Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 804

The line was quiet for a moment, then there was the faintest “Oh,” barely louder than a breath.

After that, James spoke, his voice completely flat. “I’m busy. I don’t have time.”

Those words hit Shelly like a bucket of ice water, snuffing out every last bit of hope inside her.

She couldn’t hold it together anymore. She started crying, her voice shaky. “James, I know I wasn’t a good mom. I was too strict with you…”

“But I love you. You’re a part of me. How could I not love you?”

“Please, can you talk to your dad? I can’t go through with the divorce… You don’t really want our family to break apart, do you? Please?”

She begged, trying to find even the tiniest bit of affection left in her son’s heart.

But the silence on the other end was heavy, almost suffocating.

Shelly called his name again, softly.

“James?”

“The Nelson family was never my home.”

James’s voice was calm, emotionless, as if nothing could touch him.

“What happens to you and Dad has nothing to do with me.”

He hung up.

Shelly sat there, listening to the cold, endless beep. She let out a strangled scream.

“James!”

She tried calling again. The phone rang and rang, but no one ever picked up.

Her phone slipped from her weak fingers and landed on the carpet with a soft thud.

She sank to the floor, completely drained, her face pale as paper.

…

Emmy didn’t hear about the Nelsons’ divorce until two weeks later.

James told her.

That day, his grandmother actually had a clear-headed moment and asked for Emmy by name.

When Emmy got to the nursing home, Jared and Cadence were already inside, talking with the old lady.

Emmy waited outside in the garden.

James came up behind her, his voice just above a whisper. Only the two of them could hear.

“They’re divorced.”

Emmy paused, caught off-guard.

She turned to say something, but before she could speak, she noticed Tyler in the distance, rolling his wheelchair toward them.

Emmy frowned, looked away, and wandered even farther from them.

After a while, the bedroom door opened. Jared and Cadence stepped out.

A caregiver came out too, calling toward the garden.

“Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Nelson, the madam wants to see you.”

Emmy didn’t hesitate. She went straight for the bedroom.

James followed right behind her.

As soon as she stepped inside, Emmy’s eyes landed on the bed.

The old lady who used to be so lively looked so much smaller now, buried in the blankets. She’d lost so much weight.

Instantly, Emmy’s eyes filled with tears.

She walked over and sat gently on the edge of the bed, taking her grandmother’s thin, fragile hand in both of hers.

“Grandma.”

The word barely made it out before Emmy’s voice cracked.

The old woman turned her head slowly. Her cloudy eyes searched for Emmy, and when she recognized her, a soft, loving light flickered up in her gaze.

That tiny spark was all it took. Emmy suddenly understood, and in that moment, she couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears streamed down her face, unstoppable.