The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 125

“Alright, I forgive you. Tell me, whatever it is, I’ll face it with you.”

Jotham fought down the irritation gnawing at his chest. Seeing the terror in Brianna’s eyes, he finally helped her up and settled her onto the couch beside him.

He grabbed some tissues to gently wipe away her tears, then pressed a glass of warm water into her trembling hands.

His kindness seemed to calm her, if only a little. For a long moment, Brianna just whimpered, unable to find her voice. But eventually, she managed to spill everything about what had happened between her and Kendall.

As he listened, all warmth drained from Jotham’s expression. His face hardened; he shot to his feet. “What did you just say? You told Kendall to smear Ramona?”

“Kendall’s been arrested…I’m scared the police will trace everything back to me… If that happens, I’m finished…”

Brianna broke down in tears again. The thought of prison terrified her so much she couldn’t control herself. She dropped to her knees, clutching desperately at Jotham’s leg.

“Jotham, please, you have to help me. I only did this because Ramona pushed me too far! I thought if her reputation was ruined, we could finally be together, free of her shadow…”

Jotham wanted to scream at her, wanted to tell her exactly what he thought, but seeing her in such a state, he forced the words back down. After all, she’d done it for the two of them.

“If the family finds out about this, it really will be over for you.”

Jotham closed his eyes, voice low and heavy. A headache began to throb behind his temples.

Brianna went cold all over. He was right—if anyone in the Holt family discovered the truth, they’d do everything in their power to see her locked up.

“Jotham, Milo’s still so young. If his mother goes to prison, what will become of him? Jotham, we’ve been together for ten years. I’ve always done whatever you asked. I’ve given you as much as Ramona ever did, maybe more. I only did this because I loved you too much, and I lost my head for a moment!”

At this point, Brianna was grasping at anything, desperate for Jotham’s help.

Her words stung, and Jotham felt a pang of pity. He hesitated, then finally pulled her into his arms, whispering soothing words until she calmed a little.

Then he took out his phone and called his lawyer. He instructed him to get down to the police station immediately and bail Kendall out, whatever it cost. As long as Kendall kept Brianna’s name out of it and didn’t expose her involvement, Jotham would make sure he got a good defense and a lighter sentence.

“Don’t worry. My lawyer’s handled worse. Kendall’s not well off. If you could pay him to write those fake stories, then buying his silence won’t be hard.”

Seeing Jotham take action, Brianna finally relaxed. She nodded, eyes red from crying, and threw herself into his arms.

But for Jotham, the real headache was just beginning. He pressed his fingers to his temples, trying to ease the pounding pain. Lately, it seemed like trouble came one after another, and he hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in weeks.

Back when his headaches started, Ramona was always the first to notice. She’d have his medicine ready, nag him to rest, quietly handle his meetings and work, making sure he was taken care of.

Ramona rubbed her eyes and sat up, her voice clearer now. “What’s up? Are you done with work?”

“Yeah.” His deep, velvety voice seemed to brush right against her ear. “I missed you.”

Ramona felt the alcohol she thought had worn off rush right back to her cheeks; her ears burned. “I…I missed you too,” she mumbled, almost whispering, hoping he’d gloss over it. Afraid of what he might say next, she hurried on, “I was going to invite you over for dinner tonight. I bought all this food, but you couldn’t make it, so I didn’t bother.”

“If I’d known there was a good meal waiting for me, I never would’ve agreed to that meeting.”

“No, your work’s important. We’ll have plenty of chances to eat together…”

Just like he’d said, they still had all the time in the world. Thinking of that, Ramona couldn’t help but smile.

“Where are you right now?” Ethan’s voice came again, suddenly a little tense.

“At home.”

“And…where exactly at home?” he pressed, his tone almost urgent.

Ramona hesitated, fiddling nervously with the hem of her shirt. “On the couch,” she answered honestly.