Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 147

He put down his pen and slid his phone open with those long, elegant fingers.

A gentle message popped up on the screen.

Don’t work too late. Try to get some rest, okay? Go to bed early.

James stared at the words. His face gave nothing away, but a cynical smile flickered at the corner of his mouth.

He turned the phone face-down on the desk and picked up his pen again, acting like nothing had happened as he dove back into work.

That’s when his assistant came in, arms full of documents, voice careful and quiet.

“James, there’s still a pile of urgent files that Mr. Tyler couldn’t finish.”

“Leave them here.” His reply was cold, clipped, almost mechanical.

The assistant set the files down but didn’t leave right away. He hesitated, then spoke up again.

“James, Sunday… it’s the anniversary. Do you want me to arrange for Mrs. Nelson to come with you for the visit?”

James’s hand paused mid-signature. The pen pressed down hard, leaving a dark ink blot on the page.

He looked up. For a split second, raw pain and exhaustion flashed in his deep eyes.

“No.”

He looked away, his voice rough and hoarse. “Same as always. I’ll take Grandma.”

The assistant nodded. “And… should we let your parents know?”

“No need.”

If they remember, they’ll come.

The assistant dipped his head and slipped out quietly.

James finished a few more documents before tossing his pen aside. He stood up and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, his tall frame radiating a chill that seemed to cool the air.

He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. The sharp smoke burned his lungs, bringing a raw, fleeting clarity.

Outside, the city lights shimmered like a sea of stars, as bright as the Starlight Corporation’s skyline.

James tried to tell his parents, begged them to save Jamie.

But they ignored him, too busy chasing power and prestige for Nelson Corporation to care.

By the time James managed to sneak away and find Jamie, it was too late.

All he saw was fire—roaring, blinding. In the middle of it, Jamie, burned and barely breathing.

James carried him out of the flames, the smell of blood and burned flesh seared into his memory.

Jamie clung to his shirt and, with his last bit of strength, whispered, “James… live for me… be a good man…”

James’s life belonged to Jamie now.

So he took Jamie’s place, guarding the family empire for him.

But he was still James. After leaving the military, he became a firefighter, trying to save more people from the flames—trying to save others, the way he couldn’t save Jamie.

He closed his eyes, and another face flickered through his mind.