The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Derek POV

រ

I shrugged off my coat, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me as I handed it to Mr. Winters, our longtime housekeeper. The

living room of the Wells family mansion felt particularly stifling today, with the Bradley family occupying the antique settee across

from my parents. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating dust motes that danced in the air,

making the tension in the room almost visible.

“Winters, would you prepare some ginger tea?” I asked, loosening my tie slightly. “Eleanor has just recovered from the flu. I think

she could use something warming.”

The mention of Eleanor’s name seemed to make the air grow even heavier. Mrs. Bradley’s perfectly manicured fingers tightened

around her teacup until her knuckles whitened, while Seraphina’s expression remained carefully neutral-a skill we’d all mastered

growing up in Boston’s elite circles. The pearls around her neck caught the light as she shifted slightly away from me.

“My father is also recovering from the flu, I added as an afterthought, noticing how pale Jonathan still looked against the dark

leather of his favorite armchair. “Prepare a cup for him as well.”

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, his banker’s face revealing little except for the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. “How

thoughtful of you, Derek.

“I’m glad you can appreciate it,” I replied, meeting his gaze steadily. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner seemed

unnaturally loud in the silence that followed.

Mrs. Bradley cleared her throat delicately, drawing my attention back to our unwelcome visitors. ‘Derek, now that you’ve returned

from London, she began, her voice honey-sweet but her eyes calculating, ‘perhaps it’s time to consider new beginnings. You’re

young, successful, and now…” she paused meaningfully, “unattached.”

I felt my jaw tighten at her presumption, the muscle along my temple flexing involuntarily. “I’ve been back for four months, and

you’re already planning my next relationship? I’m curious why you seem so invested in my personal life. The family portrait

hanging above the fireplace caught my eye-taken three years ago, with Eleanor standing somewhat apart from the rest of us, her

smile not quite reaching her eyes.

My mother shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the silk of her designer dress rustling softly. Catherine Wells, always impeccably

composed, seemed uncharacteristically uneasy as she adjusted the emerald brooch at her collar.

“The Wells name carries significant weight in Boston,” Mr. Bradley interjected, his tone suggesting he was explaining something to a

child. “Wells Investment Bank has been the backbone of our financial community for generations. And you, with your remarkable

success at Frontier Capital, have become quite the eligible bachelor.

I understood exactly what was happening now. Seraphina Bradley sat perfectly poised in an elegant navy dress that complemented

her auburn hair. We’d grown up together, attended the same schools, moved in the same social circles. On paper, we were a perfect

match-a union that would solidify two of Boston’s oldest families. Her perfume, something expensive with notes of jasmine, wafted

across the space between us.

THE

2

|||

O

1/2

Chapter 186

But there was one insurmountable problem: my heart belonged elsewhere. It always had, though I’d been too stubborn to admit it until recently.

“We thought, Mrs. Bradley continued, gesturing gracefully between herself and my mother, that now that your arrangement with Eleanor has concluded, you might be open to exploring possibilities that would be more… suitable.”

I stared at her, then at my mother, feeling the slow burn of anger rising in my chest. My fingertips pressed hard against the antique mahogany armrest, leaving temporary impressions in the polished wood. “My arrangement?”

“Your marriage, Seraphina clarified, speaking for the first time. Her voice was calm, confident. “Now that it’s over.”

The divorce had been finalized last month. Eleanor believed I had wanted to end our marriage-had always believed it was just a temporary arrangement to please my grandmother. And I had done nothing to convince her otherwise. Until now.

Mrs. Bradley smiled indulgently. “I believe there’s been an understanding between our families regarding you and Seraphina.”

Comments

4

Write Comments

<SHARE

THU

2

O

2/2

The CEO’s Unspoken Love