The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Derek POV

Morning light filtered through the delicate lace curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the bedroom. I opened my eyes slowly, immediately aware of Eleanor’s warmth beside me. She was already awake, her eyes studying my face with quiet intensity. The silver star pendant I’d given her during our hasty engagement glinted in the morning light, still hanging around her neck despite

everything that had transpired between us.

“You’re still here,” she said softly, surprise evident in her voice.

I turned to face her fully, my gaze drawn to the bruise on her cheek-a harsh reminder of last night’s events. “Usually you disappear

before I wake up.”

My fingers reached out instinctively, gently tracing the discoloration on her skin. “Today is different. Didn’t want you to be alone

and afraid.”

Something complex flickered in her eyes-vulnerability mixed with a hint of wariness. “I’m better now. Thank you for being my knight in shining armor last night.”

The casual label rankled me in a way I hadn’t expected. “Is that what you need? Just any knight? It doesn’t matter who?”

Eleanor didn’t respond immediately, her fingers absently smoothing the edge of the sheet. The silence stretched between us, taut

with unspoken implications.

“If James had found you last night, or Alex… would you have let them stay too? The question emerged harsher than I intended. “Would they be lying here in your bed right now? Anyone would do?*

Eleanor’s gaze met mine, unflinching and direct. “What do you think?”

Something dark and possessive uncoiled in my chest. In one swift movement, I rolled over, pinning her beneath me, my hands bracketing her face. She didn’t flinch, didn’t try to escape-she simply looked up at me with those clear eyes that had always seen

too much.

I think you’re making a dangerous mistake if you believe I’m interchangeable, I said, my voice dropping to a low, threatening register. My fingers tangled in her honey-blonde hair, tightening just enough to make her breath catch. “You were mine, Eleanor. And until I decide I’m done with you, you still are.”

Her pupils dilated, but she remained defiantly silent.

“I believe I need to remind you of that fact. I lowered my mouth to hers, swallowing her soft gasp as I kissed her with a bruising intensity that left no room for misunderstanding. This wasn’t about tenderness-it was about claiming, about erasing any thought she might have of replacing me with someone else.

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Chapter 102

EITA

Hours later, I stood on the columned portico of my family’s Beacon Hill residence, a cigarette burning between my fingers as 1 watched Alexander’s car pull into the cobblestone driveway. The early winter night had settled over Boston, bringing with it a biting chill that matched my mood. My brother was still on his phone as he emerged from the car, his silhouette sharply defined against

the vehicle’s headlights.

He ended his call as he approached, his expression shifting to one of mild concern when he saw me. “Thomas told me something

happened at the Windsor Club last night.”

I offered him a cigarette, which he accepted with a questioning look. “How much do you know?”

Alexander lit his, the flame briefly illuminating his features-so similar to mine and yet fundamentally different. More controlled. More responsible. “Enough to guess the woman involved was Eleanor.”

We stood side by side in silence, smoke curling upward in the cold air. Despite the temperature, I felt oddly feverish, my thoughts racing and incoherent. I studied my brother’s profile-we shared the same Wells family gray-blue eyes, the same strong jawline-but where I projected calculated indifference, Alexander exuded steady reliability.

“Alex,” I said finally, my voice deliberately casual despite the tension coiling through me, “do you like her?”

He turned to me, visibly startled. “What?”

“Eleanor. I met his gaze directly. “Do you like her?*

Alexander’s brow furrowed. “Did you hit your head last night? What kind of question is that?”

I took a long drag, feigning nonchalance while my fingers unconsciously tightened around the cigarette pack. “I think she’d be happier with you. She’s said as much herself.”

Alexander remained silent, watching me with unsettling perceptiveness.

“You could give her what she wants,” I continued, the words bitter on my tongue. “The Wells name, stability… all of it. The things I

apparently can’t provide.”

“Why are you suddenly contemplating this?” Alexander asked carefully. I’ve never sensed anything beyond friendship from Eleanor

toward me.

I shrugged, aiming for indifference but missing by a mile. “She told me once she wished she’d married you instead.”

Alexander’s laugh was short and incredulous. “Did you forget that night she got drunk at the bar? She was crying, asking you why you didn’t love her. Does that sound like someone who wishes she married someone else?”

My chest tightened at the memory I’d tried to bury. She deserves better.”

“You ve never been this twisted up over a woman before, Alexander observed, a hint of amusement softening his features. All this concern about who else might be in her life-it’s because you love her.”

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Chapter 102

“That’s not-

KITA

“If you genuinely care for her, stop with these ridiculous games and fight for her,” he interrupted. ‘Don’t make me the scapegoat for

your feelings.”

I shook my head stubbornly. “I can’t give her what she needs. I’m not good for her. Look what happened last night-she was targeted

because of me.

Alexander studied me for a long moment. “Even if I entertained this absurd idea, how would you explain it to our parents?

A reckless plan formed in my mind. “I’ll handle our parents. I’ll tell them I’m gay.”

Alexander’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s your solution? Who would believe that?”

“It gives them a choice-accept that their precious heir apparent is marrying their son’s ex-wife, or accept that their spare son

prefers men. They’ll choose what damages the family reputation least.”

Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. “Stop this nonsense, Derek. Margaret hasn’t been well these past few days. The last thing

she needs is your dramatic scheming.”

He placed a hand on my shoulder, his expression softening. “You’re too close to see it clearly. Figure out what you really want, then

go after it like a Wells man should.”

As he turned to enter the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts, I realized with startling clarity that for the first time in my

life, I was terrified of knowing exactly what-who-I wanted.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love