The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 203

Ramona froze, clearly not expecting him to ask that. She put down her fork and looked directly at the deep eyes on the screen. Instead of answering, she countered, “Would you deceive me? Betray me?”

“No.” His reply was instant and absolute. “That day will never come.”

Ramona smiled, a look of pure, unadulterated trust that seemed to melt away any lingering frost. “Then neither will I.” Her answer was just as decisive. “My cruelty is reserved only for those who betray and harm me. And you,” she paused, her voice softening with conviction, “are the one I will stand by, no matter what happens.”

These weren’t just sweet nothings; they were a heartfelt promise, a pledge forged from a life of hard-learned lessons.

Ethan felt his heart swell, a profound sense of peace and warmth spreading through him. He was about to speak when his eyes fell on the bowl of instant pasta in front of her. His brow furrowed slightly.

“Is that your dinner?” His tone was laced with disapproval, though his voice remained gentle. “That has no nutritional value. Should I have Ash find you a reliable private chef?”

Watching him switch from romantic declarations to “parental” mode in an instant, Ramona felt like a child being scolded.

“No, really, I’m fine! I like the freedom of being on my own. I just wanted to indulge a little. Don’t you worry about it!” she said, picking up her fork and taking a satisfying bite.

Seeing her playful, coaxing manner, Ethan’s resolve crumbled. He sighed, a slight rise and fall of his chest. “Only occasionally.”

But his eyes remained fixed on the oily red broth, his expression not entirely relaxed. He muttered, as if to himself, “When I get back, I’m going to make sure you get all the nutrients you’ve been missing.”

Ramona swallowed her food and looked up at him, the light from the screen dancing in her smiling eyes.

“It’s a deal, then. You have to come back soon… to replenish my nutrients.” She paused, her voice dropping to a near whisper, colored with an unconscious dependency. “When you’re not here, nothing tastes quite right.”

That single sentence hit him harder than any overt declaration of love. Ethan felt a feather-light touch brush against his heart, sending a shiver through him. This was the woman who made him feel protective and hesitant even when she was sleeping beside him, yet her every smile, every glance, was an irresistible pull that could set his body alight with just a look.

“Soon,” he promised, his voice deep and slightly raspy, as if his throat had gone dry. “As soon as I wrap things up here, I’m on the first flight back.”

“Okay. Work is important, but don’t overdo it,” Ramona reminded him, “I’ll be waiting for you.”

“I know,” she replied, though her hands continued their slow, deliberate work, gently patting her cheeks.

Ethan didn’t rush her. He simply leaned back in his chair and watched. He watched her delicate fingers press lightly around her eyes, watched her sweep her long hair to one side, revealing the pale, smooth skin behind her ear. These simple, everyday actions seemed to unfold in slow motion, each one an unintentional, silent seduction.

“What are you looking at?” Ramona finally asked, her cheeks warming as she met his gaze in the mirror.

“You,” he answered simply, his eyes direct and burning. “You’re beautiful. You’re always beautiful.”

Ramona’s heart skipped a beat. She was used to compliments, but hearing them from Ethan, so frequently and so sincerely, carried a different weight. She shot him a playful, shy glance that seemed to hook itself deep inside him.

“Well, I’m going to dry my hair now. It’s going to be loud, so you can mute your end.”

“Okay,” he said, but made no move to do so, as if even the roar of her hairdryer was a sound he didn’t want to miss.