The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Eleanor POV

Derek’s cold voice cut through the night. He stood at the entrance to the pavilion, his posture relaxed but his eyes blazing with

barely contained anger. Despite the darkness, I could see the dangerous set of his jaw, the controlled fury in his stance.

James stepped back slightly, but maintained his composure. “Mr. Wells, I presume?”

“Derek,” I said, feigning surprise though my heart raced with anticipation. “We were just getting some air.”

“I can see that, Derek replied, his voice deceptively calm. “Seraphina is looking for you, Mr. Fort. Something about a potential

investment opportunity.”

James looked between us, understanding the dismissal for what it was. “Of course,” he said, turning to me with a small smile. “It was

a pleasure, Eleanor. Perhaps we’ll continue our conversation another time.”

“Perhaps, I agreed, meeting his eyes briefly before he walked away, leaving Derek and me alone in the moonlit pavilion.

The air between us crackled with tension as we faced each other, neither speaking for several long moments.

“What exactly are you playing at?” Derek finally asked, his voice low and dangerous as he took a step toward me.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied, holding my ground. “I was simply enjoying a conversation.”

“With your hand on his arm and your lips at his ear?” Derek’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t insult my intelligence, Eleanor.”

“I was merely following your example,” I countered, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “You and Seraphina seemed to be

having quite an intimate conversation yourselves.”

Derek moved closer, eliminating the space between us. “So this is revenge? Making me jealous?”

“Is it working?” I asked, surprising myself with my boldness.

His eyes darkened. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

“At least you’ve noticed me,” I said quietly, the truth slipping out before I could stop it. “Isn’t that the point of games? To capture

attention?

Something shifted in Derek’s expression-anger mixed with something else, something that looked almost like reluctant admiration.

“You have my attention,” he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You’ve always had it.”

I shook my head, refusing to be swayed by words that contradicted all his actions. “Not enough to stop you from running to

Seraphina the moment she returned.”

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Chapter 54

“You know nothing about my relationship with Seraphina,” he said, frustration evident in his tone.

I know enough, I replied. “I know you’ve been seeing her since you returned to Boston. I know you flew her on your private jet. 1

know-

“You know what people have told you,” he interrupted, grabbing my wrist as I turned to leave. “But you don’t know me.”

His touch sent electricity through my veins. “You’re right, I agreed, looking directly into his eyes. “Because you’ve never let me

know you.”

Derek’s grip tightened slightly. “You know I don’t like other men touching what belongs to me.”

The possessive statement sparked anger within me. I am not a possession, Derek.”

“You are, he insisted, his face inches from mine now. As long as we’re married, you’re mine. And I don’t share what’s mine.”

The hypocrisy of his statement was breathtaking. “Yet you expect me to accept you parading around with Seraphina?”

Our faces were so close our noses almost touched, our breath mingling in the cool night air. His eyes dropped to my lips, and for a heart-stopping moment, I thought he might kiss me. I found myself staring at his mouth, perfect and cruel and so close to mine.

The tension between us shifted, anger transforming into something else-something heated and urgent. We stood there, trapped in a moment of suspended possibility, neither willing to retreat, neither brave enough to close the final distance.

Finally, Derek released my wrist and stepped back, breaking the spell. “We should return to the party,” he said, his voice rough.

I nodded, unable to trust my voice. We walked side by side back toward the house, not touching, not speaking, but acutely aware of each other’s presence. The silence between us felt heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires.

As we approached the doors, Derek paused. “Don’t play these games again, Eleanor, he warned quietly. You might not like where

they lead.”

I met his gaze steadily. “Perhaps that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

We rejoined the party separately, returning to our respective corners of the room. Olivia immediately found me, her expression

concerned.

“What happened?” she demanded in a whisper. “Did he say something to upset you?”

I shook my head. “Nothing happened,” I replied, watching as Seraphina approached Derek across the room. “Nothing at all.”

Later, as the party wound down, I found Olivia swaying slightly on her feet, having enjoyed perhaps too much of the expensive

champagne.

I should get you home,” I said, taking her arm.

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Chapter 54

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“I’m fine,” she insisted, though her words slurred slightly. “I can call a car.”

“No, I’ll make sure you get home safely, I insisted. Derek appeared nearby, and I made a decision. “Derek, would you mind if your

driver took Olivia home? She’s had a bit too much to drink.”

He regarded Olivia with cool assessment before nodding. “Of course. Michael is outside.”

The three of us walked to the car in awkward silence. Olivia, despite her inebriated state, seemed to sense the tension.

“Nice car,” she commented as we approached the sleek black Bentley. “Very shiny.”

Derek merely nodded, holding the door open for her.

“Thank you for helping her,” I said quietly as Olivia settled into the backseat.

“She’s your friend, Derek replied with a shrug. “You’d worry otherwise.”

“Still, it’s kind of you,” I insisted.

His mouth quirked. “Only you would defend her to me.”

“And only she would defend me to everyone else, I countered.

Something flickered in Derek’s eyes-recognition, perhaps, or respect-before he turned away to speak to the driver.

The ride back to Beacon Hill was silent and tense. After dropping Olivia at her apartment, Derek and I continued home without speaking, the events of the evening hanging between us like an unfinished conversation.

As we reached our front door, Derek paused. I expected him to follow me inside, but he remained on the step.

“Eleanor,” he called softly as I opened the door.

I turned, waiting.

“I know these three years haven’t been easy for you,” he said, his voice unusually subdued. “You’ve been… accommodating beyond

what our agreement required.”

I blinked, surprised by this acknowledgment.

“If there’s something you want-anything I can give you-before our time is up,” he continued, “you only need to ask. I’m not an

unreasonable man.”

The offer hung in the air between us, both generous and cruel in its reminder of our impending separation.

I considered him for a long moment before turning away and walking into our home, leaving him standing alone in the doorway,

still waiting for an answer I wasn’t ready to give.

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Chapter 54

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love