Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 600

Emmy’s expression shifted in an instant, her brows pulling together as confusion tangled up inside her.

Why was Isabel suddenly so hostile? And why would she use such a cruel trick? How on earth could she make a monkey go wild just by seeing her?

Teresa heard the commotion and hurried over, her steps quick and worried. She spotted Emmy standing there, one hand pressed to her stomach, looking a little out of it. Teresa’s heart jumped.

“Emmy, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

Emmy blinked, snapping back to herself. She dropped her hand and flashed a smile, looping her arm through her mom’s.

“I’m okay. There are just so many people, and the smell from the barbecue stalls is so strong. I guess it’s making me a little queasy.”

Teresa didn’t hesitate. “Alright, let’s hurry and go up.”

The path to the main temple was lined with a long stretch of old stone steps. Emmy had always hated stairs. After just a few, her legs already started to ache and she slowed down, casting a pitiful look at James beside her. Her eyes were big and watery, begging for help.

James got the hint right away. He crouched down in front of her without a word, offering his back like it was the most natural thing in the world. His broad shoulders looked steady enough to carry any burden.

Emmy didn’t even pretend to be shy. She climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Oh, you,” Teresa sighed, watching her daughter act so spoiled. She smiled helplessly, but there was so much warmth in her eyes. “Once we get to the top, you can’t keep having your husband haul you around like this. What would people think?”

Emmy kicked her feet playfully, her voice light and mischievous. “Got it!”

A little ways off, Dean lingered among the other visitors, half-hidden in the crowd. He watched Emmy and James, their silhouettes pressed close together, and his fists clenched tight at his sides. Jealousy burned in his chest, so sharp it almost hurt.

He knew Emmy too well. Unless she truly trusted someone, unless she had completely given herself to them, she would never let anyone carry her up stairs, no matter how exhausted she was. Had she really come to depend on James that much? If things kept going like this... was he really going to lose her for good?

Just then, Teresa’s foot slipped. She almost lost her balance.

“Mrs. Evans!” Marian called out, startled.

“Looking at them like that…” Emmy whispered. “I think Mr. Aldridge and my mom actually make a really cute couple.”

She pulled off her gloves, dug out her phone, and snapped a picture. The moment was too sweet not to save.

Then she turned the camera around and looked up at James. “Should we take one too?”

James didn’t hesitate, bending down and resting his chin on her shoulder, his cheek pressed against hers. Emmy snapped another photo, capturing the two of them together.

They waited a while as Teresa and Andrew finished climbing the last few steps. When they finally reached the top, Teresa let go of Andrew’s arm and took the walking stick Marian handed her, making her way forward on her own.

She was a familiar face at the temple, and a priest came up right away, bowing respectfully, hands pressed together.

“Miss, you’re here.”

He led the group inside. “The ceremony has just started. You’ve arrived at the perfect time.”