Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1597

"Eight days." James's low, slightly hoarse voice sounded from above her. His tone revealed the profound exhaustion of someone who had not slept for days. He kept her encircled in his arms, his chin greedily nuzzling the soft hair at the crown of her head. The cold hardness so typical of an elite soldier had entirely melted into a tenderness reserved exclusively for her.

The two of them stayed embraced like that, watching the fiery red sun sink little by little into the sea. Once the last sliver of light was swallowed up by the water, a hazy twilight descended upon the world. The ocean breeze carried a new chill.

Emmy pulled back half an inch from his embrace and tenderly touched the faint dark circles under his eyes. "Come. Let us go back and sleep." She took his broad hand and gave it a gentle tug.

James was indeed exhausted to his limits. For several straight days, he had not even closed his eyes. Now that the crisis was resolved and his beloved woman was safe by his side, the fatigue he had been suppressing rushed back like a tidal wave. Suddenly acting like a fierce beast that had been thoroughly tamed, he obediently allowed Emmy to lead him all the way back to the cruise ship's bedroom.

The moment he walked through the door, he did not even bother changing into pajamas. His tall frame collapsed directly onto the large bed. With a sweeping movement of his long arm, he expertly pulled Emmy into his embrace. Though the gesture was domineering, he carefully restrained his strength upon touching her, deliberately leaving space to protect her pregnant belly.

Within mere seconds, the man's even breathing echoed by her ear. Fully clothed, he held her and fell into a deep slumber. Locked in his arms, Emmy felt no discomfort at all. She curled her lips into a smile, nestling contentedly against his chest, and peacefully closed her eyes as well.

Meanwhile, aboard the main ship heading toward Fiji.

Having made up her mind, Mercedes stood up from the sofa. She did not grab a pre made fruit platter from the dining room to casually brush him off, as she used to. Instead, she went to the kitchen herself, picked out two red apples, and picked up a paring knife to peel them by hand. Having rarely done such manual labor in recent years, she was clumsy. The blade slipped on the skin, slicing directly into her finger. Beads of blood welled up instantly. Flustered, she rummaged for the first aid kit to stop the bleeding, drawing sharp breaths from the pain. By the time she finally stumbled through assembling a platter of unevenly chopped fruit, two of the fingers on her right hand were bandaged.

Mercedes looked at her rather comical hand, took a deep breath, and carried the fruit platter toward the control room. Just as she reached the door, the cabin hatch was forcefully yanked open from the inside. Calony had just finished his tasks and was searching for her, brimming with hostility. When he looked up and saw Mercedes standing at the door, the man's deep brow immediately furrowed.

"Where did you run off to?"