Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 36: Always Proving Something

The door closed behind them with a soft click as Stefan and Ruby stepped back into his office. The walls, still echoing the earlier tension, now felt heavier with silence. .com

Stefan let out a quiet breath and walked slowly toward his chair, his fingers brushing against the edge of the desk as Ruby guided him with gentle touches.

He didn’t say anything at first. He simply sank into his seat, leaning back like a man who had just walked through fire.

Ruby remained standing, watching him. Her heart was still pounding—not from fear, but from the adrenaline of watching him command a room that had nearly turned against him.

It was both exciting and fulfilling. Though she didn’t know why, not that she cared why, all she knew was that she felt really proud of him.

"You really were incredible in there," she said softly, walking over and kneeling beside his chair.

He tilted his head in her direction, lips curving into a tired smile. "You think so?" he asked with a sigh.

She nodded. "You were composed, precise... and you didn’t let emotion cloud your judgment."

"But I was angry," he murmured. "So angry I could barely think straight when we got in there." His hand found hers on the armrest. "It just... infuriates me. That people like Richard are waiting for me to fail. What infuriates me more is the fact that he’s even family. How could he be waiting so eagerly and planning for my failure?"

Ruby squeezed his hand gently, her voice low. "But you didn’t fail, baby and you’re not going to anytime."

He didn’t answer right away. He simply let the silence stretch, staring at nothing—not that he could see anything— his mind elsewhere.

Ruby saw the shift in his expression. A flicker of something deeper than frustration—something that looked like pain.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, wanting to understand him. What could be going on in his head? Did what Richard do get to him that badly? She mused, unable to stop herself from feeling sorry for him.

he have to deal with the fact that he could only see a year later despite having the

was thinking or was it something

"He used to say that being a leader means carrying weight no one else sees. But sometimes, because of

else would dare to. You care, Stefan. That’s not a weakness—that’s strength. Though I started this, I’m glad you’re

"It just feels like I’m always proving something. To the board. To my family. To

yourself?" she

silent, knowing what the

and laid her head against his shoulder. His scent wrapped around her—clean, warm, familiar. "You

"Though it wasn’t this way before but now, I think you’re the only one who truly

Stef," she

for a moment—no words, just the quiet comfort

let himself feel—not just think, or plan, or worry—but simply feel her nearness, and her warmth as it grounded

the door

she said, her voice measured. "But... there’s something you should

he urged while Ruby frowned, wondering why Naomi seemed to still be tense even though all

asked before she could stop herself, making Stefan’s brows knit

board members—Mr. Ashford—just called. He wants to

a brow. "Ashford? He’s Richard’s closest

makes it... strange. He said

with Stefan. "Do you want to meet with him?" she

He tilted his head slightly, thinking. "If he’s breaking ranks with Richard, it means

I set

said. "Have him come here. And Naomi... stay close. I may