The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Derek POV

I stood there on the frost-covered sidewalk, my confession hanging in the cold air between us. James Fort stared at me, his expression a mixture of shock and something else I couldn’t quite read. The words had erupted from me without thought or planning: “I fucking love her so much I’m going insane with it.”

“Fort-wait, I called as he turned to leave, crushing my half-smoked cigarette beneath my heel.

He paused, shoulders stiff against the winter wind. For a moment, neither of us spoke, the sounds of late-night Boston traffic filing

the silence between us.

He studied me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Have you told her this?” he finally asked, his voice low.

A bitter laugh escaped me. “Remember that hiking trip to Blue Mountain? At dawn, behind that big rock outcropping, I kissed her. Told her I thought I was falling for her. The memory was both sweet and painful-the golden light breaking over the mountains, the way her eyes had widened in surprise. “I said it then, but she never really responded. I think I’ve hurt her too deeply. Her heart won’t open for me anymore. She’d rather lock herself away.”

James said nothing, hands buried deep in his coat pockets, breath forming small clouds between us.

“What about you? Do you think you’ve ever truly had Eleanor’s heart? I asked, meeting his gaze directly.

The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken truths. Finally, he sighed.

“No,” he admitted. “Never.” A pause. “And I don’t think I ever will.”

Confusion flickered across my face. “What do you mean?”

James’s expression softened slightly, something like resignation settling over his features. “Christmas Eve. It was her birthday. I brought her a cake at the flower shop.

My jaw tightened involuntarily, fingers curling into a fist inside my pocket. I’d seen them through the window that night, had watched him lean across the small table to kiss her. The memory still burned.

“We kissed, James continued, his voice oddly calm. “But that’s just it-in that kiss, I felt nothing from her. No warmth, no desire.

She didn’t kiss me back the way I’d hoped.”

My face remained impassive, but something inside me eased slightly.

“At that moment, I knew I’d never have her heart,” he said, his smile tinged with sadness. “But I lied to myself, called it progress.”

I thought about Eleanor’s kisses-fierce, passionate, almost desperate at times. The way she’d melt against me, hands clutching at my shirt as if afraid I’d disappear. There was nothing cold or restrained about the way she kissed me.

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Chapter 147

“So you’re backing out now?” I asked, my voice low.

James’s laugh held no humor. “I don’t think Eleanor ever let me in to begin with. He shrugged, a gesture of surrender. “So yes, I’m done trying.”

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I reached out, clasping his shoulder briefly. No words seemed adequate.

He turned to leave, then paused. “If you truly love her, stop hurting her.”.

“How do you know I won’t get hurt too?” I asked, the vulnerability in my voice surprising even me.

James said nothing, just turned and disappeared into the night, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I stood there, lighting another cigarette, watching the smoke dissipate in the cold air. Eleanor. How could I make her believe I truly

loved her now, after everything?

The memory came unbidden-the first time I truly noticed her, not just as my family’s ward, but as someone who stirred something

protective in me.

I was sixteen, sprawled across the sofa in our family’s living room, half-listening to my classmates discuss some project. I’d been napping, much to their annoyance, and one of them-Martin, I think-was smoking by the window.

The distant sound of tires on gravel snapped me to attention.

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