Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 42: No Regrets

Her smile faltered just slightly—barely noticeable—but she didn’t answer right away. She took a bite of the toast, giving herself a moment to think. The sweet cinnamon flavor filled her mouth, but the warmth didn’t quite settle the sudden ache in her chest.

She liked Ethan. That was the problem. She wasn’t supposed to like anyone. Just have fun and leave.

"You know," she said after a pause, "this was supposed to be a one-night thing."

Ethan looked at her. "I figured. But that doesn’t mean it has to be, right? We could just continue this way without putting a name to this...." he said, letting his words trail off.

Rayna sighed and set her fork down. "I usually don’t link up again with my one-night stands. It keeps things clean. Easy."

"But...?" he asked, sensing there was more.

She met his gaze, her expression soft. "But with you... I wouldn’t mind. You’re different."

Hope flickered in his eyes, but before he could speak, she continued.

"That said... maybe we should leave it to fate," she said gently. "If we’re meant to meet again, we will. No pressure. No promises."

Ethan looked at her for a long moment, his jaw tight, but then he nodded. "I get it."

"I’m not saying no," Rayna added quickly, wanting to soften the blow. "I’m just not saying yes right now either."

He let out a soft breath, then leaned back against the headboard, his smile returning—faint but genuine. "You’re something else, Rayna."

"I’ve been told that before," she said with a wink, reclaiming her fork and taking another bite. "Mmm. This is actually really good."

"Glad you approve," Ethan chuckled, reaching for his own cup of coffee. "So... what’s your plan for today?"

She shrugged. "Nothing much. Might head back soon to check on a few things. I didn’t plan to stay out all night, but hey, I don’t regret it."

"Neither do I."

They ate in comfortable silence after that, occasionally exchanging soft smiles or brushing hands as they reached for the cream or jam. It wasn’t awkward, or rushed, or even sad. It was simply... fleeting.

And maybe that was what made it beautiful.

Once breakfast was over and the tray was cleared, Rayna took her bath and got dressed, slipping back into the same black dress from the night before. She fixed her hair in front of the mirror, then glanced at Ethan.

"You’ll be in town long?"

her with something unreadable

not offering anything

her to the door, his hands shoved in his pockets, as though unsure what to do with them. "You sure you want to leave it to

better that way. We

He just gave

her toes and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Thanks for

she turned and walked

the door long after she left, wondering if fate would

there, Ruby stirred slowly, blinking as

body still hummed with memories from

find Stefan lying beside her, but the space

chest. What now? Where’s he and how do

of hair from her face. Her body ached in the most tender way, but her heart was even more full—confused, terrified,

head slightly, glancing at Stefan’s side

juice, and warm toast with just the right amount of butter. A little flower sat

a soft laugh slipped past her lips. He did

slightly as she picked up the note placed beside the tray. The handwriting was

I’d try making you smile first thing

deeply. The tension in her shoulders eased, and her cheeks

broke the quiet. "You’re

she turned toward the sound and her heart skipped a beat. Stefan stood just at the entrance of

he was in a

pulled the sheet higher, shy all over again. But then she remembered—he couldn’t see her.

she brushed a hand through her hair

relaxed a little. "Good morning,"

his head. "Did you... see

the note too," she said, her voice warm. "How did

smiled fondly. "I asked the chef," he said, walking toward

heart skipped. She looked down at the tray again. It was Ivy’s favorite and not hers. But still... the

have the heart to fault him. She was Ivy to him

whispered. "Thank you,

near her hip, his fingers brushing against the

be silly. Of

way he tilted his head slightly as if listening to her every breath. He couldn’t see her, but he made her feel seen. He made

a bite, and her smile

"Glad to hear that. I wanted to bring it in myself, but I figured I’d probably spill the juice

this is