The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Eleanor POV

The taxi pulled away from the Wells mansion, carrying me back to an apartment that never quite felt like home. Through the window, Boston’s nightscape blurred into streaks of light and shadow, much like my thoughts about the man I’d left behind in that

house.

Derek’s behavior in my old bedroom had been strange. The questions he’d asked-about divorce, about my future plans-played on repeat in my mind. What was he trying to discover? The Derek I knew didn’t care about my feelings on our arrangement. He never

had.

I touched the silver star pendant at my throat, remembering how his eyes had lingered on it. Since his return from London, Derek

had been acting differently. Last night, he’d held me while we slept. This morning, the way he’d looked at me before I left. And

tonight, he’d touched me with a familiarity that felt almost… possessive.

I shook my head, stopping that train of thought. Men like Derek Wells didn’t suddenly develop feelings for women they’d spent

years avoiding. Whatever game he was playing, I couldn’t afford to participate. His physical reactions to me were just that-physical.

Biology, not emotion.

“We’re here, ma’am,” the driver announced, pulling up to my building.

I paid and stepped out into the cool night air, my heels clicking against the sidewalk as I approached the entrance. The doorman

nodded politely, and I forced a smile in return. All I wanted was to collapse into bed and forget this evening had ever happened.

When I unlocked the door to my apartment, I was greeted by the unmistakable scent of furniture polish. The lights were on, and

soft classical music played from the sound system.

“Mrs. Wells? Is that you?”

Mrs. Hughes appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. The housekeeper I’d dismissed a month ago was somehow

back in my home, acting as if nothing had changed.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, too exhausted to muster proper indignation.

“Mrs. Catherine Wells asked me to return,” she explained, looking appropriately contrite. I used my spare key. I hope you don’t

mind.”

Of course Catherine had intervened. Another reminder that nothing in this apartment-not even the staff-was truly under my

control.

“I see,” was all I could manage. The fight had drained out of me somewhere between the Wells mansion and here.

Mrs. Hughes hesitated. “Your friend dropped off Sunny earlier. He’s sleeping in his room.”

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I nodded and moved toward the guest room I’d converted for my puppy. Sure enough, Sunny was curled up on his bed, his golden

fur rising and falling with each breath. At least one being in this household was at peace.

“He needs his medication at eight tomorrow morning,” I told Mrs. Hughes. “Mix it with a spoonful of peanut butter.”

“Of course, Mrs. Wells. I’ll take care of it.”

I closed Sunny’s door and headed to my bedroom-the room I occasionally shared with Derek. Without him there, it felt cavernous

and cold. The king-sized bed with its pristine white duvet looked particularly empty tonight.

I changed into my nightgown and slipped under the covers, aware of the vacant space beside me. Last night, Derek had been here.

His arm had draped across my waist, his breath warm against my neck. The memory of his touch lingered on my skin like a

phantom.

My hand drifted across the empty sheets, then to my own body, tracing the path his fingers had taken. I closed my eyes, imagining

it was Derek touching me, Derek wanting me. The fantasy was pathetic, but I couldn’t stop myself. In the darkness, I could pretend

that the man who’d married me had done so out of desire rather than duty.

Eventually, exhaustion claimed me, and I fell into a dreamless sleep.

Comments

R Visitor

2 Comments >

Girl you are so pathetic I just want you to toughen up for when the horrible time comes for you to walk away but sighhhhh…

7 days ago

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Sat, Jun 27

The CEO’s Unspoken Love