Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1662

Emmy turned her head and immediately spotted the small, dark blue velvet box pinched between James's fingers. Startled, she completely ignored the lingering soreness in her lower back from his relentless tossing the night before. She lunged forward and snatched the little box right out of his hand.

"It is nothing, really," she stammered, her eyes darting away as she guiltily hid the box behind her back. She quickly spun a lie. "This is a holiday gift I brought for my mom, so do not go messing with it." To make herself look more justified, she intentionally glared at him. "It is a woman's thing. You will find out later."

James stared at her slightly reddened ears. A tolerant, affectionate smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he did not overthink it. "Alright, I will keep packing then."

Emmy watched his broad back as he busied himself, secretly heaving a massive sigh of relief. She felt incredibly lucky that he had not opened it beforehand. She had secretly plotted with her mother for a long time just for tonight. In the gardens of the Aldridge estate, she had prepared enough fireworks to last a full thirty minutes. She planned to propose to this man at the exact moment the fireworks bloomed in the sky at midnight. Just thinking about that scene made her heart race with overflowing anticipation.

Meanwhile, James, whose back was still turned to her, folded a few pieces of clothing into the suitcase. His hand inadvertently brushed against the inner pocket of his coat. Through the fabric, his fingertips traced the shape of a perfect little square box. It was the engagement ring he had prepared long ago. In truth, he had been secretly carrying this ring with him for quite some time. Previously, Emmy had just given birth to Manny, and her body had not yet returned to its optimal state. However, after their deep, uninhibited physical communication last night, he could clearly sense that the little woman panting and begging for mercy beneath him had fully regained her peak physical condition. Therefore, he decided that tonight was the night. He had even contacted Andrew in advance, asking for his help to arrange all the things girls loved most, like fireworks, balloons, sparklers, and rose candles.

Once they finished packing, the couple took their three children and headed to the Aldridge estate. Half an hour later, the understated black Rolls Royce drove into a quiet sanctuary right in the middle of the city center. The Aldridge estate was situated in a top tier, ultra expensive villa district. Surrounded by towering sycamore trees and a strict security system, it felt exceptionally serene and comfortable.

The moment the car doors opened, Joey and Dolly, who rarely went out, acted like two unleashed huskies and went absolutely wild. Everything seemed like a novelty to them, from the antique corridors of the old estate to the koi fish swimming in the pond.

"Brother, a big fish. Come look at the big fish," Dolly called out.

Teresa smiled gently. She carefully supported the back of Manny's neck and handed the baby over. "Here, bend your arm like this and support his little bottom. That is right, do not be nervous. Keep him slightly close to your chest."

Stiff as a board, Laney followed Teresa's instructions and carefully took the soft little bundle into her arms. Watching the tiny baby smack his lips, she felt her heart melt completely.

Not far away, Andrew stood holding a teacup. Through the curling wisps of steam, he quietly watched the scene unfold. The elegant eyes behind his glasses unconsciously softened. For a very long time, he had held a deep prejudice against his biological daughter. It was not until he rescued her from a hellish place in Nelia that things changed. During the journey back home, the father and daughter had some rare time alone. He slowly realized that Laney was completely different from her absurd mother. This girl possessed a resilience in her bones, honed from struggling through the mud. She was like a wild weed growing out of a crack in a stone, fighting desperately to survive even if she was trampled upon.

Coupled with Teresa's continuous and gentle persuasion over this period, Andrew finally realized that the colored glasses he had worn for years made him blind to his daughter's good qualities. That was why, for this holiday season, he swallowed his pride and texted Laney to invite her back for a family reunion. Although it was virtually impossible for their relationship to return to the intimacy of a normal family, he was already very satisfied with the current state where they could sit together peacefully.