Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1023

The teahouse had a quiet, vintage charm that was impossible to ignore. As Emmy walked in, she took in the winding corridors and the carefully arranged rock gardens. The air itself seemed to glow with the soft scent of sandalwood.

A man led them through the corridors, guiding them to a pavilion that sat right in the middle of a dark, still lake. Out here, the world felt muted and distant. Only the warm, golden light inside the pavilion cut through the shadows.

From across the water, Emmy spotted a tall figure waiting for them. Tyler turned slowly as their footsteps echoed on the stone. The soft light brushed the side of his face and for a moment, Emmy squinted, caught off guard by how much he resembled James. They could have been brothers, but where James was all rough edges and wild energy, Tyler felt cooler, more mysterious. He wore a perfectly tailored gray suit and glasses that softened his features, almost making him look gentle.

“Sister-in-law,” Tyler greeted her, his smile growing as she stepped closer. He motioned for her to join him at the table. “You’re not easy to get a hold of.”

“Trying to have tea with you is almost impossible,” he added, a teasing note in his voice.

Emmy kept her thoughts to herself. Since coming back home, Tyler had tried to see her more than once, but James always found a way to block him. This time, Tyler must have caught her when James was busy, managing to intercept her out in the open.

She didn’t bother with small talk, just gave him a polite nod and went straight to the stone table. Emmy set her purse down where she could reach it easily, then took her seat. Tyler followed, settling in across from her. His movements seemed steady and confident, but Emmy noticed the truth. She was good at reading people. Even the smallest details stood out to her. Tyler’s steps were just a bit slow, and there was a stiffness in his legs, something most people would have missed. No healthy man should walk like that.

She kept those thoughts to herself. The man who brought them in had already slipped away, leaving the pavilion quiet. Penny, though, was still there, posted right behind Emmy. She stood perfectly straight, face unreadable, eyes locked on Tyler.

Now, the pavilion felt even bigger, with just the three of them sitting under the soft light.

Emmy turned slightly to look at Penny. “Penny, you don’t have to stand. Come, sit.”

Penny moved without hesitation. “Yes, ma’am.” She stepped forward and took the seat next to Emmy, posture still perfect, eyes never leaving Tyler.

That kind of loyalty caught Tyler’s attention. He watched Penny for a moment, surprise flickering across his face. “Penny? Are you Wiona’s sister?”