Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 101

James handed her the umbrella, his voice rough and a little strained.

“Here, you take it.”

Emmy had no choice but to grab the handle with one hand and loop her other arm around his neck.

He stood up easily, barely seeming to notice her weight, and strode into the falling rain.

She could tell—he wasn’t even trying.

The world shrank down to just the sound of rain smacking the umbrella, closing them off in their own little bubble.

Emmy’s heart was pounding, no matter how hard she tried to calm it down.

His back was broad and solid beneath her, and even through the thin fabric of his shirt she could feel the powerful muscles underneath. Strong, steady, safe. It was a feeling that wrapped around her completely—a kind of masculine comfort that made her want to let go of everything else.

Dean had carried her before, but it had never felt like this. Not so completely surrounded, not so safe that she could forget the whole world.

After a while, Emmy couldn’t help herself. She spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “About that night… I’m sorry.”

James didn’t say a word.

Emmy’s mind spun. He must be mad at me. Of course he is—what kind of decent girl gets brought home like that? He probably thinks I’m disgusting.

She hesitated, then forced the words out. “Maybe… we should just get a divorce.”

James suddenly stopped walking.

Rainwater slid down the edge of the umbrella, making a curtain between them and everything else.

“Why?” His voice was quiet but steady.

Emmy’s fingers curled, nerves making her whole body tense, but she pushed through. “I don’t want to lie to you. I broke my promise. You deserve someone better.”

He was patient, thoughtful, gentle—everything she’d ever wanted in a partner.

But her? She’d spent most of her life obsessed with Dean. She’d given everything to him, in this life and the last.

She was broken, used up. Dirty, even.

She suddenly couldn’t stand the thought of dragging someone like James down with her.

He didn’t say anything, just kept walking, her weight nothing on his back.

She pictured the rushing water and instantly gave up hope.

With a sigh, she slumped against his back. “So how are we supposed to get divorced now?”

James’s answer was simple. “No idea.”

Emmy could only mumble, “Sorry for dragging you into this. I’ll look it up, maybe we can get replacements.”

After a beat, his voice came again—low, almost rumbling. “I forgot to mention—before I joined the South Bay Fire Station, I was in the special forces. Marrying me means you’re married to a soldier. If you want out, they’ll only approve it if I seriously mess up.”

Emmy sucked in a sharp breath. “You were special forces? That’s amazing!”

Then, a thought hit her, and she tried, “So… what if you just hit me a few times? Domestic violence has to count as a serious offense, right?”

James let out a quiet laugh, teasing. “That’d get me in huge trouble. Emmy, are you trying to ruin me?”

She fell silent, her voice muffled against him. “So… what if we really can’t get divorced?”

Rain pattered softly, the world going quiet around them.

After a long moment, she finally heard his voice, deep and steady. “Do we really have to end this?”