Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1030

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Emmy could feel the man next to her trembling. It was a pain so deep and tightly held that it seemed to swallow the air. Her own heart twisted. She squeezed his hand, threading her fingers through his. James felt her warmth and his eyes went red, just on the verge of tears.

Emmy took a steadying breath, stepped forward, and bowed deeply to the headstone. “Jamie, you don’t have to worry. From now on, I’ll always be here for him. No matter how hard things get, no matter how many people want to hurt him, I’ll stand by his side. You protected him before. Now it’s my turn. I’ll help him take back everything that should have been yours. Anyone who hurt you will pay.”

James turned to look at her, eyes locked on her face. The headlights from the car sliced across Emmy, lighting her up in the dark. The wind played with her short hair, sending strands skimming across her pale cheek. Up here on the mountaintop, she almost glowed, a kind of beauty that took his breath away. She looked so delicate, like she might blow away if the wind picked up. But inside, she had a strength that made him catch his breath.

James swallowed hard, his eyes bright with unshed tears. He let go of her hand suddenly and turned his back, not wanting her to see him like this. “It’s cold. Wait for me in the car.”

Emmy watched the lonely line of his shoulders and understood. There were things he could only say to Jamie. He needed this time alone with his grief. “Okay.” She didn’t argue. She just turned and walked back to the SUV, closed the door, and blocked out the wind.

From the passenger seat, she watched him through the windshield. He stood by the grave, tall but slightly hunched, head bowed as he spoke to the stone. The wind tugged at his coat, making him look even more alone. From where she sat, Emmy could only see his profile. The face that was usually so hard and closed off was soft with pain now. His eyes were rimmed red. The sadness around him was thick and heavy.

Emmy frowned, her heart aching. The weight James carried was almost too much. Right now, he looked like a lone wolf, mourning a lost packmate in the dark. Maybe only after he got his revenge would he finally be able to let down his guard and breathe like anyone else. As she thought about it, the ache in her chest faded into something sharper. She had to get stronger. Not just to sharpen her skills, but to climb higher. Only then could she really be by his side and share the weight he carried.