Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 989

She called out, “Daddy,” her voice clear and crisp, no longer the babyish “Dada” from before. James felt his eyes sting, warmth rising behind his lids. He looked up at Lorraine, his voice rough but steady. “Let me hold her. It won’t get in the way of dinner.” Lorraine hesitated, then smiled and handed him the small bowl meant just for his daughter.

James gathered his little girl in one arm and picked up the tiny spoon with the other. He was a bit awkward at first, but his normally confident hands were now slow and careful, as if the spoon were made of glass. He scooped up some pumpkin puree, blew on it gently, checked the temperature, then brought it to her lips.

“Ahhh,” he coaxed.

His daughter opened her mouth wide and swallowed the bite in one big gulp. Pumpkin smeared across her cheeks, but she didn’t care. She smacked her lips, totally content. Watching her eat like that, so hungry and happy, filled James with a deep, unfamiliar satisfaction. He barely touched his own food, too focused on taking care of his little girl.

Across the table, her brother sat in a high chair, clutching a toy car, ignoring the sweet scene between his father and sister. Lorraine tried to coax him, her voice warm and patient. “Jerry, one more bite, okay? Finish this and you can go back to playing with your car.” He finally opened his mouth, though he made it seem like a huge favor.

When dinner was done, Teresa came over with two cups of tea. She watched James struggle to wipe his daughter’s messy mouth, her eyes softening.

“I gave them their nicknames—Jerry and Dolly,” Teresa said as she sat down across from them. Her gaze lingered on the kids, her voice full of gentle longing. “All I want is for your family to stay together. That’s my only wish.”

James froze, her words sinking in. Jerry and Dolly. Such simple names, but so full of hope. He looked at his daughter’s eyes, so much like Emmy’s, and his lashes hid the emotions rolling inside him. If only Emmy were here…

“The names are perfect,” he said quietly. “Thank you, Mom.”

Teresa let out a sigh. “Their full names were chosen by your father.” At that, the softness vanished from James’s face, replaced by a cool distance. Teresa noticed, but pressed on.

“Jerry for your son, Dolly for your daughter. He wanted them to carry on the family’s good fortune, to live a long and blessed life.”

James frowned, silent.

Teresa opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She just watched her son. He looked exhausted, but there was something sharp about him, like a blade hidden away, his strength impossible to miss.

She knew all about the rift between James and his father. Jared was president now. For that position, he’d sacrificed so much—family, love, everything. The Nelson family wasn’t what it used to be.

Teresa’s voice grew heavy. “Your father doesn’t handle family matters anymore. He’s the president now, and all he cares about is running the country. This past year, Nelson Corporation and the family’s power have all landed in Tyler’s hands.”

She said Tyler’s name with a chill. He seemed refined and gentle, but underneath he was as dangerous as a snake. If Tyler and Dean hadn’t worked together back then, Emmy wouldn’t have…

“Tyler is basically the next head of the family now. You going back is like walking straight into the lion’s den.”