Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 63

James’s brow knitted in concern.

Emmy didn’t meet his eyes. She stared off at the dark silhouettes of trees, her voice soft and far away.

“When I was little, my dad was amazing. He’d put me on his shoulders to take me to concerts. When I got top marks, he’d secretly buy me the newest dolls.”

“But I don’t know when it happened—he changed.”

“He started treating other people better than me, making unreasonable demands, and sometimes even…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

Sometimes she wondered if she was really his daughter at all—maybe Evelina was the real one.

James stayed quiet for a long time before he finally said, “My father doesn’t like me.”

Emmy snapped out of her own thoughts, her self-pity vanishing all at once.

She turned to him and forced a playful grin, sticking out her hand. “Looks like we’ve got something in common. Want to shake on it?”

James glanced down at her small, pale hand reaching toward him.

He reached out and took it.

His palm was big and rough, warm to the point of almost burning. Her cool fingertips disappeared in his grip.

Her first instinct was to pull away.

James just tightened his hold, keeping her hand firmly in his.

He sounded completely casual. “What couple goes for a walk without holding hands? You want everyone to think we’re not getting along?”

She stopped fighting it.

But the feeling of his hand in hers was strange—almost uncomfortable.

She’d held hands with Dean before, but that was just habit, something they’d done since they were kids.

With James, though… this was a first.

She mentally kicked herself for even suggesting a handshake.

Trying to shift the conversation, she said, “At least my mom’s great. She’s always treated me well. What about yours?”

James kept his eyes on the path ahead, his voice flat. “She doesn’t like me either.”

Emmy didn’t know what to say.

They walked hand in hand through the tree-lined path around the neighborhood.

The summer night was warm, and the mosquitoes were out in full force.

Emmy started to feel itchy on her neck and arms. When she reached up, she felt a few raised bumps.

Her skin was sensitive, and the red marks stood out against her pale arms.

James caught her hand before she could scratch. “Don’t.”

Without another word, he led her straight to the 24-hour pharmacy by the gate.

He came back with a tube of ointment, popped the cap, and nodded at her. “Tilt your head.”

Emmy obediently lifted her chin.

His rough fingertips gently spread the cool medicine over her neck.

It was a weird feeling—cool relief from the itch, but his touch underneath was so warm it almost tingled, sending little shivers down her spine.

Emmy couldn’t help but shrink her neck a little.