The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Eleanor POV

Derek’s question hung in the air between us, each word like a physical weight pressing against my chest. “Who do you really want? Alexander? James? Or me? His face was inches from mine, his body effectively pinning me against the writing desk. My thighs pressed against the cold wood surface, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from where his body touched mine.

“Derek, you’re hurting me,” I said, though it wasn’t entirely true. He wasn’t applying pressure, but the sheer helplessness of being

trapped between him and the desk left me feeling powerless in a way that exhausted me more than physical pain ever could.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the window behind me, casting harsh shadows across his face-a fitting metaphor for the man

himself.

“You haven’t answered my question, Eleanor,” he said, his voice dropping lower, a dangerous edge to it that made my skin prickle.

I stared directly into his eyes, refusing to be intimidated despite my compromised position. “Derek, what do you want from me?

Why are you doing this?”

“I need answers. His hands remained planted firmly on either side of me, his knuckles white with tension. “I need to know where !

stand.”

A bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Where you stand? You’re the one who left for London. You’re the one who signed divorce papers without a second thought. And now you’re interrogating me about Alexander? About James?”

His jaw tightened. “Just answer the question.”

The frustration that had been building inside me for years-through our marriage, through his absence, through the divorce- threatened to spill over. “Fine. You want to know about Alexander? He’s like a brother to me. He’s family, like Margaret. He’s been

kind to me when you were nothing but cruel.”

Something flashed in Derek’s eyes-surprise, perhaps, or disbelief. “And you expect me to believe that?”

‘I don’t care what you believe,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “You asked for the truth, and I gave it to you. Alex is family.

That’s all he’s ever been.”

Derek’s breathing changed, became more measured, as if he was processing something complicated. So you don’t love him?”

The question was so absurd I almost laughed again. “No, Derek. I don’t love Alex.”

But at the Wells house, he pressed, ‘when you were talking with him in the living room about his canceled engagement to Vanessa

Is that what this is about? I interrupted, finally understanding his accusation. “You think I was jealous of his engagement?”

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Chapter 114

Derek’s expression remained guarded, but I could see doubt beginning to creep in. “You were very interested in his relationship.

“Because he’s my friend,” I said, enunciating each word clearly. “My only friend in the Wells family. Of course I care about his

happiness.”

Derek leaned in closer, his scent-that familiar blend of sandalwood and something uniquely him-surrounding me. Then why did

you care so much about who he marries?”

I sighed, feeling suddenly tired of all the misunderstandings and assumptions. Alex has been kind to me from the beginning. He

deserves someone who will love him completely, not someone chosen for business connections or social standing.”

Derek’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not all, is it?”

“If you must know,” I continued, I wasn’t jealous of Vanessa being with Alex. I was envious that she has parents who love her, a family who supports her. Even if Alex doesn’t love her the way she deserves, he would give her respect and dignity.” I paused, letting my words sink in. “Unlike you, who humiliated me publicly and trampled my dignity every chance you got.”

His face changed then, something like remorse flickering across his features. He pushed away from the desk slightly, giving me a few inches of space, though not enough to escape. “I thought you wanted him,” he admitted, his voice low.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love