The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 396

n, Paraft 1.

Claim

Chate

ndingo Jakakingpup too much space in a place that already feels small for here anymonere Because his voice… His tone… It pullsise ledback.

t wanted to to touch in days.

e light warmGlasses in the hands of people who smile to commuch.

talking to someoeone about a project, about the need for someone with a decisive for histocompany. Someone who understands how to to navigate

reen interests.tslististened from a few steps behind.

out being invitedebubutinterested. Always interested. I took a stetep

at me, analyzingpasahe always did.

val I always sought from himirB But then…

hing him without asking peperssssionpl placed my hand on his shoulderer,

of his jacket. A small, intimatatapanchcalculated gesture.

eam…”

se didn’t move closer either.

111

near him.

can be partners…” I

Chapter 305. Ultimatum, Part 1.

“As partners, we’ve done a good job.”

He said.

“I won’t deny that.”

His tone was neutral, too neutral.

“Your father…”

He continued.

“Would die if you started working with me.”

I smiled slightly.

“I think he can understand.”

A lie, but at that moment… it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered more than being near him.

“We can work together.”

I continued.

“I can be a bridge. When you have projects with my father’s company. But we can be partners…” I looked at him intently. “Really.”

He held my gaze for a few seconds, assessing, gauging.

“As long as there are no problems…”

He finally said.

“Your profile would be very useful to the company.”

And that was it, that was all it took, I didn’t hesitate… Not for a second.

I just had to make one call, one that would doom me, but I didn’t care.

“Dad…”

I remember my voice on the phone, confident, determined.

“I’m going to work at Ethan’s company.”

Silence… And then…

“What did you say?”

His tone, that tone I’ve always known, will never leave my head.

< Chapter 305: Ultimatum, Part 1

“It’s an important project.”

I added, trying to soften the blow. But it didn’t work.

“Are you crazy?”

His voice rose.

“You’re leaving my company… The company you’re going to inherit… To go after that guy?”

“It’s not ‘after him’…”

I tried.

“It’s work.”

“Don’t mess with me, Vanessa.”

He exclaim, annoyed.

“That’s not work, that’s something else. You know it, I’m not stupid!”

I pressed my lips together, because I knew he was right. But I wasn’t going to admit it.

“I’m going to do it anyway.”

I said and hung up, I did it, without caring about the consequences.

That memory shatters, dissolves, and I’m back here, in this apartment, in this mess, with looking at me as if he doesn’t recognize me.

my

father

“I really want to get inside your head…”

He says now, his voice lower. But not gentler.

“And understand what the hell is wrong with you.”

I feel the blow.

“What’s going on in your life, Vanessa?”

I don’t answer, because I don’t know how to explain it. How do I explain that it wasn’t a logical decision?

That it wasn’t professional, that it was… a need, a desire to be seen, chosen. Important to someone who never truly chose me.

I clench my fing

ok at the floor. And then… Another memory, an older one.

O

r

< Chapter 305 Ultimatum, Part 1.

“If you’re going to do something…”

My father’s voice, younger, firmer.

“Do it right.”

Always like that, always demanding, always expecting more.

“I’m not interested in you trying.”

He would tell me.

“I’m interested in you succeeding.”

My mother… Q

“Your father

entler. But never enough to balance things out.

what’s best for you…”

said it from a… submissive place. As if justifying him was her way of loving.

arching for damn approval. Looking for that moment when he would say…

She wou

I grew

“I’m

B

… never came complete, something was always missing, it could always be

ways a “but.” And when Ethan appeared… It was different.

didn’t demand anything of me, didn’t yell at me, didn’t impose his will on me. He just…

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