Empire 246

Chapter 246

She stared at him, her voice sharp and all traces of humor gone from her face. It was the first time she had ever been truly angry with him.

Ethan’s composure immediately crumbled. “Ramona,”

But she ignored him, striding into the living room and sitting down in the corner of the sofa, turning her back to him.

“I’m sorry.”

He followed slowly, his movements hampered by the nerve damage in his right leg. Ramona watched him out of the corner of her eye, her anger already warring with a pang of sympathy. But the thought of him so carelessly disregarding his health kept her resolve firm.

Ethan sat down beside her, his dark brows furrowed in a deep frown. “I’ll remember,” he said, his voice thick with sincerity. “From now on, I’ll listen to everything you say. Okay?”

Ramona remained silent.

“I promise, I’ll follow the doctor’s orders,” he continued, trying to coax her. “I won’t move around. I’ll

rest.”

She had intended to give him the cold shoulder a while longer to teach him a lesson, but just as he finished his sentence, he let out a small cough, and her resolve shattered.

“What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?” she asked, immediately reaching for her phone. “I’ll call Ash and have him get a doctor.”

“No,” Ethan said, a sly glint in his eye as he quickly covered her hand with his. “Didn’t you just say we shouldn’t work Ash to death?”

“…Right,” Ramona replied, her lips twitching. “Then I’ll call someone else.”

“I already had my dressings changed before you got here.” He refused to let go of her hand, his gaze locked on hers. He shifted, lifting the hem of his shirt to show her. The gauze was indeed fresh.

“Did you take your medicine?”

“Yes.”

“What did the doctor say? Are you in any pain?”

“No pain. Everything is fine… it’s just…” He trailed off, his expression hesitant.

“What is it?” Ramona’s heart leaped into her throat. She wanted to touch him, to check for herself, but

she was too afraid to move.

“It’s just…” A barely perceptible smile touched Ethan’s lips as he leaned close to her ear. “I missed you too much.”

“Ethan, stop scaring me like that!” Ramona exclaimed, a mixture of relief and exasperation washing over her.

But just as she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears. Ethan had only meant to tease her, but the sight

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of her crying made him panic.

“Hey, silly, what are you crying for?” he asked urgently, reaching to wipe her cheek, but she pulled him into a hug first. Her embrace was incredibly gentle, as if she were holding something fragile that

might break.

“Ethan, I’m so scared,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m not as strong as I seem. I’m terrified of losing people, terrified of a future where I can’t see you again.”

The moisture from her breath soaked through his shirt, seeping straight into his heart. Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but for a moment, he was at a loss for words, overwhelmed by a wave of guilt.

He shifted, wanting to wipe her tears, but she wouldn’t let go.

“When you were in that hospital bed, when you wouldn’t wake up, I was so afraid… I want to build a life with you, and if you just left me behind without a word, I don’t know what I would do…”

It was rare for Ramona to be so open with her feelings. Even with Jotham, when she had given him. her whole heart, she had never shown him this vulnerability. But with Ethan, her defenses just melted

away.

“I know. I know,” he murmured, his heart aching. He stroked her hair, repeating his promise over and over. “I swear, I’ll take better care of myself from now on. For us.”

Finally, Ramona looked up at him, her eyes still glistening. “…You’d better keep your word,” she said. softly.

“I will.”

His lips met hers, and the kiss was both practiced and tender. It was a slow, deep exploration that sent ripples through her, making her lose all sense of reason. But remembering the doctor’s orders, she gently placed a hand on his chin, stopping him before things could go further.

“Don’t,” she whispered, her face flushed. “… Not until you’re better.”

Ethan’s kisses and his gaze were too intense; every moment with him was a test of her willpower.

Ramona took a quick shower and, with her hair still damp, returned to the bedroom. Ethan was already sitting up in bed, looking intently at his phone.

Assuming he was working again, she chided him gently. “It’s late. No more work. You’ll get overstimulated and won’t be able to sleep, you know?”

She reached over and took the phone from his hand, but the screen didn’t show a work email.

Instead, it was a trending entertainment news story.

[Nadia and Her Beau on Charity Trip, Sparking Reconciliation Rumors]

Beneath the headline were several photos Ramona had never seen before–paparazzi shots of Ethan and Nadia during a recent trip. Ethan’s face wasn’t fully visible, but it was unmistakably him.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.