Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 27: Something Was Off

The next morning, Ruby slowly stirred in bed, her lashes fluttering as sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room.

She stretched lazily, expecting the space beside her to be empty or her head on Stefan’s body like it usually was in the morning. But as she turned her head, her breath caught.

Her head was not on Stefan’s head, neither was the space empty. Stefan was facing her, his eyes fixated on her face like he could see her.

He wasn’t just staring at her, his face was barely inches away from hers that if she wanted their lips to meet, all she would have to do is just to pucker her lips.

Ruby’s heart skipped several beats, then began pounding loudly in her chest. His stormy gray eyes were locked on hers, his expression soft but curious—like he was searching for something.

Was he... looking at her? Could he see her now? Was that why he was looking into her eyes?

Her thoughts raced wildly. Could he be seeing me? Did his eyesight return overnight? But... he hasn’t said anything.

She studied his eyes, trying to read them. But then she realized she’d been staring too long. Way too long. And he still hadn’t said anything. He didn’t seem to notice her silent panic or the fact that her eyes were open.

He was still blind. But why was he this close to her? How long had he been this way?

She swallowed her thoughts and cleared her throat lightly. "Good morning," she said, her voice coming out softer than she intended.

A slow smile tugged at Stefan’s lips. "Good morning. I’ve been wondering when you’d speak. You’ve been awake for some time now."

Ruby blinked, still unsure. She narrowed her eyes. "Yes, I’ve been quiet because I was wondering why are you so close to my face. It almost looks like you were about to kiss me in my sleep."

Stefan chuckled—a low, warm sound that settled deep in her stomach. "I won’t even lie. I would very much like that," he said, his voice honest and open.

Then, he reached out and gently ran his fingers along the side of her face. Ruby froze, her breath catching once more.

his touch featherlight. "I miss seeing your face, baby. I just wish... I wish I could see your face again. Even just once more. I miss it." He exhaled deeply. "I miss watching your lips move when you talk. I miss being able to do simple things for you, simple things, like getting

emotion in his voice, it nearly broke her. She

will, love. You’ll do all of that again," she whispered. "But for now, let me love you the way I can. I’ll see for both of us for now and since you’ve been the one complimenting me since, let me do

from hers. "Now you want to be the one giving compliments? Not bad at all. I love this side of you," he said

playfully. "Maybe I was waiting for the

wait until I can’t kiss you at will to show me this new

"Well... I was saying, I was waiting for when we get married. I just wanted to show you how sweet I can be in marriage..." she

the surge of emotion that passed through her and suddenly all she could think

building inside her and all she could think about was having his

of it, she leaned in and kissed

gently at first, uncertain, then deepened the kiss without warning. Stefan’s lips responded instantly, his hand

voiced but had clearly been building. Ruby poured everything she couldn’t say into it—the confusion, the

him, like her lips were his anchor to a world he couldn’t see but could still feel.

as her whole body warmed up to the tension. Stefan ran his hand over

as the sound escaped her lips, her senses returned and she slowly pulled away, not wanting him to

sharp breaths. She turned her face slightly, stunned

Ivy? Or what if

shut her eyes for a

I’d just be real with him. Maybe that’s why my emotions are acting like this.

stopped the warm flutter in

voice broke through her thoughts. "S.... do you... still want to

forced a smile. "Of course. We should go get

if trying to erase the sensation—or maybe remember it longer. She didn’t

knew was that something

there was no going