Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 26: Learning You

Naomi scoffed. "You’re telling me. I never thought I’d see the day she’d ask for coffee herself or be so polite about it. Usually, she acts like people should worship the ground she walks on."

Oliver chuckled. "Maybe the marriage fixed something or perhaps, the accident. I never would’ve thought."

Naomi frowned. "Me too. I guess that’s why Stefan was asking strange questions yesterday."

Oliver’s curiosity was instantly piqued. He started walking with her toward the break room. "What questions?"

Naomi gave a quick glance around, then lowered her voice. "He asked if the woman with him yesterday was really Ivy. Can you imagine that?"

Oliver let out a low laugh. "Seriously? Could it be that bad?"

Naomi nodded. "Dead serious. I was as surprised as you are now."

"Well," Oliver smirked, "whoever she is, I hope she keeps it up. It’s nice not having to walk on eggshells around here. If she’s going to be coming to the office often as I think she is, we could all use a calmer version of Ivy."

Naomi rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it. I hope she doesn’t change back to that Ivy."

They grabbed the coffee and headed back. When they returned, Oliver veered off into his own office while Naomi knocked softly and entered with a tray.

Ruby was flipping through a thin file when she looked up. "Thanks, Naomi. You can read out the schedule." fr.e ewe.bno.vel .com

Naomi placed the tray down, then took out her notepad. "There’s not much for today, since we assumed Mr. Winters would be away. Just a call with the Tokyo branch at 3 PM and two proposals needing review and signature."

As she spoke, Ruby took a sip of her coffee... and almost choked. The taste was overwhelmingly sweet. She swallowed hard and smiled through the moment, even though her tongue was practically coated in sugar.

She’d almost forgotten how much Ivy loved really sweet things.

Naomi didn’t seem to notice and continued reading. Once she was done, she placed two folders in front of Stefan and stepped back.

Ruby cleared her throat gently. "Naomi... next time, please, remember not to add so much sugar and cream."

Naomi blinked. "Oh, was it bad? I’m so sorry. I thought I made it exactly the way you like it."

Ruby hesitated for a beat. "It’s fine. Just... that I don’t like that much sugar anymore."

Naomi tilted her head but didn’t press. "Alright. I’ll remember that." With that, she gave a nod and left the room.

As soon as the door shut, Stefan turned slightly toward Ruby. "You don’t like sugar now?"

gave

on your period," he said casually, reaching for one of

it to avoid sleeping with him on their wedding night. It had already been four days

Four days...

she mumbled, trying to act cool, but her

up? Sooner

changed the subject. "Anyway, I’ll help you read out the proposals. You can tell

grin, "I could teach you how to sign them. That way,

raised an eyebrow. "Well,

said, leaning back slightly

strange partnership that wasn’t quite fake but wasn’t fully real either. Every moment was a quiet game of balance—of secrets, of slowly building trust, and of two people who weren’t sure where this was going, only that they were now walking through

out except for a few late workers scattered here

who looked surprisingly focused for someone who was blind. He listened carefully

closed the file slowly and placed it in the stack beside her. "That’s the

and stretched his arms. "Feels like we

"That’s because I

chuckled. "I could get

it. Ruby tried to ignore the fluttering

a small nod, the smile still dancing

chuckled. "Not bad for someone who has no

laughed gently. "You’re learning fast. Or maybe you’re just better

on," she said, walking around the desk to help him up. "Let’s

raised a brow. "Eating out? You’re

linking her arm with his.

in the building bowed their heads respectfully. Ruby returned their greetings without

Ruby gave the driver directions to a quiet restaurant she’d seen once before. "They have a

like you’ve

hadn’t had the time

tilted his head. "Is that what this is? Taking me for

"Call it whatever it is baby. To me, we’re going on a dinner date even though we’re in work clothes,"

unknown to her.

thought and then turned to the window and watched the lights of the city flicker by. Though she was feeling

a view that stretched across the skyline, city lights twinkling like stars. They were seated

pasta for her. Ruby took her time, watching how

comment on that, instead she thought of something else to talk about. Something they could talk and she’d get to

and the ones you

things—Stefan shared a story about Oliver tripping over a chair during a board meeting and how