Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1639

Under James's piercing stare, Steve realized he had taken the act too far. He let out a helpless sigh and obediently let go of his leg, placing it back on the floor.

"Fine. It is not broken, but it seriously hurts," he said, looking at James with a deeply aggrieved expression. "I was just making a joke, and this guy kicked me like he was trying to kill me. Not only did you not defend me, but you took his side." Steve clutched his chest in mock devastation. "James, you have truly broken my heart."

James did not buy a single second of his routine. His expression remained as cold as frost. "We are done for today. You should head back." He stared heavily at Steve, issuing a clear eviction notice. "I will contact you later."

Steve let out a frustrated click of his tongue. He knew James was kicking him out, and he was painfully aware that he truly wasn't welcome here today. Reluctantly, he turned his head, his gaze sweeping past the others to land squarely on Sylvia's face once more. Their eyes collided unexpectedly in midair.

The playful, cynical light that always danced in Steve's peach blossom eyes completely faded. All that remained was a profound, helpless regret.

"Sylvia," his voice dropped several registers, carrying a tone that bordered on a desperate plea. "We are all friends of Emmy's. It is incredibly rare for us all to be together like this. Does it really have to be so tense? Can't we just sit down, share a meal, and act like normal friends?"

Sylvia stared back at him coldly, her beautiful eyes devoid of any emotional fluctuation. She did not offer Steve a single syllable in response. Instead, she turned her head directly to Emmy, who was still holding the baby.

"Emmy, I am truly sorry. Because of my personal matters, I have disturbed you and the baby today. I will be taking my leave now."

With that, she grabbed her purse and, without so much as another glance in Steve's direction, turned to walk away. Watching the resolute, uncompromising line of her profile, the light in Steve's eyes slowly died out.

Meanwhile, just outside the door in the hallway, Steve, who had just stepped out of the suite and had not gone far, froze dead in his tracks.

Abriella's mocking words, followed by Sylvia's gentle, heartfelt gratitude, drifted clearly into his ears. His tall frame went completely rigid, as if he had just been brutally stabbed by something unseen. The bright hallway lights cast a glow over his face, yet they could not illuminate the deep, suffocating gloom in his eyes. He lowered his gaze despondently, masking the heavy, inescapable bitterness swirling in his pupils.

He reached into his suit pocket, pulling out a cigarette by sheer reflex, and habitably clamped it between his lips. It wasn't until he walked out of the maternity retreat and the cool autumn breeze hit his face that he pulled out his lighter. With a sharp click, he lit the cigarette. Taking a deep, ragged drag, the harsh, burning smoke flooded his lungs, barely managing to suppress the screaming anxiety and frustration tearing at his chest.

He stood in front of his car for a long time, casting one final, profound look back at the retreat. In the end, he said absolutely nothing. He pulled the car door open, slid into the driver's seat, and drove away.