The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178

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He looked up, his face unusually pale except for two spots of color high on his cheeks. A small, almost sheepish smile crossed his

lips as he rose to his feet.

“What are you doing here? Lasked, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

Instead of answering, Derek reached for my free hand and placed it against his forehead. The heat radiating from his skin surprised

“You’re burning up,” I said, my medical instincts kicking in despite my resolve to remain detached.

“It’s your fault,” he said, his voice rougher than usual. “You infected me with your flu.”

I pulled my hand away, instantly defensive. “That’s hardly my fault. No one forced you to stay and take care of me.”

I’ve been running a fever for half the day,” he continued, ignoring my comment. “I waited until it hit 102 before coming here.”

“If you’re sick, go to the hospital. Boston General isn’t far from here.”

Derek swayed slightly, then leaned forward, resting his head on my shoulder. “I feel terrible,” he murmured, his breath warm against

my neck. “Can’t you show me a little sympathy?”

Derek-

Before I could finish my sentence, he suddenly slumped forward, his full weight collapsing against me. The grocery bags dropped from my hands as I instinctively caught him, his body heavy in my arms.

“Derek!” I called, panic rising in my throat. “Derek, stop it!”

He remained limp, eyes closed, making no response to my increasingly frantic calls. I knew I should just leave him there-it would serve him right for this obvious manipulation-but the rational part of my mind reminded me that his fever was real, even if his

fainting spell might not be.

With a sigh of resignation, I awkwardly maneuvered him toward the door, supporting his weight as best I could. Once inside, I guided his seemingly unconscious form to the sofa, where he collapsed with a convincing display of helplessness.

After retrieving my scattered groceries and his suitcase from outside, I found the thermometer in the bathroom cabinet. Placing it in his ear, I waited for the beep. 103°F. Higher than I expected, and genuinely concerning.

‘Derek. I said firmly, “you need to take some medication.”

His eyes fluttered open, focusing on me with an intensity that belied his supposed weakness. I handed him two pills and a glass of

water.

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Chapter 178

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“I can’t,” he whispered, his hand trembling slightly. “Could you… help me?”

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“You can either take these pills yourself, or not take them at all,” I replied coldly. “I don’t care either way. If you die, I won’t shed a

tear.

Something flasfied in his eyes-vulnerability, perhaps, or genuine hurt. He caught my wrist, his grip surprisingly strong for someone

supposedly at death’s door.

“Do you mean that?” he asked, his voice suddenly serious.

I met his gaze steadily. “Take the medicine, and I’ll tell you.”

He obediently swallowed the pills, his eyes never leaving mine as he drank the water. When he finished, he looked at me

expectantly, like a child waiting for a promised treat.

Without answering his question, I turned and headed for the kitchen, needing space to collect my thoughts. Behind me, I heard the

rustle of fabric as Derek removed his heavy winter coat and settled against the pillows.

In the kitchen, I changed into more comfortable clothes before beginning dinner preparations. As I sliced the pears I’d bought, I

couldn’t resist sneaking a small piece, the sweet juice a welcome respite for my still-tender throat.

I put rice in the cooker and began preparing beef congee, absentmindedly adding the meat too early in the process. My thoughts kept returning to Derek, now lying on my sofa, vulnerable in a way I rarely saw him.

How strange that our roles had reversed-the caretaker now needed care. A small, petty part of me enjoyed seeing Derek in this position, needing me for once instead of the other way around. The tables had turned, and I couldn’t help but find a certain poetic

justice in that.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love