The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Derek POV

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I stared at the contracts spread across my desk, unable to focus on the fine print of Frontier Capital’s Boston relocation. The words blurred together as my mind drifted to Eleanor. A week had passed since that night at my parents’ house-a week since I’d touched her and felt that dangerous pull toward something I couldn’t afford to want.

Distance was necessary. I needed space to think clearly, to reset whatever had short-circuited in my brain when I saw her in that

bedroom.

The gentle knock on my door pulled me back to reality.

“Mr. Wells, your 11 o’clock canceled, Alan said, stepping into my office with a tablet in hand. “And Mrs. Wells called.”

I tensed but kept my expression neutral. “What did she want?”

Alan hesitated, his usual efficiency faltering. “She said there’s an urgent matter regarding your divorce that needs immediate

attention. She seemed… quite insistent that you call her back.”

The message felt edited, softened. Eleanor’s actual words had likely been sharper, more direct-probably containing some cutting

remark about my avoidance tactics. But Alan had worked for me long enough to know when to filter.

The next second, my phone rang. Daniel Wilson’s name flashed on the screen-my oldest friend.

“Daniel,” I answered.

“The prodigal son returns and doesn’t even call his best friend?” Daniel’s voice boomed through the speaker. “I had to hear about

your homecoming from Thomas, of all people.”

“Hey, bro. There’s a new place on Newbury Street. Live music, good bourbon selection. Tonight.”

I considered my schedule-deliberately kept busy to avoid any chance of running into Eleanor at our apartment.

‘The band starts at eight, Daniel continued. “Unless London turned you into some kind of early-to-bed puritan?”

The prospect of noise and distraction appealed to me. Perhaps a night out was exactly what I needed to clear my head of thoughts about Eleanor and our complicated situation.

“I’ll be there,” I said, making a decision. “Text me the details.”

After hanging up, I returned to the contracts with renewed focus. The sooner Frontier Capital was established in Boston, the sooner

I could rebuild my life here-a life that, according to our agreement, would soon continue without Eleanor.

Eleanor POV

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Chapter 11

The orchids refused to cooperate. I trimmed another stem at a precise forty-five-degree angle, but the arrangement still looked.

unbalanced. Like my life.

I then went to reorganize the display cooler when my phone rang. Catherine Wells. My stomach clenched as I answered.

“Eleanor.” Her voice was crisp as autumn air. “I think we need to discuss the divorce proceedings.”

“I wasn’t aware there was anything to discuss,” I replied, keeping my voice level. The agreement was clear.”

“That’s precisely the point. The agreement specified three years. You’re dragging this out unnecessarily, and frankly, it’s becoming

tiresome for everyone involved.”

I stepped into the back room, away from curious employees. “I’m not dragging anything out, Mrs. Wells. Derek is the one who’s been

unreachable.”

Catherine’s sigh was theatrical. “This marriage was a mistake from the beginning. We both know it.”

“And it wasn’t my idea either,” I reminded her. “With all due respect, it was your family who needed something from me.”

“And we’re prepared to be generous in the settlement,” Catherine replied smoothly. “Once the divorce is finalized, you’ll receive fair

compensation. We can part ways cleanly.”

“As if we were business partners,” I observed.

“Weren’t we?” Her tone was almost amused. “Let’s not pretend this was ever a love match, Eleanor.”

After ending the call, I stared out the shop window at the falling leaves on Newbury Street. Boston in autumn had always been my favorite-the crisp air, the golden light, the sense of change in the atmosphere. Now it just felt like another ending.

‘Mrs. Wells? My assistant’s voice pulled me back. “Your one o’clock consultation from Newton is here.”

I nodded, pushing thoughts of Derek and Catherine aside. ‘I’ll be right there.”

The afternoon passed in a blur of client meetings and inventory checks. By closing time, my fingers were stained green and my back ached from standing, but the physical discomfort was preferable to the emotional pain that waited when I allowed my mind to

wander.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love