The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 325

[Liliane has passed away.]

The message was from an unknown number, but Ramona knew from the tone who had sent it. Liliane had a weak heart; her doctor had warned her to avoid any emotional distress. Her death was, without a doubt, a result of their encounter yesterday.

As Ramona stared at the screen, lost in thought, Ethan began to stir. He noticed her engrossed in her phone and pulled her closer, his head moving to get a better look.

“What are you looking at?” he murmured, his sharp eyes catching the slight furrow in her brow. He shifted, reaching for her phone.

“Jotham’s grandmother passed away,” Ramona said, her voice quiet.

Though her tone was neutral, Ethan could sense the subtle tremor of emotion beneath her calm exterior. He didn’t say anything right away, simply holding her tighter, letting his warmth envelop her.

He knew that beneath her strong, decisive facade, Ramona had a soft heart. She valued loyalty and connection, and even though the Holts had hurt her deeply, the knowledge that a life had been lost, indirectly because of her, would weigh heavily on her.

Her quiet suffering made his heart ache. He couldn’t care less about what happened to the Holts, but he couldn’t bear to see her in even the slightest discomfort.

“Ramona, don’t overthink this,” he whispered, taking the phone from her hand and setting it aside. He gently stroked the skin behind her ear and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “It’s not your fault.”

“I just didn’t expect her to…”

Ramona had been worried yesterday, but a small part of her had hoped Liliane would be fine. Her business with the Holt family was over. As infuriating as Liliane had been, she had never wished for her death. She couldn’t quite articulate how she felt now. Hearing the news, it was hard not to feel a sense of responsibility.

Liliane, like the rest of the Holts, didn’t deserve her sympathy. And yet, as a woman, Ramona couldn’t help but mourn her tragic life. Liliane had dedicated her entire existence to the Holt family. She came from a good background and was a capable woman in her own right, but she had grown accustomed to living in Alaric Holt’s shadow, always fulfilling the duties of a wife until she became nothing more than a tool for the family, an accessory to its men. Her extreme selfishness was always in service of her husband, her son Griffin, and her grandson Jotham. She had no self.

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