Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 529

He was clearly waiting for her. When she showed up, he didn’t even flinch—like he’d known she’d be there all along.

Dean came over, voice low and rough. “Emmy, you’re back?”

The bodyguard got out and instantly moved between them, blocking Dean from getting any closer.

Emmy frowned, her voice distant. “Why are you here?”

Dean glanced at the bodyguard, a mix of frustration and resignation on his face, but his eyes ended up right back on her. “I’m downstairs in your building. I bought another penthouse.”

All just so he could have easier access to her floor. All so he could be closer to her.

He knew she’d been buried in exam prep lately. He hadn’t dared to bother her. But the minute he saw her Porsche pull up from his window upstairs, he’d practically raced down.

Emmy actually let out a laugh—she was so angry it came out as disbelief.

She couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed this side of Dean before. When he got obsessed with something, he was impossible to reason with.

She shot him a cold, mocking smile. “Why don’t you just buy the whole building while you’re at it?”

Dean didn’t even react to the sarcasm. He just looked at her, totally serious. “If you want me to, I will.”

“Every dollar I make is for you. If you want the whole building, I’ll buy it for you tomorrow.”

Emmy stared at him, speechless.

The bodyguard jumped in at just the right moment. “Ms. Lincoln, let’s head up.”

Emmy nodded, about to walk around Dean, but he called after her, his voice suddenly desperate.

“Emmy, I mean it. I’ll show you I’m more sincere than James ever was.”

She stopped.

She didn’t want to see him stuck in this cycle, refusing to move on.

She had her own life now. She wanted Dean to let go, to find his own happiness, to start a family that didn’t include her.

She turned to face him, meeting his stubborn gaze. She took a deep breath.

“Let’s talk.”

She headed for the little park by the artificial lake. Dean’s eyes lit up and he followed right after her.

Emmy waved at the bodyguards. “You guys don’t need to follow so close.”

There were things she needed to say that she didn’t want anyone else to hear—or misunderstand.

That small gesture made hope flare up in Dean’s chest, burning brighter than ever.

But Emmy’s next words hit him like a blast of ice water, soaking him straight through.

She stopped by the water, the wind catching her hair, her profile sharp and cool.

“If it weren’t for you, would I need bodyguards everywhere I go?”

“If it weren’t for you, would I have to second-guess every single thing I do?”

Her words came out raw, edged with pain and anger, as if two lifetimes’ worth of hurt spilled out at once.

“All of my unhappiness, in both lives, traces back to you.”

“If you’re really sorry, then do the right thing. Stay away. Don’t come back into my life.”

Dean stood there, frozen. His chest hurt so much he could barely breathe.

She was right. Every bit of her pain, past and present, was his fault.

But he was different now. He would do anything to show her—to prove he could give her the home and love and safety she deserved.

Why couldn’t she just give him one more chance?

That wild, stubborn obsession took over again. Dean’s eyes were red, desperate.

“Emmy, just give me one more chance. Please. Just once.”

“I swear, I’ll never hurt you again. I’ll give you a home, a family—anything you want.”

“If you want the stars, I’ll find a way to pull them out of the sky for you.”