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?"

said, watching her

not

as though unsure what to do with them. "You

better that way.

He just gave a small

gentle kiss to his cheek. "Thanks for breakfast...

turned

she left, wondering if fate would really

from there, Ruby stirred slowly, blinking as the warmth of the morning touched

with memories from last night—his touch, his breath, his voice saying words that

head, expecting to find Stefan lying beside her, but the space was empty—just

now? Where’s he

herself, she sat up, brushing a lock of hair from her face. Her

glancing at Stefan’s side of the

orange juice, and warm toast with just the right amount of butter. A little flower sat in a glass beside the plate—picked from the garden,

eyes widened, and a soft laugh slipped past her lips. He did

up the note

last night... so I thought I’d try making you smile first thing in

tension in her shoulders eased, and her cheeks flushed at the thought of how

voice broke the

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

tousled, and he was in a plain white

But then she remembered—he couldn’t see her. He couldn’t see her messy hair

hand through her hair and sat

"Good morning," she said softly, still hugging the

tilted his head. "Did you... see

her voice warm. "How

walking toward her

But still... the fact that he even

didn’t have the heart to fault him. She was

whispered. "Thank

sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting near her hip, his

eyes softening. "Don’t be silly. Of

face, his gentle smile, the 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

a bite, and her

that. I wanted to bring it in

But... this is really sweet of you, Stefan.