The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Eleanor POV

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Derek’s gaze found mine, his expression morphing from shock to something dark and unreadable in the span of a heartbeat. A familiar tightness gripped my chest-that mixture of longing, resentment, and something deeper that only Derek could evoke. I quickly looked away, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Thomas was the first to recover, his easy smile breaking the tension. “Well, isn’t this a surprise! Daniel, I thought you said you couldn’t come to the mountains this weekend?” He turned to me with a grin. “He told me he wanted alone time with Melissa.”

Daniel shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, um… plans changed. Melissa suddenly wanted to try the hot springs.”

Melissa smiled apologetically. “I’ve never been to a natural hot spring before. It sounded romantic.”

“Winter is certainly the perfect time for hot springs,” Seraphina added smoothly, her voice cultured and melodious. She wore an emerald cashmere sweater that made her pale skin glow and her auburn hair seem even more vibrant. Her eyes slid meaningfully

toward Derek. “Don’t you think, Derek?”

Derek completely ignored her, his stance shifting almost imperceptibly-shoulders tensing, jaw tightening. His gaze was fixed on the narrow space between James and me. I realized belatedly how close we were standing, how natural it felt to have James slightly behind me, one hand hovering near the small of my back. Derek’s eyes darkened, fingers, flexing at his sides in that subtle gesture of

restraint I remembered all too well.

“What an amazing coincidence,” Olivia said to Thomas, her voice dripping with sarcasm. It’s almost like everyone had the exact

same brilliant idea.

James, ever the diplomat, maintained his composure. “It’s a popular opening weekend,” he said, moving a fraction closer to me. I

could feel the warmth of his body against my back, protective without being possessive.

“Clearly, Derek said coldly. His eyes flicked to James’s near-touch at my back, then back to my face with an intensity that made my

skin prickle. I see you two have grown quite close.”

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze directly. “James respects my choices. Some people could learn from his example.” The words came

out steadier than I felt, a small victory.

“Yes, Sir James is nothing if not respectful, Derek drawled, the casual tone belied by the tightness around his eyes. A perfect gentleman.”

Seraphina’s perfectly arched eyebrows rose slightly, her manicured fingers coming to rest lightly on Derek’s arm. “Eleanor, I thought you and Derek had already started divorce proceedings? Catherine mentioned the papers were filed weeks ago.”

Her touch on Derek’s arm sent an irrational spike of something hot and unpleasant through me. I recognized it as jealousy and immediately hated myself for it.

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Chapter 110

They were,” Olivia interjected before I could respond. “Some people just can’t seem to let go, even after signing divorce papers.

The tension in the lobby thickened. Thomas, clearly trying to diffuse the situation, clapped his hands together. “Hey, we should all

have dinner together! Make it a proper party.”

Derek shot him a warning look that could have frozen the hot springs, his jaw clenching visibly.

“I’m afraid we already have plans,” James said politely but firmly. His voice was warm but carried an unmistakable note of finality.

“Perhaps another time.”

Seraphina stepped closer to Derek, her hand lightly touching his arm again in a gesture that seemed both possessive and uncertain.

“Derek, we should check out our suite. I want to make sure it’s the one with the private hot tub view.”

Derek removed her hand without looking at her, his movement deliberate and final. “You and I are not sharing a suite, Seraphina,

he said, his voice flat.

Seraphina’s perfect composure cracked momentarily, a flash of embarrassment and anger crossing her features before she recovered

with a practiced laugh. The slight tightening around her eyes and the momentary stiffness in her shoulders betrayed her true

reaction. “I meant our respective suites, of course. The tower section.”

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Quit grabbing her wrist! Say your piece and be done with it. Sorry, this is a pet peeve of mine, when guys used to do this to me, it would set me off! I punched one guy in … More

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love