Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 28

Evelina looked at her, eyes full of hurt. “Emmy… are you still mad at me? Is it because I took your spot at Starlight? I swear, I never wanted any of this. I just… I wish things could go back to how they were between us.”

Emmy stared at Evelina’s sad, innocent face, and for a second, she almost felt thrown off balance.

How did I never notice how fake she is? she wondered.

Abriella had warned her more than once. “Evelina’s not as sweet as she looks. Watch out,” she’d said.

But Emmy’s answer back then? “Evelina isn’t like that. She just grew up overseas—she’s more open and direct, that’s all.”

Looking back, Emmy realized she’d always seen Evelina through rose-colored glasses. She was her mom’s best friend’s daughter, and Emmy had felt responsible for her—never stopping to think that Evelina might have bigger ambitions.

Ambitions big enough to steal Emmy’s fiancé without batting an eye, and then take her job too.

Emmy let out a sharp laugh. “Evelina, do you even hear yourself? How can you say something so shameless with a straight face?”

Evelina froze. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Dean’s face tightened as he stepped forward. “Emmy, if anyone owes you an apology, it’s me. Why are you taking it out on Evelina? You never used to be like this.”

Emmy actually laughed out loud at that.

And what was she supposed to be like? Pathetically in love? Dumped and still hanging around, desperate for scraps of his attention?

Please. She was Emmy. She wasn’t anyone’s backup plan.

Just then, someone strolled into the lobby, glancing at the group with mild curiosity.

Emmy didn’t even look at Dean or Evelina. She slipped her arm through her assistant’s and headed straight for the elevator.

Dean’s face darkened. He moved without thinking, striding after her and grabbing her arm, pulling her away from her assistant.

“You really think hiding behind some rookie is going to save you from trouble? Don’t be so naïve. Stay by my side.”

Emmy yanked her arm free. “Mr. Sparrow, please have some respect.”

Right then, the elevator doors slid open. A young guy in a designer suit stepped in, rolling his eyes.

“A love triangle, seriously? Can you guys take your soap opera somewhere else? Some of us actually need this elevator.”

The air went tense for a few seconds. No one said a word.

The elevator hummed as it climbed, Dean’s face stormy the whole way.

“Is that really Mr. Nelson? Isn’t he the guy who never shows up at these things?”

“You’re way behind. Didn’t you hear? Nelson Corporation’s stock went through the roof last week because word got out that James got married—like, out of nowhere!”

“He got married? To who? Oh my god, that’s insane! Which heiress scored that jackpot?”

“No one knows! This is the first time Mr. Nelson’s been seen since the wedding. He’s probably here to support his own company.”

The two girls standing near Emmy were even more blunt.

“I saw Mr. Nelson once—he’s hotter than any movie star.”

“I heard he’s not just gorgeous, he basically owns half of Nelson Corporation. Whoever married him must have saved the universe in her last life.”

“Seriously, I’m dying of jealousy just thinking about it.”

Emmy couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the conversation.

Still, she was a little curious herself. She followed everyone’s gaze to the entrance, wondering what all the fuss was about.