Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1122

The car raced down the road, the city blurring by. Soon, the towering military hospital loomed ahead, so unmistakable and stern it made Abriella’s heart pound. Before the engine had even cooled, she threw open the door and took off running toward the inpatient building.

James turned off the ignition and got out. Mercedes hurried to tidy her scarf, pulled her sunglasses into place, and followed after them, making sure every inch of her was covered. “Nico, wait up,” she called, trying to catch her breath.

They entered the hospital lobby one after the other. Even though James was hurt, he moved with the same straight-backed confidence, his long legs making quick work of the steps. Mercedes trailed behind, breathless from keeping pace.

The corridor was crowded, mostly with soldiers in uniform or camo, people flowing in every direction. Suddenly, two special forces soldiers came out of the restroom, heading straight for them. The moment they spotted James, they snapped to attention, eyes wide with admiration and just a hint of fear. “James!”

Then their attention shifted to Mercedes, who was just a few steps behind. She was wrapped up so thoroughly it was hard to see her face, but the expensive coat and graceful figure underneath made it obvious she wasn’t just anyone. Plus, she was with James, so close to him… The soldiers exchanged a knowing glance, and then, as if on cue, greeted her in unison. “Hello, ma’am!”

Mercedes froze mid-step. She didn’t correct them. Instead, she dipped her head a little, almost shy, as if quietly admitting it.

James, who was ahead, suddenly stopped and turned. His gaze was sharp and cold as he looked at the two soldiers. He didn’t raise his voice, but there was no mistaking the authority in it. “Don’t call her that. She’s just a friend, not your commander’s wife.”

The two soldiers stiffened, panic flashing across their faces. “Oh, sorry, James! We got it wrong!” “Sorry, miss!” They saluted quickly and hurried away.

After they left, Mercedes bit her lip and looked up at James’s stern profile. Her voice was soft, warm, like she was trying to smooth things over. “Nico, it’s really okay. They didn’t mean anything by it. They just don’t know the situation. As long as they don’t recognize who I am, I don’t care what they call me.”

James’s tone was cold. “I care.”

Mercedes had nothing to say to that.

...

Eventually, she pushed herself off the wall and made her way to the bathroom. She splashed her face with cold water again and again, trying to calm down. Only then did she remember her phone. She checked it and saw Emmy’s message and a missed call. She called back right away.

But this time, Emmy didn’t pick up. At that moment, Emmy was in her lab, phone on silent, eyes glued to her screen as she and her team focused on a crucial set of data.

The two of them kept missing each other, like ships passing in the night.

By the time Emmy finished her work, it was already noon in Boston. She chewed on a sandwich and tried calling Abriella again. Still no answer.

It was already the middle of the night at the border. Abriella had been on edge for a whole day and night, and even she couldn’t keep going forever. She had curled up in Will’s break room and finally fallen asleep.

Emmy thought for a moment, then scrolled to another name in her contacts—James. She pressed the call button.