Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 33: Mr Observant

The night had fallen gently over the Winters estate, wrapping the vast house in soft shadows and silence.

The sky outside was a velvety blanket of midnight blue, dotted with stars that twinkled faintly like whispers of forgotten stories.

Inside the house, the mood was quieter still. Stefan was in their bedroom, seated on the edge of the bed, his fingers wrapped loosely around a mug of warm tea Martin had handed him a while ago.

He tilted his head slightly toward the window, listening to the sound of wind brushing against the trees. fre.ewebnov el.com

Ruby wasn’t there yet and he wondered where she was or what she was doing.

After a while, her footsteps echoed lightly down the hall, but instead of entering the bedroom, she paused at a different door and gently knocked before opening the door.

The door creaked open, revealing Rayna sitting on the edge of the bed, flipping through a magazine absentmindedly. She looked up, and a small smile curved her lips.

"You’re not sleeping?" Ruby asked, stepping in and closing the door behind her.

Rayna shook her head. "Not yet. Just thinking."

Ruby walked over and sat beside her on the bed. "I figured I’d check in before turning in."

Rayna looked over at her, the light from the lamp reflecting in her soft brown eyes. "That’s good. How was work today?"

Ruby sighed, rubbing her palms together. "Eventful. We finally found a loophole in the contract. Turns out this almighty Mr Sherlock can be held accountable if safety measures aren’t met, and that gives us grounds to terminate."

Rayna blinked in surprise. "Wow. That’s good news."

"It is. Stefan’s handling things really well," Ruby said, her voice warm with quiet pride. "He called for a meeting with Mr Sherlock but the man’s refusing to show. Still, Stefan’s not backing down."

Rayna smiled softly. "I’m glad. He made a promise to those workers, and it’s good to see him keep it."

Ruby nodded, eyes softening. "Yeah. It feels good watching him fight for something that matters. Makes me feel like we’re doing something right."

"You’re in love with him, Rub," Rayna observed and chuckled when Ruby didn’t deny it immediately.

"I guess it’s a good thing. But what happens after the one year is over?" Rayna asked abd Ruby shrugged.

"We’ll figure it out by then," she said and Rayna sighed.

"I just don’t want you to get hurt," Rayna said and Ruby smiled weakly.

"I also don’t want that," she said with a sigh.

There was a brief silence before Rayna shifted slightly, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her top.

tone a

turned to her fully, eyebrows

go back to the hotel first—just for a few days—and then I’ll look for a place I can rent. I’ve stayed here long

searching her friend’s face. "There’s no pressure

said gently. "But I’ve thought about it. You and Stefan need space, and honestly... I need mine too. I don’t want to keep

prickling at the edges of her chest. "God. We can just tell Stefan you’re my friend and want to stay with us for

going back? Are you forgetting that you can visit me?" Rayna asked with a shake of her head. "Besides,

said and then sighed. "Okay. So... when are

her tone steady now. "I’ll leave after

out without me driving you? How will you pass the gate or explain how

shrug. "Oh! I didn’t

already thinking of some man. Let’s move it to Saturday. I’ll take you myself. Ill think of a lie to tell to leave

"Okay. Saturday

"Alright. I should get back to Stefan

"He probably

rolled her eyes with a smile. "He’s not

an eyebrow and said nothing, her

laugh, Ruby reached for the doorknob. "Goodnight,

what?" Rayna asked, tilting her

replied softly. "For helping me

faded into something gentler,

quietly, the echo of that promise lingering

from the wall sconces as Ruby made her way back to the bedroom

to their corners. She paused for a moment at the door, took

bed, wearing his usual navy sleep shirt and loose cotton pants. He tilted his head toward the door as she

you open your door earlier," he said casually, his voice low and calm. "Where’ve you

sound around him. She closed

went to pick up

curved into a playful smirk. "Which

skipped

clothes?" he repeated smoothly. Then, before she could respond, he tilted his head and

laugh bubbled from her lips. "What? No!" she exclaimed, walking

mock sigh, turning his face slightly in her direction.

she held onto the armchair by the wall. "Well, you can un-hope them right back. That’s

tell me you’re suddenly shy," he teased, his tone light but curious. "We were already having sex before our wedding,

side, facing him. "Yeah, I know," she said, her voice softer now. "But... I don’t know. It

a second, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. "And that makes it

you. It’s me. I just need to... adjust to the

"And if that’s what

his willingness to