The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Eleanor POV

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Hearing that, my cheeks burned with embarrassment and irritation. ‘We were just talking,” I said tersely, setting my glass down with

more force than necessary. The olive bobbed in the clear liquid, like a tiny buoy in a storm.

Derek loosened his scarf, his eyes never leaving mine as he draped it over the back of his chair. The scarf was cashmere, in a shade

of blue that matched his eyes exactly.

“I see James is sitting quite close,” he observed, his tone casual but his eyes sharp as cut glass. “Fort, if you’re looking for companionship, I’d be happy to introduce you to Eleanor’s assistants, Mia and Rachel. Lovely girls, very charming.”

I stared at him in disbelief, my fingers tightening around the stem of my glass until I feared it might snap. “Derek!” I hissed, furious at his implication. “Have you lost your mind? How dare you speak about my employees that way? They’re professionals, not- I couldn’t even finish the sentence, I was so angry. My staff were dedicated, talented women who deserved respect, not to be offered

up like options on a menu.

A flicker of regret crossed Derek’s face. Something in my expression must have conveyed the depth of my offense. “You’re right,” he conceded, surprising me. That was inappropriate. I apologize.”

“You always do this,” I said, my voice low and taut with controlled anger. “You never think about how your words affect others. Those women work for me, Derek. They trust me. And you just…” I shook my head. “You never know how much your casual remarks

can hurt people.”

Derek fell silent, his jaw tightening as he absorbed my words. The piano music filled the gap between us, a melancholy jazz piece

that seemed to echo the tension at our table.

James placed his hand gently on the table near mine-close but not touching, respecting boundaries even in this charged moment. “Eleanor, would you prefer to leave? We could find somewhere quieter. His voice was gentle, but I caught the protective edge

beneath his words.

Derek undid his suit jacket button before sliding into the seat across from me. The move was fluid, graceful-Derek had always carried himself with the easy confidence of someone who knew his place in the world. He picked up the whiskey Thomas had ordered for him, swirling the amber liquid thoughtfully.

‘I feel I should remind you, Fort, Derek said, his voice carrying a note of warning beneath its polished surface, that even though Eleanor and I are technically divorced now, there’s no need to put on this protective display. His eyes flicked meaningfully to where James’s hand rested near mine. “We’ve been reconnecting recently. We spent both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together. Things

are progressing quite well, aren’t they, Eleanor?”

I nearly choked on my drink. Yes, we had spent those days together, but the context was entirely different from what he was implying. Christmas Eve had been an impulsive, passionate mistake. Christmas Day had been an awkward family obligation. Neither

constituted reconnecting in any meaningful sense.

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Chapter 144

“Because there’s nothing to tell,” I replied firmly, glaring at Derek. The chandelier above cast prisms of light across his perfectly composed features. The audacity of him, to twist our complicated history into something it wasn’t-especially in front of James, who

had been nothing but honest with me.

James leaned forward, addressing Derek directly. His posture was relaxed but there was an undercurrent of tension in his shoulders.

The fine wool of his suit stretched slightly as he shifted. “Perhaps you should get that imagination of yours checked, Wells.

Constructing fantasies won’t change reality.” His eyes softened as they turned to me. “I’m only concerned about Eleanor not getting

hurt again. That’s all that matters to me.”

“Some things remain private, Derek said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Eleanor and I have a history that goes beyond

paperwork. Christmas was a reminder of that connection.”

His words were carefully chosen, technically true without revealing the intimate details of our Christmas Eve encounter. Still, I felt

exposed, as though he’d announced our private moments to the entire lounge. My cheeks burned at the memory of how easily I’d

surrendered to him, how eagerly my body had welcomed his.

Derek’s eyes narrowed dangerously, the blue darkening to the color of a stormy sea. His fingers tightened around his whiskey glass, the light catching on his platinum watch-a family heirloom I’d often admired. “Listen, Fort. If you take one more step toward

Eleanor, I’ll be happy to teach you about respect.”

The threat hung in the air, vibrating with tension. Thomas shifted uncomfortably beside Derek, suddenly finding his own drink fascinating, the ice cubes clinking against the crystal as he swirled it nervously.

“Threats don’t work with me, Wells, James replied calmly. “I believe Eleanor has the right to make her own choices.”

I slammed my glass down on the table and stood abruptly, unable to contain my fury any longer. The martini sloshed over the rim, leaving a small puddle on the polished wood that caught the warm lighting like liquid gold. “Enough! Both of you!” My voice was sharp enough to turn heads at nearby tables. The pianist’s melody faltered briefly, his fingers hovering above the keys before

resuming. I am not some trophy to be fought over!”

I snatched my purse from the booth, my hands trembling with anger. The leather strap caught on the edge of the table, and I yanked it free with more force than necessary. “Derek, stop pretending there’s something happening between us. And James, please

don’t make decisions for me.”

Derek’s expression immediately softened, his hand reaching toward me. ‘Eleanor, I didn’t mean-

“I have an important client meeting tomorrow,” I cut him off, pulling on my coat with jerky movements. The silk lining caught on my bracelet, and I struggled with it for a moment before freeing myself. “Excuse me.”

I strode toward the door without looking back, the cool night air a welcome relief against my burning cheeks. Behind me, I could feel both men watching, but I didn’t care. For once, I would choose myself over either of them.

As I walked away, snow began to fall again, each flake illuminated by the streetlights like tiny stars descending to earth. I pulled my coat tighter around me, but the chill I felt came more from within than from the Boston winter. How had my life become this

complicated? And more importantly, how was I going to untangle it?

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Chapter 144

The snow crunched beneath my boots as I headed toward the street, leaving behind two men who wanted to possess me but perhaps

had never truly seen me at all.

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14:17 Thu, Jul 2 MA

The CEO’s Unspoken Love