The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Derek POV

7

I stood there, watching Eleanor’s face shift from anger to shock as she realized I was in the doorway. The color drained from her cheeks, leaving her pale except for two spots of pink high on her cheekbones. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the ar

between us charged with unspoken words.

“So, I finally said, breaking the silence as I walked further into the shop. “That’s how you really feel about me. Interesting

Eleanor took a step back, her hands reflexively gripping the edge of the counter. ‘Derek, I was just-she was saying things that

weren’t true, and I got angry-

“No,” I cut her off, my voice surprisingly calm given the storm inside me. “I think you were very clear. Remarkably articulate, in

fact.”

I moved around the shop, taking in the displays of flowers, the carefully arranged ribbons and vases, this space that was so completely Eleanor’s and that I’d never bothered to visit before today. Why had I come here? Some misguided attempt to connect, to

see the life she’d built while I was away?

I picked up a single stem from a nearby bucket-some blue flower I couldn’t name-twirling it between my fingers. ‘It seems I’m the only one who’s been foolish enough to think our arrangement might have become something less… suffocating.”

Eleanor’s eyes widened slightly at this, but she quickly composed herself. “Why are you here, Derek? You said you had meetings all

day.”

“They ended early,” I replied, deliberately casual. “I thought I’d surprise my ‘suffering’ wife at her workplace. Clearly, that was a

mistake.

I watched her flinch at my words and felt a hollow satisfaction. At least I wasn’t the only one in pain now. But beneath my anger, I couldn’t help noticing how her eyes had flashed with genuine hurt when that woman had mentioned Seraphina. D

There had been something raw in her expression just before her outburst-something I recognized because I’d seen it before in quiet moments when she thought no one was watching.

As Eleanor stood there, looking vulnerable and defiant all at once, a sudden, visceral urge surged through me.

I wanted to cross the room, grab her by the waist, and kiss her-hard and possessively-until she forgot whoever had upset her, until she forgot everything except that she was mine. My body tensed with the impulse to press her against the counter, tangle my fingers in her hair, and claim her mouth until she stopped saying I was nothing to her.

In my mind, I could already feel her initial resistance giving way, her hands pushing against my chest before inevitably clutching my shirt, pulling me closer. I imagined lifting her onto the counter, shoving aside the floral arrangements, her legs wrapping around my waist as I marked her neck with kisses. I would make her acknowledge who she belonged to-make her admit that there was nothing

“cold” or “distant about what sparked between us.

อด

27

୫

O

1/3

Chapter 37

I blinked, startled by the vivid intensity of these thoughts. Christ, what was wrong with me? Was I really standing here like same

hormone-driven teenager, fantasizing about taking Eleanor on a flower shop counter because my feelings were hurt? I drew a deep

breath, disgusted with my lack of control. I was a Wells, for god’s sake, not some impulsive boy who couldn’t master his baser

instincts when his pride was wounded.

“Well, I continued, setting the flower down carefully and forcing my mind back to reality, “you’ve made your feelings abundantly

clear, Eleanor. I appreciate the honesty, truly. It’s refreshing to finally have some truth between us.”

I moved toward the door, pausing to look back at her one last time. She stood frozen by the counter, her eyes wide and troubled. lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. The sight nearly undid my resolve, but I steeled

myself against the impulse.

‘I won’t trouble you any further,” I said, my hand on the door.

As I stepped outside into the cool evening air, I felt a confusing mix of anger, hurt, and something deeper I refused to name. I

nodded to Michael, who waited beside the car, and slid into the backseat.

“Back to the office,” I instructed, my voice giving nothing away.

As we pulled away from the curb, I gazed out at the darkening streets of Boston, my mind churning. Her words replayed in my head like a cruel loop: “He’s nothing to me… If I could, I’d sign divorce papers right now and be done with Derek Wells forever!”

The vehemence in her voice had been unmistakable. But was it genuine hatred, or had that woman-Sophia-deliberately provoked

her? I recalled the tension in Eleanor’s posture, the defensive way she’d held herself. Something about the whole scene felt off, yet

the pain of her words was too real to dismiss.

For years, I’d maintained careful distance, convinced that emotional entanglement would only complicate what was meant to be a temporary arrangement. I’d gone to London partly to escape the confusing pull I felt toward her, the inconvenient desire that

wouldn’t fade despite my best efforts.

These past weeks since my return, I’d found myself drawn to her in ways I hadn’t anticipated-wanting to protect her, to see her

smile, to understand the woman she’d become.

And now this. Perhaps it was better this way. A clean break before I made the mistake of wanting something that could never be.

I pulled out my phone, checking the calendar for my scheduled meeting with the family lawyer. The thought of proceeding with the

divorce papers brought an unexpected heaviness to my chest. Not regret-I told myself firmly-just the natural response to

rejection.

“What did you expect?” I murmured to myself, watching raindrops begin to streak the window. “This was always the plan.”

I needed distance. Work. Something to focus on besides the image of Eleanor’s face when she saw me standing in the doorway-the flash of horror that had replaced her anger. Was it because she regretted her words, or simply because she’d been caught speaking

them?

I dialed my assistant. “Reschedule the Morgan Stanley meeting for tonight. I’ll be back at the office within the hour.”

00

SAY

2

27

O

0

2/3

r

11:58 Sat, Jun 27.

Chapter 37

It was time to get back to what I knew best: work. Everything else-especially the ache in my chest that I refused to acknowledge- could be dealt with later, when the sting of her words had faded and I could think clearly again.

Comments

12

Write Comments

5371

က

27

<SHARE

|||

3/3

The CEO’s Unspoken Love