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.

she said, her tone a little more serious now. "I’ve

turned to her fully, eyebrows

gave a slow nod. "Yes. I want to go back to the hotel first—just for a few days—and then I’ll look

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

and Stefan need space, and honestly... I need mine too. I don’t want to keep staying in doors, I might run mad. Besides, it’s also draining having to sneak in

prickling at the edges of her chest. "God. We can just tell Stefan you’re

I’m going back? Are you forgetting that you can visit me?" Rayna asked with a shake of her

far gone," she said and then sighed. "Okay.

leave after you and Stefan leave

plan on sneaking out without me driving you? How will you

gave a sheepish shrug. "Oh! I didn’t

head. "Why would you when you’re already thinking of some man. Let’s move it to Saturday. I’ll take you myself. Ill think of a lie to tell to

"Okay. Saturday

stood. "Alright. I should get back to Stefan before he starts thinking I’ve

chuckled. "He probably

a

eyebrow and said nothing, her smirk

laugh, Ruby reached for the doorknob.

what?" Rayna asked,

Ruby replied softly. "For helping

into something

of that

wall sconces as Ruby made her way back to the bedroom she shared with

had retreated to their corners. She paused for a moment

was still seated on the edge of the bed, wearing his usual navy sleep shirt and loose cotton pants. He tilted his head

earlier," he

off guard by how attuned he was to every sound around him. She closed the door behind

up

into a playful smirk.

skipped a beat.

tilted his head and added with a teasing

surprised laugh bubbled from her lips. "What? No!" she

mock sigh, turning his face slightly in her direction.

grinned, tossing the folded top she held onto the armchair by the wall. "Well,

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

and perched on the opposite side, facing him. "Yeah, I know," she said, her voice softer now. "But... I don’t know. It just feels different now. Like... we’re not just playing

something more thoughtful. "And that makes it harder? Isn’t it

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

said with a nod. "And if that’s what you

touched by his willingness to meet