The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 48

Chapter 30: I’m Not Alone-2

They had all left the room by now.

I looked down, it was true.

The paper was barely shaking between my fingers. Damn.

“I’m not going to question your decision to stay,” he continued. “But if you decide to leave, the project will not fall apart.”

I felt something strange in my chest, because it wasn’t an invitation to give up.

It was an affirmation that I was not the only pillar. And that… That threw me off.

“I’m not going away,” I repeated, this time more slowly. “I’m fine.”

Alexander held my gaze for a second longer. And then, lower, almost just to me:

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I know you don’t have to prove anything today.”

Silence.

That phrase was worse than any pressure. Because I’m always proving something.

That I am capable, that I am strong, that I can do anything.

I swallowed hard, forced myself to straighten my shoulders.

“Let’s finish this,” I said, this time really firm.

Alexander held my eyes for a second longer, as if he wanted to make sure I wasn’t breaking silently.

Then he nodded.

“Okay.”

The night air in New York was freezing when I walked out of the building. I didn’t remember putting on my coat, but there it was, hanging awkwardly from my shoulders as I held my wallet, laptop, and contract folder like a shield.

I walked to the parking lot trying to breathe normally.

Everything was under control. Or so I wanted to believe.

I looked for the keys in the right pocket of my coat. Nothing, on the left… Nothing. In the portfolio.

Just papers, the charger, the makeup case, folded receipts… but not the keys.

I breathed faster.

I checked again. My hands began to tremble. I took everything out on the back seat of the car next to me,

not caring about the image it gave. The documents almost fell off. The folder was opened.

Chapter 30 -Net tem

“No… nu, nu. no…

felt that horrible feeling of drowning in something minimal. It wasn’t just the keys. That was all. My father

in a hospital. The contract. The error in the clause. Tomorrow’s meeting. New York. The distance.”

My head was a constant noise.

“Clara.”

Alexander’s voice spun me around.

I don’t know how long I’ve been there.

“I can’t find the keys,” I muttered, aware of how ridiculous it sounded.

He looked at the mess I had made on the seat. Then he looked at me.

And he didn’t say to calm me down.

He didn’t say to check better.

He just reached out and gently picked up the folder that was about to fall to the ground.

“I’ll take you.”

I blinked.

“No need, I-”

=

n

“Clara,” he repeated, this time firmer, but without harshness. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to your apartment. Don’t worry about your car, I’ll pick it up later.”

I wanted to protest, it was the right thing to do. It was what I always did. But I opened my mouth… and nothing came of it.

Because I knew I couldn’t drive.

My head was spinning. I nodded, that’s all.

The journey was quiet at first. The city paraded through the window like a distant movie. The lights were blending and I could barely focus.

My hands were clasped in my lap so that it wouldn’t be noticeable that they were still trembling.

“I know there’s perhaps little time to get to know each other,” he said suddenly, his eyes fixed on the road. “And that our relationship is purely work-related. Trust gaps are difficult to cross.”

I swallowed hard.

I didn’t know where this was going.

“But I want you to see me as a friend too, Clara.”

I turned my face slightly towards him.

Chapter 304 * 2

His expression was serious, calm. There was no pressure on his tone.

“I don’t know what’s the matter,” he continued. “But whatever it is… everything is going to be fine.”

That phrase so simple, so dangerous.

I lowered my head. And I couldn’t hold my composure anymore.

A tear fell without permission. Fast. Hot. It slid down my cheek before I could wipe it off.

“My dad is sick,” I whispered.

My voice was broken.

“And I feel bad because I can’t be with him.”

The words began to come out on their own.

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