The CEO's Unspoken Love Novel

Chapter 61 Eleanor POV The afternoon light filtered through the windows of Four Seasons Florals as I arranged a cascade of white and blush peonies for a bride's bouquet. I had barely slept last night, spending hours staring at the ceiling, tears silently streaming down my face until there were none left to shed. This morning, I'd forced myself out of bed near noon, splashed cold water on my puffy eyes, and applied extra concealer to hide the evidence of my breakdown. The bell above the door chimed, and I looked up, my practiced smile freezing as I recognized our visitor.

"My, what a charming little shop." That voice. My fingers froze mid-cut. I knew without looking who had just walked in. Taking a steadying breath, I set down my shears and turned around. Seraphina Bradley stood in the entrance, elegant in a cream cashmere sweater and perfectly tailored trousers, her dark hair falling in glossy waves around her shoulders. She looked like she belonged on the cover of Boston Magazine's "Most Influential" issue rather than in my modest flower shop. "Welcome to Four Seasons Florals," I said, my professional smile firmly in place.

"How can I help you today?" Seraphina wandered around, trailing her manicured fingers over displays of fresh arrangements. "I need something special. The kind of flowers Derek used to send me." The knife was in and twisting, but I maintained my composure. "We have several signature arrangements. Perhaps you could tell me what occasion you're celebrating?" "Oh, no occasion," she said, stepping closer. Her perfume-something expensive and French-filled the space between us. "Just something to brighten my house." She leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially.

"Derek was with me last night, you know. He's always been so attentive in bed... so gentle yet passionate. I imagine you've experienced that too?" She paused, studying my face. "Or perhaps not? He can be quite... selective about who receives his full attention." My hands trembled slightly as I rearranged a cluster of baby's breath. "I believe your personal relationship with my husband is none of my business, Seraphina." "Husband," she repeated, as if tasting the word. "Such a temporary title in your case." She browsed a display of orchids, touching the petals with deliberate care.

"I still love him, you know. Our breakup was just bad timing and misunderstanding." She turned to face me fully, her expression a perfect mask of sincerity. "But I want you to know I'm a woman of principle. Until your 1/2 divorce is finalized, I won't cross any lines." And then she added with a smile, "Unless Derek insisted." The pain in my chest was almost unbearable, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing it. "I appreciate your restraint," I said coolly. "Rest assured, I'm working on the divorce papers as we speak." Seraphina smiled, pleased with my response. "Wonderful.

In that case, prepare me some jasmine for next week. Derek knows they're my favorite." She placed her business card on the counter with a flourish. "Call me when they're ready. And Eleanor?" Her eyes met mine with calculated warmth. "Thank you for being so... understanding." After she left, I stood motionless for several minutes, staring at her card on the counter. It wasn't until a tear splashed onto the embossed surface that I realized I was crying. The walls of the shop seemed to close in around me, the scent of flowers suddenly cloying and suffocating.

With trembling hands, I flipped the "Open" sign to "Closed" and grabbed my purse. I couldn't stay here, surrounded by reminders of weddings and love and everything I'd never truly had. I needed somewhere dark, somewhere loud enough to drown out the echoing emptiness inside me. I slumped into a corner booth at The Liberty, welcoming the dim lighting and ambient noise. The first whiskey burned a path down my throat, the second went down easier, and by the third, the edges of my pain had mercifully begun to blur.

"Why Derek?" I whispered to myself, tracing patterns in the condensation on my glass. "Why did I have to fall in love with you of all people?" 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.