The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 265

Ethan’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.

Ramona's question was like a pebble dropped into a calm sea, stirring up a hidden turmoil beneath the surface.

"Why would you think that?"

After a moment's pause, Ethan finally spoke, his voice low and tinged with displeasure, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Is it because of those old rumors? Are you still letting them get to you?"

"No." Ramona looked away, shaking her head gently. "It was last night... you were talking in your sleep."

"What did I say?"

Ethan's heart clenched, and his face suddenly grew pale. He balled his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

"You said... Nadia's name."

As the words left her mouth, Ramona noticed his clenched fist. In the dim light, she could see the taut veins on the back of his hand, and along the side, a series of small, red marks.

"What happened to your hand?"

She immediately took his hand, and upon closer inspection, she saw that he had scratched his own skin raw. There were three fine, red lines along the side of his hand. There wasn't much blood, but it looked painful.

"It's nothing."

Ethan quickly pulled his hand away.

While he had been waiting for her, he had unconsciously used the pain to force himself to stay calm. But he couldn't tell her that.

Seeing his evasive glance and the hidden turmoil in his expression, a wave of regret washed over Ramona.

Ethan had already done so much. He had consistently drawn a clear line between himself and Nadia, even issuing a public statement to put her at ease. And... Nadia was a part of his past.

For a man as loyal and responsible as Ethan, it was only natural that he might still hold on to some part of that past. She understood the logic, but her heart still ached.

Ethan remained silent. Ramona quickly added, "It was just a dream. I'm not blaming you. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I'm... I'm over it now."

She couldn't bear to see him in distress.

"Ramona, you've misunderstood."

Ethan's voice was firm, cutting through her hesitant words.

He took her hand and pulled her closer, his other hand sliding into her hair, gently tilting her face up to meet his gaze. His deep eyes were like a bottomless ocean, calm on the surface, but hiding an unknown storm within.

"I honestly don't know if I said anything in my sleep, but if I did, it was only because of a nightmare."

"Ramona, there has only ever been room for one person in my heart. There's no 'letting go' because there was nothing to hold on to. If there was even a shadow of someone else in my heart, I would never have chosen to get married."

His warm breath tickled her palm. She sighed and looked at his serious face.

"But you need to be more careful from now on. No dreaming about her, and no saying her name in your sleep... otherwise, I'll get jealous."

"Okay. Though the thought of you being jealous for me is... pleasing, I can't stand to see you unhappy."

Ethan's voice was deep. He wrapped his arm around her neck, and they leaned back against the car seat, the city lights disappearing from view.

"So I must be strict with myself and correct my mistakes."

"...Mmm..."

Ramona was about to say something, but her words were silenced.

Whenever he made a promise to her, he sounded as serious as a general giving orders. But when she looked into his eyes, there was no trace of seriousness, only a tenderness so intoxicating it felt like a slow-acting poison.

At the red light, the driver caught a glimpse of the scene in the rearview mirror, and his eyes widened. He quickly looked away.

…

At 3 a.m., Eulalia received a frantic call and rushed to the hospital with Flynn.

Inside and outside the emergency room, Jotham and his friends were being treated for their injuries. He was the worst off. He had a gash on the back of his head that required stitches, a mild concussion, and his body was covered in bruises and cuts. He also had a hairline fracture in his leg.