The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

I signaled for another drink, ignoring the bartender’s concerned glance. I just wanted to use alcohol to forget everything, forget Derek, forget what Seraphina said, and even forget myself. Why did the feeling of suffocation hit me so hard when I think of Derek?

Why did I let myself get involved with him?

The bartender gently suggested I slow down, but I waved him off. I just needed to get through tonight.Tonight, just for a few hours,

I needed to be the woman who’d loved and lost.

From somewhere nearby, I heard laughter and the clinking of glasses. Friends celebrating, perhaps. The sounds of normal life

continuing while mine fell apart.

“Eleanor? Is that you?”

I looked up, blinking slowly to focus my vision. A tall figure stood beside my table, features swimming in and out of clarity.

“Derek?” I whispered, hope and pain tangling in my chest.

The man slid into the booth across from me. As my vision cleared slightly, I realized my mistake. Not Derek-Alexander. The resemblance between the brothers was striking, especially in my inebriated state, but Alexander’s features were softer, his eyes

warmer.

“Are you alright? Alexander explained, his expression concerned but carefully neutral.

I laughed, a hollow sound that threatened to dissolve into sobs. I’m wonderful. Just celebrating.”

“Celebrating what?”

“The end of a beautiful marriage, I said bitterly, raising my glass in a mock toast. “To Derek and Seraphina. May they be very happy

together.

Alexander’s brow furrowed. Eleanor, I think you’ve had enough to drink.”

‘You sound just like him,’ I said, studying his face. So righteous. So proper. Do you know what your brother said to me when we got

married? This is temporary. Don’t get attached. As if I were a stray cat he’d reluctantly taken in.”

I leaned forward, my inhibitions completely dissolved by alcohol. But I did get attached. Stupid me. I fell in love with him. With

Derek Wells, of all people-the man who can’t love anyone but himself.”

Alexander remained silent, allowing me to vent.

I reached across the table, placing my hand on Alexander’s. “You look so much like him. Tell me, if you were Derek, could you have

loved me?

Alexander gently withdrew his hand. “Eleanor, I’m not Derek,” he said quietly. “I should call him to come get you.”

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Chapter 62

The realization that I’d been confusing the brothers hit me with a wave of embarrassment. ‘No, don’t call him, I pleaded. “He

probably with her anyway.”

“You shouldn’t be alone right now,” Alexander said firmly. “Let me help you get home.”

When I tried to stand, the room tilted alarmingly. Alexander was immediately at my side, steadying me with a respectful hand on

my elbow.

“I don’t think you can walk, he observed, his tone practical rather than judgmental.

The next thing I knew, I was being lifted into his arms. I should have protested, maintained some dignity, but instead I found myself

resting my head against his shoulder, too exhausted and drunk to care about appearances.

As he carried me through the bar, I closed my eyes against the spinning room. “I’m sorry, I mumbled. “I don’t usually… I’m not

normally…”

“It’s okay.” Alexander said softly. “Everyone has bad days.”

I felt myself drifting in and out of awareness as Alexander carried me outside. The cool night air momentarily cleared my head, and

I heard him speaking quietly on his phone.

‘Derek, it’s Eleanor. She’s at The Liberty, and she’s… not well. A pause. “She’s been drinking. A lot. I happened to be here and found

her. I think you should come.”

I wanted to protest, to tell him not to bother Derek with my problems, but the words wouldn’t come. The gentle rocking motion as Alexander walked, combined with the alcohol in my system, was pulling me toward unconsciousness. My last coherent thought before darkness claimed me was that I’d made a complete fool of myself-again.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love