The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Derek POV

I arrived at Four Seasons Florals an hour before closing time. Parking my car across the street, I had a perfect view of Eleanor through the large display window, arranging flowers with that focused expression I’d come to know well. Her honey-blonde hair was pulled back in a loose bun, with a few strands falling around her face as she worked.

Winter had settled over Boston, painting Newbury Street in muted colors brightened by early Christmas decorations. The air held that distinctive Boston chill – sharp and clean, carrying the faint scent of the harbor. I’d been back from London for less than forty- eight hours, and here I was, stalking my ex-wife like some lovesick teenager.

As I watched Eleanor assist her last customer of the day, I couldn’t help but admire her dedication. Two younger women – her assistants, I presumed – moved efficiently around the shop, one arranging a display near the window, the other wrapping orders. Eleanor directed them with gentle authority, her hands never ceasing their own work as she spoke. The way she handled each bloom with such care, as if each flower was precious, revealed a side of her I’d never taken the time to know.

I’d spent three years avoiding this shop, avoiding her, convincing myself that what I felt was merely obligation. Now, watching her work in her element, I was struck by how much I’d missed – the small smile that appeared when she completed an arrangement to her satisfaction, the way she tucked strands of hair behind her ear when concentrating, the quiet confidence in her movements that I’d never fully appreciated before.

The customer left, and Eleanor moved to lock the door, flipping the sign to “Closed.” I watched as she went through her closing routine – counting the register, adjusting displays, watering plants that needed attention. There was an efficiency to her movements, a quiet grace that I’d never fully appreciated before.

When she finally emerged from the shop, locking the door behind her, I stepped out of my car. She didn’t notice me at first, too busy adjusting her scarf against the December chill. When she turned and saw me leaning against my car, her steps faltered, and I caught the flash of surprise that crossed her face before it was carefully masked.

‘Derek?” Her voice was controlled, but her fingers tightened on her purse strap. “What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you,” I said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I thought I could drive you home.”

She glanced at my car, then back at me, her expression carefully neutral, though I noticed how she shifted her weight slightly away from me. “That’s not necessary. I’ve already called a cab.”

“Cancel it, I said, more command than suggestion. “I’m already here.”

Eleanor’s jaw tightened slightly – that subtle sign of irritation I knew well. A small muscle worked in her cheek, and her posture became more rigid. “No, thank you. The cab will be here any minute.

As if summoned by her words, a yellow taxi pulled up to the curb. Eleanor moved toward it without hesitation, her shoulders set in

a determined line.

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Chapter 126

“Eleanor- I started, but she cut me off with a sharp shake of her head.

“Goodbye, Derek,’ she said, sliding into the backseat.

I watched the taxi pull away, then immediately got back in my car and followed at a discreet distance. The taxi wound its way through Boston’s evening traffic, past the illuminated storefronts of Back Bay and into the quieter residential streets of Newton. Eventually, it turned onto the tree-lined street where Eleanor’s Victorian house stood, a silhouette of gables and dormers against

the darkening sky.

I parked behind the cab, watching as she paid the driver and stepped out. When she spotted my car, her shoulders slumped slightly before she squared them again, turning to face me as I approached.

“You followed me?’ Her voice was sharp with disbelief, her green eyes flashing with anger. “Why?”

“I just wanted to make sure you got home safely,” I replied, knowing how flimsy the excuse sounded even to my own ears.

“Well, I’m safe now. You can go. Eleanor turned toward her house, keys already in hand, the silver star pendant I’d given her

catching the streetlight as she moved.

“Eleanor, wait.” I moved closer, stopping a few feet from her. The streetlights cast long shadows across the snow-dusted path. “We

need to talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” she said, not turning around. I’ve already submitted the request for the divorce judgment to be mailed. The court clerk said it should arrive within a week. So you can stop pretending we’re not already divorced, Derek.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. I’d known the divorce was final, of course – I’d been the one to start the process, months ago when I still believed it was what I wanted. But hearing Eleanor speak of it with such finality made my chest tighten painfully.

“You’re really that eager to be rid of me?” I asked, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.

Eleanor turned then, her green eyes reflecting the golden glow of the streetlights. I could see the slight tremble of her lower lip before she pressed them together firmly. “Wasn’t that the plan all along? Your plan?”

“What if I’ve changed my mind?” I stepped closer, close enough to smell the familiar scent of her perfume – jasmine and vanilla.

“What if I don’t want a divorce anymore?”

A flicker of something – surprise? hope? – crossed her face before it was swiftly concealed. Her pupils dilated slightly, and she took an involuntary step back. “You can’t just change your mind on a whim, Derek. That’s not how this works.”

“It’s not a whim. My voice was low, intense. I reached for her hand, but she pulled it away before I could grasp it. “I don’t want a divorce, Eleanor. You can’t possibly be this blind.”

She stared at me, her breath forming small clouds in the cold air. A strand of honey-blonde hair had escaped her bun, dancing across her cheek in the gentle breeze. ‘What are you saying?”

I closed the distance between us, taking her gloved hands in mine before she could retreat further. “Look at me, Eleanor. Look me in

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the eyes and tell me you never loved me. Tell me that, and I’ll walk away.”

Her eyes widened, and she tried to pull her hands away, but I held firm. I could feel the slight tremor running through her. “Derek,

don’t do this.”

“Answer me. My voice was softer now, almost pleading. ‘Did you ever love me, Eleanor?”

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love