The CEO's Unspoken Love Novel

Chapter 26 Eleanor POV I went down the hallway, each step reluctant as my mind still reeled from this morning's embarrassment. The prospect of facing Derek again made my heart race uncomfortably. Mrs. Hughes stopped politely at the entrance to the living room, gesturing for me to enter. Derek stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to me, his tall silhouette outlined against Boston's twilight skyline. The orange-red sunset cast the entire city in a golden glow. He seemed lost in thought, unaware of my arrival. I cleared my throat softly.

He turned, and I noticed he was holding an elegant Neiman Marcus box, his expression unreadable. "You finally came," he said, a hint of impatience in his voice. "We need to be at the Stones' in an hour." I remained where I stood, confused and exhausted. A full day's work had drained me, and the fragments of last night's humiliating memories made any social event sound like torture. "Can I not go?" I asked quietly. "I just finished a full day at work. I'm tired." Derek's expression softened slightly, but his stance remained firm.

"Thomas's sister just had a baby, and tonight is the celebration. The Wells and Stone families have been close for generations. As my wife, your presence is important." I sighed, searching for more reasons to refuse, but ultimately just nodded in resignation. This was my role in the Wells family-never saying no, always appearing appropriate. "Actually, I'm not feeling well now," I tried to find an excuse. Derek's eyes flickered momentarily before avoiding my gaze. "This is just a family gathering, Eleanor.

No need to complicate simple matters." I took the box from his hands, asking curiously, "So you came back specifically to invite me?" His expression turned enigmatic, his lips curving up for a moment. "Let's say that's the reason." I knew arguing with him was pointless. If I refused, Catherine would inevitably find out, creating unnecessary conflict. "Give me ten minutes," I nodded, turning toward the bedroom with the box in hand. In my bedroom, I opened the box to find a light purple Carolina Herrera dress.

The fabric was flowing and elegant, the cut sophisticated- clearly Derek had chosen it with care. I couldn't help wondering what prompted him to select a dress so thoughtfully. Was it genuine concern, or merely ensuring I would appear as the perfect Mrs. Wells? After a quick shower, I carefully slipped into the dress. However, when I tried to zip up the back, I found it just beyond my reach. As I struggled, a gentle knock interrupted my efforts. 1/2 "Need help?" Derek's voice came through the door, low and steady.

My instinct was to refuse, to find a way myself, but I knew that would only waste time. "Come in," I heard myself say, my voice softer than I'd intended. Derek entered, his gaze immediately falling on my exposed back. The air in the room seemed to thicken, and I could feel his eyes lingering on my skin, causing a small shiver to run down my spine. "Turn around," he instructed, his voice deeper than usual. I complied, turning my back to him, feeling him approach. His fingers brushed my skin as he pulled the zipper up, the simple action making my heart race.

I caught his eyes in the mirror, feeling that tension between us that was both familiar and foreign. "You look good in light purple," he said quietly, and I noticed his hand lingered at my waist for a few seconds longer than necessary before slowly pulling away. This intimate gesture confused me. Derek's recent behavior was full of contradictions: showing attention and attraction while maintaining emotional distance. And I, despite my better judgment telling me not to hope, couldn't help my heart responding to these small moments of intimacy.

Twenty minutes later, we sat in the back of Derek's luxury car, silently driving toward the Stone mansion. I nervously adjusted my necklace, trying to hide my unease. Derek occasionally glanced my way, his gaze indecipherable. "The dress seems a bit loose," he suddenly remarked, breaking the silence. I smiled in response. "Probably because the shop's been so busy lately. I haven't been eating properly." I didn't tell him that my appetite had nearly vanished in recent weeks due to stress and the approaching divorce.

Derek unexpectedly reached over to adjust the fabric on my shoulder, his movement intimate and natural, making my heart skip a beat. Comments 4 Write Comments < SHARE 2/2 Ruby Walker Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby's writing style is bold and irresistible-perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.