The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Eleanor POV

Another day.

I pushed open the front door of our house, exhaustion weighing on my shoulders. The clock in the hallway chimed eight times. marking the morning hour. I’d worked through the night at Four Seasons Florals, preparing arrangements for a last-minute corporate event, and had opted to sleep on the small daybed in my office rather than return to an empty house.

Mrs. Hughes appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Mrs. Wells, I didn’t expect you so early. Would you like some breakfast?”

“That would be lovely. I followed her into the kitchen, drawn by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. “Has Mr. Wells been back?”

“Yes.” She poured me a cup of coffee. “But you two keep missing each other. You return home, he leaves for the office. You go to the flower shop, he comes back. Yesterday he was home early, but you were absent.”

I cupped the warm mug between my hands, letting the heat seep into my tired fingers. “Is he expected home tonight?”

‘I believe so. He didn’t mention any dinner meetings.” Mrs. Hughes placed a plate of eggs and toast before me. Shall I prepare something special for dinner?”

I considered this. Three years of marriage, and now we were like ships passing in the night. Perhaps it was fitting that our marriage would end the same way it had existed-with polite distance.

“No need, Mrs. Hughes. I’ll handle dinner tonight. I took a sip of coffee. “You should take the evening off.”

After breakfast, I climbed the stairs to our bedroom, my body craving rest. I changed into a silk nightgown and slipped under the covers, setting an alarm for early afternoon.

When I awoke, the house was quiet. Mrs. Hughes had left for the day, and sunlight streamed through the curtains I’d forgotten to close. I reached for my phone and, after a moment’s hesitation, called Derek.

He answered on the fourth ring, his voice clipped and professional. “Eleanor.”

In the background, I could hear the murmur of voices-he was at the office, probably heading into a meeting.

“Derek.” I sat up in bed, suddenly feeling the need to be formal despite being alone. “The divorce… we haven’t really discussed it

properly yet. I thought we could talk tonight. Get everything sorted once and for all.”

There was a pause, and I heard him say something to someone else, his voice muffled. Then he returned. “You sound eager to get

this over with.”

“Aren’t you?” I countered, his tone making me defensive.

00

2

O

1/2

14:08

Thu

Chapter 72

“Are you a florist or a harvester?” His voice held an edge of sarcasm. “Always so keen to cut things off.”

The unexpected barb made me flinch. I’m just being practical. We both agreed to this before.”

Another pause. “Fine. I’ll be home in an hour and a half.”

The call ended before I could respond, leaving me staring at the phone, a hollow feeling in my chest.

Despite Derek’s dismissal, I found myself in the kitchen that evening, preparing his favorite meal. Seared scallops with a lemon butter sauce, roasted asparagus, and risotto with wild mushrooms. I set the dining table and placed silver candlesticks at the center.

As I worked, I tried to analyze my own actions. Why go to such trouble for a man who had made it clear our marriage was nothing but a temporary arrangement? Perhaps it was pride-I wanted to show him that I was unaffected, that I could be gracious even in ending things. Or perhaps, more honestly, it was a final attempt to create one perfect memory before we parted ways.

By seven o’clock, everything was ready. I had changed into a simple green dress and applied light makeup.

By eight o’clock, the candles had burned halfway down, and the food was growing cold. I’d texted Derek twice and received no

response.

By nine o’clock, I’d called him four times, each call going straight to voicemail. The candles had burned out, and I’d wrapped the

untouched food and placed it in the refrigerator.

By nine-thirty, I was on my fifth call when, surprisingly, someone answered.

“Hello? The voice was female, smooth and cultured. I recognized it immediately-Seraphina Bradley.

My heart stuttered in my chest. “Seraphina? Why are you answering Derek’s phone?”

“Eleanor, hello. Her tone was casual, as if there was nothing unusual about the situation. I’m afraid we’ve had a bit of a situation

here. Derek can’t come to the phone right now.”

“What situation? Where is he?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but anger and hurt were beginning to seep through.

“I had a small accident-nothing serious, just a minor injury. Derek brought me to the hospital. He’s speaking with the doctor right

now.”

Comments

10

Write Comments

00

THU

2

|||

SHARE

୮

2/2

The CEO’s Unspoken Love