The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187

I turned to my mother, who had the grace to look slightly ashamed, a rare crack in her perfect façade. “You arranged my next

relationship before the ink was even dry on my divorce papers?’

“Derek, my mother begar, her voice carrying that familiar note of patrician authority, “you’ve always known that your marriage to

Eleanor was-

“What?” I interrupted, my voice dangerously quiet. “Temporary? Convenient? A favor to grandmother?” I loosened my tie further,

suddenly feeling constricted by more than just the fabric.

I looked down at my left hand, at the bare ring finger that had never worn a wedding band during my three-year marriage. Eleanor had always worn hers—a simple fact that now seemed profoundly significant. The tan line where it had been was probably still

visible on her slender finger.

“Let me be perfectly clear,” I said firmly, looking each person in the room directly in the eyes. The grandfather clock chimed once, punctuating my words. “I may have signed those divorce papers, but that doesn’t change how I feel. I love Eleanor. She’s the only

one I’ll ever want.”

The room fell silent. My father’s face remained impassive, but I saw something like grudging respect flicker in his eyes. My mother looked genuinely shocked, her teacup frozen halfway to her lips. The Bradleys appeared as though I’d slapped them, Mr. Bradley’s jowls quivering with indignation.

“But you’re divorced, Seraphina said, her voice sharper now, the careful neutrality slipping to reveal the edge underneath. A strand of auburn hair fell across her face as she leaned forward.

“Legally, yes,” I replied calmly, watching a robin land on the windowsill outside. “But some bonds go deeper than paperwork.”

Catherine cleared her throat. “I should apologize,” she said, addressing the room but looking primarily at Seraphina. “I spoke without consulting my son. I’ve already expressed my regrets to Seraphina privately, and I intended to clarify matters with you both

today.”

Mr. Bradley’s face had turned an alarming shade of red, the veins in his neck protruding visibly. “So you’ve been using us as pawns in some family game? Do you have any idea what this will do to Seraphina’s reputation? The entire social circle believes you two are

reconnecting!”

‘I believe I called it ‘Derek’s missed opportunity,” my mother corrected delicately, smoothing an invisible wrinkle from her skirt.

“Jonathan,” Mr. Bradley turned to my father, clearly expecting him to intervene. “Surely you have something to say about this?”

My father set down his teacup with deliberate care, the fine bone china making barely a sound against the saucer. “This is Derek’s decision. He has the right to choose his own future.”

I glanced at my watch, the platinum Patek Philippe that had been a gift from my grandfather. Eleanor would be in the garden with my grandmother by now, perhaps discussing the spring flowers or my grandmother’s latest charitable project. The thought of her

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14:23 Thu, Jul2 M

Chapter 187

out there, unaware of what was transpiring in this room, made me impatient to leave. I could almost see her in my mind’s eye the

way the afternoon sun would highlight the auburn tones in her brown hair, how she would gesture expressively when talking about

flower arrangements.

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“If you’ll excuse me,” I said, rising from my seat, feeling the weight of the unused wedding ring in my pocket. “I believe/Eleanor is in

the garden.

‘Derek, Mr. Bradley called after me, his voice low and urgent. “We should discuss the Harborview investment before you go. And the

loan extension for the eastern properties-

I barely registered his words, the sound of his voice fading as I focused on the french doors leading to the garden path. My min

was already with Eleanor, imagining her face when I told her that despite the divorce papers we’d both signed, I had no intention of

letting her go. That I wanted-needed-her in my life.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love