The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Eleanor POV

I stared at Sophia Taylor, my unease growing with each passing second. The flower shop had emptied except for the two of us. The

evening light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the wooden floor as I tried to process her words.

“What did you just say? We’ve met before?” I asked, studying her face more carefully. Despite the red welts from her allergic

reaction, there was something vaguely familiar about her features, but I couldn’t place where or when we might have crossed paths.

Sophia set down her teacup with deliberate precision, her gaze sharpening despite her inflamed skin. “I suppose it makes sense you

wouldn’t remember me, Eleanor Wells. I was just another face in the crowd that night.”

My guard immediately went up. There was something in the way she emphasized my married name that felt like a challenge.

“I’m Seraphina Bradley’s cousin,” she continued, watching my reaction closely. “Second cousin, technically. We’re not particularly

close, but family is family.”

The name hit me like a physical blow. Seraphina Bradley-Derek’s ex, the woman he supposedly married if I didn’t exist. I kept my

expression neutral.

“We met at one of Thomas Stone’s parties about three years ago,” Sophia added. “Just before your… convenient marriage.”

“I see,” I said carefully, though in truth, I didn’t see at all. Why would this woman come to my shop, pretend to be interested in

flowers, and then reveal this connection? “And you’ve been coming to my shop because…?”

Sophia’s lips curved into a small, calculated smile. “Curiosity, initially. Then genuine interest in your arrangements-you are

talented, I’ll give you that.” She leaned forward slightly. “But mostly, I wanted to see what kind of woman Derek Wells would choose

to marry.”

I felt a chill run down my spine. “That’s quite a lot of effort for simple curiosity.”

“Is it?” She tilted her head. “Did you know Derek has maintained regular contact with Seraphina during his entire time in London?”

The question landed like a stone in still water, ripples of doubt and pain spreading through me. I reminded myself that our marriage

was essentially over, that Derek had never pretended to love me, that I had no right to feel betrayed by whatever relationships he

maintained. Yet it hurt all the same.

“That’s hardly surprising,” I managed to say, my voice steadier than I felt. And why do you think I would care? Derek’s personal life

is his own concern.”

Sophia’s expression turned pitying, which was somehow worse than her earlier condescension. “Oh, Eleanor. You can’t possibly be

that naive. Derek has been in love with Seraphina since they were at Harvard together. Their relationship never truly ended.”

“I’m not sure what you’re implying-

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Chapter 36

‘I’m not implying anything,” she interrupted. “I’m stating facts. You knew well why he married you. And that’s why he went to London to escape this sham marriage. How pathetic of you.”

Each word felt like a needle, precisely aimed at my deepest insecurities. I knew our marriage had an expiration date, but hearing it described so callously by this stranger was unexpectedly painful.

The shop’s wind chimes tinkled softly as a draft swept through, but I was too focused on Sophia to pay it much attention.

“And do you know why he’s back in Boston now?” Sophia continued, her voice gentle but her eyes cold. “To finalize your divorce of course. The three years are almost up, aren’t they?”

Something inside me snapped. All the pain, frustration, and loneliness of the past three years-especially the two years Derek had been in London-rose like a tidal wave.

“You think you know everything about my marriage?” I said, my voice rising despite my efforts to remain calm. “You don’t know the first thing about Derek and me.

Sophia raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased to have provoked a reaction.

‘Derek Wells?” I continued, unable to stop now that the dam had broken. “He’s nothing to me! Arrogant, selfish, cold-that’s who he is. He married me because his grandmother was dying and wanted to see him settled, then he abandoned me in Boston while he ran

off to London!”

The words poured out, years of suppressed feelings finding release. “He’s only back now to complete his obligation-his precious three-year contract. You think I want this marriage? I wake up every day wondering how I can end this nightmare sooner! If I could, I’d sign divorce papers right now and be done with Derek Wells forever!”

The shop bell chimed, but I was too caught up in my outburst to immediately register it. It was only when I noticed Sophia’s eyes widen slightly, looking past me toward the door, that I turned around.

Derek stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable, his tall frame silhouetted against the fading daylight. Our eyes met, and in

that instant, I knew he had heard everything.

‘Derek?’ My voice came out as barely more than a whisper. “What are you doing here?”

He remained motionless, his gaze moving from me to Sophia and back again. “It seems I’ve arrived at an inopportune moment,” he

said, his voice devoid of emotion.

The silence that followed was suffocating. Sophia stood awkwardly, gathering her purse. “I should go,” she murmured, brushing past

Derek as she hurried out the door.

The shop fell quiet, save for the gentle hum of the refrigeration units housing the more delicate flowers. Derek stepped inside, allowing the door to close behind him. I couldn’t read his expression in the dim light, but the tension radiating from him was

palpable.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love