Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 29: Distracting

Ruby shut the door quietly behind her, taking a steadying breath before heading down the hallway. Her pulse was still a little erratic from the close call with the maid, but she pushed it aside, straightening her shoulders as she slipped back into the persona of Ivy.

When she reached the living room, Stefan was already waiting. He stood near the archway, his white cane in one hand. Martin was nearby, handing him a file. .com

Ruby slowed her steps, clearing her throat softly.

Stefan’s head turned slightly in her direction. "There you are," he said, his voice calm but curious. "I was wondering what took you so long."

Ruby walked over to him and placed a light hand on his arm. "I was in my room, eating," she said, not wanting him to later hear it from the maid and start wondering why she was sneaking and eating.

"Your room? Eating?" Stefan repeated. "You just had breakfast."

"Yeah. But I was feeling a little hungry again," Ruby said with a slight laugh. "I guess breakfast didn’t fill me up like I thought it did."

There was a pause after she said that.

Stefan’s brows lifted slightly. "You? Hungry again?" he asked, a faint teasing tone in his voice. "That’s unusual."

She gave a small shrug, realizing he was listening intently to her tone and breathing. "My period is ending. Maybe it’s that... hormonal cravings or whatever it is. I don’t really know. I just know I wanted more food."

He nodded slowly, a small smile pulling at his lips. "Well, that explains it. That would’ve been helpful to know before I started wondering if you were hiding something."

Ruby’s stomach clenched for a moment, but she forced a light chuckle. "What would I possibly be hiding from you?"

"I don’t know," he replied, adjusting his grip on the cane. "But these days, I seem to be hearing and feeling more than I used to. So don’t get any ideas."

Ruby swallowed, her smile still in place as she reached for his free hand. "I’ll keep that in mind."

Martin handed Stefan his coat. "The car’s ready, sir."

a second on his shoulder before she stepped back.

they stepped outside, Ruby glanced at him quietly—his calm, composed presence making her

and yet... why did she feel like

humming with unsaid thoughts. Ruby helped Stefan out of the car, her hand lingering a second

the office, the staff gave their usual nods and respectful greetings. Ruby kept her head high, walking beside Stefan like the poised Ivy

stepped into Stefan’s private office, he let go

he said simply, and Ruby blinked,

"Stay?"

gave a faint smile. "You don’t have to sit across the desk today. Come sit beside

She hesitated, unsure. "Why?"

plainly. "Not just

tightened. She said nothing, just walked around the desk and took the seat beside him. Their knees brushed under the

lightly tapping the wood.

"Is that... a problem? You don’t like

he said softly. "It’s distracting. But I

swirled her mind and thoughts she wasn’t

if trying to locate her hand. Without thinking, she guided his fingers to hers. Their hands fit too easily—like a secret waiting

voice low. "If I wasn’t blind,

thunderclap. Ruby’s hand twitched in

whispered, wondering where

one." He turned toward her again. "You’ve been patient with me, kind. You help me when you think no one’s watching. You touch me like I matter. But I also know something’s changed. There’s something

at him, heart hammering. Her mouth opened, but she didn’t

at

She could’ve run away like her sister but she didn’t. She was here not exactly because of the money

his head, his voice quiet

anymore," he said and Ruby froze,

I loved you already—I did. But lately, it’s like I’m falling all over again. And it feels different. Deeper.

Loving someone and then realizing... maybe I never truly did. Not like