The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 342

Chapter 252 One More Day: Trapped

Chapter 252: One More Day: Trapped.

Clara

Minutes later, I’m walking with Alexander. Blueprints in hand, my mind still on that office, on that man’s gaze, on his words… I feel like shit.

It’s too much… I got stuck with the worst of it, but it was the least I could do. Alexander solved so many problems; I couldn’t leave this to him.

“We can go this way,” he says, pointing to a hallway.

I nod, I don’t question it. I just follow him.

We reach the elevator, we get in. I press the button, the doors close, and for a moment… everything seems normal.

“When we get back to New York, I want to go over everything again,” I say.

“We will.”

I look at him and think about that word, “we will” speaks of working together… Alexander is essential to the company; I’ve realized that here. Let’s just say I’ve questioned my chances and I’m sitting on a plank being pulled toward an abyss, because on the other side is my fiancé and what we both agreed upon…

I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly…

The movement begins, but it doesn’t last. A sharp, dry jerk. I grab the bar, the elevator vibrates. Another, stronger jolt, and then it suddenly stops, abruptly.

My voice comes out uncontrollably, I look at the panel. I press the button… Nothing.

“Alexander…”

His name comes out in a whisper…

“What’s happening?”

“I don’t know,” he answers again.

Another metallic sound, the lights flicker. And then… it moves again, this time the jerk is

stronger and my heart stops, I felt like this was going to fall. But when I expect a jolt, it stops again and the lights go out. Darkness… total darkness.

My breathing quickens.

< Chapter 252: One More Day Trapped

“No…”

The elevator shakes slightly, as if something were wrong inside.

“Is it going to fall?”

The question comes out on its own; I can’t stop it. My heart is in my throat. The air feels

heavier, shorter.

“Clara…”

Suddenly, his arms are around me. Firm, secure. My body reacts before my mind. I don’t pull away; I can’t. I need him.

“It’s okay,” he says close to me. But I’m not okay.

The elevator creaks again. It moves barely, as if hesitating between holding on… or letting go

I close my eyes, I cling to him. And then… Silence… total silence. The movement stops, the lights are still off, but there are no more shakes. Nothing, just… stillness.

I breathe once, then again. I’m still in his arms, and for a second… I don’t think of anything else. Except that… we’re not falling. The seconds tick by… slowly, too slowly.

My breathing gradually begins to regulate itself, the silence inside the elevator becomes denser than the fear itself. And then I become aware of where I am, who I’m with, how I feel. My hands are resting on his chest, his arm still around my waist. Too close… Too… intimate.

I open my eyes and gently pull away, almost abruptly, as if my body reacts before my mind.

“I…” I straighten my blouse, run a hand through my hair, and clear my throat. “I’m sorry.”

I don’t look directly at him; I need a second. Just one to return to myself, to return to the Clara

who’s in control. Not the one who’s scared.

I take a deep breath.

“I’ll call the engineer.”

My voice tries to sound firm, professional. As if nothing had happened.

I quickly pull out my phone, screen, signal, nothing.

I frown.

“No…” I raise the phone, as if moving it would change anything. “No signal.”

The air tightens in my chest again. I try again. Nothing.

< Chapter 252 One More Day: Trapped

“Great…” I mutter, more to myself than to him.

+25 Poin

I pace the small space, pressing the buttons on the panel. One, then another. All of them. Nothing responds, no light, no sound, no life.

“It’s not working.”

My voice rises slightly, frustration beginning to mix with fear.

I hit the emergency button.

“Hello?” I say, even though I know there’s no connection. “Hello?”

Silence… Only my own breath echoing back.

I turn to Alexander.

“This can’t be happening.”

I run a hand over my forehead.

“How long does it take for someone to notice we’re here?”

The thought hits me: locked in, no signal, no contact, no control. And that… that’s what

unsettles me the most.

I lean my back against the cold metal wall.

“This wasn’t authorized…” I say, more aware now.

I look at him, this time directly.

“Why are we here, Alexander?”

It’s not just a question, it’s something more. Something that’s starting to bother me, to create a noise in my head.

The silence returns, but it’s not the same. Now it weighs differently… Much more.

Comments

LUCK DRAW

N

Vote