The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Eleanor POV

The afternoon light filtered through the windows of Four Seasons Florals as I arranged a cascade of white and blush peonies for a bride’s bouquet.

I had barely slept last night, spending hours staring at the ceiling, tears silently streaming down my face until there were none left/

to shed. This morning, I’d forced myself out of bed near noon, splashed cold water on my puffy eyes, and applied extra concealer to

hide the evidence of my breakdown.

The bell above the door chimed, and I looked up, my practiced smile freezing as I recognized our visitor.

“My, what a charming little shop.”

That voice. My fingers froze mid-cut. I knew without looking who had just walked in. Taking a steadying breath, I set down my

shears and turned around.

Seraphina Bradley stood in the entrance, elegant in a cream cashmere sweater and perfectly tailored trousers, her dark hair falling

in glossy waves around her shoulders. She looked like she belonged on the cover of Boston Magazine’s Most Influential issue

rather than in my modest flower shop.

“Welcome to Four Seasons Florals,” I said, my professional smile firmly in place. “How can I help you today?”

Seraphina wandered around, trailing her manicured fingers over displays of fresh arrangements. “I need something special. The kind

of flowers Derek used to send me.”

The knife was in and twisting, but I maintained my composure. “We have several signature arrangements. Perhaps you could tell me

what occasion you’re celebrating?”

“Oh, no occasion,” she said, stepping closer. Her perfume-something expensive and French-filled the space between us. “Just

something to brighten my house.

She leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Derek was with me last night, you know. He’s always been so attentive in

bed… so gentle yet passionate. I imagine you’ve experienced that too?” She paused, studying my face. Or perhaps not? He can be

quite… selective about who receives his full attention.”

My hands trembled slightly as I rearranged a cluster of baby’s breath. “I believe your personal relationship with my husband is none

of my business, Seraphina.”

“Husband, she repeated, as if tasting the word. “Such a temporary title in your case.” She browsed a display of orchids, touching the

petals with deliberate care. “I still love him, you know. Our breakup was just bad timing and misunderstanding.

She turned to face me fully, her expression a perfect mask of sincerity. “But I want you to know I’m a woman of principle. Until your

divorce is finalized, I won’t cross any lines.”

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Chapter 61

And then she added with a smile, “Unless Derek insisted.”

&

The pain in my chest was almost unbearable, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing it. “I appreciate your restraint,” I

said coolly. “Rest assured, I’m working on the divorce papers as we speak.

Seraphina smiled, pleased with my response. “Wonderful. In that case, prepare me some jasmine for next week. Derek knows they’re

my favorite.

She placed her business card on the counter with a flourish. “Call me when they’re ready. And Eleanor?” Her eyes met mine with

calculated warmth. “Thank you for being so… understanding.

After she left, I stood motionless for several minutes, staring at her card on the counter. It wasn’t until a tear splashed onto the

embossed surface that I realized I was crying. The walls of the shop seemed to close in around me, the scent of flowers suddenly

cloying and suffocating.

With trembling hands, I flipped the “Open” sign to “Closed” and grabbed my purse. I couldn’t stay here, surrounded by reminders of

weddings and love and everything I’d never truly had. I needed somewhere dark, somewhere loud enough to drown out the echoing

emptiness inside me.

I slumped into a corner booth at The Liberty, welcoming the dim lighting and ambient noise. The first whiskey burned a path down

my throat, the second went down easier, and by the third, the edges of my pain had mercifully begun to blur.

“Why Derek?” I whispered to myself, tracing patterns in the condensation on my glass. “Why did I have to fall in love with you of all

people?”

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love