The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 247

A shadow passed through Ramona’s eyes before she quickly handed the phone back to Ethan. She noticed the dark expression on his face and figured he must have just seen the news. She’d already seen the trending stories in the days surrounding his accident, so she was relatively calm.

Nadia’s recent livestream had drawn a massive audience, and after it ended, she’d posted a simple "Work's done" message to her followers. That was all it took to reignite the rumors that had just started to die down. Gossip blogs, feeding on her fans’ rabid curiosity about her love life, had been publishing nonstop clickbait.

But Nadia herself remained serenely detached from the gossip, refusing to comment even as photos of her and Ethan, along with their supposed itineraries, circulated wildly online.

“The tabloids love to make things up,” Ramona said, breaking the silence as Ethan stared grimly into the distance. “I don’t pay any attention to it, and neither should you.”

Her voice pulled him from his thoughts. A faint smile touched his lips as he gently pulled her down to sit beside him. “I think you’ve got your lines mixed up. I’m the one who caused this mess. Why are you the one comforting me?”

“So, you’re saying you were hoping I’d be jealous, Mr. Jordon?” Ramona teased, her eyes twinkling as if she could see right through him.

Ethan didn’t answer directly. His eyes, deep as the ocean, studied the smile on her lips that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I want you to be jealous, because it means you care about me,” he said softly. “But I’m also afraid of you being jealous, of you misunderstanding me.”

Ramona’s playful expression softened, and the smile faded. She reached out, her hand gently cupping his cheek. “I was jealous,” she admitted, her voice low. “Who wouldn’t be, seeing the man they love constantly surrounded by another woman? But I saw all this news days ago, back when you were hurt. I’ve already had my moment of jealousy.”

Since he was being so serious, she didn’t want to hide her true feelings. She might have been envious, but her trust in him was stronger. And once she learned about his accident, her only concern had been his health; everything else was pushed from her mind. Besides, she knew Ethan valued boundaries. Having his name tied up in rumors like this had to be frustrating for him, and she didn’t want to add to his worries.

“I’m sorry,” Ethan murmured, his brow beginning to furrow again.

Before he could say more, she pressed a delicate finger to his lips. “Ash told me everything. You were working, and you couldn’t control Nadia showing up. Nobody’s perfect all the time, not even you, Ethan. Stop apologizing to me. Do you really think I’m that unreasonable?”

She tilted her head up, a hint of playful pride in her eyes. Her voice was like honey, sweet but not cloying.

A warmth spread through Ethan’s chest, and the tension in his face finally eased into a genuine smile. “My wife,” he said, his voice a low, magnetic hum, “is the most understanding woman in the world.”

A blush crept up Ramona’s neck. This time, her smile was real. “I’m not that understanding,” she coughed. “I think you’re laying it on a bit thick.”

“Still, I hate that you had to see this. There must be a better way to handle it.” Just when Ramona thought the topic was closed, Ethan’s voice grew thoughtful.

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