The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 135

Jotham couldn’t believe his eyes. He almost shouted out “Ramona!”

But before he could, a voice called from behind.

“Mr. Holt, you forgot your ID!”

A clerk from the notary office hurried after him, waving his identification.

Because of pressure from his family, Griffin had told him to handle Milo’s travel arrangements first—get the boy out of the country, then deal with the legal process to dissolve the adoption later.

Every moment of this process felt like a knife twisting in Jotham’s chest, but with Griffin and Liliane watching over everything, he knew if he didn’t finish the paperwork today, he wouldn’t even be allowed to see Milo.

Given the circumstances, he had no choice but to send Milo away first and figure out the rest later.

He tucked the ID back into his wallet and turned around, but the figure he thought he’d seen was gone.

He rushed out of the marriage office, searching the street, but there wasn’t a soul in sight. For a moment, Jotham wondered if he’d just imagined it all.

Ramona, getting married to someone else? That was impossible!

And yet, the more he turned the thought over in his mind, the less at ease he felt. He doubled back into the marriage office, hoping to check Ramona’s marital status.

“Excuse me, what’s your relationship to the person in question?” The clerk looked up at him, her eyes assessing. “According to regulations, only the person themselves or their legal spouse, with valid ID, can request marriage records.”

“I’m her husband…” Even as Jotham said the words, he felt the lie catch in his throat.

Strictly speaking, he and Ramona had no relationship at all.

“Please present your ID. If you don’t meet the requirements, I’m afraid I can’t share that information.”

Seeing his hesitation, the clerk’s tone cooled even further.

With a line forming behind him, Jotham had no choice but to leave, awkward and defeated.

On the way home, his thoughts were in chaos.

Ramona, secretly marrying someone else? No way. That was out of the question!

He must just be exhausted—he’d been thinking about Ramona so much lately, he was starting to hallucinate.

...

After Ramona and Ethan signed their marriage certificate, it was still daylight out.

Ethan was planning to take her to his favorite bistro for dinner, but Ramona softly suggested, “It’s still early… why don’t we go to the mall for a bit? Think of it as our first real date.”

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with anticipation.

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