The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 264

But his calmness was more unsettling than anger would have been. Ramona had expected Ethan to confront Jotham, to put him in his place. His composure was unnerving.

In truth, Ethan was far from calm. The moment he saw Jotham grab Ramona, a storm of violent thoughts had raged in his mind. It was those very thoughts that had forced him to hold back.

He wanted a future with Ramona, a good future. He couldn't afford to lose control like he had in the past.

But just before Ramona had found him, he had made a quick phone call. Jotham would not be leaving this place unscathed tonight.

Neither would his friends.

Not a single one of them.

"Ethan, please don't misunderstand. It was a complete coincidence running into him tonight!"

Ramona felt the need to make that clear. Just because Ethan's voice was gentle didn't mean he wasn't hurting inside.

"I know," Ethan nodded. He didn't say more, just gently tucked a stray strand of her windblown hair behind her ear. "Where did he touch you?"

Ramona froze. "He... he didn't touch me."

It had all happened so fast. Before she could even react, he had been pulled away. If anything, their bodies had brushed against each other.

"Here? Or here..."

Ethan's hand traced a line from her cheek down to her waist, where he tightened his grip, a slight pressure that was almost painful.

Ramona let out a small gasp and looked into his eyes, finally seeing the undisguised anger in his furrowed brow.

"...Are you mad at me?"

"I'm mad. But not at you."

He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her skin, his voice low and heavy. He corrected her, his words precise.

"I'm jealous. Incredibly jealous. My heart feels bitter just thinking about it."

"But it was all him... his own delusion. You shouldn't waste your anger on someone like that. He's nothing compared to you..."

Ramona's voice trailed off as Ethan moved closer still, his lips almost touching hers. "In what way is he nothing compared to me?"

"In every way... he's not worth a single strand of your hair."

Ramona stared, mesmerized, at his face, shrouded in shadow. Even without the light, he was devastatingly handsome. But this was a different Ethan from the gentle, proper man she knew. There was a predatory intensity in his presence now.

Like a lion, done toying with its prey, ready to devour it.

"Tell me more."

Ethan's lips brushed against hers, his hand slowly moving up from her waist. "I want to hear you say you only love me."

"I..."

He was wearing a thin shirt, and she could feel the heat of his skin, the hard muscle beneath...

Ethan held her tightly, his hand on her back kneading her gently, perfectly.

They kissed for a long time, until Ramona felt dizzy, breathless, and finally squeezed his hand.

Just then, Ethan's driver arrived. The driver hesitated, waiting until they broke apart before approaching.

Ramona quickly pulled Ethan into the car. It was only then that she remembered what was really important. Ethan was supposed to be resting, not running around.

"Because you were ignoring me."

Faced with her accusation, Ethan showed no guilt. From the moment she had delayed coming home, he had known something was wrong. So he had his driver take him to Covington Group, to see what she was up to.

But her office was dark.

And then he learned she had gone out for drinks with Wisteria... He didn't need to be a genius to figure it out. She didn't want to come home. And since he was the only one at home, that meant she was angry with him.

Ramona was stunned. "When was I ignoring you?"

"What's bothering you? Did I do something wrong? Just tell me, and I'll fix it."

Ethan wasn't looking for a fight. He was direct, and his sincerity was both touching and guilt-inducing.

She sighed and decided to be honest. "Ethan, tell me the truth. Do you... still have feelings for Nadia?"