Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 311

The nurse hurried over, a little out of breath. “Dr. Hall said your mom needs more tests. They just took her upstairs.”

Emmy’s nerves finally settled. She squeezed James’s hand and rushed to the elevators with him right behind her.

When they got to the next floor, Emmy spotted her mom being wheeled out of an exam room by Lorelei.

She automatically let go of James and jogged over, steadying the wheelchair. “Mom, how are you feeling?”

Teresa’s smile was soft and reassuring. “I’m alright, honey. Really. I don’t feel any pain. I think I’m ready to go home.”

But Lorelei’s voice was calm and matter-of-fact. “She’s healing well, but I don’t think heading home to rest is the best idea right now.”

She paused, her eyes landing on James as he walked over.

“We should talk somewhere private.”

James’s expression tightened.

Lorelei added, “It’s about your mother-in-law’s health.”

James’s reply was cold. “Just tell my wife.”

“I need to discuss this with you. Alone,” Lorelei said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

She turned and started walking toward the balcony at the end of the hall.

James’s face darkened.

Emmy frowned but tugged his sleeve. “Go on. Mom’s health comes first.”

He looked at her, then nodded.

But instead of following Lorelei all the way, he stopped halfway down the hall, standing where he could still see Emmy and she could see him.

He folded his arms, jaw set as he called out, “We’ll talk here.”

Lorelei gave in, walked back, and started talking quietly.

Emmy could only see Lorelei’s lips moving. The conversation was so quiet she couldn’t catch a word.

James just listened. Every so often, he’d glance over at Emmy, his expression getting more tense each time.

There was no way Lorelei only talked about her mom’s condition.

The feeling of being left out, of having something kept from her, made her chest tighten. It brought back that same powerless anger she’d felt years ago when Dean lied to her for seven years straight.

She couldn’t even look at James. She turned, pushing her mom’s wheelchair toward the elevator without a word.

James followed behind.

The elevator doors closed, sealing them in a tight, heavy silence.

Teresa looked at her daughter’s cold profile, then up at the silent man behind her. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, not saying a word.

James stepped forward and reached out for Emmy’s hand.

As soon as his fingers brushed hers, she yanked her hand away.

“Don’t touch me.”

James’s hand hung awkwardly in the air, his brow furrowed with frustration.