The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 165

He was the very man who’d brought up her past with Jotham in front of everyone at the Covington family’s dinner party last night. Clearly, what happened today had everything to do with Melinda and Holden.

But even if they wanted to pull something like this on her, this wasn’t the occasion to do it. With so many people around, the worst she’d suffer was a minor injury.

Unless… this was Nadia’s doing.

Ramona couldn’t shake the feeling that Nadia throwing herself in harm’s way for her was just a little too much.

But then again, Nadia’s injuries were real. When she was rushed to the hospital, she’d lost so much blood she nearly passed out.

If it was all just a show, there was no reason to go this far, was there?

While Ramona was still trying to piece together her thoughts, the Shepard family arrived.

It was Nadia’s mother, Coralie, and her uncle Kenneth. Both wore anxious expressions. When Coralie asked Ramona what had happened, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Our Nadia’s always been so delicate. She can’t stand the slightest pain… What she went through today was just too much!”

Kenneth did his best to comfort Coralie, though worry clouded his own face as well.

They didn’t say much to Ramona. And even when Ramona tried to offer words of comfort, they didn’t seem interested in talking. Before long, the doors to the operating room swung open.

The moment the doctor appeared, the Shepard family hurried over. It wasn’t until they heard that Nadia’s life was out of danger that everyone finally relaxed.

Although the wound on her wrist was deep, it hadn’t damaged any nerves; she just needed to stay in the hospital for observation while her arm healed.

After thanking the doctor, the nurses wheeled Nadia into a private room.

Coralie followed closely, her eyes misting over with tears again as she stood by the bed.

“Oh, sweetheart, how could you be so reckless? That was a criminal you faced! Thank goodness you weren’t seriously hurt… You can’t put yourself in danger like that again, do you understand?”

Kenneth shot Ramona a look, his meaning clear.

“Ms. Jarrett, you shouldn’t blame yourself. Nadia’s always been the type to act from the heart. She’d rather get hurt herself than see someone else in trouble.”

“Yes, if it weren’t for Nadia stepping in when she did, I don’t know what would’ve happened.” Ramona could hear the subtle reproach beneath his words and answered sincerely, “I’ll cover all of Nadia’s medical expenses, and anything she needs for her recovery. I take full responsibility.”

“That’s not what I meant. The Shepard family can take care of our own… We’re just glad you’re alright, Ms. Jarrett,” Kenneth replied, sounding a little put out.

As they spoke, a rush of steady, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Ethan appeared outside the hospital room, his coat thrown over his shoulders and his tie loosened. He looked tense, moving quickly, but the moment he saw Ramona standing there unharmed, the worry in his eyes melted away just a little.

Ash arrived right behind him with two bodyguards, giving the Shepard family a polite nod.

Even if that never came to pass, did it mean all those years of kindness no longer counted?

“Nadia, thank you for what you did tonight.”

Ethan’s voice was low as he slipped his arm around Ramona’s waist, guiding her with him to Nadia’s bedside. His tone was formal, businesslike as ever, but gentler than usual.

Nadia looked frail and pale as she leaned back against her pillows, her wrist wrapped in thick bandages.

When she saw Ethan, a faint light flickered in her eyes, only to quickly dim when she noticed how close he stood to Ramona.

“No need to thank me… Ms. Jarrett is my business partner. How could I just stand by and watch her get hurt?”

Though Nadia’s words were noble, her gaze never left Ethan’s face.

Anyone would have felt sorry for her, seeing her so vulnerable. Coralie pressed her lips together, unable to hide her disappointment as she glanced at Ethan.

“We’ll never forget what you did for us,” Ethan said, his voice hoarse. “Ramona and I both owe you. Focus on getting better. If you need anything, you can ask either of us.”

Nadia felt a chill in her heart.

Was he doing this on purpose? Even now, he made a point of mentioning Ramona, keeping their boundaries crystal clear. As if he didn’t know everything she did was for him.