The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 194

Chapter 194

Derek POV

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I watched Eleanor walk away, her posture rigid with determination. Something inside me wanted to follow her immediately, but

before I could move, Seraphina’s voice pulled me back.

‘Derek? Could we talk for a moment?”

I hesitated, glancing in the direction Eleanor had disappeared. The last thing I wanted was another round of ambiguous

conversations with Seraphina while Eleanor slipped further away from me.

“Five minutes, I conceded, turning to face her.

Seraphina gestured toward the back garden. “Somewhere more private?”

I followed her through the manicured paths of the Bradley estate until we reached a secluded corner.

“We need to end this game, Sera,” I said, deciding to be direct.

“What game?” she asked, her voice steady but her eyes betraying uncertainty.

‘This… pretense. Whatever it is your parents and my mother are orchestrating between us. I looked directly into her eyes. “I should

have been clearer from the beginning, and I apologize for that. But I need you to understand that I’ve never had feelings for you

beyond friendship. Not in college, not in London, and not now.”

Seraphina’s composure slipped for just a moment before she regained it. “What about at Thomas’s birthday party when we were in

college? When you said I was the woman you cared about most?”

I winced internally, remembering the casual comment I’d made after a few drinks. “That was polite conversation, Sera. I didn’t think

you’d interpret it as something more.”

“Even in London, even after you were divorced for a month, I was never the one?” Her voice carried a hint of disbelief.

“Even then, I confirmed quietly. “Ending my marriage was the biggest mistake I’ve made, and I’m trying to fix it. I never gave you

any promises about reconciling or engagement. Those were my mother’s wishful thinking, not mine.”

The sunlight filtered through the leaves above us, casting dappled shadows across Seraphina’s face as she processed my words.

“So I’ve been deluding myself,” she finally said, her voice softer but surprisingly steady. “I always wondered why you never looked at

me the way you look at her.”

I remained silent, allowing her the space to continue.

It seems we ve all been living in our own fantasies,” she said with a small, bitter smile. I’ve been fantasizing about us, your

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Chapter 194

mother’s been fantasizing about our families’ alliance, and you’ve been…”

“Trying to deny what’s been true all along,” I finished for her.

Seraphina studied me for a long moment. “If we can’t be lovers, can we at least be friends? Real friends, not whatever this has been.”

“Of course, I said sincerely. “But only friends, Sera.”

A brief, awkward silence settled between us before Seraphina broke it. “What’s your plan now?”

I couldn’t help the small smile that formed on my lips. “To pick up my wife-ex-wife-from work. later. I’m not giving up on her

Seraphina’s expression was complex, a mixture of resignation and something that might have been respect. “Eleanor is lucky,” she

said finally. Perhaps I should try dating seriously… find someone who truly loves me.”

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“You deserve that, I told her honestly.

We parted with a handshake that felt like the closing of one chapter and the potential beginning of a healthier one.

I arrived at Four Seasons Florals half an hour before closing time, positioning myself across the street where I could observe Eleanor

without being immediately noticed. Through the large display windows, I could see her moving among the flowers, arranging a

bouquet with practiced precision. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun, with tendrils escaping to frame her face. Even from this

distance, I could see the concentration in her expression, the slight furrow between her brows that appeared whenever she was

deeply focused.

In my hands, I held a carefully selected gift box containing premium dog toys and treats for Sunny-or as I preferred to think of

him, my son. The thought made me smile despite the nervousness I felt.

I watched as Eleanor helped her last customer, a gray-haired woman who left with a modest arrangement of yellow daffodils. As the

woman exited, Eleanor began her closing routine, wiping down counters and adjusting displays. The “Open” sign remained lit, but I

knew from watching her over before that she would turn it off in approximately three minutes.

Right on cue, Eleanor reached for the switch. That was my signal. I crossed the street quickly and pushed open the door just as she

was about to flip the sign to ‘Closed.”

The small bell above the door jingled, and Eleanor turned, her expression morphing from professional courtesy to surprise when she

saw me.

“Derek? What are you doing here?” Her brow furrowed in confusion.

I held up the gift box, my lips curving into what I hoped was a charming smile. “This isn’t for you, I clarified. “It’s for my son.”

Eleanor’s confusion deepened, then cleared as understanding dawned. ‘Sunny is my dog,” she said flatly. “Don’t get presumptuous about being his father.”

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Chapter 194

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“The divorce papers didn’t specify custody arrangements for the dog, I countered, enjoying the spark of irritation in her eyes.

have visitation rights.”

She turned away, resuming her closing routine with slightly more forceful movements than before. “You can leave the box on the

counter. I’ll make sure he gets it.”

I set the box down but made no move to leave. “Actually,” I said, my voice growing more serious, I came to pick you up.”

Eleanor paused in the middle of counting her register. “Excuse me?”

“I wanted to give you a ride home.

She returned to counting, deliberately avoiding my gaze. “I can get home on my own, just like I’ve been doing for years.*

While she was distracted with the register, I took out my phone and captured a quick photo of her. The evening light streaming

through the windows illuminated her profile perfectly, highlighting the elegant line of her neck and the concentration in her

expression.

“What are you doing?” she asked sharply, having caught me.

“Preserving a beautiful moment, I answered honestly, tucking the phone away.

Eleanor rolled her eyes, but I caught the slight coloring of her cheeks before she turned away. “I need to lock up now. You should

go.”

I remained where I was, watching as she gathered her belongings and approached the door. I stepped aside to let her pass, then

followed her outside, standing close behind her as she inserted the key into the lock.

“Let me drive you home,” I said again, my voice softer now. “Please, Eleanor.”

She turned, and our proximity meant she had to tilt her head back slightly to meet my eyes. “Why?”

“Because I want to spend time with you,” I admitted. “Just a ride home. I won’t impose beyond that… unless you want me to.”

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed. ‘Derek Wells, you’re shameless.”

I laughed, the tension breaking slightly. “For you? I can be even more shameless.”

She sighed, a sound that somehow contained both exasperation and resignation. Fine. One ride. And then you leave.”

As we walked to my car, I felt a sense of victory that was disproportionate to the small concession she’d made. Once I was behind

the wheel, I couldn’t help glancing at her repeatedly, taking in the subtle changes in her expression as the city lights played across

her features. She noticed my attention and turned toward the window, but not before I caught the slight upward curve of her lips-

not quite a smile, but close enough to give me hope.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love