The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117

Eleanor POV

The trail grew steeper, and I found myself struggling to keep up with Olivia, who had bounded ahead with surprising energy. James

noticed my labored breathing and dropped back to walk beside me.

“There’s no rush,” he said kindly. “The sun won’t rise for another two hours.”

I nodded gratefully, unable to speak as I caught my breath. James unscrewed a thermos and offered it to me. The warm liquid-some

kind of spiced tea-was a welcome relief against the biting cold.

“Thank you,” I managed, returning his thermos. “Not just for this-for everything. For inviting us to this beautiful place.”

“I’m glad you came, he replied, his smile visible in the dim light of our headlamps. “Even if Olivia’s sunrise agenda wasn’t part of

my original spa weekend plan.

I caught Derek watching us from a few yards back, his expression hardening as James adjusted my scarf to better protect me from

the cold. Thomas was speaking to him, but Derek’s attention remained fixed on James and me.

Seraphina suddenly appeared beside Derek, looping her arm through his with practiced familiarity. “Derek, darling, this path is so

treacherous. Would you mind helping me?” Her voice carried clearly in the still air.

Derek disentangled himself from her grasp without looking at her. “You seemed perfectly capable earlier,” he said flatly, increasing

his pace to move ahead.

Seraphina’s perfect features momentarily contorted with annoyance before she schooled them back into a pleasant mask.

“Wow,” Olivia whispered, dropping back to walk beside me. “He’s not even pretending to be nice to her.”

“It’s not my concern anymore,” I replied, eyes fixed on the trail ahead. But even as I said it, I couldn’t deny the small flicker of

satisfaction that warmed me more effectively than James’s tea.

The most challenging section of the trail appeared suddenly-a steep incline covered in ice and snow, with jagged rocks protruding

at awkward angles. I hesitated at the base, calculating the best approach.

“Need a hand?” James offered, but before I could respond, Derek materialized beside me.

“I’ve got her,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. Without waiting for my consent, he placed his hands firmly on my waist to

steady me as I began to climb.

‘I don’t need help, I protested, trying to ignore the warmth of his touch seeping through my clothes.

2

1/4

Chapter 117

“Don’t be stubborn. Derek replied, his breath warm against my ear. “This section is treacherous,

I tried to pull away, but his grip remained firm. I can manage on my own.

“I’m sure you can,” he said, his voice low and intimate, but I’m not letting go.”

I glanced back at him, meeting his intense gaze. My boot slipped on a patch of ice, and Derek’s arm instantly wrapped around my waist, pulling me securely against him. For a brief moment, I was enveloped in his familiar scent and my traitorous/body responded

with a rush of warmth that had nothing to do with exertion.

Thomas deliberately cleared his throat behind us, breaking the moment.

“You can let go now,” I said stiffly, once we reached stable ground.

Derek’s eyes held mine, challenge evident in their depths. “Are you sure about that?”

The question hung between us, layered with meaning beyond our immediate circumstance. The pre-dawn light had strengthened just enough to illuminate his features-the sharp angles of his cheekbones, the intensity of his gaze. For a suspended moment, we

existed alone in our own world of unresolved emotions.

Then James called my name from further up the trail, and the spell was broken.

At the rest station-a small wooden cabin with a crackling fireplace-we learned that the main trail to the viewing point was closed

due to ice.

“You II need to take the eastern path, the park ranger explained, pointing to a map. “It’s narrower but safer in these conditions.”

The warmth of the cabin was seductive after the freezing trek. I stood near the fire, removing my gloves to warm my fingers, acutely

aware of Derek across the room. Though we didn’t speak, I caught him watching me several times, his gaze quickly shifting away

when I noticed.

Outside the cabin’s windows, the world was beginning to emerge from darkness. The snow-covered landscape took on a ghostly blue

luminescence, trees and mountains appearing as if drawn in fine ink against parchment. The sight was breathtaking-stark, cold,

and yet possessing a serene beauty that made my chest ache. This winter wilderness reflected my inner landscape: a mixture of

desolation and unexpected beauty, of endings and potential beginnings.

Olivia, ever perceptive, positioned herself between Derek and me as we prepared to head out again. I’ll lead the way,” she

announced, linking her arm through mine. ‘Eleanor’s with me.”

I felt Derek’s eyes on us as we left, but I didn’t look back.

We had been on the eastern path for perhaps fifteen minutes when Melissa came running toward us, her face flushed with exertion.

THU

2

2/4

|||

O

Г

Chapter 117

“Seraphina fell,” she panted. “She slipped on some ice and twisted her ankle. She can’t walk.”

Olivia leaned close to my ear, whispering, “Karma’s swift sometimes. Let her precious Derek carry her down.”

I hesitated, but only for a moment. Whatever history existed between Seraphina and me, between Seraphina and Derek, leaving

someone injured on a freezing mountainside wasn’t an option.

“Where is she?” I asked Melissa, handing my thermos to Olivia.

“Eleanor…” Olivia began, a warning in her voice.

“I’ll be right back,” I assured her, already following Melissa.

I found Seraphina sitting on a fallen log, her face contorted in pain as she clutched her ankle. Daniel stood awkwardly beside her.

clearly unsure how to help.

I knelt beside her, ignoring her surprised expression. “May I?” I asked, gesturing toward her injured ankle.

She nodded reluctantly, wincing as I gently removed her boot and sock. The ankle was already swelling, a bruise beginning to form

on the pale skin.

“Do you have a first aid kit?” I asked Daniel, who shook his head helplessly.

“Here.” Derek’s voice came from behind me as he handed me a compact emergency kit. I hadn’t heard him approach, but somehow

wasn’t surprised by his presence. Our fingers brushed as I took the kit, sending an unwelcome jolt of electricity up my arm.

I focused on Seraphina’s injury, pressing carefully around the swollen area. “It’s a sprain, not a break, I diagnosed. “But you’ll need

to stay off it for at least a few days.

I worked methodically, wrapping the ankle with compression bandages from the kit. My hands moved with practiced precision, a

skill I’d developed during my volunteer work at the community center’s garden program, where minor injuries were common.

When I glanced up, I caught Derek watching me, an unfamiliar expression on his face-something like admiration mixed with

curiosity. For a moment, I saw myself through his eyes: competent, calm, purposeful. It was disconcerting to realize how rarely he

had seen this side of me during our marriage.

“She can’t make it down the mountain on her own,” I said, standing and brushing snow from my knees. “Someone will need to help

her back to the resort.

All eyes turned to Derek, the unspoken words hanging in the air.

00

THU

2

107

111

3/4

14:

Thu, Jul

KICA

The CEO’s Unspoken Love