The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 87

Ramona couldn’t help but feel a flush rise in her chest.

Inviting Ethan out on Valentine’s Day—what if he got the wrong idea?

She’d reserved the most luxurious private suite on the top floor, its three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking panorama of Havencrest City’s glittering nightscape.

As dusk deepened, the atmosphere inside grew calm, almost serene.

Suddenly, Ramona’s phone buzzed. It was a call from Jotham. She meant to swipe it away, but her finger slipped, and she accidentally answered.

“Ramona?”

Jotham’s voice came through at once, and by the time she tried to hang up, it was too late.

He hadn’t expected her to pick up, either; there was a hint of surprise in his tone. Maybe Ramona’s anger had finally cooled.

“What is it?” Ramona replied, voice cold and edged with irritation.

“It’s Valentine’s Day. If you’re not busy, I made a reservation. Maybe we could—”

She cut him off before he could finish, something flickering across her mind, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.

“How’s Ms. Prescott? She fainted yesterday, didn’t she? I’m sure she could use some company. Isn’t this the perfect occasion to spend with her?”

Her words dripped with sarcasm, but her tone was soft and sweet, so Jotham didn’t catch a thing.

He replied, his voice low and tense, “Ramona, you’re overthinking again. Why would I spend Valentine’s Day with Brianna? She’s not well, but I have no obligation to look after her.”

No obligation?

Then what about all those years, every Valentine’s, when Ramona had hurried home to prepare everything, only for Jotham to drift in long after midnight?

There was even a time Ramona caught the scent of unfamiliar perfume on his shirt.

But she had always trusted him. He’d said it was a client’s, and she never doubted him, she even felt sorry for him.

For six years together, she’d done everything a good wife was supposed to do. She gave him all her trust, all her effort, and what little love she had left. And he’d destroyed it all with his own hands.

Ramona had grown up without family warmth, had no close friends to speak of. She never depended on anyone, nor expected to be loved. Her feelings were precious to her, so she guarded them carefully, afraid of getting hurt. But with Jotham, she’d let her guard down completely, leaving herself no retreat.

Thinking of how her past had been wrapped in lies, Ramona’s anger surged. Without another word, she hung up.

“Ramona?”

Jotham stared at his phone, the call abruptly ended, unable to hide his disappointment.

She was throwing herself into work now, and he knew, deep down, these last two years he’d let her down. Ramona had wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day every year, but every time, he was with Brianna and their child.

Jotham sat alone in an upscale restaurant, downing half a bottle of red wine in one go.

He seized Brianna’s hand, pulling her into his arms, but every word that escaped his lips was Ramona’s name.

Brianna’s eyes went wide. For a moment, it felt like a blade had pierced her heart.

She sat there, stunned, before finally pushing him away. “Jotham! Are you in love with her?”

But Jotham was too drunk to respond, barely moving except to mutter Ramona’s name again and again.

“Ramona, forgive me…”

“You…” Brianna couldn’t take it anymore. Her anger boiled over. She slapped him hard across the face and stormed out of the car.

...

Back in the private suite, Ramona waited until late into the night, but Ethan never showed.

She glanced at her phone. The last call she’d received was from Ethan, two and a half hours ago, he’d said something urgent had come up and he’d be late.

A waiter approached, looking apologetic. “Ma’am, I’m so sorry, but we’re about to close for the night.”

Ramona looked up, it was already half past eleven. Most of the lights outside had gone dark. The city was plunged into the deep hush of midnight.

“Alright. I’ll be on my way.”