Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 167

Tears streamed down Marian’s cheeks, her whole body shaking with sobs.

“Miss… your mother, she…”

Her words came out in pieces, broken by grief, but Emmy still understood. It was the truth she’d dreaded, the one that still managed to tear her apart.

So it was real. Cooper had been sneaking around with Claudia for years. Evelina was their daughter.

When Teresa found out, her world collapsed. She looked like she aged ten years overnight, barely eating or drinking for days.

But Teresa kept the truth from everyone—especially Emmy. She couldn’t bear to destroy her daughter’s world too.

She even tried to handle it quietly. If Cooper would just send Claudia and Evelina away, Teresa was willing to pretend it never happened. She wanted Emmy to keep believing her dad was someone worth respecting.

But Cooper wouldn’t agree.

Worse, he said that since everyone knew, Evelina should just be acknowledged as part of the family.

That was it. Teresa broke.

After a huge fight, she called Claudia and Evelina to the house and even offered them money to leave the city.

But they said no.

“Then let’s get divorced!” Marian choked out. “Madam said she’d go to the courthouse right away. Once they split, she’d call a board meeting and kick Mr. Cooper out of Starlight Corporation.”

After saying that, Teresa turned and went upstairs to get her marriage certificate and ID.

Marian was worried, so she quietly followed and waited at the corner of the second floor. She watched Teresa go up—and then saw a new maid suddenly rush up to the stairway.

The moment Teresa stepped onto the stairs, the maid shoved her—hard.

Marian said her mind went completely blank. She just stood there, helpless, watching as Teresa tumbled down the long staircase like a broken puppet.

Downstairs, Cooper, Claudia, and Evelina didn’t even move.

They just stood there, watching.

Marian said she thought she even heard someone laughing.

Emmy blinked, snapping back to reality. She looked up at the man beside her, eyes still red with grief.

“James.” She grabbed his wrist, voice hoarse. “I want to be strong.”

She looked up at him, her eyes burning with hatred and determination.

“Teach me. Teach me how to become strong. I don’t want to fall again.”

James met her gaze, his dark eyes steady. He didn’t bother with empty comfort. His voice was calm and firm. “Getting stronger takes time. First, you need to eat.”

He pressed a food container into her hands.

Emmy nodded and opened it.

For the first time, she didn’t pick out the fatty pieces of meat. Eyes still red, she forced down every bite, finishing everything.

James watched her, frowning slightly. “Not bad. Step one: don’t be picky. Eat whatever’s in front of you.”

Emmy swallowed. “What’s step two?”