Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 21: I’ll Try

Ruby’s mind raced, trying to recall the details Ivy might have mentioned. She painted a picture quickly, describing the stone path, the rose bushes by the fountain, the small bench under the pear tree.

He nodded as she spoke, as if remembering it all just from her words. "I missed that place," he murmured. f\ree webn ovel(.)com

Regina gave her a brief, approving smile.

Elizabeth said nothing but watched Ruby closely—thoughtfully.

After that, dinner flowed smoothly—almost too smoothly. Every word, every gesture, felt like a scene in a carefully choreographed play. Ruby sat at the table with the grace of a trained performer, and beside her, Stefan remained composed, but Ruby could sense he was still searching—for clues, for truth or maybe she was just being paranoid and he was just being his usual self.

He wasn’t outright suspicious, not yet, but something in his subtle pauses, in the way his hand tightened ever so slightly around his cutlery, told her he wasn’t entirely convinced either—that was what her head was telling her but her mind was saying something else. He was troubled by something he wasn’t sharing.

Just then, Elizabeth set down her glass of wine and turned to Ruby with a calm smile. Her tone was light, casual, almost as if the compliment came to her naturally—but Ruby knew it was calculated.

"I heard from Oliver that you stepped in at the company today."

Ruby paused, surprised. "Oh... that was nothing of importance."

Elizabeth nodded with a thoughtful hum. "And who says it isn’t? He said you spoke with confidence. Said you corrected the board’s assumptions about Stefan’s capacity to lead. That takes courage. how did you feel when she took charge, Stef?"

Stefan shifted slightly beside her, his brows pulling together into a smile as he recalled that moment.

"I have to say I was the most happiest and most proudest to have my wife beside me. I’m glad she was there," he said proudly and Ruby turned to look at him. freew\ebno\vel..(c)om

Her heart skipped when she saw the raw affection in his eyes. Though she knew he couldn’t see her, the love in his eyes weren’t lying. What she saw was true and genuine. Too bad Ivy wasn’t here or was it towards her? After all, she had been the one with him at the conference hall, not Ivy.

Ruby shook her head when she realized what she was thinking. It was just three days so how could she be thinking that? She mused and then cleared her throat.

step in. I couldn’t just sit there while they treated you like you were less capable because of your

firm, approving. "That’s the kind of woman I always hoped

in his jaw softened slightly. His thumb brushed across Ruby’s hand under the table. A silent

choice, Stefan. I know you were unsure for a

"It hasn’t been easy. But Ivy’s different now and I think I like her better

looked down at her plate, heart pounding. That was the point, wasn’t it? Ivy was different now—because she wasn’t Ivy at all. But in this moment, that didn’t matter. What

raised her glass slightly toward Ruby, who returned a faint smile, hiding the swirl of

service. Regina patted her lips gently with her napkin and stood, smoothing the

she said with a pleasant sigh. "This dinner

and rose to her feet. "I’m going to take

said, and Elizabeth offered

quiet as they left the dining room and made their way through the hall. The moment they reached the stairs, Stefan

do a better job and we both know it," Ruby answered quietly. "Today, I just sort of felt I couldn’t sit

he said after a pause. "You surprised me today... in a good way. Just be this way with me

said and

me?" he asked since he’d been expecting

of saying, Okay, I’ll do as you say," she said and he

"Alright."

throat tightening. Don’t let that trust go to waste,

reached his room, she helped him ease into bed, fluffing his pillows and pulling the blankets over

asked, his

to walk Mother and your mom out.

before lowering her lips to his forehead and kissing it, letting her

done it to seal whatever trust he was beginning to apportion to her, she just couldn’t take the vulnerability in his eyes after the kiss

on him. He didn’t deserve the lie. He didn’t deserve any of this deceit. He didn’t even ask to be blind or to get involved in an

treat him like her husband, and play the real wifely duties to him but only with the