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?"

watching her with something unreadable in

not offering

as though unsure what to do with them. "You sure you want

him, her eyes soft. "I think it’s better that way.

didn’t argue. He just

kiss to

she turned

left, wondering if fate would really be that

blinking as the warmth of the morning touched her

hummed with memories from last night—his touch, his breath, his

her head, expecting to find Stefan lying beside her, but the

danced in her chest. What now? Where’s he and how do you face the man

hair from her face. Her body ached in the most tender way, but her heart was even

head slightly, glancing at Stefan’s side of the bed again and

on the bed beside her, holding breakfast. Pancakes stacked with berries, a small bowl of fruit salad, fresh orange juice, and warm toast with just the right amount of butter. A little flower sat in a glass

eyes widened, and a soft laugh slipped past her lips. He did this? Was that why he wasn’t

note placed beside the tray. The handwriting was

do after last night... so I thought I’d

pressed the note to her chest and she exhaled deeply. The tension in her

the

voice, she turned toward the sound and her heart skipped a beat. Stefan stood just at the entrance of the room, a small smile on his

tousled, and he was in a plain white t-shirt and grey

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

she brushed a hand through

relaxed a little. "Good morning," she said softly, still hugging

head. "Did you... see the tray?"

too," she said, her voice warm. "How

asked the chef," he said, walking toward her slowly.

Ivy’s favorite and not hers. But still... the fact that he even thought

didn’t have the heart to fault him.

perfect," she whispered.

one hand resting near her hip, his fingers brushing against the sheets. "Are you... okay?

be silly. Of course I’m

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 her feel wanted, cared for, without even

and her smile

to bring it in myself, but I figured I’d probably spill the juice all over

"I wouldn’t have minded. But... this is really