Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 162

Emmy whipped around, her heart pounding as she caught sight of bright red blood running down James’s arm, spreading across the floor in a jarring, messy puddle.

Her chest tightened. She forgot all about Dean and darted over, pressing her hand hard on James’s wound.

“I told you to keep pressure on it!” she blurted, panic rising in her voice.

James shoved her hand away, his tone icy and clipped. “I can handle it myself. Go look after someone else.”

Off to the side, his friends started whispering.

“That guy on the balcony… isn’t he James’s rival?”

“Why’d she bring him milk, though?”

“What’s their deal? No wonder James’s wound opened up again—he must be losing it…”

Emmy just stood there, stunned, staring at the blood on James’s arm. Tears spilled down her cheeks, big drops splashing on the tile.

“Hey, cut it out. She’s crying,” someone muttered, and the whispers died instantly.

James looked down at Emmy, watching her shoulders shake as she cried, and all his anger vanished, replaced by helplessness.

He reached out with his clean hand and gently took the milk bottle from her.

“I’ll give it to him for you, alright? Just… don’t cry.”

But Emmy shook her head, sobbing even harder, her slim shoulders trembling.

James was completely lost. “Fine. You go. I’m not mad anymore, okay?”

She didn’t move. Instead, she grabbed his bloody hand in both of hers.

“I’m sorry… this is all my fault.”

She’d been so caught up in thanking the guy who wanted to hurt her mom, she’d forgotten about James—the one who had really helped her, who was literally bleeding for her, left alone in the hallway.

She felt totally useless.

“Enough! All of you, shut up!” James snapped at his friends, his voice sharp and impatient. The corridor went silent.

James’s whole body relaxed, all the frustration draining out of him. He let out another sigh and wrapped his arms around her.

“She’s going to be okay. I promise. Trust me.”

His voice was low and steady, a quiet comfort in her ear.

An hour ago, he wouldn’t have dared say that. But now, with the specialist he’d brought in, there was real hope.

Still, Emmy couldn’t shake the fear. Her sobs kept coming, her body trembling.

James noticed. He gently pushed her back, hands steady on her shoulders, making her look up at him, her face streaked with tears.

He met her gaze, serious and steady. “Emmy. Look at me.”

“If you want your mom to get better, you have to pull yourself together first.”

Emmy sniffled, blinking through her tears, and nodded hard.

“I—I can do it. I’ll be strong.”