The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 250

Since Ethan was attending the gala to support the cause, he could hardly refuse such a publicly charitable request. Nadia knew him too well; he always separated business from personal matters and, given their families’ history, he wouldn’t humiliate her in front of so many people.

As she had predicted, Ethan accepted.

Nadia had hoped the dance would be a chance to reconnect, a moment to start rebuilding what they had lost. She never imagined his first words to her would be, “It’s been a long time.”

And his second: “I need to get back to my fiancée. Excuse me.”

He ended the dance before the song was even half over. He walked away without a backward glance, and from that day on, she could only watch him from a distance, a man who felt more like a stranger with each passing day.

Her memory was jolted back to the present by a faint vibration. Nadia’s grip on her phone loosened, and a flicker of desperate hope lit up her eyes.

Ethan had replied.

…

That evening, Ramona arrived early at the private room Fenton had booked at the restaurant. She had told Ethan that morning she was having dinner with her uncle. He hadn’t said anything, but she saw the reluctance in his eyes. She had finally wrapped things up at the Covington Group for the day and felt she should have been spending the evening with him.

If he weren’t still recovering, she would have insisted he come along. Her new plan was to make this quick and get home as soon as possible.

On her way, she sent Ethan a text to let him know she had arrived, but he didn’t reply immediately. While waiting for Fenton and Yancey, she tried calling him. After a few rings, he picked up.

“What are you busy with? Not answering my texts anymore?” she cooed playfully.

A low chuckle came through the phone. “I was just changing my bandages.”

“How are you feeling today? Does anything hurt?” As she asked, Ramona’s voice grew softer, as if speaking too loudly might somehow injure him.

“It doesn’t hurt. I’m fine,” Ethan said, clearing his throat, though his voice was still a little hoarse. “What time will you be done? Can I come pick you up?”

“Don’t you move,” Ramona immediately protested. “You stay in bed and rest, you hear me? I’ll finish up as fast as I can and come home on my own.”

She heard him laugh again on the other end, realizing he had probably only said it to hear her fuss over him.

With the Covington Group business out of the way, Ramona’s mind was solely on getting home to Ethan. She picked at her food for a few minutes before declaring she was full.

Fenton, understanding a young woman in love, offered a few pleasantries about Ethan’s recovery and then had Yancey see her out.

Ramona started to refuse, but Yancey insisted on walking with her to the elevator. As they stood inside, she realized he must have something else he wanted to say.

“What’s on your mind, Yancey?” she asked, noticing his hesitation.

He gave a slightly sheepish smile and nodded. “There is something I was hoping to ask you.”

“Go ahead,” Ramona said, her curiosity piqued. With his recent troubles resolved, she couldn’t imagine what he would need her help with.

…

Later that night, Ramona stepped out of the elevator and hurried toward her apartment door. Eager to get home, she had driven faster than usual. It had only been an hour since her phone call with Ethan. She hadn’t texted him that she was on her way, wanting to surprise him—and to check if he had kept his promise to stay home and rest.