The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Derek POV

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I was halfway down the stairs when I spotted my grandmother sitting in the living room, her hands folded primly in her lap, her

posture unnaturally straight. It was her ‘we need to talk pose, one I’d been familiar with since childhood.

“Derek,” she said, her voice unnervingly calm. “Come sit down with me. We need to talk.

1 approached cautiously, settling into the armchair across from her. “Is everything alright, Grandma?”

“Eleanor just left, she said, eyes fixed on my face. “She told me you two are getting divorced. Is that true?”

I felt a strange tightness in my chest, but kept my expression neutral. “Well, since she’s already told you, there’s no point in denying

it.”

“Was it all a lie, then? These three years?”

I looked away, unable to meet her gaze. From the beginning, yes. It was always meant to be temporary.”

‘Did you ever care for her at all?”

The question struck harder than I expected. Images flashed through my mind-Eleanor laughing at something I’d said, the small crease between her brows when she concentrated, the way she looked last night in the shower, vulnerable and fierce all at once.

‘It’s complicated,” I said finally.

‘Did you sleep with her?”

My head snapped up, shocked by her bluntness. “Grandma-”

“Answer me, Derek. Did you make her your wife in more than name?”

I thought about last night, about all the nights before. The answer was written all over my face.

“Then you have a responsibility to her,” she said firmly.

“We’re consenting adults, Grandma. There was no force involved.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at it briefly, seeing Eleanor’s name on the screen, but didn’t pull it out to read the

message.

III handle things with Eleanor, Grandma. Don’t worry yourself about it.”

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Chapter 95

“Derek-

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“What’s important right now is your health,” I said firmly. “The doctors said you need to avoid stress and watch your diet. So please,

try to focus on getting better.”

I leaned down to kiss her forehead. Try not to eat any more donuts today.”

Her surprised expression made me smile despite everything. “How did you-

Chocolate glaze on your cardigan,” I said, tapping the spot. “Your sweet tooth will be the death of you.”

“We all die of something, dear, she replied softly. “I’d rather it be from something I enjoyed.”

Back in my office, I finally read Eleanor’s message. The words seemed to burn into my retina: [I’ve told your grandmother about our decision. Please make arrangements with your lawyer to prepare the divorce papers as soon as possible. I’m serious about moving

forward with this, and I know you are too.]

I tossed the phone onto my desk and leaned back in my chair, a strange hollowness spreading through my chest.

Three days later, I watched Eleanor from my car across the street from City Hall. She’d been waiting on the steps for nearly thirty minutes, checking her watch repeatedly, her expression-growing increasingly anxious. She wore a cream-colored coat that made her skin glow in the autumn sunlight, her hair caught by the breeze.

Part of me wanted to keep watching her, to memorize this moment-Eleanor waiting for me one last time. But that was pathetic,

even for me.

I got out of the car and crossed the street. She spotted me before I reached her, her expression hardening.

“You couldn’t be on time even for our divorce?” she said as I approached, her voice tight with annoyance. I’ve been waiting for half

an hour.”

“Traffic was bad, I lied, climbing the steps to stand beside her.

“Of course it was. She turned toward the entrance. “Let’s get this over with.”

Inside, we were directed to a clerk who handed us the necessary forms. Eleanor’s pen moved across the papers without hesitation, her signature flowing across the line in that elegant script I’d come to recognize anywhere.

“You’re not even going to read it?” I asked, surprised by her haste.

She looked up at me, her eyes cold. “Why? Did you tell your lawyers to slip in some trap I should be aware of?”

The Wells family doesn’t need to resort to tricks, Eleanor.”

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“No, they’re usually quite direct in their cruelty.”

The clerk cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Once both parties have signed, it will need to be processed by the court. The soonest

you can expect finalization is thirty days.”

‘Thirty days, Eleanor repeated, her voice flat. “Fine.”

We walked out together, the autumn air brisk against my face. Eleanor headed straight for the waiting taxi.

“Eleanor, wait, I called.

She paused, turning slightly but not fully facing me.

“I’m transferring the Beacon Hill apartment to your name,” I said. “The papers are being prepared.”

“I don’t want it.”

“It’s worth-

“I know what it’s worth, Derek. I don’t want anything from you.”

I called her name again as she started to walk away. When she turned this time, I closed the distance between us in three long

strides. Before she could step back, I leaned in close, my lips nearly brushing her ear.

“Don’t think this is over, Eleanor, I whispered, my voice low and intense. I’m not done with you yet.”

I felt her stiffen, her breath catching. She pulled back, her eyes wide with confusion and something else-something that mirrored

the storm I felt raging inside me.

“What is that supposed to mean?” she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t have explained it if I tried. The thought of Eleanor completely removed from my life left an unexpectedly

bitter taste in my mouth. Three years of marriage, and I wasn’t ready to just sign her away like a business transaction concluded.

She didn’t belong in my world-that’s what I’d told myself before. Yet somehow, the idea of her leaving it entirely felt wrong, like a

vital piece being torn away. I wasn’t prepared to examine why.

Without another word, I turned and walked away, leaving her standing there on the steps, the signed divorce papers clutched in her

hand. It felt like watching her through the window of my car again-only this time, I knew with absolute certainty that I wouldn’t

let her walk out of my life so easily. This wasn’t an ending. Not if I had anything to say about it.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love