The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Eleanor POV

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The weight of everyone’s expectation hung in the frigid mountain air as all eyes turned to Derek. I watched his profile harden in the

pale blue light of our headlamps, his jaw set in that familiar stubborn line I knew too well. Seraphina’s eyes gleamed with calculated

vulnerability, her hand dramatically massaging her injured ankle.

“Maybe you should help her down, Derek, Daniel suggested, his voice carrying an undertone of expectation that matched the

group’s collective gaze.

Derek’s eyes briefly flicked toward me before he turned to Thomas. “You send her back,” he said, his voice cutting through the cold

air with decisive finality.

Thomas’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘Seriously?”

“Derek, Seraphina’s voice turned pleading, her perfectly manicured hand reaching for his arm. “My foot really hurts…”

Derek stepped back, just enough to avoid her touch. Thomas will take care of you.” His tone left no room for negotiation.

The awkward silence that followed was palpable. I caught Melissa and Daniel exchanging confused glances, while Olivia’s lips twitched with barely contained satisfaction. Seraphina’s expression flickered between disbelief and humiliation before settling into a

tight smile.

“Fine, she finally said, her voice strained. “Thomas, would you be so kind?”

Thomas sighed dramatically but offered his arm to Seraphina. “The things I do for friendship,” he muttered to Derek, who remained

unmoved.

As Thomas helped Seraphina to her feet, I noticed Derek’s gaze drift toward me. Something complicated passed through his eyes-

something I couldn’t quite decipher but that made my pulse quicken. I looked away, uncomfortable with the intensity, and busied

myself adjusting my gloves.

“Did you see her face?” Olivia whispered gleefully as we continued up the trail, now several yards ahead of Derek and the others.

That woman twisted her ankle, sure, but she was acting like she’d been mauled by a bear.”

I couldn’t help but smile despite myself. She was injured, Liv.”

And dramatic as hell, Olivia countered. “I’m just saying, for someone who spent the last two years chasing your husband across the

Atlantic, she sure crumbled fast when he finally showed his true colors.”

Ex husband, I corrected automatically, though the words still felt strange on my tongue.

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Chapter 118

James, who had been walking slightly ahead, turned back to us with a smile. “The light’s starting to change. We should reach the

viewpoint with plenty of time to spare.”

I nodded, grateful for the change of subject. “I need to go back for a minute. I left my thermos where we were helping Seraphina.

“Want me to contre with you?” Olivia offered.

“No, enjoy the trail. I’ll catch up, I assured her, already turning back down the path.

I’d only gone a few yards when I nearly collided with Derek, who was climbing up with long, purposeful strides.

“Sorry, I murmured, stepping aside to let him pass.

Instead of continuing, he stopped directly in front of me. “Your hands are cold,” he said, his eyes dropping to where I’d beery/rubbing

my fingers together.

Before I could respond, he was pulling off his expensive leather hiking gloves. “Here,” he said, his voice low and somehow intimate

in the pre-dawn stillness.

‘I don’t need-

“Take them, he insisted, already sliding them onto my hands. The gloves were still warm from his body, the leather supple and far

more luxurious than my basic fleece ones. “They’re insulated. Don’t take them off.”

His tone was commanding, but there was something in his eyes-a softness, perhaps?-that stopped my automatic refusal. The

warmth of the gloves spread through my fingers, and I found myself momentarily speechless at the unexpected gesture.

“Thank you, I finally managed.

Derek nodded once, his gaze lingering on my face before he stepped back.

“Eleanor?” James’s voice called from further up the trail. “Everything okay?”

Derek’s expression darkened as James approached, concern evident on his face.

“Fine,” I called back, stepping away from Derek. I’ll be right back.”

Twenty minutes later, our group reached a fork in the trail. One path continued steeply upward, while the other curved around the

mountainside at a gentler angle.

The sign says both lead to Eagle’s Point, Daniel observed, squinting at the trail marker in the strengthening pre-dawn light.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love