Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 53

James stared at her, his eyes searching. “Why are you so worried about me?”

Emmy felt the pressure of him standing so close and had to take a second to steady herself before speaking. “You stayed with me in the hospital until I got discharged. Now you’re the one who’s hurt. It just makes sense for me to help you, right? That’s what people do for each other.”

He held her gaze for a long moment, then let out a soft, almost mocking laugh and finally let go of her arm.

A weird chill crawled up her spine. Emmy quickly grabbed the medicine bottles, desperate to make her escape.

“Tomorrow, I want to eat braised pork,” James said suddenly, his voice low and smooth behind her.

She froze for a split second, then forced a smile. “Okay, I’ll make extra. Anything else you’re craving?”

The words were barely out of her mouth when she caught his eyes—dark, intense, almost predatory.

He didn’t have to say it. That look said it all: I want you.

Her heart skipped a beat. “I should get going,” she blurted, and rushed out the door.

As soon as the door shut, James glanced down at the cool ointment on his arm, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across his face.

The next day, Emmy never got around to making James that braised pork.

Right before it was time to leave work, her mom called and told her to come home for dinner.

She realized it had been almost two weeks since she’d been back.

Emmy agreed, then sent James a quick text.

[Hey, I have to go home tonight. Don’t just eat instant noodles—order something for yourself, okay?]

No reply. He was still playing it cool.

When Emmy arrived at the Lincoln family house, the tension hit her the second she walked in.

Ivy, the housekeeper, pulled her aside, worry all over her face. “Your parents had a fight. Mrs. Lincoln cried for hours. She hasn’t talked to Mr. Lincoln in days.”

Emmy frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Mrs. Lincoln wouldn’t let me. She said she didn’t want you to worry,” Ivy said, sighing.

Emmy changed into something comfortable and headed downstairs. The dining table was already set.

Teresa just kept adding food to Emmy’s plate. “Eat, sweetheart. You’re looking skinny.”

Emmy kept her head down and ate quietly, but her mind was sharp. Her mom wasn’t being dramatic. She must have found something out. Her father had talked his way out of everything for years, but now that her mom was truly angry, even he didn’t dare push his luck.

Suddenly, Cooper spoke again, forced pride in his voice.

“By the way, Emmy, I heard you won the Vista Home bid? See, I knew putting you in charge of Forward Technology was the right move! It’s only been two weeks and you’ve already done something amazing. You really are my daughter!”

Emmy’s lips flickered into a barely-there, icy smile.

Winning the bid didn’t mean the deal was done. Forward Technology was still on the edge of collapse, but here he was, acting like everything was perfect.

She set her fork down and said, calm and even, “Dad, it’s too soon to celebrate. The company’s still in danger. Let’s wait and see if we actually make it.”

Cooper’s smile froze, then turned to anger.

“You’re still upset about me giving your job to Evelina, aren’t you? She’s an MIT grad and has international awards! She chose to come work at Starlight Corporation—do you know how big a deal that is? Why can’t you just get over it?”

He stared hard at Emmy. “If your degree was better, if your resume was even half as good as hers, do you really think I would’ve given her that job instead of you?”