Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 511

Emmy stepped out of the car and shut the door behind her. Her voice was cool and distant. “If you have something to say, say it here.”

James grabbed a cashmere scarf from the back seat and walked straight over. Without asking, he wrapped it gently around her neck, shielding her from the biting wind. Then he took her hand in his, warming her cold fingers with his own.

Emmy slipped her arm through his and leaned into him, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Dean couldn’t take his eyes off their joined hands. It felt like a thousand tiny needles stabbing right into his chest, sharp and relentless.

But he knew he couldn’t rush things. If he wanted her back, he had to prove he’d changed. They’d grown up side by side, shared more than twenty years of memories. There was no way this new guy—who’d only been around for a few months—could just sweep all that away.

Swallowing down the ache inside, Dean forced a gentle smile as he looked at her.

“I know you only came because you didn’t want to upset my father,” he said softly. “But he… he can be difficult. I’m afraid he might ask too much of you.” His voice dropped, almost pleading. “You don’t have to listen to him. You don’t need to worry about what he says or does.”

He held her gaze, his tone full of the past they shared, hoping she’d remember what they’d once been.

“Just remember, I’m still here for you.”

James’s brow tightened. He moved Emmy’s hand to his other side, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her even closer. The message was clear—he wasn’t about to let go.

“My wife’s business isn’t yours, Mr. Sparrow,” James said, his voice calm but firm.

Emmy met Dean’s eyes, her voice steady and final. “Dean, I’m married now. I hope you’ll stop doing things that could make my husband misunderstand.”

She turned to James and spoke softly, “Let’s go inside.”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

Ben was already waiting, holding a porcelain teacup. When he saw Emmy walk in with a tall, confident man by her side, his hand froze for just a second. His brow furrowed, a flicker of annoyance passing through his eyes.

This girl really doesn’t let her guard down.

Emmy seemed not to notice. She offered a polite, graceful smile. “Mr. Sparrow, this is my husband, James.”

They sat down across from Ben.

James crossed his long legs and leaned back, giving Ben a brief nod—courteous, but cool. He looked relaxed, but the steady confidence he gave off made it clear he was there for Emmy, no matter what.

Ben turned his attention back to her, his tone warm. “Emmy, congratulations. You really made a name for yourself at the International AI Competition—everyone’s calling you a rising star in tech.” He took a sip of tea. “So, what’s next for you?”

Emmy’s answer was calm and simple. “I’m not aiming for anything huge. I just want to keep my footing and focus on the path ahead. If I have one wish, it’s just to get through my grad school exams this year.”