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.

about earlier," she said, her tone a little more serious now. "I’ve made up my

her fully, eyebrows raised. "You mean...

for a few days—and then I’ll look for a place I can

you sure?" Ruby asked quietly, searching her friend’s face. "There’s

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

edges of her chest. "God. We can just tell Stefan you’re my friend and want to stay

you can visit me?" Rayna asked with a shake of her head. "Besides, what happens

and then sighed. "Okay. So... when are you thinking of

Rayna said, her tone steady now. "I’ll leave after

"And how do you plan on sneaking out without me driving you? How will you pass the gate or explain how you got

a sheepish shrug. "Oh! I didn’t think about

you when you’re already thinking of some man. Let’s move it

"Okay. Saturday

I should get back to Stefan before he starts thinking

chuckled. "He probably already

eyes with a smile. "He’s not that

and said nothing, her smirk

Ruby reached for the doorknob. "Goodnight,

Rayna asked,

Ruby replied softly. "For helping me

into something

the echo of that

a warm golden hue from the wall sconces as Ruby made her way

everyone had retreated to their corners. She paused for a moment at the door,

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

earlier," he said casually, his voice low and calm.

blinked, momentarily caught off guard by how attuned he was to every sound around him. She closed the door behind her and leaned

went to pick up some clothes," she said

curved into a playful

skipped

repeated smoothly. Then, before she could respond, he tilted his

bubbled from

with a mock sigh, turning his face slightly in her direction. "I

she held onto the armchair by the wall. "Well, you can un-hope them

shy," he teased,

I know," she said, her voice softer

his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. "And that makes it harder? Isn’t

me. I just need to... adjust to the

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

looked at him, touched by his willingness