The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 119

Chapter 119

“Let me check which is better,” he offered, turning to Melissa. “Want to come scout ahead with me?”

Melissa nodded eagerly. “We’ll go a little way up each trail and report back,” she announced to the group before following Daniel up

the steeper path.

1 stood with Olivia and James, debating which trail might offer better views, when I reached into my pocket for my phone to check

the time but found nothing.

“That’s strange, 1 murmured, patting my pockets with increasing urgency. “My phone is gone.”

James immediately stepped forward. “When did you last have it?”

“I’m not sure,” I said, scanning the snowy ground around us. “I had it at the rest point, but I don’t remember checking it since.”

“I think I saw something reflective back down the trail, Derek interjected, his eyes meeting mine. “When you were helping

Seraphina. It might be your phone.”

James immediately stepped forward. ‘I’ll help you look.”

“I saw where it might be, Derek said smoothly. “It’s back a ways, probably slipped out when you were adjusting your gloves.” He gestured toward the trail we’d just climbed. “You all go ahead. I’ll help Eleanor find it, and we’ll catch up.”

“I can wait. James insisted, genuine concern in his eyes.

Olivia stepped between Derek and me, her voice low but sharp. ‘I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ll go with Eleanor.”

“It’s fine, Liv,” I assured her, touching her arm gently. “It’s just a phone. We won’t be long.”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed as she looked from me to Derek. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, trying to appear more confident than I felt.

She leaned closer to Derek, her voice dropping to a threatening whisper. “If she’s not back in fifteen minutes, I’m coming to find her.

And you won’t like what happens next.”

Derek’s expression remained neutral, though I caught the slight tightening around his eyes.

James hesitated, clearly torn. “Eleanor? What do you prefer?”

The question hung in the air, and I felt the weight of Derek’s gaze. “Go ahead, I found myself saying. “We won’t be long.”

Olivia gave Derek one last warning look before reluctantly continuing up the trail with James, though they maintained a careful

distance from each other.

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Chapter 119

As our friends disappeared around a bend, Derek turned and began walking in the opposite direction, away from both trails.

Confused, I hurried after him.

“Derek, this isn’t the way we came,” I said as he led me onto a narrow, less-traveled path that branched off from the main trail.

“It’s a shortcut,” he replied without slowing. I’ve been here before.”

The path narrowed further, hemmed in by snow-läden pine trees that blocked much of the strengthening dawn light. The silence

between us grew heavier with each step.

There’s a story about this part of the mountain, Derek said suddenly. “A hiker disappeared here a few years ago. They never found

him.”

I stopped walking. “What game are you playing, Derek? We’re supposed to be looking for my phone.”

He

me, reaching into his inner pocket and pulling out my phone. “You mean this?”

device in his hand, disbelief quickly turning to anger. “You had it the whole time? You stole my phone?”

it slip from your pocket earlier,” he said, holding it just out of my reach. “I thought we could use some time alone.”

“So you lied?” I reached for the phone, but he pocketed it again.

“Consider it… creating an opportunity,” he replied, a hint of that infuriating self-assurance in his voice.

Frustration bubbled up inside me, and I kicked a small spray of snow at his legs. “What exactly are you doing, Derek?”

A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “Is spending time alone with your ex-husband really that terrifying?”

I clutched my hiking pole tighter, resisting the urge to swing it at him. “Where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere bette

wered, turning to continue up the path. “Somewhere only locals know about. The view

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love