The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 134

Ramona’s voice was like a gentle yet unwavering beam of light, instantly dispelling the fleeting darkness in Ethan’s eyes. His tense jaw eased, and the depths of his gaze, cold as a winter lake, suddenly flickered with starlight.

He didn’t reply right away. Instead, he stood rooted to the spot, his eyes fixed on Ramona’s slender, upright back—almost as if he wanted to etch every detail of her in this moment onto his heart.

“Capable and kind” “Someone I could entrust my whole life to.”

No one had ever said such things about him before.

Nadia, sensing the shift in the atmosphere behind her, grew flustered. “Ramona, you’ve only known him for a few days. What do you really understand?”

Before Ramona could respond, she suddenly felt herself wrapped in a wall of warmth.

“Ethan?”

She hadn’t expected him to appear behind her so suddenly, and her face flushed with surprise.

“I heard you. And I’m honored,” he murmured, his voice low and rough around the edges. He slipped his arm around Ramona’s waist, gently pulling her into his embrace, ignoring Nadia completely as he started to lead Ramona away.

Ramona’s cheeks turned scarlet. She ducked her head, a little embarrassed, and quietly followed at Ethan’s side.

Nadia panicked, darting in front of them. “Ethan! Are you doing this just to spite me? Fine, I admit I lost, okay? Can’t you let it go?”

Ethan kept his gaze on Ramona, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Did you hear what my wife just said? We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. She won’t leave me, and I won’t give up on her.”

“Wife? You’re just engaged, not married!” Nadia was nearly hysterical.

“That’s about to change.”

With that, Ethan cut off any further argument. He didn’t give Nadia another chance to protest. Taking Ramona by the hand, he strode away.

Even after they left the Covington Group building, Ramona couldn’t stop replaying Ethan’s words in her mind: “That’s about to change.”

Did he really mean to marry her right now?

It was almost five o’clock. The registry office closed at five-thirty—surely they wouldn’t make it…

“Do you have your papers? Your ID?” Ethan suddenly asked as Ramona was lost in thought.

“My ID? It’s at home…”

“Alright, let’s swing by and pick it up. I’ll have Ash bring it to the registry office, just in case.”

Ramona could hardly believe what she was hearing. “You’re serious?”

Ethan nodded, eyes on the road ahead, his voice calm and matter-of-fact, as always. “They close at five-thirty. We still have time.”

It was rare for him to look so unguarded. Ramona squeezed his hand, smiling. “But you owe me a proper proposal.”

“Deal,” Ethan replied, voice deep with promise.

They made it to the registry office with just ten minutes to spare, finishing the paperwork in a rush.

But their photo together turned out perfectly. Even the clerk couldn’t help but gush, “You two are a perfect match!”

“Absolutely,” another added. “In all my years, I’ve never seen such a stunning couple. Are you celebrities?”

Ethan’s mood was light. “No, we’re not.”

Ramona, shy and flustered, felt Ethan’s fingers laced tightly with hers. She couldn’t resist teasing him in a whisper, “Ethan, I think your looks might have stolen the spotlight from every groom here today.”

“And what about you?”

As they stepped out of the registry hall, Jotham happened to emerge from the civil office next door. He’d just finished a mountain of paperwork and was still frowning, pulling at his tie. Then he looked up—and his gaze landed squarely on the pair just ahead.

A few steps away, Ramona was wrapped securely in someone’s arms. The man holding her was tall and striking, his presence commanding, and at that moment he bent to kiss the top of her head with gentle reverence.

In their hands, the bright red marriage certificates were impossible to miss.