Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 198

When Emmy woke up, sunlight was spilling through the curtains and her fever had finally broken. She’d slept so deeply that her head still felt heavy, like it was stuffed with damp cotton.

She had no clue that a man had been up all night by her side, cooling her forehead with a warm towel and barely resting himself.

As she stepped out of the bedroom, she spotted the tall figure in the kitchen right away. He was wearing an apron, stirring a pot of soup, the morning light from the window wrapping him in a soft golden glow.

Emmy propped her chin on her hand and just watched him from across the table, quietly taking him in for a long moment.

Eventually, he brought over a bowl of soup, setting it right in front of her. Steam curled up, carrying the comforting smell of home.

She grinned, dimples showing. “You actually look pretty cute in that apron.”

He wiped his hands and leaned in, his voice low and teasing. “Oh yeah? Want me to wear it tonight when we work out together?”

She nearly choked on her soup, coughing so hard she almost spit it out, her cheeks turning bright red.

Thank God her phone started buzzing right then, cutting through the awkward tension.

It was Ivy.

Emmy scrambled to answer. “Miss! Your mom’s awake! She finally woke up!”

Relief flooded Emmy, her eyes instantly filling with tears. She shot out of her seat. “I’m on my way!”

But before she could bolt, a big warm hand gently pressed her back down.

James’s deep voice came from above her. “Finish your soup, eat these two buns, and take your medicine.”

She met his steady dark eyes, and in the end, she gave in and picked up her spoon.

When Emmy got to the hospital, the hallway outside her mom’s room was empty—Mr. Aldridge, who was always there, was nowhere to be seen. Her mother had been moved to a private VIP room.

Emmy pushed open the door and stopped in her tracks. Dean and Evelina were sitting by her mom’s bedside.

Rage shot straight to her head, burning away every ounce of patience.

“Who said you could be here? Get out!”

Dean’s face went stiff. “Emmy…”

Dean glared at James, muttering through clenched teeth, “This isn’t over.” Then he turned and stormed out.

Teresa watched the exchange, her gaze drifting between Emmy and James, a small, relieved smile on her lips. She squeezed Emmy’s hand, her voice weak but loving. “Don’t worry about me, darling. I’m okay. But look at you—you’ve lost weight.”

Emmy shook her head and squeezed back. “Don’t worry, Mom. I won’t let anyone who hurt you get away with it.”

She still didn’t know who had pushed her mom down the stairs, but she’d gathered plenty of evidence. Once her father was out of the picture for good, he’d finally pay for what he’d done.

Teresa seemed to see right through her, worry clouding her tired eyes. “You need to take care of yourself, honey. This isn’t your fault…”

Emmy didn’t want her mom getting upset, so she quickly switched topics, talking about all the good news from the company. All she wanted was for her mom to feel a little better, to recover just a bit faster.

After a few minutes, Teresa was tired and drifted off to sleep again.

Emmy stayed right by her side, not willing to leave for even a second.

Around noon, James got worried she hadn’t eaten and told her he’d go pick up lunch. He pressed the elevator button, and when the doors slid open, he found Dean standing there, staring right at him.