The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 344

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Chapter 254 Playing Alone

Chapter 254: Playing Alone.

Alexander

Boston was behind me faster than I expected. The project is still on track, the permits signed. Construction is picking up speed, everything… in order. Just as it should be, just as I

made sure it was.

The airport is crowded, as always. People rushing about, suitcases dragged along, voices crossing each other aimlessly. I walk through it all without looking at anyone; I don’t need to. There’s only one person I want to see before I leave, and I find her. Clara.

She’s a few meters ahead, standing and waiting. With that posture she always maintains… firm, elegant, composed. But she’s not alone, of course not. Ethan is already there.

He sees her before I do, and his expression changes. It’s not exaggerated, not theatrical. It’s real. That kind of reaction that can’t be faked, he approaches her without hesitation. As if the rest of the world didn’t exist, as if the distance of a few days had been too much. He takes her by the waist, she smiles. And everything about her changes too, softens, opens up,

becomes… his.

He kisses her slowly, without shame, without needing to hide anything. I stop, not because I want to. Because it simply happens… I observe no more than necessary. Just enough. There’s no room for me there, there never really was. And now… it’s more obvious than ever.

Clara says something, he responds. They look at each other as if they share something no one else can touch. Something sealed, something complete. I don’t approach, I don’t interrupt. Much less do I greet them, or say goodbye. There’s nothing to say, because there are moments when you understand your place… without anyone having to explain it to you.

I walk away with long strides, as if I hadn’t seen them, as if it didn’t matter. But it matters, of course it matters. Except I don’t show it. I never do.

I board the plane without looking back; there’s no point. New York greets me as always: cold, fast, unforgiving. Exactly how I like it, exactly how I need it now.

I leave the airport; the driver is already waiting. I get in the car, close the door… Silence, finally.

I lean my head back, close my eyes for a second, and let everything settle. Boston, Clara, the elevator, the conversation.

I exhale slowly, controlled.

I’m not going to have her, that’s no longer up for debate. Not on a personal level, not

Chapter 254 Playing Alone

emotionally. But there is something at stake, something I’m not going to let go of.

I open my eyes and look out the window.

The city rushes by: lights, buildings. Constant movement.

+25 Poin

Clara can choose Ethan; that’s hers. It always was. But this… this isn’t something she’s goin to decide on her own. Because if she thinks she can rearrange everything… get rid of me… replace me… as if I were just another piece… Then she doesn’t know me, and that… that’s going to be her mistake.

New York doesn’t wait for anyone. And neither do I usually. But that night… as soon as I clos my apartment door, all I want is silence. To put down my briefcase, loosen my tie, switch off my mind. Boston is still with me. The decisions, the glances, the elevator. Clara. Everything keeps spinning in the background, even though I’ve already decided where that part ends. Or

at least I’m trying to.

Not even ten minutes have passed when the doorbell rings, once, twice, insistently.

I exhale in annoyance; I don’t need to think too hard to know who it is.

I open the door.

Vanessa is standing there, tense, annoyed. With that energy that never seems to be

contained.

“Why aren’t you answering my calls?”

No greeting, no pause. Straight to the point.

“I’ve been writing to you,” she continues. “Why didn’t you get back to me?”

I look at her for a second, emotionless.

“I was busy.”

She lets out a short, incredulous laugh.

“Busy?”

She steps into the apartment without waiting for an invitation.

“If I hadn’t heard Ethan’s assistant say to get his driver ready to pick her up at the airport, I wouldn’t have even known you were coming today.”

She turns to me.

Chapter 254: Playing Alone.

“What’s wrong, Alexander?”

+25 Points

I close the door calmly, too calmly. Because I’m tired, not physically. That’s easy to deal with, tired of the other stuff. Of the noise, of the unnecessary.

I watch her, she speaks quickly. Her breathing is faster… She’s still trapped in the same thing. In them, in what wasn’t, in what won’t be. I’m not there anymore, not in that place, not like

that.

I walk slowly across the room, leave my keys on the table. I loosen my tie.

She keeps looking at me, waiting for a reaction. An answer… Anything.

I stop in front of her, look her in the eyes. And for the first time since she arrived… there’s no patience. No interest in keeping up with her pace, only clarity.

“You know what?” A pause, short, cold. “You’re playing games with yourself.”

Silence… total silence.

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