The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 319

Chapter 231-Present for My Fiancé

Chapter 231: A Present for My Fiancé.

Clara

425 Points

I didn’t know I could get so nervous about buying a gift for my own fiancé. And yet, there I was. Standing in front of a men’s boutique window two days ago, looking at watches, elegant pens, leather wallets, exquisite cufflinks, and a collection of objects designed for men who seem to have everything.

Ethan could buy any of those things ten times over without batting an eye, so I didn’t want to give him something expensive. I wanted to give him something thoughtful, something that said… I see you. Something only I knew he would truly cherish. And then I found it.

A small, refined, dark wooden box containing a set of handcrafted chess pieces carved from black onyx and ivory marble, accompanied by a leather-covered folding board.

I smiled the moment I saw it.

Ethan loves chess. Not as a casual pastime, but as one of those things he does quietly when he needs to clear his head. I’ve seen him play alone, reconsider his moves, study classic games on a tablet while sipping whiskey.

He once told me that chess taught him to think several steps ahead. I replied that life doesn’t always give you advance warning of your moves… He laughed and kissed me. So yes, it was perfect.

I had a discreet phrase engraved inside the box: “So you win less alone and share more with me.” – Clara.

Today I decided to deliver it to him personally, no messengers, no assistants. Me. Because he always surprises me. Flowers at the office. Coffee when I least expect it. Small gestures on ordinary days. And I wanted to surprise him.

I drove to his company in a great mood, with the box wrapped in simple charcoal-colored paper and a cream ribbon.

I was smiling to myself like a silly teenager.

I entered the building, greeting the reception staff, and got on the elevator with the gift in my hapis

I pressed the button for the executive floor and the doors began to close. Then a hand appeared between the two metal panels.

The elevator doors opened again, and Vanessa stepped in.

The joy didn’t completely disappear, but it froze. We looked at each other for barely a second. Enough… She was carrying several documents, a beige folder, her purse slung over her shoulder. She was impeccable as always, though her jaw seemed a bit stiff. She didn’t greet me, and neither did i.

She stepped aside, standing by the side panel. The silence inside the elevator grew thick. I heard the whit of the mechanism ascending floor by floor as I held my gift with both hands, trying to maintain my composure.

I glanced at her-papers, documents. She was still there.

My brow furrowed slightly. Ethan had told me that the departure was in process. That he had spoken with

Chapter 231-Present for My Fiance

her. That only formalities remained.

So why did she keep coming?

I wasn’t going to ask her, I wasn’t going to give her that conversation. But I did feel an immediate discomfort, like a stone in my chest.

Vanessa kept her gaze straight ahead, proud, cold, almost defiant without needing to speak.

The doors opened, and we left at the same time

She took the left hallway without turning her head; I went straight to Ethan’s office.

I knocked once and entered without waiting too long.

He looked up from his desk. His face lit up when he saw me.

“Hey, beautiful…”

He stood up immediately, walking around the desk to greet me, but stopped as soon as he noticed my expression.

“What’s wrong?”

I stared at him.

“Why is Vanessa here?”

His smile vanished, not from guilt. From tiredness… From annoyance. He closed the door behind me and exhaled slowly.

“Clara…”

“I just saw her in the elevator.”

I clutched the gift in my hands.

“With documents, like any other day.”

He approached slowly.

“Come, sit down.”

“I don’t want to sit down, Ethan. I want to understand.”

He nodded… He didn’t argue. That calmed me down a little.

“Legally, I couldn’t fire her immediately,” he explained calmly. “The contract is still valid for a few more days. My lawyer told me that if she demands to fulfill the remaining term, I have to allow it

I blinked, processing

“Can’t you do anything?”

“Not without exposing the company to an unnecessary conflict. she came to say she’s going to finish her

contract.

Chapter 231-Present for My Fiance

He shook his head in frustration.

“I’ve already done the hard part. I gave notice of non-renewal. She’ll be gone in a few days. But in the meantime… I have to respect the process.”

t him for a few long seconds. And I understood. I wasn’t angry with him; he had moved. He had had done something incredibly difficult to protect us. What bothered me was her, her need to ing to something where there was clearly no longer any support.

stand,” I finally said.

e softened, and he moved close

you angry with me?”

hook my head slowly.

No.”

I sighed.

“I’m upset about the sit

His hand brushed a

“Me too.”

I watched hi

He looke

I look

the whole thing. And then I felt a little bad for having come in like that.

hands.

kage.

this.”

rise.

changed

waseral, and almost childlike masculine joy

arming

N

Chapter 231-Present for My Fiance

He took the box carefully, untied the ribbon, and removed the wrapping paper with more patience than I’ve ever seen him display when signing million-dollar contracts. When he opened the wooden case, he stood till, looked at the pieces, then the board. Then he read the inscription inside.

him swallow hard

t believe this.”

hiled.

es, you can.”

He looked up at me with those dark eves filled with something warm.

“It’s perfect.”

“I know.”

“Did you know I wanted

traveling?”

“Of course I knew.”

ghtly, one of those hugs of Ethan’s that seem to shut out the outside

He closed the box

noise.

I rested my

“Thank

“YO

st my hair.

to look at me.

itly, slowly. As if he wanted to patiently erase the tension. When we broke apart, he of the box again.

ame tonight.”

m not that good

ach you.”

did 1. The cloud was still there, of course Vanessa wat still in ept lingering, but in that moment I understood something sample remaining days. I had something that can’t be signed in contracts

and

Chapter 231-Present for My France

I had him looking at me like that, present, chosen, Mine by choice, not by habit. And no amount of work could compete with that.

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