The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 355

“Did you miss me?” Ramona nuzzled his shoulder. He had been sitting there doing nothing, as if he had been waiting for her for a long time.

“Yes, I missed you,” Ethan said, carefully wrapping his arms around her, his fingers stroking her silky hair. “I don’t know why, but I missed you especially much today.”

“I missed you too,” Ramona whispered shyly, her breath warm against his ear as she planted a surprise kiss on his cheek. She was fully embracing the honeymoon phase. She just wanted to be with him, and the more time they spent together, the more she wanted. They had been inseparable in Kyro City, and it had only been a few hours, but on the way home, she had felt a tidal wave of longing. Now, wrapped in his arms, she finally felt content.

Ramona held his face in her hands, her forehead resting against his. She felt his temperature was normal and said, “I bought groceries. I’m going to make you something delicious.”

“Okay,” Ethan said, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.

“What do you want to eat?”

“I love everything you make.”

She knew he would say that. She bit her lip, smiled, and went to the bedroom to change.

Usually, Ethan was like her little shadow at home, but today, perhaps because they had been apart for a few hours, he was even clingier. She went to change, and he followed her, kissing her until a simple change of clothes took nearly forty minutes. In the kitchen, it was the same story. He tied her apron, his body pressed against hers, and they spent another long moment wrapped in each other's arms in a corner of the kitchen.

By the time they actually started cooking, it was completely dark. Ramona wanted him to go rest, but he refused, insisting on helping her prep the vegetables. He couldn’t bear to see her work hard, even though he knew she was much more skilled in the kitchen than he was. They could have hired a cook, but neither of them wanted to give up their time alone together.

Worried that Ethan was getting too hungry, Ramona downgraded her planned four-course meal to three: a savory beef stir-fry, sautéed asparagus and mushrooms, and his favorite, savory scrambled eggs with tomato. They were simple, home-cooked dishes that she made well, and Ethan always cleaned his plate. In his heart, Ramona’s cooking was the best in the world, better than any Michelin-starred chef or fancy restaurant. He didn't have to say it; she already knew.

Ramona had never been so confident. It turned out that when you were given enough security, you could become so happy, so full of life. It was true what they said: you won’t die without love, but loving someone makes you feel alive.

Ramona nodded. “Okay, I’ll have to consult a master to pick a good date for us.”

“I think Florence mentioned something about that. We can discuss it with her.”

That reminded Ramona of her recent conversations with Florence about Shelby Whitaker. Even though Shelby knew Ramona and Ethan were doing well, she was still angry with Zadkiel and hadn’t returned to Havencrest City.

Ramona was very fond of Shelby. She squeezed Ethan’s hand. “By the way, when we get back, we should visit Mom. She worries about you so much, and with your dad being the way he is… I’d have a hard time forgiving him too.”

Zadkiel wasn’t the type to sweet-talk anyone. If they wanted Shelby to come back, the younger generation would have to help. Ramona’s heart ached for Ethan, and her opinion of Zadkiel had soured. If Florence hadn’t asked her, she would have thought Shelby would be better off without him. But then Ethan wouldn’t have such a wonderful mother. And according to Florence, Shelby had stayed with Zadkiel for all these years because they truly loved each other.