Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1373

"Shut up!" James growled low in his throat, his entire body flashing hot at her brazen, wicked words. Sucking in a sharp breath, he suddenly lunged forward, pressing her firmly against the mattress.

"Mmph!" Before Emmy could utter another syllable, her lips were fiercely sealed. Even though he couldn't take things all the way due to the surgery, he had a thousand other ways to completely erase her curiosity about his wound. He kissed her until she was entirely breathless, unable to form a single shameless thought, before finally pulling back. Burying his face into the crook of her neck to steady his ragged breathing, his voice came out unbelievably hoarse. "Behave. If you keep moving around like that, I cannot guarantee I won't violate medical orders."

Terrified of genuinely hurting his incision, Emmy immediately went limp, curling obediently against his chest and refusing to move another muscle.

The next two days became the most peaceful and relaxing time Emmy had experienced in a long while. She allowed herself a true vacation, deliberately ignoring her phone and dedicating every second to her husband and children. James took her and the twins on a slow, scenic tour deep through the mountains of Cloudrest Peak. To the outside world, this place appeared to be nothing more than a bleak, ordinary mountain ridge. Only those who crossed its borders knew it harbored an entirely different world. A majestic fortress carved directly into the rock face, hidden subterranean bases, and high-tech defense bunkers concealed at every turn. It gave Emmy a profound new understanding of the place they called home.

James also led them to Jamie's grave. The crisp mountain wind drifted past, rustling the fresh white chrysanthemums they had laid before the tombstone. James held Dolly in his arms, the toddler resting softly against his shoulder as her big eyes curiously scanned their surroundings. Emmy stood quietly at his side, holding Joey's hand. The twins didn't fully comprehend the concept of mourning, but seeing the solemn expressions on their parents' faces, they obediently mimicked their bows, their tiny bodies wobbling as they bent over.

Dolly carefully placed her absolute favorite lollipop down in front of the stone. "Uncle Brian, eat candy..." she babbled sweetly. "It is yummy."

As the breeze ruffled her daughter's soft hair, Emmy turned her head to look at James. His eyes were downcast, and though he remained silent for a long time, he pulled Dolly a little tighter against his chest. In that quiet moment, Emmy knew that the hardened, impenetrable mountain inside his heart was finally beginning to grow soft, gentle grass.

Over those two days, there were no external conflicts, no hidden agendas to guard against. There was only the ringing laughter of their children echoing down the stone corridors, the warm comfort of their intertwined bodies at night, and the chaotic joy of waking up to two toddlers trying to crawl over them in bed, babbling endlessly. Both Emmy and James cherished this precious pocket of peace.

But their reunion was inevitably brief. In the blink of an eye, the fifth day after the New Year arrived.

Early that morning, just as the sky began to lighten into a pale gray, the twins were still deep asleep, their perfectly sculpted little faces flushed pink. Emmy and James tiptoed softly into the nursery. They stood by the cribs for a long time, gently tucking the blankets securely around them. Despite the heavy reluctance weighing in their chests, they had critical matters to attend to and had to depart Cloudrest Peak.

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