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."

on his shoulder before she stepped back. Together, they

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

and yet... why did she feel like she was the one getting drawn in too

been quiet—comfortable, yet humming with unsaid thoughts. Ruby helped Stefan out of the car, her hand lingering a

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

stepped into Stefan’s private office, he let go of her hand but didn’t

said simply,

"Stay?"

don’t have to sit across the desk today. Come

She hesitated, unsure. "Why?"

you close," he said plainly. "Not just hear your voice across the room. That’s allowed,

desk and took the seat beside him. Their knees

back in his chair, fingers lightly tapping the wood.

him. "Is that... a problem? You don’t like

softly. "It’s distracting. But

his words as various thoughts swirled her mind and thoughts she wasn’t

locate her hand. Without thinking, she guided his

voice low. "If

a thunderclap. Ruby’s

is that?" she whispered, wondering where the question

you think no one’s watching. You touch me like I matter. But

him, heart hammering. Her mouth opened, but she didn’t know which version of

said at last,

she didn’t. She was here not exactly because of the money or anything but because

head, his voice

me anymore," he said and Ruby froze, wondering what was wrong with

you were... I loved you already—I did. But lately, it’s like I’m falling

"Do you know how terrifying that is? Loving someone and then realizing... maybe I