The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 88

Ramona hesitated for a moment, and decided to call Ethan.

But no one picked up.

Was she being stood up?

She glanced at the gift she’d set aside, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over her.

After all, their relationship was nothing more than a marriage of convenience. If Ethan had something more pressing come up and canceled on her at the last minute, it wouldn’t be unreasonable.

Maybe it was just the whole Valentine’s Day thing that made her secretly hope for something more.

Ramona got home just as the clock struck midnight. She realized she was a little hungry, and was about to whip up something quick in the kitchen when her phone rang.

She answered. Ethan’s voice sounded urgent, a rare trace of anxiety breaking through his usual composure. “Did you make it home? I saw the restaurant’s already closed.”

“Mr. Jordon, didn’t you get my message? I told you I was heading home.”

She was surprised. She hadn’t expected him to still try to meet up at this hour.

“…I didn’t see your message. I’m outside your place now.”

He was breathing hard, his voice edged with exhaustion, as if he’d just run a marathon—so unlike his normal, calm self.

Startled, Ramona hurried to open the door.

There he was: a strip of gauze wrapped around his forehead, bruises marking his cheek and lip. His coat hung loosely over his shoulders, clothes rumpled and dusted with city grit. The collar of his crisp shirt was undone, revealing faint scratches on his pale neck.

“Mr. Jordon, what happened to you?”

The sight of him shook her. She reached out instinctively, then hesitated, afraid to touch him.

“There was a car accident on the way. I had to take care of it. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Ethan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke, his words casual, as if he was mentioning nothing more serious than a traffic jam.

Ramona parted her lips, momentarily lost for words. “So… the emergency you mentioned was a car accident?”

He nodded. He’d just finished a meeting, running behind schedule, and tried to make up time on the highway—only to get caught in a multi-car pileup. His own car had gotten tangled in the mess.

Thankfully, his injuries were all superficial, but the scene was chaotic and the police blocked off the whole road, delaying him for quite a while.

Not wanting to worry Ramona, he hadn’t mentioned the accident over the phone. He’d just had his wounds quickly treated before rushing over to meet her.

Hearing that, Ramona felt her throat tighten, her heart twisting painfully in her chest.

Ethan had always been reliable, maybe keeping his word was just part of his nature. But it had been so long since anyone had made her feel this important.

She quickly looked away, murmuring, “Dinner’s not a big deal. If you couldn’t make it, you could’ve just canceled…”

“What I promise you is a big deal to me.” Ethan cut her off, his tone earnest. “Besides, it’s Valentine’s Day. We should be spending it together.”

Ramona’s heart thudded, her lashes fluttering. Those words sounded so out of place coming from Ethan, as if their date was just another task on his agenda.

“Valentine’s Day is already over, Mr. Jordon,” she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“It’s not over yet,” Ethan replied, his voice low and clear. He took her hand. “Come on.”

“…It’s so late. Where are we even going?”

She didn’t understand. Ethan was injured; he should be resting, not worrying about some holiday.

But he didn’t give her time to protest. He firmly led her out the door, and in her rush, Ramona only managed to grab the gift bag waiting by the entryway—the present she’d picked out for Ethan.