Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 71

Emmy couldn’t help but laugh, the sound sharp and cold.

What a joke.

Evelina, of all people, knew exactly why Dean wanted that blue diamond. She’d always been obsessed with collecting every color of gemstone. The only one missing was the purest blue.

Last time around, that blue diamond had arrived today too—a birthday present, slipped into her hand with a smile.

But now, the once-rough stone had been polished down, all its edges smoothed away, shining quietly on Evelina’s finger.

What a waste.

Emmy’s lips twisted into a half-smile, her voice distant and biting.

“You don’t have to make a big deal out of it. He gave it to you, so wear it. Or are you scared I’ll steal it from you?”

Dean’s face darkened, annoyance flashing in his eyes. “Emmy, Eve’s just trying to explain so you don’t get the wrong idea. Why do you have to act like this?”

He moved in front of Evelina, blocking her, his gaze heavy with disappointment.

“If Eve wasn’t so soft-hearted—still treating you like her sister and insisting I come to your birthday—do you think I’d be here at all?”

Emmy let out a short, bitter laugh. “Really? Did you need to spell it out? Who else could afford to give her that blue diamond except you?”

“She’s acting so nervous—is she afraid I’ll snatch the ring, or is she more worried I’ll take something else? Or maybe… someone else?”

Evelina’s eyes filled with panic, the rims turning pink. She waved her hands in a rush.

“Emmy, please don’t think that. It’s my fault. I saw you looking at the ring and just blurted it out.”

“You know I’m straightforward. I don’t know how to hide things—”

“Stop explaining!” Emmy snapped, her patience gone. “Evelina, anyone with half a conscience, after stealing someone’s fiancé, would know to stay away.”

She shot Evelina a look filled with disgust. “But you keep getting closer, over and over. What else do you call that but desperate?”

She barely got the last word out before—

A slap echoed through the room.

Dean’s hand connected with Emmy’s face, hard.

For a moment, he froze, staring at his own palm like he couldn’t believe what he’d done.

Emmy’s head jerked sideways, her ears ringing, the sting burning into her skin and her mind going blank.

The sting from that slap burned fierce and bright.

With it, the last bit of warmth she’d ever felt for him, all her stupid hope and pride, shattered to pieces.

Nothing left.

Only hatred.

Dean stared at her, at her tears and the angry red handprint on her cheek, panic flickering in his eyes.

He stepped forward, his voice shaky. “Emmy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. You just… what you said was too much.”

He rushed to explain, like he couldn’t wait to wash his hands of it all, still trying to shield Evelina. “Eve really wants to fix things, Emmy. What do you want her to do? I can’t stand seeing her upset because of you.”

The hate in Emmy’s eyes felt sharp enough to cut.

“Get out.”

She forced the word through clenched teeth, using every bit of strength she had left.

“You two will never get my forgiveness. Not ever.”