The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 345

Noticing the shift in Ramona’s expression, Ethan seemed to guess her thoughts. He gently pulled his hand away and drew her closer into his arms. “It gets cold at night. The bed isn’t warm without you in it.”

“Honestly, you have a cold and you’re still not wearing enough… You were standing out there for a while, weren’t you?” Ramona chided, pinching his cheek playfully. The temperature had dropped recently, and Ethan’s pajamas were thin. He probably hadn’t wanted to disturb her. He was always so considerate of others, yet he was the one who needed the most looking after.

“I’m fine.” Hearing her concern, Ethan’s face softened into his usual endless tenderness. He traced her smooth eyebrow with his finger, as if he could never get enough of looking at her. “Ramona, you seemed unwell just now. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Ramona had almost forgotten. Reminded by Ethan, she nodded. “I felt a little nauseous, but it was just for a moment. It’s passed now.”

“Stomach trouble?” Ethan frowned, about to get up.

Ramona knew he wanted to call a doctor and quickly held him down. “It was probably psychological. Physically, I feel fine.”

“We should still get it checked at the hospital, just to be safe,” Ethan insisted.

Ramona nodded. “Okay, we’ll get it checked when we get back.”

Seeing her agree so readily, Ethan settled back down. His palm, now warm again, rested on her lower abdomen through her pajamas, rubbing gently. “Let me rub it for you.”

A warmth spread through Ramona’s heart. Even though she felt fine now, she nodded obediently, like a child relying on a parent. Ethan’s doting was bone-deep. When she massaged his back, he’d never let her do it for more than a minute, but he could rub her stomach for ages without tiring. Even when she pushed his hand away, saying she was fine, he would start again a few moments later.

His touch was comforting, a gentle massage meant to soothe every last bit of discomfort from her body. Cradled in his arms, Ramona’s eyelids soon grew heavy, and she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

But it was a long time before sleep came for Ethan.

At dawn, a burning sensation in his stomach woke him. While Ramona was still asleep, he rushed to the toilet and threw up everything. He had barely eaten these past two days, so there was nothing in his stomach. After heaving up stomach acid, startling streaks of blood followed. This time, there was more blood than before, and even after he was done, the metallic taste of it lingered in his mouth.

Ethan’s brow furrowed. The pale, ghastly face staring back at him in the mirror filled him with a deep unease. Was there really something wrong with him?

Brianna was led into a VIP reception room. She was an hour early, and Holden hadn’t arrived yet. An assistant had called him, but he hadn’t answered.

At that moment, Holden was just dragging himself out of a hotel bed. His phone buzzed on the nightstand, but he ignored it and headed straight for the shower. He’d spent the previous night drinking at a bar after leaving Nova’s place, and he felt terrible. Only after a cold shower cleared his head did he pick up his phone and text his assistant, telling them to entertain Brianna and that he was on his way.

After hanging up, Holden glanced at his messages again. A whole night had passed, and that girl, Nova, had real nerve. Not a single word from her. By now, however, Holden’s anger had subsided. His mind raced, considering Nova’s motive for taking his phone. All he really had was the Gallop Inc. partnership proposal. But even if she saw the project details, everything was above board. What could she possibly do?

*Knock, knock—*

Brianna had just finished a call with Brantley when she saw a figure at the door. Thinking Holden had arrived, she quickly went to open it. But standing outside was a stranger. The woman had a cold, sharp beauty and an imposing aura. The moment Brianna opened the door, she walked right in.

There was no one else in the room, just Brianna and the open contract file on the table. The other Gallop Inc. representatives had stepped out since it was still early.

“You must be Ms. Prescott,” Wisteria said, sizing Brianna up for a few seconds before taking a seat opposite her.