Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 12: Let Me Do That

After their talk about Eliana, Ruby led Stefan back to their bedroom, but the air between them felt heavy. An odd silence settled between them, one that made her uneasy.

She glanced at him, noticing the way his brows were slightly furrowed. Even though he couldn’t see, it was obvious he was still thinking about their conversation. What was on his mind? Was he starting to suspect something?

She needed to change the direction of the day before he asked more questions.

Just as she was about to excuse herself, Stefan tilted his head slightly. "I think I’ll go have a drink or two," he murmured, his fingers lightly grazing the top of his cane.

Ruby tensed.

It was a simple statement, but something about it made her wary. Why did he suddenly need a drink? Was he just in the mood, or was something bothering him? Was he drinking to think—or to forget?

"Should I get it for you?" she offered, keeping her voice light, hoping to keep him close where she could control the situation.

Stefan’s lips curved slightly, but there was something unreadable in his expression. "No need. I want to sit at the bar while having the drink."

Of course, he does. That was exactly what she didn’t want. If he sat there alone, there was always a chance he could pick up on something—some small detail that didn’t align with Ivy’s habits.

She forced a smile and quickly slipped her hand into his. "Fine. I’ll take you," she said, before he could protest.

He didn’t argue, but she could feel his scrutiny as she guided him through the house. His grip on her hand was firm, not as if he needed support, but as if he were testing something. Was he comparing her touch to Ivy’s? Was he trying to figure out if she was truly the woman he had married?

The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

When they reached the wine cellar, she released his hand and moved ahead, her eyes scanning the shelves. She needed to stay ahead of him, to be in control. Without thinking much, she grabbed a bottle and poured him a glass.

She looked down at the label, then at the shelves, and her heart stopped for a second.

There were only a few bottles of this wine left, but there was another bottle—the one with a much higher count.

meant... this wasn’t his

naturally, Ivy should know something as basic

Damn it.

drink and hesitated,

make a mistake now—not after all the little slip-ups

in one go. The alcohol burned her

quickly picked up a bottle of Cognac—the one she had deduced was his favorite—and placed it on the small table nearby. Then, she grabbed a

she was composed. "Here you go," she said smoothly, handing him

a small smirk. "You make it sound as if you

it on the table near the bottle.

forced a light chuckle. "Of course, I did. What kind of wife would I be

respond immediately. Instead, he reached for the bottle, his fingers brushing over the label with slow,

breath caught as she watched

changed the

needed to leave before she said something

she said quickly, stepping back toward

slightly. "You’re not joining me?" His tone was casual, but then his eyebrow lifted. "I thought you’d be joining me, seeing as

known that? From her

hesitated for only a fraction of a second before flashing an easy smile. "Not today. I’m exhausted—that’s why I

reaching

go, but his voice stopped

"Ivy."

a second before she turned

look at her. Instead, he focused on uncorking the bottle, his movements slow, almost

ask something—anything. But instead, he only

Never mind?

playing with her? Or was he keeping his thoughts to himself because

to decide whether to leave or push for an