The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 329

Chapter 240: Before Time.

Clara

I woke up enveloped in warmth, not from the blankets. From Ethan. He was asleep behind me, an arm around my waist, his gentle breath brushing the back of my neck.

There was something deeply intimate about waking up like this, about feeling held even before I fully opened my eyes. The previous night still lingered on my skin: his kisses on the mirror, the shower we shared. The way he looked at me, as if seeing me happy brought him peace.

I smiled to myself.

For a moment, I considered staying still so as not to break the spell, but my phone vibrated on the nightstand.

I opened one eye lazily; the screen lit up. I read the caller’s name and whispered…

“Alexander…”

I frowned.

At this hour?

I carefully picked up my phone so as not to wake Ethan and got out of bed, barefoot. I answered as I walked toward the private area of the room.

“Did something happen?”

“Good morning to you too.”

His voice sounded the same as always: controlled, flawless, irritatingly calm.

“Alexander.”

There was a brief pause.

“We’re having problems in Boston.”

All the drowsiness vanished.

“What kind of problems?”

“The main contractor halted operations early this morning. There’s a conflict with suppliers, a city review, and a real risk of delaying the opening.”

I closed my eyes for a second.

“How risky?”

“Enough that it can’t be resolved by mail.”

That meant only one thing Presence.

Chapter 240 Pelore Time

“I’m on my way.” I said immediately.

“I figured.”

I hated that he knew me well enough to anticipate it.

“I need two hours to gather everything and head to the airport. Can you make it?”

I glanced toward the room; Ethan was still asleep. Peace is fleeting when you also have ambition.

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up or we’ll meet there.”

“See you there.”

“Perfect.”

Before hanging up, he added:

“And Clara…”

“What?”

“Don’t be nice. Be efficient.”

He hung up… I looked at him with annoyance at the phone.

“Idiot.”

“Alexander?”

Ethan’s voice behind me made me turn around. He was leaning against the doorframe, disheveled, barefoot, wearing only his pajama bottoms, and with an expression still heavy with sleep…. mixed with something more alert. Too attractive for someone who had just woken up.

“Yes.

“What happened?”

I approached slowly.

Problems in Boston.”

face changed immediately; he didn’t dramatize. He didn’t ask silly questions. He just focused. That’s What I always liked about him.

explained the essentials while he listened in silence. When I finished, he crossed his arms

So you’re traveling today.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.”

He nodded slowly

Chapter 240 Pefore Time

“With Alexander.”

That was the true weight of the statement.

I smiled slightly.

“That was also a statement, not a question.”

He exhaled through his nose.

“Clara…”

“Don’t start.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face did.”

He moved closer until he was standing right in front of me.

“My face is saying I hate getting calls at dawn to ruin your day.”

“My day isn’t ruined.”

I tucked a stray strand of hair behind his head.

“It just changed course.”

His hand went to my waist.

“And he’s also saying I’m not thrilled about the idea of you and Alexander alone in Boston.”

I looked at him tenderly.

“We won’t be alone. There will be contractors, lawyers, architects, civil servants, assistants, and probably too many stressed-out people.”

“You know what I mean.”

Yes… I knew.

1 cupped his face in my hands.

“You trust me.”

“Absolutely.”

“Then breathe.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t trust you.”

“Him?”

Silence was enough.

I couldn’t help but laugh, he frowned.

25 Po

<Chapter 240-Before Time

It’s not funny.”

“A little.”

“Clara.”

I stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips.

“Alexander doesn’t interest me that way.”

“I know.”

“And if he ever tried anything, I’d know exactly where to send him.”

That brought a half-smile to his face.

“I know that too.”

He rested his forehead against mine.

“I just… liked waking up with you and thinking we’d have a normal day.”

His honesty resonated with me more than I expected, because I’d thought the same thing. Having breakfast together, maybe lunch with Mom. Still looking at wedding options. A simple life for a few hours. But our reality rarely allowed itself much stillness.

“We’ll have normal days,” I whispered.

“When?”

“When we learn to create them amidst the chaos.”

His arms tightened around me.

“That sounded dangerously intelligent for someone who still doesn’t drink coffee.”

“And you still look offensively good to be jealous of.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“Sure.”

“I’m… strategically awkward.”

I laughed against his neck.

“That doesn’t exist.”

“In my world, yes.”

I pulled away with a smile and walked toward the dressing room.

“I’m going to take a shower I need to pack.”

“How long will you be gone?”

Chapter 240-Before Time

paused for a second.

“I don’t know.”

That was the part neither of us wanted.

I turned to look at him. He was still standing in the middle of the room, his fair disheveled, his gaze fixed on me as if he already missed something that hadn’t yet left.

I turned back to him and kissed him long and slowly. When I pulled away, I murmured, “I’ll be back soon.”

His hand caressed my cheek.

“Come back safely.”

That was Ethan: not “win,” not “solve,” not “do it perfectly.” Come back safely.

I entered the bathroom with a tight chest, as the water fell and the morning moved towards duty, I understood something simple: to love isn’t always to stay. Sometimes it’s also to leave… knowing where your home is.

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