Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 550

When Emmy got back to Applewood Estate, she was a woman on a mission. All the sluggishness from the past few days vanished, replaced by a fierce determination as she headed straight for the study.

James didn’t come home until late that night.

They ate dinner together, barely saying a word. The second they finished, Emmy retreated to her study and shut the door behind her. James just stood there, staring at that closed door, his brows drawn tight in frustration.

Neither of them had mentioned the whole kids topic for days now. James had even tried to break the ice by getting close to her, hoping that maybe a little intimacy would help. But after that night, they somehow felt even further apart.

She’d stopped calling him “honey,” stopped talking to him first. Even when he was home, she just holed up in the study, shutting him out.

Later, after Emmy finished her nighttime routine, she slipped into bed and turned her back to him, same as always.

In the darkness, James reached over and pulled her into his arms, his chest pressed against her back. His voice was quiet, his chin resting in the curve of her shoulder as his warm breath brushed her ear. “I cleared my schedule tomorrow,” he said softly. “Thought I’d stay home with you. Want to go anywhere?”

Emmy’s reply was cool, almost bored. “I’ve got plans. I’ll be out tomorrow.”

James instinctively tightened his hold, like he was afraid she might slip away for good. He pressed his chin further into her shoulder, voice almost pleading. “Let me go with you, okay?”

A shiver ran down Emmy’s spine, but she kept her voice even. “It’s not a good time.”

James’s frown deepened, his voice cracking just a bit with hurt. “Emmy, don’t shut me out like this. Please?”

She rolled over suddenly, facing him in the dark, eyes locked on his. “What about you?” she shot back. “Can’t you just be honest with me for once?”

James went quiet.

Emmy’s patience snapped. She shoved his arm away, her words cold. “Let go.”

She scooted to the very edge of the bed, fuming. But James just pulled her back, stubborn as ever, wrapping his arms around her like he couldn’t stand the thought of letting go.

His voice was rough. “Just… be careful tomorrow, okay? Call me if you need anything.”

Emmy’s anger only burned hotter.

With nowhere else to put it, she suddenly bit down on his arm.

James didn’t even flinch.

She barely left a mark, more frustration than force, but that didn’t make her feel any better. She let go, jaw tight, and warned him, “James, you’d better have a damn good reason for keeping secrets from me.”

He eyed her, voice sharp. “Emmy, we agreed to be friends. What, you changing your mind now?”

The bodyguard looked at her, waiting for instructions. “Ms. Lincoln, do you want me to remove him?”

Emmy frowned. “No, it’s fine.”

It was just a few seconds to the lobby. She could handle it.

She stepped into the farthest corner, putting as much space between them as possible.

The doors slid shut. Dean stood in the center, silent for a moment before saying, “Unblock me.”

When she didn’t answer, he kept going. “If you hadn’t blocked me last time, I could’ve warned you right away. You wouldn’t have ended up in that hellhole, nearly dying.”

Emmy stayed quiet, lost in thought.

Dean’s voice grew urgent. “Emmy, come on. Isn’t it time to let the past go? We need to work together if we’re going to take down the real enemy.”

Finally, Emmy lifted her eyes and met his gaze. “So what exactly are you planning to do?”