The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 313

"It's late. I should go," Nova said after a moment's hesitation. She stood up and walked out, not looking back, no matter how many times Holden called her name.

...

The next morning, Ramona woke to find Ethan watching her.

"You're awake early," she murmured. "Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

"I can't," he whispered back. He was propped up on one elbow, his arm tingling where her long, soft hair brushed against it.

She blinked, waiting for him to explain.

"We only have four more days until you leave. I don't want to waste a single second."

Ramona was flying out next week to visit her grandfather. It wouldn't be a long trip, but a selfish part of him didn't want to share her with anyone, not even for a day.

"It's not like I'm not coming back..." she began, but he pressed a finger to her lips.

"Don't say that. I don't want to hear it."

Ramona's heart softened. It was absurd, really. This devastatingly handsome man was acting like a lost puppy. She hooked a finger around his neck, pulling him closer until her lips were at his ear. "How long have you been watching me?" she whispered. She felt his ear tremble and turn red under her breath.

"Since before dawn," he answered honestly.

"Then why didn't you... kiss me awake?" Her voice was a playful tease, and she saw a dark blush spread down his neck. He was so fair-skinned that his blushes were always spectacular.

"...I couldn't bear to," he murmured into her ear, and this time it was her turn to feel a jolt of heat.

Ramona quickly smoothed her hair and opened the door to find Florence, impeccably dressed in a black plaid suit, standing with a middle-aged man and a young, professional-looking woman who appeared to be his assistant.

"Ramona, dear. Is Ethan up?" Florence asked with a warm smile. It was nearly ten o'clock. Normally, they would have been up for hours, but since they were on vacation, she wasn't sure. She had confirmed the ten o'clock appointment with Ethan yesterday, but he had been unresponsive to her reminder text this morning.

"Oh, yes, he's up," Ramona said, ushering them inside. "He's just getting ready. He'll be right out." She felt a blush creep up her neck.

"Grandma, who are your guests?"

"Let me introduce you. This is my dear friend, Dr. Yeton, the president of the International Union of Psychological Studies. He's also a professor at the top medical school in Myridia Country and consults as a psychologist for several major hospitals. And this is his assistant."

Ramona understood immediately. Ethan had mentioned he would be seeing a therapist, but she had seen the reluctance in his eyes. For a man who was so devastated by anyone even seeing his scars, opening up his deepest wounds to a stranger must have felt like a form of torture. She didn't want him to force himself. As long as his post-traumatic stress didn't worsen, she could protect him, she could be careful.

But Florence had gone to so much trouble, and Ethan had already agreed. Florence, ever considerate, had arranged for Dr. Yeton to come to them as a "friend" to make it less intimidating.