Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 453

James’s heart skipped a beat as he reached out and gently brushed his hand along her pale cheek.

“I’m okay, really. Not even a scratch,” he said, his voice thick with worry and something softer, almost relief.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I got here too late. You’ve been through so much. Did I scare you?”

Tears rolled down Emmy’s face as she shook her head over and over. She wanted to tell him not to worry, to say it wasn’t that bad, but her throat hurt so much she couldn’t make a sound.

For a second, everything came rushing back—the gunfire, the chaos, that nightmare she’d barely survived. Just once had been enough to almost break her.

But for James, wasn’t this just another day? How many times had he dragged himself out of places like that and made it home?

She couldn’t imagine it. The fear that still clung to her was suddenly drowned out by something stronger—a sharp, aching tenderness for him.

Her voice gone, Emmy could only reach for him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck.

Careful not to mess with her IV, James bent down and let her hold him close.

But Emmy tipped her tear-streaked face up and pressed a gentle, trembling kiss to his cool lips.

The pain in her throat blurred with the ache in her chest. She couldn’t say it, but she wanted him to know—she understood now, and her heart hurt so much for him.

James froze, every muscle tense.

Her lips were soft and shaking, the kiss feather-light—more like a promise than anything else. It wasn’t about passion. It was everything she couldn’t say.

Heat rushed through him, and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her back, to pull her close and never let go.

But he couldn’t. She was still too weak.

He gripped the bed rail so hard his knuckles went white, using every ounce of willpower just to stay still.

Emmy felt him stiffen, holding himself back.

The moment between them fizzled out. Suddenly, Emmy realized something, and she pulled away, covering her mouth, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

James stared at her, confused. “What’s wrong?”

James saw her trying to sit up and quickly eased her back down.

“Don’t move.”

He gave her shoulder a gentle pat. “It’s okay. I already asked your friend to stop the transfer.”

He hesitated, looking into her worried eyes, then added, “Dean managed to get some of the money back. He used it as bait to help save you. If he hadn’t distracted Pearl, we might not have made it in time. I’ll thank him properly. You don’t need to worry—just eat something and get some sleep.”

Emmy pressed her lips together, relief finally softening her eyes. She didn’t say anything else.

James slipped out for a minute and returned with a bowl of warm chicken soup.

He fed her slowly, one spoonful at a time.

She only got through half the bowl before exhaustion crashed over her and she drifted off to sleep.

James tucked her in, watching her peaceful face for a long moment before turning and quietly leaving the hospital room.