The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 1040

Eleanor had always carried a torch for someone else. Yet, circumstances had made it impossible for them to be together, leading her to start dating Kenneth.

But that didn't mean she couldn't fall for Kenneth over time! It's a common tale; spending day in, day out with someone, it's hard not to develop feelings.

Every time Kenneth called her "Dorothy," Eleanor's heart ached with curiosity - which "Dorothy" was he really calling for? Yet, she never asked, she kept her feelings buried deep. As long as she didn't voice it out, the "Dorothy" Kenneth called for was her, in her heart.

Could this charade go on forever? Get married, have kids, what did it matter if she was just a stand-in? Eleanor couldn't help but feel she was even less than an old flame that Kenneth hadn't seen for ages.

With enough time, he would forget, she hoped. But when push came to shove, it was still "Dorothy" that escaped his lips. Always her!

"Kenneth has liked her for ages, and you knew it! He never lied to you! If you can't handle it, why not just break up?" Karen was fiercely protective of her friend, and she had never liked Eleanor much to begin with. Now, she liked her even less.

"Karen, that's so unfair! I get that Dorothy is your friend and you're biased, but I'm Kenneth's girlfriend right now! At least for the moment, I am! If Kenneth were to, say, lose a limb, I'd still stand by him. Why don't you get Dorothy to come and be with Kenneth if you're so keen on defending her?"

Losing Kenneth would be a far greater tragedy than any physical disability. Karen knew this logic well, but guilt gnawed at her.

"Why did I ever think to set Kenneth and Dorothy up? If I hadn't, none of this would've happened!" Perhaps Kenneth would have been happily married with children by now. Given his background and capabilities, he should have been leading a blissful life.

"It's not like you're psychic, Karen. You couldn't have predicted any of this. It's not your fault Kenneth fell too deep," Jeffrey reassured her, then sighed to himself, "Even someone as influential as Everett can't control everything in life, let alone us..."