Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1419

Emmy frowned deeply as she listened. Turning around, she looked directly into James's eyes and cut him off with utmost seriousness. "It is the twenty first century, James. Men and women are equal!" She pointed toward Dolly, who was currently running after her nanny in the distance. "Who made the rule that only a son can inherit the family fortune? Who decided that just because Joey is the eldest, he has to carry the weight of everything? If I can inherit the Starlight Corporation, why can't Dolly inherit Janus Sphere Technologies? Actually, if I really am having a boy this time, that works out perfectly. Whatever empire we build, whether it is Starlight or Janus Sphere, we will give it all to Dolly. As for our two sons, they can go out and forge their own paths!"

James froze, completely speechless as he stared at the woman before him. After a long moment, he offered a somewhat dry defense. "I just want our daughter to live a carefree life. Boys are built tough, so they should be the ones to shoulder the burdens and carry the commercial empire we built. I do not want Dolly to endure those hardships."

Emmy was not convinced. Her gaze darkened slightly as she looked at him. "Are you so sure Joey will even be interested in business? Are you certain he will gladly follow your wishes to take over the family legacy? And what makes you think Dolly will be content playing the role of a carefree, decorative doll?" She paused, a trace of self mockery slipping into her voice. "I used to be carefree for twenty years too. With my parents doting on me, I never had to worry about a thing and did whatever I pleased. But look at the consequences."

Her eyes grew red as she recalled the tragic lessons of her past life. "I refuse to let that tragedy repeat itself. I refuse to let Dolly be a sheltered greenhouse flower who wilts at the first sign of a storm. Regardless of gender, they both need the ability to protect themselves and the right to choose their own paths."

James fell completely silent. Seeing the tears welling in Emmy's eyes, he felt a sharp squeeze in his chest. She was right. He had been so focused on protecting them that he forgot how overprotection could be a form of suffocation. He wanted to control everything and pave the perfect road for his children, completely forgetting to ask if it was the road they actually wanted to take.

Reaching out, James gently cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb across the corner of her eye. "You are right. My reasoning was flawed. I should not use my own limited perspective to box in their futures, nor should I map out their lives for them so early."

Emmy watched him, watching the stubbornness fade from his eyes to be replaced by reflection and remorse. The anger in her heart finally dissipated. She took his large hand and slowly placed it over her still flat stomach.

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