Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 947

She started with the writing. Emmy melted dark chocolate on low heat, poured it into a piping bag, and hovered her hand above the cake, holding her breath. What should she write? “Happy Birthday” felt too ordinary. “I love you” was just a little too much. Her mind drifted to the scars on James’s body, the gunfire he’d lived through. For someone like him, just being alive was everything.

So, right in the center of the cake, she carefully wrote eight big characters. Wishing you health and a long life. Her handwriting was neat, filled with the hope only a girl could have. On the side, she finally added a simple “Happy Birthday.” In the empty spaces, she grabbed colorful chocolate and drew smiley faces. Some stuck their tongues out, some winked, some laughed with their mouths wide open. Suddenly, the serious wish didn’t feel so heavy anymore. The cake looked cheerful and full of life.

Emmy stepped back to admire what she’d made. It might not be as perfect as the ones from the bakery, but she’d spent over three hours on it. This one was special. One of a kind. She patted the flour off her hands, untied her apron, and washed up. Through the frosted glass door, she could just make out James still sitting on the sofa.

She fixed her hair, opened the door, and tried to look casual. “James, I left my phone in the bedroom upstairs. Could you grab it for me?” James closed his laptop and stood up. “Sure, I’ll get it.” He walked off toward the stairs, calm as ever, not suspecting a thing.

As soon as he disappeared around the corner, Emmy waved frantically at the people waiting outside. “Hurry, hurry!” The housekeepers and chefs rushed in. Emmy ran to the kitchen, picked up the big cake, and carried it out with both hands. “Shh, nobody make a sound!” She directed everyone to hide in the little nook under the stairs. One of the maids handed her a small candle. Emmy stuck it into the cake and lit it. The tiny flame flickered, throwing a warm glow on her nervous, excited face.

Upstairs, footsteps sounded. James came out, her phone in his hand. He didn’t see anyone on the landing or the stairs. He frowned, sensing that there were people downstairs, more than just one or two. The air smelled sweet and creamy. He thought he knew what was coming, and his heart started beating faster. The moment he reached the bottom of the stairs and turned the corner…

“SURPRISE!”

Emmy jumped out from under the stairs, holding the cake. Even if James had been half-expecting something, the sight of her bright, beaming smile still made his heart skip a beat. At the same time, two maids nearby tossed handfuls of rose petals into the air. They couldn’t find party poppers, so they’d gathered petals from the garden instead. The petals rained down, soft and fragrant.

Emmy cradled the cake, her face glowing as she looked up at him. Her eyes were crescent-shaped with her smile, dimples showing. “Happy birthday to you… happy birthday to you…” Her gentle, sweet voice filled the room, mixing with the scent of roses.

In the end, James couldn’t help it. A hot tear rolled down his cheek. He turned away quickly and wiped it before anyone could see.

“Alright, I’ll make a wish.” His voice was rough, barely more than a whisper.

James stepped down the last two stairs and stood in front of Emmy. He closed his eyes and pressed his hands together, making a wish.

Let my wife get her memory back soon. Let her be safe and happy for the rest of her life. Let our child grow up safe and joyful, never having to worry about anything. Let time slow down, just a little.