The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 330

C Chapter 241-Pefore Time Part 2

Chapter 241: Before Time, Part 2.

Clara

New York looked gray from the car window, not rainy… just serious, as if the city itself understood that some mornings weren’t made for romance, but for responsibilities.

I was in the passenger seat with my purse on my lap, my phone full of unread emails, and a digital folder open on my tablet that I’d been staring at for ten minutes without processing a single line.

My nerves weren’t coming from Boston; they were coming from running out of a happy bubble. From going from a night of kisses and promises to a morning of conflicts, urgent flights, and tense meetings.

Ethan drove in silence, one hand firmly on the steering wheel, the other resting near the gearshift. Every now and then he’d bring it close to my knee, just to touch it for a few seconds. A small gesture, enough to keep me focused.

“You’re going to end up staring at the screen,” he finally said.

I put the tablet down.

“I’m reviewing scenarios.”

“No.”

He barely turned toward me at the traffic light.

“You’re anticipating catastrophes.”

I sighed.

“I’m good at that too.”

“I know.”

The light changed and we moved forward.

“Clara.”

His tone lowered, becoming warmer.

“Everything’s going to be alright.”

I glanced at him sideways; I was always surprised by the certainty with which he said certain things. Not because he thought he controlled the world, but because when I faltered… he chose to be firm

“You don’t know that.”

“No.”

He brushed against my leg again.

“But I know you’ll handle it.”

< Chapter 241- relare Time, Part 2

My chest loosened a little.

“It’s different.”

“Why?”

“Because this matters a lot.”

“You matter a lot too.” He said it without looking at me, focused on the road. And yet, it pierced me completely.

I put the tablet away.

“If things get complicated, call me,” he continued. “If you need to review contracts, call me. If someone wants to play dirty, call me.”+

I raised an eyebrow.

“Was that a polite threat?”

“It was a legal offer.”

I smiled.

“My lawyers are at your disposal. The best.”

“How generous.”

“Only with you.”

I looked out the window to hide my smile. There was/something reassuring about knowing that Ethan, even without being involved in this project, was already thinking about how to support me from his own perspective. He wasn’t intruding; he was offering support. And that was worth more than a thousand speeches.

“You can also call me if you’re just tired,” he added.

I looked at him again.

“And what will you do from New York?”

“Listen to you breathe and tell you to eat something.”

I laughed for the first time since we started dating.

“Controller.”

“Committed.”

The airport was bustling, gleaming, filled with wheels gliding across spotless floors and voices in different languages.

Ethan parked in the private area, got out first, and walked around the car to open the door for me. It didn’t even surprise me anymore. He took my suitcase as if it weighed nothing and walked beside me toward the entrance. His presence commanded attention even without trying. People moved aside as soon as he

< Chapter 241fore Time Part 2

passed by, with that air of a man who knows exactly where he’s going.

1, on the other hand, was still trying to sort myself out. As soon as I entered the executive area, I saw him. Alexander, standing by the window, a black suitcase beside him, dressed in impeccable jet black, wearing dark glasses, a long coat, and with the relaxed posture of someone who never runs, even if the world is burning.

He looked up as we approached. He didn’t smile, he just observed. I felt Ethan tense up slightly beside me.

Alexander slowly and deliberately removed his glasses.

“Punctual as always, Clara.”

“Miraculously,” I replied.

His gaze shifted to Ethan, two intelligent men sizing each other up in a moment of silence.

Ethan didn’t say good morning. He simply handed the suitcase to an airport assistant who appeared just in time and then turned completely toward me, as if Alexander were part of the furniture.

He cupped my face in his hands, his eyes calm. That touched me more than any possessive gesture, because I was doing something difficult for him: Trusting without controlling.

“Get everything sorted out as soon as possible,” he said softly.

I nodded.

“I’ll try.”

“Don’t overdo it.”-

“I know.”

“And call me.”

“I know that too.”

His thumb caressed my cheek, then he kissed me. It wasn’t a theatrical kiss, nor a long one. It was worse.

it was intimate The kind that says things in front of others without needing words. {

sted his forehead against mine for a second.

same thing.”

matters most.”

ice more, briefly, just for myself. When we parted, I saw in his eyes what he wouldn’t say: he ing me go with Alexander, he didn’t like the trip, he didn’t like not being able to come with me. choosing respect over impulse. And that was mature love

tened his tie with a small smile

<Chapter 742-re Time Part2.

“Don’t fight with anyone while I’m gone.”

“I’m not promising anything.”

“Ethan

to disappoint you.”

d my forehead and took a step back. Only then did he look at Alexander again.

it goes well,” he said, though I couldn’t tell which of the two he meant.

he left with that way of walking of his, as if even leaving was a powerful decision.

atched him walk away through the hurried crowd. I felt a small emptiness.

nteresting man,” Alexander commented beside me.

didn’t look at him.

“Don’t start.”

“I didn’t say anything wrong.”

I took a breath and turned to face him.

“Perfect. Let’s keep it like this for the whole flight.”

Alexander smiled slightly and adjusted his glasses.

“It’s going to be a fun week.”

“If all goes well, it’ll be forty-eight hours.”

I started walking toward security. He followed me, and as we walked, I thought of Ethan walking away with his hands in his pockets

is discomfort. He trusted me; now it was my turn to honor

that.

LUCK DRAW >

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