The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 204

Watching Ramona run her fingers through her hair, a sense of contentment he’d never known filled Ethan’s chest. This woman, usually so distant and composed, was now showing him her most unguarded, everyday self.

Was it only for him that she revealed this softer, more vulnerable side?

Suddenly, the urgent work piled on his desk seemed utterly insignificant compared to the woman on the screen drying her hair.

The sound of the hairdryer stopped, and Ramona fluffed her semi-dry hair before looking back at the screen.

“All done. But… shouldn’t you be getting some rest?” She could see the faint shadows of fatigue under his eyes and felt a pang of concern.

Ethan glanced at the time. It was indeed late.

“Alright.” He let his gaze linger on her face. “I’ll hang up once you’re in bed.”

Ramona obediently climbed under the covers, holding her phone.

“Goodnight, Ethan,” she whispered.

“Goodnight, Ramona.” His voice was a soft murmur, like a secret shared between them. “Wait for me.”

The moment the screen went dark, the room fell silent.

Ramona stared at the ceiling for a long moment before taking a deep breath and rolling onto her side, hugging her pillow. She wrapped her arms around it, as she always did, imagining it was him. Ethan’s frame would be broader, more solid, a much better fit.

In his hotel room on the other side of the world, Ethan sat in the darkness for a few moments before rising and heading to the shower. The cool water did little to quell the quiet fire she had ignited within him. He closed his eyes, her face appearing instantly in his mind—the way she looked nestled against her pillow, whispering goodnight.

He had to move up his return date.

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