thinking. And that… changes everything

watch her silently for a few more seconds She’s there, in front of me… her pride wounded, the anger still Coursing through her body, but also something more dangerous: exposed vulnerability. And that.. is a mistake. A serious one.

I gently place the glass on the table, without taking my eyes off her

“You should have done something else.”

My tone isn’t harsh… but it’s not exactly kind either. It’s precise.

“You should have found a lawyer… sat down… reviewed every clause… and acted like you didn’t give a damn about being fired.”

I see her tense up slightly, good. That means she’s listening.

“But no, I continue, leaning forward a little. “You’re feeding a man’s ego with your reaction.”

I don’t raise my voice; there’s no need.

“You’re hurt… and it shows.”

Right there… Straight to the point.

Her eyes lock onto mine, and for a second… it seems like she’s going to react. Like she’s going to explode, but she doesn’t. She stays there, holding my gaze, breathing slower now, more aware. And then…. I take another step.

“Where did that woman who spoke to me the first time go?”

The question isn’t casual. It’s intentional.

“I thought you were more astute. But in the end… you’re a woman, aren’t you?”

The sentence comes out with a cutting calm.

“More sensitive… more emotional about everything.”

That’s it, that’s where I see her. The blow lands, not from angen, but from recognition. Vanessa doesn’t respond immediately, or argue, she doesn’t defend herself. And that… is the most interesting thing. Because instead… she runs her hand over her eyes. As if she were wiping away more than just tears, as if my words… had done more than just make her uncomfortable. They would have woken her up

I lie back on the sofa. I watch her, saying nothing more, because there’s no need. The silence now works for me, and I can see it… in how her breathing changes, how her posture ceases to be so fragile. In how her eyes… cease to be only pain…. and begin to recover something I recognize well. Control, interest… Coldness.

I smile barely, very faintly Because there she is. That’s the woman I saw the first time, not the one who arrived broken a few minutes ago.

I tilt my head.

“Now…” I murmur, almost to myself. “You’re better like this.”