Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1489

Shelly's head snapped up. Her eyes were filled with shock, disbelief, and a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer of hope.

Emmy looked at her with a small smile and repeated her words. "Shelly, you are a smart woman. I am sure you can weigh the pros and cons of this situation."

She stood up and pulled James to his feet alongside her. "I will be leaving the country very soon. During this time, I hope you stay here and think things through thoroughly. You need to decide whether you want to continue fighting me, or if you will finally put away your arrogance and become true family with us."

Emmy paused, her tone growing solemn. "When I return, I hope you can be the ideal mother-in-law I have always envisioned."

With a slight nod, she took James by the hand and turned toward the door.

Just as they reached the exit, an agonizing wail tore from Shelly's throat.

"James! I was wrong! I know I was wrong!" Shelly sobbed breathlessly, her voice drenched in remorse. "I never should have treated you that way. You were always the most well-behaved child, the sweetest one of all. But I was blind. I deliberately ignored all your good qualities and cast you aside. I am so sorry. I am so sorry, James."

James froze mid-step. The broad, commanding line of his back went rigid for a fleeting second. Emmy felt his fingers tighten around hers with sudden, crushing force. She turned her head to look at him. His jaw was clenched tight, and a faint rim of red lined the corners of his usually cold eyes. But he did not utter a single word. Keeping his grip on Emmy's hand, he continued striding out the door.

As the door clicked shut, all the strength drained from Shelly's body. Unable to maintain her elegant posture, she slid off the sofa and collapsed onto the floor. She buried her face in her hands as tears cascaded through her fingers. She could only murmur the same words over and over.

"I am sorry... I am sorry, James. I truly know I was wrong."

"No need to be so polite with me," Emmy replied with a raised brow. But as her smile faded, a new thought seemed to cross her mind. Her brow furrowed slightly.

James immediately noticed the shift in her mood. "What is it? Is something else bothering you?"

After a moment, Emmy spoke softly. "Before I leave the country, could you take me to visit Grandma Nelson's grave?"

Seeing the melancholy in her eyes, James sharply spun the steering wheel, turning the car around. "Let's go right now."