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

to her fully, eyebrows raised. "You

to go back to the hotel first—just for a few days—and

asked quietly, searching her friend’s

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

tell Stefan you’re my

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

and then sighed.

tone steady now. "I’ll leave after you and

driving you? How will you pass the gate or explain

sheepish shrug. "Oh! I didn’t

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

smiled. "Okay.

I should get back to Stefan before he starts thinking

probably already

a smile. "He’s

raised an eyebrow and said nothing, her smirk

a laugh, Ruby reached for the doorknob. "Goodnight,

what?" Rayna asked,

replied softly. "For

smile faded into something gentler,

echo of that promise lingering behind

wall sconces as

She paused for a moment at the door, took

the bed, wearing his usual navy sleep shirt and loose cotton pants. He

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

to every sound around him. She closed the door behind her and leaned against

to pick up some clothes," she

a playful smirk.

skipped

could respond, he tilted his head and

heating. A surprised laugh bubbled from her lips. "What? No!" she exclaimed, walking further into the

his

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

shy," he teased, his tone

side, facing him. "Yeah, I know," she said, her voice softer now. "But... I

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

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

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

looked at him, touched by his willingness