The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Eleanor POV

The sound of the front door opening saved me from having to respond. Olivia’s voice called out, “We’re back! And we brought those

scones I mentioned!”

Derek moved away, smoothing his hair back into place. He gave me one last look before turning toward the entrance hall, his

expression unreadable.

Olivia appeared in the doorway, carrying a paper bag that smelled of butter and sugar. Her eyes darted between Derek and me,

clearly sensing the tension.

“I also stopped by Four Seasons and picked up some materials you mentioned needing,” she said, holding up another bag. “Rachel

said you were planning to make samples for the Miller account?”

“Yes,” I said, grateful for the distraction. “Thank you, Liv.”

Derek cleared his throat. I should go. I have a meeting at Frontier in an hour.”

He left without another word, and I listened to his footsteps retreating, followed by the sound of the front door closing. Only then

did I allow myself to exhale fully.

Olivia waited until we heard his car start before raising an eyebrow. “So? What happened?

“Nothing, I lied, moving toward the kitchen. “He wanted to discuss divorce details.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, clearly not believing me. “And does discussing divorce usually leave you looking like this? You’re flushed, your

hair’s a mess, and you’re breathing like you just ran a marathon.”

I touched my cheeks self-consciously, feeling the heat beneath my fingertips. It was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

Olivia didn’t press further, instead unpacking the floral materials she’d brought. “I found your phone charger, by the way. It was

buried under a pile of invoices at the shop. You’ve missed a bunch of calls and texts.”

I plugged in my dead phone and turned my attention to the flowers, desperately needing to focus on something tangible and uncomplicated. I began sorting through the materials, selecting stems for the Miller arrangements. My hands moved mechanically, my mind still caught in the memory of Derek’s kiss, the feel of his body against mine.

By lunchtime, I had created several sample arrangements, none of which met my usual standards. The color combinations were off,

the proportions awkward, and the overall design lacked cohesion.

Olivia stood behind me, her head tilted critically. “Honey, what’s going on with you today?”

I stared at the mismatched arrangement before me-pink roses paired with orange lilies and purple irises, a combination that made

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Chapter 77

my eyes hurt. “What do you mean? I’m following the design brief.”

“Are you?” Olivia picked up the sketch I’d been working from. “Because this shows white roses with blue hydrangeas and silver eucalyptus. What you’ve made looks like a color wheel had a nervous breakdown.”

I blinked, looking between my creation and the sketch. “Oh. I… I guess I wasn’t paying attention.

“Clearly. Olivia’s voice softened. “You want to talk about it?”

I shook my head, disassembling the garish arrangement. “There’s nothing to talk about. I just can’t seem to focus today.”

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with your soon-to-be-ex-husband, would it?”

I sighed, setting down the flowers. He offered me the Beacon Hill house.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. “The one on Chestnut Street? The place is worth what, four million?”

“Something like that.”

“And you said…?”

“I said no.

Olivia stared at me, then dramatically dropped to one knee beside my chair. “Eleanor Wells, will you marry me instead? I promise to

support your flower habit for life.”

Despite everything, I found myself laughing. “Sorry, but I’m not interested in replacing one complicated relationship with another.”

“Fine,” she said, standing up. “But seriously, why would you turn down a multi-million-dollar property?”

I picked up a white rose, twirling it between my fingers. “Because I don’t want anything from him. I just want to be free.”

Olivia nodded slowly. I get that. But also… damn, girl. That’s a lot of money to walk away from.”

Money isn’t everything,” I said, placing the rose in a new arrangement, this time focusing on the design brief. Besides, I have this place now. It needs work, but it’s mine. It’s where I grew up, where my parents lived. It means something.”

We worked in companionable silence for a while, Olivia helping me sort materials while I started a fresh arrangement. When I

finally finished a design that matched the sketch, I sat back, feeling a small sense of accomplishment.

“There, I said. “That’s better.”

Olivia nodded approvingly. “Much. Though I still think you should have taken the house and sold it.”

I smiled, shaking my head. “You’re incorrigible.”

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Chapter 77

“I’m practical,” she countered. “Unlike some people who turn down million-dollar properties because of pride.”

“It’s not pride,” I said softly. “It’s self-preservation.”

As I began another arrangement, I couldn’t help but think about Derek’s kiss, the way my body had responded to his touch without any input from my brain. I had spent three years trying to build walls around my heart, and he had dismantled them in seconds

with nothing more than a look and a touch.

My fingers trembled slightly as I trimmed a stem. If only things were as simple as Olivia made them sound-take the house, take the money, walk away. But nothing with Derek was ever simple. Even now, with our marriage effectively over, I couldn’t deny the puli he had on me. His lips still haunted mine, his scent lingered on my skin, and I hated myself for wanting more.

How pathetic that after everything-the cold shoulders, the disappearances, the emotional distance-I still couldn’t say no to him Not really. Not when he looked at me the way he had today, like he might actually want me.

It would be easier if I could hate him. But I never could, and that was my greatest weakness.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love