The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 1062

Eleanor always thought her heart belonged to someone else.

Being with Kenneth was comfortable, convenient. They both had someone else in mind, and that arrangement seemed to work just fine.

But people change, especially when they spend every day together.

Eleanor found herself growing accustomed to Kenneth's presence. He was there when she got home from work, ready to hit the grocery store or cook dinner together. At night, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

This newfound closeness turned what was once an advantage of their relationship into a thorn in her side. The more she fell for Kenneth, the more it hurt knowing he was thinking of someone else.

Someone named Dorothy.

Eleanor felt like Kenneth looked through her, hoping to see a face that wasn't hers.

Jealousy turned into anger.

Lying in his hospital bed, Kenneth offered a weak smile. "I've done a lot of thinking while you were away."

"Thinking of me?"

"Sort of," he nodded. "I've been thinking... I shouldn't hold you back anymore."

"…"

"We should break up," Kenneth said calmly, without the emotional turmoil that Eleanor felt. "You were right during our fight. You said I treated you as a stand-in, and that's just cruel. You said I shouldn't be so selfish."

"Kenneth, I was just—"

"Let me finish!" he insisted. "I can't get over Dorothy, even after all this time, even though she's happily married now, with a loving husband and healthy kids. I can't move past it."

Kenneth realized that by holding onto Eleanor, he was just wasting her time and youth, with no real benefit to either of them.