After all these years, they had a certain vibe where they got each other. Darcy knew this meant he wanted to talk to her alone. Coincidentally, she also had something to say to him. She stood up, making up an excuse. "Mom, I'm going to buy some water." Zane followed her. "I'll go with you." Outside the room, Darcy turned to him, not beating around the bush. "You wanted to talk to me?" Her voice was cool, her face devoid of the unrestrained smile she used to have whenever she saw him. Zane's heart gave a sharp, unpleasant jolt. He thought back. It seemed that ever since Darcy started her leave, she hadn't smiled at him like that anymore. She used to be completely focused on him, her eyes full of him. Now, there was only this coldness. Did she find out about something? He frowned. The thought was baseless. Darcy had been at the hospital caring for her mother, too busy to even contact him daily. How could she know about changes at the company? Even if someone had been gossiping to her, with Darcy's personality, if she truly suspected something, she would have confronted him directly by now. But she hadn't asked him anything. So she probably knew nothing. Unconsciously, they had walked to the end of the corridor. A glass window was open at the far end, a cool breeze drifting through, slightly easing the tightness in Zane's chest. He let out a slow breath. Really, I haven't done anything to betray her. Why am I feeling guilty? Even if Darcy knew about Zora, so what? It was a standard hire. As CEO, he could hire whoever he wanted. Thinking this, he felt more confident, unafraid of what he was about to say. Still, it had been a while since he'd seen Darcy. Watching her stand by the window, the breeze lifting her brown hair, something stirred in his heart. Ines was always whining in his ear, saying he didn't understand what Zane saw in her. In truth, aside from her outstanding capabilities and gentle temperament, Darcy was quite beautiful. Unlike Zora's bright, striking beauty, Darcy's was the kind you had to savor slowly, the kind that grew on you. If compared to flowers, Zora was like a rose. And Darcy— She was like a lily of the valley. The lily of the valley symbolizes devotion, deep affection, and resilient vitality.Zane reached out, his large, well-defined hand gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Darcy, caught off guard, was startled by the sudden gesture. By the time she reacted, his hand had already fallen away. "You've lost so much weight," he said. "If it's too much, hire another caregiver. I'll pay for it." Darcy looked down. "That won't be necessary." It wasn't the hospital duties wearing her down, but her work at the new company. Another caregiver wouldn't help. "You had something to tell me?" she asked. "Yes." "Good timing. I have something to tell you, too." Zane was taken aback, then understood. "Is it about Ines?" "No, I don't even care about him—" "I apologize on his behalf."Darcy was stunned. This was the first time Zane hadn't defended his friend, but instead apologized to her. Zane continued, "His father had a sudden relapse of his old illness. He just got out of the ICU. Ines is worried about his father's condition. He was emotionally unstable and spoke harshly. Please try to understand." Ha. Understand Ines? Then who understands me? For years, Ines had deliberately or inadvertently stabbed at her heart. Zane had heard it and pretended not to. When he apologized just now, she thought he had changed, that he'd finally realized his girlfriend was being bullied. Turns out, not really. Darcy took a deep breath, her tone light and detached. "I accept your apology. But as for Ines' words, I treat them as a dog's bark. I don't take them to heart at all." Zane stared, then frowned. "Darcy, don't talk about him like that."Darcy had completely lost her patience. "I don't want to discuss him further. You sought me out for more than just his sake, right? Whatever else you have to say, say it all now." She was going to ask him if he had received the letter she sent, and whether he had accepted her suggestions about resigning and calling off the engagement. She'd been so busy lately that she'd almost forgotten about it. But seeing him knock on the door tonight had reminded her. Zane closed his eyes for a moment. His Adam's apple bobbed before he spoke, his voice strained. "I want to call off the engagement." Darcy froze for a moment, rigid. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, even though what she planned to say next was also about calling off the engagement, hearing it directly from Zane's lips still made her tremble uncontrollably. It felt like a knife had been plunged into her heart, and it was bleeding profusely now.Darcy leaned against the wall for support. Though her heart ached, her face showed little distress. She looked up at Zane. So he had received her couriered letter. And he had accepted all the suggestions she'd made in it. Maybe that was for the best. It would save them from a messy back-and-forth later. "Okay," Darcy said. "I have no problem with that."