Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 953

The sea breeze at Star Jewel felt especially gentle that day. Teresa showed up early, flying in by helicopter with a gorgeous cake and perfectly wrapped gifts.

“Emmy! My precious girl! Happy birthday!”

She barely touched the ground before she scooped Emmy into a big hug, her eyes already glistening with tears. Emmy beamed, holding onto her mom’s hand and refusing to let go.

They spent ages talking in the garden, had lunch together, then cut into the cake. It was perfect, until a little past two in the afternoon, when Teresa glanced at her watch, her face full of reluctance.

“Emmy, I have to go.”

Emmy froze for a second, startled. “Already? Mom, aren’t you staying the night?”

Teresa hated to leave, but she wanted Emmy and James to have more time alone on this special day. Still, she just said, “No, I’m not used to all the… rules here.”

Emmy only found out Star Jewel was actually her mother’s property recently. Even so, the island was so tightly managed that Teresa, despite being the owner, had to jump through countless hoops just to visit. She was only allowed to stay for twenty-four hours at a time, and if she went over, she’d be forced to leave.

The strict, almost military atmosphere made Emmy feel both frustrated and oddly safe.

She walked Teresa to the helipad. The wind from the helicopter’s rotors whipped her hair everywhere, but she clung to her mom, not ready to let go.

“Mom, I’m completely better now. I’m stronger than ever. Other than that missing year, I’m just like everyone else. When can we go home? Once we’re back, I can be with you all the time, keep studying, keep up my research…”

She’d managed to piece together most of what happened in that lost year, but she still felt like everyone—her mom, James, her assistant, all the staff—was keeping something from her. Maybe they were just trying to protect her, but she wanted to go home and get to the bottom of it.

Teresa saw the hope in Emmy’s eyes and felt her heart clench. She reached out, gently fixing Emmy’s windblown hair, her tone soft but firm.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify