The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 290

No matter what he did, he could never be the son Zadkiel wanted. He had accepted that a long time ago. He didn't expect anything, but he desperately wanted to escape the storm of his childhood that he could never seem to leave behind. For years, Ethan had told himself he'd tried to overcome their differences, to be a decent son. But if he were being honest, didn't he despise Zadkiel just as much as Zadkiel despised him?

Each of Ethan's words was slow and deliberate. It wasn't defiance; it was an indictment, a quiet accusation forged from over two decades of disappointment that had seeped into his very bones. In that moment, it became a razor-sharp blade, slicing through the fragile peace between father and son.

Zadkiel was stunned for a few seconds.

"You insolent brat!"

Blood rushed to his head, and his face turned purple with rage. He roared and swung his hand at Ethan's face.

Ethan didn't flinch, his eyes fixed on his father's.

"Dad—"

But before anyone could react, Ramona threw herself in front of Ethan.

Zadkiel's hand, swung with full force, missed its intended target and cracked across Ramona's cheek and neck instead. The impact sent her stumbling, and she crumpled to the floor.

The sudden violence shocked everyone into silence.

"Ramona!" Florence cried out in horror.

Shelby gasped, her hands flying to her mouth, unable to believe Zadkiel had just struck Ramona.

In that instant, Ethan's pupils contracted to pinpricks. He watched as Ramona fell at his feet, clutching her face. The dam of his control finally broke, and a terrifying red haze flooded his vision. He shot to his feet, the force of his movement sending his chair crashing to the floor with a deafening clatter.

Seeing the dangerous shift in Ethan's demeanor, Shelby tried to de-escalate. "Zadkiel! Let's go home!"

Zadkiel, momentarily stunned by his own action, felt a flicker of embarrassment. His hand tingled; he had hit her harder than he'd intended. He had let his anger get the best of him. This time, he didn't push Shelby away.

Florence, furious, glared at Zadkiel before rushing to help Ramona. Ramona was dazed from the blow and needed Florence and a housekeeper to help her to her feet.

"Ethan," she said immediately, her voice shaky. Her primary concern was for him. His state had been fragile ever since Zadkiel walked in; she had felt it.

Shelby frantically tried to calm him down, but Zadkiel saw the knife in his son's hand. He closed the distance between them in two strides and grabbed Ethan's arm. "What? You want to kill me? Go on, then! If you have the guts, do it!"

"Zadkiel!" Shelby screamed, her face pale with terror.

No one could have predicted that Zadkiel's taunt would be the final trigger. A surge of raw strength exploded from Ethan. He ripped his arm from his father's grasp and swung the knife, its tip aimed directly at Zadkiel's head.

"Ethan!!!"

A collective scream filled the room.

Zadkiel's eyes widened in shock. Just as he froze, convinced the blade would find its mark, it stopped, inches from his face.

But Ethan hadn't stopped it.

The blade was stopped by a slender, pale hand wrapped tightly around it.