The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 356

To love someone is to accept their flaws. Shelby’s love was immense; it was just a shame that Zadkiel didn’t appreciate it.

“Okay,” Ethan agreed. Ramona turned to look at him. He seemed lost in thought, a heavy shadow in his eyes. She assumed he was thinking about Zadkiel.

“I’ll be with you from now on. If you’re not happy around your dad, we can see him less. Or… not at all.” She added, “I don’t care what he thinks of me, and I don’t think you should either. Parents get old too.”

Just as children rely on their parents when they’re young, parents eventually get old and need their children. And one day, they would have to pay for their mistakes. Ramona used to believe that people could always let things go, but she now knew that forgiveness doesn’t erase the past. The worst parts of your life are still a part of you. Zadkiel’s abuse was a part of Ethan’s very being. The wound would never disappear, so he shouldn't be forced to pretend it had healed. As Dr. Yeton had said, the goal wasn’t to solve it, but to keep it from getting worse.

Ramona had never known parental warmth, but she had spent half her life alone and could understand the pain Ethan felt. She cared for him as he cared for her.

Ethan listened to her and quietly said again, “Okay.”

Ramona sensed his mind was elsewhere. He was looking down, idly rubbing her palm. “What are you thinking about?” she asked, leaning in and brushing her lips against his.

He looked up and met her smiling eyes, knowing she was teasing him. “I’m thinking about you.”

“Still thinking about me? But you weren’t listening to me.”

“I was,” he said with a smile, pressing her hand to his cheek. His features were striking, his deep-set eyes looking even more intense in the dim light. “Ramona, we’re married now. Should we get our assets notarized?”

Ramona was taken aback. “Notarized?” she said with a laugh. “What, are you afraid I’ll take all your money if we break up?”

“No,” he explained gently. “I don’t want you to have any risks. If being the president of the Covington Group becomes too stressful, you can quit. The Jordon Group is also very powerful, and I think you would make an excellent vice president.”

“Okay, I won’t say it again. But tomorrow, I’ll have my lawyer come over to transfer all my assets to you, including my shares in the Jordon Group. We’ll make them jointly owned.”

Ramona didn’t understand. Usually, when she was upset, Ethan would immediately try to soothe her. But today, he was fixated on the assets. She was worth billions now; why would she care about his money? Wasn’t it obvious what she wanted most?

When he finished speaking, Ramona pushed him away, got up from the sofa, and went to the bedroom. His words had unsettled her. It sounded like he was preparing to leave her.

A moment later, Ethan followed her in. He found her sitting at her vanity and wrapped his arms around her from behind. In the mirror, his smile hadn't faded. “Are you upset?”

“No. I just don’t want to hear you talk like that.”

“I know. My Ramona just wants to be with me. And I feel the same way.” His gentle words made the corners of her lips, which had been turned down, slowly curve back up. “Ramona, do you remember what we said the first time we officially met?”