The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 166

“Ethan... could I—could I speak with you alone for a moment?”

Nadia’s voice was barely a whisper, her lips trembling as she spoke. She was still pale and drained from blood loss, and exhaustion clung to her like a shadow.

She looked up at Ramona, her expression almost pleading. “Ms. Jarrett, just for a minute, please?”

Ramona, ever considerate, started to step away to give them privacy.

But before she could move, Ethan’s grip on her tightened, anchoring her firmly at his side, his silent message unmistakable.

Ramona glanced up at him, her eyes reflecting a flicker of surprise. Leaning in, she whispered softly in his ear, “It’s alright.”

She meant it. She trusted Ethan. Whatever had existed between him and Nadia was in the past. No matter how difficult it was for Nadia to let go, it wouldn’t change anything now.

Coralie, unable to bear it any longer, finally stepped forward. Even Kenneth joined her, his disapproval clear in the deep furrow of his brow.

“Ethan, Nadia’s always been close to you since she was little. For the sake of old times, can’t you grant her this one small request?” Coralie said, her voice edged with frustration.

Kenneth added, “My niece can be stubborn, and after how badly she’s been hurt today... can you really just stand there unmoved? Don’t you know who she did this for?”

They knew these were words best left unsaid in front of an outsider like Ramona, but Nadia was family—their precious girl—and they simply couldn’t watch her suffer any longer.

Since Ethan and Nadia had parted ways, Nadia had become a shadow of her former self.

People always said women loved deeper, while men moved on easily. But how could Ethan be so heartless, getting so close to a woman he’d only just met, yet treating someone who’d once meant so much to him like a stranger?

Ethan listened quietly, his expression calm and unyielding. He didn’t argue. He did still respect the Shepard family, Nadia included. That respect was rooted in their shared past.

But Ethan knew better than anyone—what Nadia needed now was distance.

Ramona, sensing the tension, squeezed his hand gently, hoping to ease the situation.

But Ethan wasn’t swayed, not even by the pressure from the Shepard family. In fact, his arm around her waist only held her more securely.

They shared a brief look, and Ramona instantly understood his resolve.

“Coralie, Kenneth,” Ethan said, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. “I’ve never forgotten the kindness your family and Nadia have shown me. If there’s ever a chance to repay it, I won’t hesitate.”

But then his voice grew firm. “Still, that gratitude doesn’t and shouldn’t depend on any private relationship between Nadia and me. Otherwise, we’ll just end up with more misunderstandings and pain than there needs to be.”

His principled words left Coralie and Kenneth speechless, as if their earlier pleas had been nothing but unreasonable demands.

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