The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 241

If she felt even a shred of love for him, it would make this bearable. It would be better than Ramona’s complete and utter indifference.

“Look, you should just rip off the band-aid and divorce Brianna. Let her have the kid. It’s not like Ramona can’t have children. You two can have another one later! If talking to her doesn’t work, you could just force her hand. Sometimes you have to be assertive to win a woman over. Even the coldest woman will eventually yield to a persistent man. As for what Ramona’s done, once we get the company back, we can deal with her then.”

Winnie had accepted that Jotham’s life would forever be entangled with these two women. And if she had to choose, she would choose Ramona.

Jotham’s expression remained neutral. He offered a noncommittal response to his mother’s wild ideas, but her words took root in his mind, replaying over and over throughout the night.

He sat in his car until dawn.

Ramona had blocked his number and deleted him as a contact. His messages wouldn't go through, his friend requests were ignored, and he could no longer even see her social media updates. He tried to compose himself, to think rationally about their relationship, but he was always pulled back into the emotional vortex. The memory of her cold, unforgiving expression at the Holt Group entrance was a fresh wound.

He opened his phone’s photo gallery and, after a long hesitation, tapped on an old picture of them. Most of the photos were from their four years in college. In the two years since they had married, Ramona had been too busy, and he had been consumed by the company. They had barely had any time for themselves.

If only he could have another chance, a chance to erase all their mistakes. He hated the man he had become. He wanted to love someone with the same sincerity that Ramona did.

He didn't return home until morning. The maids were just starting their day and hadn't prepared breakfast yet. They asked him what he wanted to eat, but he just waved them off and headed upstairs.

Brianna and Milo were still asleep.

Before he reached his room, Liliane emerged from hers.

“Grandma,” he greeted her. “You’re up early.”

“Come with me.”

Liliane refused to believe the rumors that Ramona had been carrying the company. Ramona had only succeeded because she had latched onto the Holt family. Taking what was theirs was one thing, but to leave them with nothing, to broadcast their private shame to the world… she had been blind to have ever defended such a venomous girl.

“But Grandma, my grandfather’s will… I’ve already violated it…” Jotham’s hope flickered and died.

“I am the executor. As long as you and Brianna get a divorce, this fund is yours.”

Liliane’s words sent another tremor of uncertainty through him. Winnie had said it, and now Liliane was saying it. Perhaps divorce was the only way out for him and Brianna.

“You cruel old woman! I’ve put up with so much for this family, and now you’re all ganging up on me and my child?”

Before Jotham could answer, the door was thrown open. Brianna stood there, her eyes red and swollen, her voice a hoarse, choked cry.