The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 213

Chapter 213

“Don’t cry,” he whispered, his voice barely audible above the rain, yet somehow more powerful for its softness.

I nodded, trying to compose myself, wiping away my own tears with my free hand. “I’m trying,” I managed, attempting a smile.

The rain grew heavier, its rhythm blending with my quieting sobs. Gradually, the emotional storm within me calmed, matching the

steady cadence of the rainfall.

Derek’s eyelids began to grow heavy, the effort of consciousness taking its toll. I watched as he fought against the encroaching

fatigue.

“Sleep,” I encouraged softly. “I’ll be right here.”

He looked at me one last time, reluctance clear in his gaze, but exhaustion won. His eyes closed, his breathing deepened, but his hand remained firmly in mine. I watched him for a long time, memorizing this moment, before my own eyes grew heavy.

We slept that way through the night, hands clasped between us, rain singing against the window, finally anchored to each other

after weeks adrift in uncertainty.

Morning arrived with thin gray light and the continuing patter of rain. I made the decision we’d agreed upon before sleep claimed

1. When Dr. Martin arrived for his morning rounds, I told him the truth.

“Derek is awake,” I said simply.

The doctor’s expression shifted from professional courtesy to disbelief as he approached the bed. Derek opened his eyes on cue, and Dr. Martin immediately began a series of tests, his movements quick and efficient.

“When did this happen?” he asked, checking Derek’s pupil response.

“Last night, Derek answered, his voice slightly stronger than before. “I wanted to wait until today to tell everyone.”

Dr. Martin’s expression was understanding but mildly reproachful. “While I appreciate the sentiment, Mr. Wells, immediate reporting

of changes in your condition is important for your recovery.”

I slipped out of the room while they continued the examination, needing a moment alone. I stood by a window in the corridor,

watching raindrops streak down the glass, and pulled out my phone. My fingers trembled slightly as I dialed Alexander’s number.

“He’s awake,” I said when he answered, my voice catching. “Derek’s awake.”

There was a moment of stunned silence before Alexander’s voice, thick with emotion, responded. “I’ll be right there. And I’ll call my

parents.

“Okay.” I looked out at the rain washing the city clean.

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Chapter 213

Alexander arrived first, his hair damp from the rain, his eyes wide with anticipation. He squeezed my shoulder briefly before rushing

into Derek’s room. Through the door, I caught a glimpse of the brothers’ reunion-Alexander gripping Derek’s hand, his composure

cracking with relief.

Jonathan and Catherine arrived together, raindrops clinging to their coats. Catherine’s eyes were already red-rimmed, and when she

saw me, something in her expression had changed. There was a vulnerability I’d never witnessed before.

She moved to Derek’s bedside with uncustomary faste, her usual poise abandoned as she reached for her son’s face tears streaming

silently down her cheeks. Derek looked up at his mother with an expression I’d never seen him direct toward her-gentle, accepting,

almost tender.

Jonathan stood at the foot of the bed, outwardly composed but with moisture gathering in his eyes. He reached out to pat Dereks

foot through the blanket, a gesture of encouragement that seemed to speak volumes between them.

Alexander moved to stand beside me, exchanging a glance filled with shared relief. The Wells family formed a protective circle

around Derek’s bed. I took a step back, giving them space for this moment.

But Derek noticed. His eyes found mine across the room, and with effort, he extended his hand toward me. Everyone in the room

turned to look my way. Catherine nodded slightly, an invitation I never expected.

I walked to the bed, and Derek pulled me into their circle, his grip surprisingly firm for someone still so weak. As I stood among

them, the Wells family and I united around Derek’s bed, I realized something had fundamentally changed. The rain outside had

begun to ease, and slivers of light broke through the clouds, catching on the raindrops still clinging to the window-tiny prisms of

light where there had been only gray before.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love