The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Derek POV

I stood at the second-floor window of the lakehouse, watching guests arrive below. The evening light cast long shadows across the manicured lawn as a familiar weariness settled over me. These social gatherings had lost their appeal years ago, yet here I was,

fulfilling my obligation at Seraphina’s welcome-back party.

Seraphina and I had ended our relationship three years ago without drama or lingering resentment, We’d simply recognized that what we had was comfortable but ultimately unfulfilling. She understood my decision to honor my grandmother’s wish by marrying Eleanor, and I respected her choice to pursue her career. Our paths had diverged amicably, and when they crossed again in Boston,

we’d slipped easily back into friendship.

What I couldn’t quite admit was how convenient that friendship had become. Seraphina provided the perfect distraction from thoughts of Eleanor, and if rumors of our rekindled romance reached her ears, I hadn’t been particularly motivated to correct them Part of me a petty, vindictive part I wasn’t proud of-wanted Eleanor to feel something, anything, at the thought of me with

another woman.

More guests are arriving, Seraphina said, appearing at my side. “We should go downstairs.”

I nodded, allowing her to loop her arm through mine as we headed toward the staircase. My mind was elsewhere-until a flash of

blue caught my eye in the crowd below.

My heart skipped as I recognized Eleanor standing near the entrance with Olivia Parker.

I felt Seraphina’s arm tighten around mine. She’d noticed the direction of my attention.

As Seraphina and I descended the staircase, I became acutely aware of the room quieting momentarily. Eyes turned toward us-a

common occurrence at these events, though one I’d never particularly enjoyed. My gaze remained fixed on Eleanor.

When our eyes met across the crowded space, I felt an unexpected jolt of… something. Quickly, I masked my reaction, adopting the

neutral expression I’d perfected over years of business negotiations. I didn’t want her-or anyone-reading the conflict within me.

Beside me, Seraphina must have noticed my attention shift. Her arm tightened around mine, a subtle possessive gesture that

irritated me more than it should have. We weren’t together-hadn’t been for years-yet she was playing the role of the returning

lover for all it was worth. And I, to my own disgust, had been allowing it.

As we reached the bottom of the stairs, Thomas handed me a glass of scotch. “There you are! I was beginning to think you’d

abandoned your own party,” he said with that knowing smirk of his.

I accepted the drink without comment, my attention still fixed on Eleanor. I was vaguely aware of Seraphina guiding me forward,

her arm linked through mine as she steered us directly toward Eleanor and her friend.

“Eleanor! I’m so glad you could make it, Seraphina said, her voice dripping with false warmth.

THU

2

<

1/2

Thu, Jul

Chapter 55

CREA

I studied Eleanor’s face, searching for signs of discomfort or jealousy. ‘I didn’t know you were coming,” I said, deliberately keeping

my tone neutral while lowering my voice slightly.

‘Seraphina invited me, Eleanor replied evenly. “I hope that’s not a problem.”

Before I could respond, Seraphina laughed lightly. “I invited her, Derek. I called her earlier. She squeezed my arm in that possessive

way again, setting my teeth on edge. “We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”

“We’re not friends, Seraphina, Eleanor stated plainly, her directness catching me off guard. I felt an unexpected surge of admiration

for her refusal to play along with the charade.

Seraphina’s smile remained fixed in place. “Any friend of Derek’s is a friend of mine.” She glanced around the room. “Since you’re

here, let me introduce you to some people.”

The tension between the three of us was palpable. I watched Eleanor’s face, noting the subtle tightening around her eyes-a tell I’

come to recognize when she was restraining herself from saying something she might regret. I wanted to separate myself from

Seraphina, to make it clear to Eleanor that whatever she was assuming about us wasn’t true. But what right did I have to care what

Eleanor thought? Our arrangement had always been clear.

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

James Fort approached Eleanor-I recognized him immediately as a senior partner at Cornerstone Capital, one of our main

competitors. His interest in her was obvious from his confident smile and the way he leaned slightly toward her.

“Mrs. Wells, would you honor me with a dance?” he asked, extending his hand toward Eleanor.

“I believe my wife promised the first dance to me,” I said, keeping my voice low but firm. The warning in my tone was clear enough

that the young man retreated immediately, murmuring apologies.

Comments

R Visitor

why are we repeating chapters its pointless

7 days ago

19

00

Tre

2

<SHARE

1 Comments >

17

2/2

The CEO’s Unspoken Love