The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 93

Chapter 94

Eleanor POV

I lay rigid on my side of the bed, staring at the ceiling, acutely aware of every inch of space between Derek and me. The sheets felt cool against my still-damp skin, a stark contrast to the steamy heat of the bathroom just minutes ago. My body remembered his touch-demanding, desperate, almost violent in its need-but now there was nothing but this hollow silence stretching between us

like a wasteland.

Derek had his back to me, his breathing so measured I knew he wasn’t asleep. We were both pretending, both lying there like strangers who had accidentally found themselves in the same bed. The irony wasn’t lost on me-we were husband and wife, yet we’d never felt more distant than in this moment of forced proximity.

I wanted to say something, anything to break this suffocating silence, but what words could possibly follow what had just happened between us? His cruel assessment still rang in my ears: “We’re the same-pathetic, unable to resist each other’s bodies. But isn’t it

sad? There’s no love here, is there?”

No love. The words echoed in the emptiness between us. He was right about one thing-it was pathetic how my body betrayed me every time, how it craved his touch even as my mind screamed for me to run. But he was wrong about us being the same. I did love him. That was the difference he couldn’t see, or chose not to acknowledge.

I closed my eyes, refusing to let any tears fall. Tomorrow, I decided. Tomorrow I would end this charade once and for all.

Morning light filtered through the curtains as I made my way down the hall to Margaret’s suite. Martha, her nurse, opened the door with a startled expression that immediately made me suspicious.

“Good morning, Martha. How is she today?” I asked, stepping into the room.

“Oh! Mrs. Wells, I wasn’t expecting you so early. She was flustered, hastily wiping her hands on her uniform. ‘She’s… she’s doing well. Just finished her medicine.”

I noticed a brown paper bag being shoved under a cushion and raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

Margaret’s voice called from the sitting area. “Eleanor, dear! Come in, come in. Don’t hover in the doorway like a telegram boy with

bad news.

I found her sitting by the window, looking frail but with that characteristic Wells family spark in her eyes. The same spark I’d seen

in Derek’s eyes countless times.

Martha, I said, my voice gentle but firm as I extended my hand. “May I see what you’re hiding?”

The nurse’s face flushed crimson as she reluctantly retrieved the bag and handed it to me. Inside were two half-eaten chocolate

glazed donuts from Dunkin.

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Chapter 94

“Margaret, 1 sighed, unable to hide my disapproval. “Your blood sugar-*

“Oh, please, she waved a dismissive hand. ‘In this age, who knows how many more delicious glazed donuts I’ll get to enjoy before 1

meet my maker? Her eyes twinkled mischievously, but there was truth behind her jest.

I sat beside her, placing my hand bag on the floor. “You know, a small piece occasionally wouldn’t hurt. But these are practically

sugar bombs.

Margaret patted my hand affectionately. “You’re a good girl, Eleanor. Always caring for this cantankerous old woman. Her eyes

drifted to my hand bag. “Are you going somewhere?”

I took a deep breath. This was it. “Yes. I’m going to the flower shop.”

“This early? Without breakfast?”

“Margaret,” I said softly, meeting her gaze. “I think it’s time we were honest with each other. This marriage-between Derek and me

-it was always meant to be temporary. You know that as well as I do.”

Her expression remained neutral, but I caught the slight tightening around her eyes.

“We’ve discussed it, and we’re going to file for divorce. The words hung heavy in the air between us. “We don’t have any real feelings for each other. This was all just a… performance. For you.”

“I see. Her voice was quiet. “And this is what you both want?”

“It’s what’s best for both of us.” I squeezed her hand. These three years have been… difficult. I haven’t been happy, Margaret.”

‘I never wanted you to be unhappy, dear.”

“I know.” And I did know. Despite everything, I believed Margaret genuinely cared for me. I’ll still come visit you. You can call me

anytime you want to see me. I promise.”

I reached for her hand, feeling a wave of emotions wash over me. “You know, since I came to live with the Wells family as a teenager, you’ve always been the one person who made me feel welcome. Who made me feel like I belonged, even when I knew I didn’t. Those afternoons you taught me how to arrange flowers from your garden, the stories you told me about your own youth…

those moments meant everything to me, Margaret.”

My voice softened. “No matter what happens between Derek and me, you’ll always be family to me. The grandmother I never had but

was blessed to find.”

She nodded slowly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You’ve always been such a kind soul, Eleanor. Too kind for this family,

perhaps.

I stood, picking up my hand bag. I’ve called a cab. I don’t want to bother your driver.

Eleanor, she called as I reached the door. “Do you think… in another life, perhaps, you could have loved my grandson?”

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Chapter 94

I paused, my hand on the doorknob. “In this life, Margaret,” I said softly, without turning. “That was never the problem.”

In the back of the taxi, I pulled out my phone, my heart pounding as I typed a message to Derek.

[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 stared at the message for a long moment before hitting send, then turned to look out the window at the familiar streets of Boston sliding by. The city looked the same as it always did-people rushing to work, shops opening their doors, life continuing in its

relentless forward motion.

My eyes burned with tears. How strange that a heart could break so quietly, with no one around to hear it.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love