The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 306

Ethan swiftly pulled Ramona fully into his embrace, shielding her with his body.

“There’s nothing good on this aisle, darling. Let’s go over there.” His voice was soft, just loud enough for Jotham to hear. He deliberately emphasized the word “darling,” his intimate tone laced with ice.

Though boiling with rage, Jotham met Ethan’s cold, menacing gaze and felt an involuntary shiver of fear. The man’s presence was overwhelming, as if he could crush him without a second thought.

Jotham stumbled back a step, his lips trembling and his eyes turning red. He looked at Ramona. “You really… you’re married?” His voice was raw, each word a struggle, as if he were on the verge of tears.

Anyone else would have felt a pang of sympathy. But not Ramona. And certainly not Ethan.

She had seen Jotham’s act of feigned devotion and pitiful desperation countless times. The boy had cried wolf too often; she was now completely immune.

Ignoring him, Ramona turned to Ethan, her voice light and sweet. “Of course. Whatever you want, my love.”

The endearment was like a bucket of ice water dumped over Jotham’s head. He wanted to follow them, but his legs felt like stone. He couldn't even turn to leave, forced to watch as they walked past him.

“…Ramona, I regret everything,” Jotham choked out. Swallowing the last of his pride, he dropped to his knees in the middle of the aisle.

The sudden drama caused nearby shoppers to stop and stare, a crowd quickly forming to watch the scene unfold.

Jotham stared at their retreating backs. He saw Ramona falter for a second as they paused. Seizing the opportunity, he continued, his voice cracking with emotion. “Ramona, I know I’m nothing now… but I finally see what’s in my heart! I can’t live without you! Please… don’t do this to me. Forgive me, just this once. Please?”

It wasn’t Ramona who had stopped, but Ethan. While the onlookers were captivated by Jotham’s heartfelt plea, Ramona hadn’t even been listening. She was watching Ethan, whose gaze had shifted to a nearby shelf.

“This one’s a new flavor, too.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

Ethan casually plucked a package of gelatin from the display and handed it to her, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “Ramona, what am I going to do?”

The crowd murmured in agreement, their pity a fresh wave of humiliation for Jotham.

“Get away from me!” he snarled, shoving the man away. “You don’t know anything! Just leave me alone!”

He staggered toward the exit, but by the time he got outside, Ramona was nowhere in sight.

A team of security guards intercepted him. “Sir, please don’t cause a disturbance, or we’ll have to call the police.”

...

It was late when Jotham finally stumbled back to the apartment, his spirit crushed. The space was dark and cold. It wasn't winter yet, but a bone-deep chill seemed to radiate from the walls. He collapsed in Ramona’s old bedroom, a room still impeccably clean, and could almost see her moving through it. Just two months ago, they had been a happy couple. He had been waiting for her to come home.

How had it all changed so fast? How had she become someone else’s wife?