Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 972

On the other side of the ocean, the glow from the TV flickered in James’s dark eyes. He hadn’t slept at all, just to catch this moment live. When he saw Emmy raise the trophy, a smile crept across his face before he could even think about it.

Andrew and Teresa had set alarms and come over early, eager to watch the broadcast together. Teresa’s eyes turned red as she watched.

“That’s my Emmy,” she whispered.

“Look at that smile. That’s who she really is, finally free, finally soaring,” Teresa said, her voice thick with emotion.

Andrew handed her a tissue. “I’m telling you, Emmy’s going to outshine everyone in that room one day.”

It sounded bold, maybe even arrogant. But Andrew just knew. Tonight’s award ceremony felt like a turning point, a rebirth. Sometimes, a person doesn’t need big speeches or life lessons to change. Sometimes, they just need a glimpse from the top of the mountain. After that, the shadows of the valley are too dark to ever go back to.

Her ambition was awake now. The phoenix that had been perched quietly was finally ready to spread her wings.

...

Meanwhile, halfway across the world, on Blackwood Island.

It was Dean’s last stronghold overseas. The huge TV on the wall was streaming the ceremony live. He sat on a dark leather sofa, eyes bloodshot, staring at the screen like he could burn a hole through it.

On the screen, Emmy’s face tilted up toward the lights, her skin glowing soft and bright like a pearl. Her eyes were clear, her smile alive, and even the little dimples in her cheeks seemed to shimmer. There was a force in her voice, something vibrant and unstoppable.

She was alive, electric, impossible to look away from.

But the sight of her hurt his eyes. Dean’s fingers clenched around his metal lighter, squeezing it so hard it creaked and threatened to break.

That same face, when she was with him, had always been so pale, so quiet. Her eyes used to look empty, like a dry well. She’d moved through life like a beautiful doll with no spirit left inside.

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