The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 304

What started as a joke, Ethan took to heart. That evening, he set his grandmother’s advice as his lock screen wallpaper, a photo of Ramona as his home screen, and changed his passcode to a combination of their birthdays.

To ease Florence’s worries, they got dressed and drove to the Jordon estate. Knowing they hadn’t eaten, Florence had the staff prepare a meal, and by the time they walked through the door, a table laden with delicious food was waiting for them.

As Florence and Phineas sat with them, Ethan and Ramona felt like two small children who had caused their parents endless worry. They exchanged a sheepish glance, a silent, mutual apology passing between them.

Florence, ever perceptive, smiled knowingly. “My dear, our boy has his fair share of faults, but he has one saving grace: he knows how to admit when he’s wrong.”

“That’s the one!” Phineas chimed in eagerly. “A man who can admit his mistakes is a man who can keep his wife’s heart.”

Florence shot her husband an exasperated look, having lost her train of thought.

Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle. He used to find his grandparents’ banter tedious, but now… he was filled with admiration. It was one thing to fall in love, but to stay in love, to remain honest and devoted through the years—he was only just beginning to understand how difficult, and how precious, that was.

He glanced at Ramona and saw that she, too, was smiling at his grandparents, her cheeks flushed, her expression soft and lovely. He was captivated.

From this day forward, even if he lost faith in himself, it wouldn't matter. Because he had heard her. Last night, as he drifted off to sleep, she had whispered against his back, telling him that whenever he felt disappointed in himself, he could believe in her. He didn’t need to believe in gods or even in himself… whenever he felt lost, he just had to believe in her.

They were husband and wife. From now on, there was no “I.” There was only “we.”

...

That afternoon, Ash, accompanied by a property manager and two bodyguards, escorted Ethan and Ramona to view several pre-selected mansions.

The most extravagant of them all was a property on par with the Jordon estate itself. With breathtaking views and impeccable amenities, it had once been featured in an architectural documentary. It was called Cloud Palace. The price tag was equally breathtaking; bidding was already approaching sixty million dollars.

Ethan wanted only the best for Ramona. Without a moment’s hesitation, he offered to outbid the current offer and buy it outright. Ramona thought it was far too extravagant and suggested a more modest option, but Ethan simply asked if she was happy with it. When she nodded, he sealed the deal.

...

Later that evening, they strolled hand-in-hand through the aisles of a large supermarket near Ramona’s apartment, pushing a shopping cart between them.

Ethan had insisted they go alone, savoring these simple, domestic moments. Ramona knew he yearned for this kind of quiet, normal life. He had told her once that as a child, on the rare occasions he was sent on an errand to a store, the sight he envied most was that of a family shopping together, happy and carefree. For Ethan, being a loving husband with his wife on his arm was infinitely more desirable than being a cold, powerful heir.

“Honey, this looks good,” Ramona said, picking up a new flavor of fruit gelatin from the shelf. “Want to try it?”

She knew he didn’t care for sweets, but her eyes danced with playful expectation.

Behind them, a man was so startled by her voice that the box he was holding slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor.

It was Jotham Holt.