The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 18

Had Ramona really stood him up?

Had she actually left him waiting outside for nearly the whole night?

Jotham tugged at his tie, changed his shoes, and headed straight for Ramona’s room. But just as he reached for the doorknob, Brianna caught his wrist.

“Jotham, what are you doing? This is Ramona’s room!” Brianna whispered sharply, her eyes wide with concern.

They’d always kept to separate bedrooms. Now, so late at night, Jotham had barely arrived home before marching straight to Ramona’s door—and in front of Brianna, no less.

It was only when he saw Brianna’s bewildered expression that Jotham’s reason finally returned. Of course—Ramona was probably asleep by now. Even if he wanted to have it out with her, it could wait until morning.

Jotham took a deep breath and let Brianna lead him away.

Back in Brianna’s room, Jotham at last couldn’t hold it in any longer. He told her everything that had happened that day.

Brianna had half-suspected Jotham might be developing feelings for Ramona, but hearing the whole story finally put her mind at ease.

“She’s never treated me like this before,” Jotham muttered, his voice rough, Adam’s apple bobbing as he spoke. For the first time, he felt a deep, unfamiliar sting of defeat.

He’d never thought himself the type to get hurt over a woman. Even when pursuing Brianna, he’d always been confident, always in control.

“Now you see, don’t you? Women will walk all over you if you let them. You’ve spoiled Ramona for years, and now she’s taking advantage. She doesn’t even care about following the Holt family’s rules anymore.” Brianna spoke softly, pouring Jotham a mug of hot water and sitting beside him, gently kneading his shoulders to help him relax.

Jotham covered her hand with his, but his gaze grew distant. “Ramona isn’t that kind of person.”

Despite Ramona leaving him out in the cold, he still couldn’t bring himself to believe she was truly malicious. In his mind, she was probably upset because she cared too much. Ever since Brianna had moved in, he hadn’t given Ramona much attention, and today, he’d snapped at her over his sister’s situation.

Seeing that he still defended Ramona even now, Brianna stiffened inwardly.

“Jotham, you’re not actually falling for her, are you?”

He shot her a look. “Why are you saying that again?” And he pulled her into his arms. “If I had feelings for Ramona, I never would have married you or started a family. Right now, I just need Ramona to keep things steady. If the Holt family falls apart, we’re all in trouble.”

Brianna fell silent. She understood how much pressure Jotham was under, so even if he did have feelings for Ramona, she forced herself to stay calm.

The next morning, Jotham was up early. He’d barely slept, too preoccupied with thoughts of Ramona.

Jotham’s frown deepened. His head felt like it was splitting.

“My mind’s completely on saving the company, but your family’s doing everything they can to get in the way,” Ramona snapped, then suddenly changed tack. “Here’s an idea: why don’t you tell your mother I’ll just quit and devote myself to taking care of Eulalia? Since my efforts at work clearly don’t matter, I may as well become your family’s full-time maid.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Jotham’s voice rose sharply. “Quit now? What about the company?”

“Then you tell me. Either your mother and Eulalia apologize and promise not to interfere with my work again, or I’ll stay home, play housekeeper, and leave the company to fend for itself. Your choice.”

She let the words hang for a moment before driving the knife in deeper. “Jotham, make a decision. Do you want me to steady the company and win back business, or do you want me home, waiting on your sister hand and foot?”

Silence. Jotham knew all too well—when Ramona spoke like this, she wasn’t bluffing. Without her, there’d be no one to clean up the mess at work.

“Ramona, about Mom and Eulalia…” He tried to soften things, but Ramona cut him off.

“Don’t bother. All I want is for them to understand: I’m here as a professional, not a maid. If they can’t accept that, then I’m done.”

For the first time, Jotham realized the old Ramona—the one who once did whatever he asked—was gone. No amount of sweet talk was going to change her mind.