Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 508

James fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “How’s your grandfather doing?”

Steve’s shoulders slumped as he sighed. “Honestly… it might just be a matter of days now. He’s on a ventilator.”

James nodded, his tone somber. “Will’s been like a brother to me. If he and Abriella both have feelings for each other, I’m not going to stand in their way.”

Steve stared at him, stunned. “And what about me? You’re really okay just watching me lose her?”

James shot him a look. “Don’t you already have a wife?”

Steve scoffed. “Yeah, a wife who only married me for money and status. There’s no way I’ll ever accept her as family.”

He fell quiet for a second, then looked at James with a mix of envy and sadness. “Honestly, James, I wish I could be like you. You actually got to marry the woman you love.”

Something flickered in James’s eyes—something dark and unreadable.

“Would you really want to go through what I did to get here?” he asked quietly.

Steve felt a chill run through him and shut his mouth right away.

He knew just how hard James’s life had been. From the moment he was born, he’d gone through hell and back. Surviving at all was a miracle.

The Nelson family’s rules were legendary—ten times stricter than the Fosters’. But somehow, whenever James wanted something, or someone, even the family head couldn’t stop him.

That power didn’t come cheap. James had paid for it with half his life’s happiness.

“What happened to you?”

Emmy came out of the bathroom, holding Abriella’s hand, just in time to catch the end of the conversation.

James turned to her, and all the coldness in his face melted away. His gaze softened instantly.

He played it off. “Nothing important. Just messing around.”

“Dinner’s ready! Food’s up!” Ivy called out, beaming as she carried the last dish from the kitchen.

The group made their way to the dining room.

Abriella pulled out a chair, aiming to sit next to Will. But Steve darted in, nudging her aside and plopping down next to Will instead. He threw an arm over Will’s shoulder, grinning like they were old pals.

“Will, I brought two bottles of really good wine tonight. Think you can keep up with me?”

“Steve, move it!” Abriella snapped, tugging at his arm.

Steve didn’t budge. He just raised his eyebrows, refusing to move, eyes locked on Will as if daring him to do something.

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