The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200

Eleanor POV

Silence filled the hospital room, broken only by the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. The sound marked seconds that stretched into eternities as I stared at Olívia, my eyes pleading with her to tell me about Derek. Words had abandoned me, leaving only desperate, silent communication-my fingers gripping the sheets, my gaze never leaving her face.

Olivia sat at my bedside, her fingers intertwined and restless in her lap. The hesitation in her eyes terrified me more than any words could have. My friend, who never minced words, was choosing hers carefully. Bad news, then. My heart raced faster, causing the

monitor to quicken its pace.

Finally, Olivia took a deep breath and met my gaze.

“Derek is also in this hospital,’ she said, her voice gentle but strained. “He’s in the intensive care unit.”

The room seemed to tilt slightly, the walls contracting around me. I blinked, willing her to continue, though part of me didn’t want

to hear more.

“His injuries are… they’re more severe than yours, Elle.” Olivia’s fingers twisted together more tightly. “Multiple internal injuries. He’s still unconscious. The doctors say he took the brunt of the impact.”

Each word landed like a physical blow. I felt the color drain from my face as my fingers clutched at the hospital sheets, anchoring myself to something solid while my world spun out of control.

“The medical team is doing everything they can, Olivia continued, her voice sounding distant now, as though she were speaking through water. “But they said his condition is… it’s critical, Elle.”

Tears formed silently, sliding down my cheeks without permission. I tried to speak, to ask questions, but my throat produced only a

painful whisper of air.

It was him. He protected me. The realization crashed through me like a wave. The last image before I’d lost consciousness-Derek’s arm stretching across me, his body turning to shield mine-replayed in my mind with cruel clarity.

I closed my eyes, seeing again the moment just before impact. The headlights flooding the car. Derek’s face transforming from hope to horror in an instant. His instinctive move toward me rather than away. The determination in his eyes as he made a split-second

decision to protect me at his own expense.

My eyes flew open, and I struggled to sit up. Pain shot through my shoulder and head, making me wince, but I didn’t care. I needed

to see him I needed to be with him. A weak, involuntary sound escaped my throat as I tried to swing my legs over the side of the

bed.

“Elle, stop Olivia’s hands were instantly on my shoulders, firm but gentle, pressing me back against the pillows. “You’ll hurt

yourself worse

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Chapter 200

I shook my head, ignoring the stabbing pain the movement caused. I tried again to speak, to make her understand, but only raspy.

meaningless sounds emerged.

“I know you want to see him,” Olivia said, her voice softening as she maintained her restraining grip. “But you can’t even walk right now. Your shoulder is barely reset. Your concussion needs time to heal.”

I felt tears of frustration well up. Why couldn’t she understand? Every moment Derek spent alone in that ICU was a moment too long. What if he woke up and no one was there? What if he…

I couldn’t complete the thought.

Olivia’s expression shifted as she watched me struggle, her own eyes filling with tears. I can see how much you care about him, she said quietly. “But think about it, Elle-if you can’t even take care of yourself right now, how are you going to be there for him?”

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love