Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 2

The light in Emmy’s eyes faded out, snuffed by a wave of hopelessness. Just as she squeezed her eyes shut, convinced there was no escape, a hot, steady hand grabbed her wrist. The world spun. Suddenly, she was cradled tight against someone’s chest.

“Hold on!”

The man scooped her up without warning or gentleness, more like he was grabbing a stray cat than a person. An explosion ripped through the air right in front of them. Instantly, his big hand pressed her head into his chest, shielding her from the blast.

Smoke stung her nose and throat, thick and acrid, while a wave of scorching air rolled past. But beneath it all, Emmy caught another scent—sharp, cold, and strangely familiar. It sent a shiver through her heart.

She blinked hard, trying to see through the haze. Through the firefighter’s mask, all she could make out was a pair of dark, unreadable eyes.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dean. He was already outside, clutching Evelina like she was the most precious thing in the world. His face was twisted in panic and relief. Emmy had never seen him look like that before.

She let her eyes slip shut. A single tear slid down her cheek.

She knew, deep down. Dean had travelled, too. But this time, he had chosen Evelina.

Last time, Dean saved Emmy, while Evelina was lost in the fire. He carried Evelina’s photo for seven years, haunted by guilt. He mourned Evelina every day. He wouldn’t even have a baby with his own wife.

But now, he’d saved the woman he truly loved. He’d finally gotten a second chance to do it right.

He must be so happy now.

A bitter smile tugged at Emmy’s lips. Maybe it was better this way. If fate had given them all a do-over, maybe it was meant to finally break this twisted bond between her and Dean.

It was time to let go.

Smoke filled her lungs, her emotions swinging from sorrow to numbness. The world went dark at the edges, and she slipped away.

Just before she lost consciousness, she thought she heard Dean’s voice, frantic and searching. “Where is she? Where’s Emmy?!”

She almost laughed out loud. She had to be imagining it. Dean’s world was all about Evelina now. Emmy was nothing to him anymore.

*

But fate had given her another chance. She wasn’t about to let the same tragedies happen again.

Her mom, Teresa, gently patted Emmy’s back, her voice shaky with relief.

“Were you scared last night? Thank goodness Dean reacted so fast and ran in to save you. I was terrified, Emmy!

“You are about to get married. If anything had happened to you, I don’t know what I would’ve done!”

Emmy’s brow furrowed.

She remembered it clearly. Dean had saved Evelina, not her. Someone else had pulled her out of the fire. Why was Dean getting all the credit?

She didn’t have the energy to explain. Right now, only one thing mattered. She took her mother’s hand, her voice steady and sure.

“Mom, I’m not marrying Dean.”