The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 295

After a moment of hesitation, Florence said delicately, "I have a friend who runs an excellent wellness retreat abroad. I was wondering if you might have time to meet with them soon?"

She added quickly, "Grandma knows your childhood wounds never fully healed. But these days, everyone has some kind of trauma or psychological issue. It's not really an illness. Once you talk it out, you'll be fine."

Her attempt to downplay the situation, her deliberate casualness, only added to the weight on Ethan's shoulders. He was a grown man, and still, he was causing his elderly grandmother such distress. He was not fit to be the pillar of the Jordon family.

"Okay," Ethan agreed, his voice flat.

After the call, he stared at the name in his contacts: “Wife”. The screen timed out, and the word vanished into the darkness.

...

Jotham and Brianna signed the divorce papers that day. There was a one-month cooling-off period between them, so they were still legally married.

Brianna knew she couldn't avoid it. Jotham was determined, and begging would only make things worse. He was still furious about her deception, and fighting the divorce now would only destroy any chance they had of salvaging their relationship.

So, Brianna decided to give herself that one month. At least they could try to de-escalate the conflict.

Seeing that she wasn't putting up a fight, Jotham agreed to a quick meal with her afterward. It was a silent, tense affair. Brianna put food on his plate; he neither accepted nor refused. For once, she didn't try to fill the silence.

On the way back, she went with him to get his bandages changed. His injuries were superficial, but after she dropped him at home, she went to the supermarket and bought him a carload of groceries.

When she returned, she found Jotham in the media room, playing video games.

"I'm leaving," Brianna said softly from the doorway. Jotham didn't turn around, didn't respond. It was as if he hadn't heard her.

She couldn't believe their passionate, ten-year relationship had come to this. But she knew that letting emotions rule was the worst thing she could do. The more it hurt, the more rational she had to be.

"Take care of yourself," she said, not expecting a reply. "And don't worry about the Holt family. Even after we're divorced, I won't let anyone hurt you."

She turned and left.

"Oh," Jennifer remembered Brianna mentioning him. "Hello. I'm sorry, Brianna's had a bit too much to drink. She'll have to call you back later."

It was late. Even if it was work-related, he should be more considerate.

"She's been drinking?" Brantley sounded concerned. "Did something happen?"

"Well…" Jennifer hesitated. But the man sounded like he genuinely cared. And now that Brianna was finally leaving Jotham, she shouldn't be turning away good men.

"Would you like to give me your address?" Brantley asked politely.

He had felt something was wrong when Brianna called that morning to say she had to stay behind. He hadn't wanted to pry, but a last-minute meeting had delayed his own return. He'd just finished up and was calling to see if her issue was resolved, suggesting they could fly back together the next day.

...

An hour later, there was a knock on the door of the private room. Jennifer opened it and was momentarily stunned by the tall, imposing figure standing there.