The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 206

Chapter 206

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The machines continued their steady rhythm, offering no response. A drop of condensation formed on one of the tubes, trembled for a moment, then fell onto the white sheet, leaving a perfect dark circle like a period at the end of a sentence that hadn’t been

written.

“Do you remember the last thing you asked tne?” I continued, tears falling freely now. “In the car, before… before everything

changed. You wanted to know if I would start over with you.”

I took his hand in both of mine, pressing it against my cheek where tears made the contact slick. “I didn’t get to answer you then, but I’m answering now.” I took a shaky breath that seemed to catch on all the jagged edges inside me. ‘Yes, Derek. Yes, I want to start over with you. Not out of guilt or obligation, but because I love you. I’ve always loved you.

I searched his face for any reaction, any sign that he could hear me. The monitor beside the bed continued its steady rhythm, the green line peaking and falling with mechanical precision, indifferent to the words that were breaking my heart to speak aloud.

Can you hear me, Derek? Please, give me some sign. Anything.”

As I spoke the words, a single tear slipped from the corner of his closed eye, sliding down his temple to disappear into his hair.

My heart stopped, then raced. “You can hear me, I gasped, squeezing his hand more tightly. “You can hear me! Derek, I’m here, and

I’m not going anywhere.”

Hope bloomed in my chest, warm and fierce. I leaned closer, my words coming faster now, urgent with newfound belief. The scent of hospital-issue shampoo had replaced his usual cologne, but underneath was still the essence of Derek-a scent I would know

anywhere.

I’ll come every day, I promised. “I’ll tell you stories, read to you from those books you were always flipping through at home. Remember how you used to tease me about my collection of classic novels? I caught you reading them, though. I’ll read every one of

them to you.”

I described the life we could have together-quiet evenings at home, weekend trips to the lake house, holidays with Margaret. Small, ordinary moments that suddenly seemed precious beyond measure. I imagined us walking through Boston Common in autumn, surrounded by golden leaves that crunched beneath our feet. Sitting by the fireplace at his lake house, watching snow fall on the frozen water as steam rose from mugs of hot chocolate. Waking up together on Sunday mornings, the world quiet around us as

sunlight filtered through curtains we would choose together.

‘I need to hear you say you love me, I whispered, my voice breaking on the words. “I want to hear it a thousand times, ten

thousand times. Please, Derek. Please fight. Please wake up.”

I pressed my lips gently against his-our first kiss without his response. His lips were dry and slightly cool, the feeling so different from our passionate exchange in the car that it made my heart contract painfully. The realization brought fresh tears, falling onto

his pillow and leaving small damp circles on the white fabric like a constellation of grief.

I can’t imagine life without you, I confessed, resting my forehead against his, careful to avoid the bandages and medical

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Chapter 206

equipment. “I’ve wasted so much time being afraid, keeping you at a distance. No more, Derek. No more wasted time.”

I remained there, his hand pressed against my cheek, tears mingling with hope as I waited for a miracle beneath the steady rhythm

of the machines keeping him alive. The January sun continued its arc across the winter sky, shifting the patterns of light and

shadow on the wall, and still I didn’t move. For the first time since I’d known him, I was the one who stayed, and Derek was the one

who couldn’t leave.

And in that quiet room, surrounded by machines and monitors, I made a silent vow that I would be there when he opened his eyes-

however long it took.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love