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?"

weeks," he said, watching her with something

nodded, not

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

better that way. We had a great night. We’ll always have

just gave

a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Thanks for breakfast... and for being

turned

she left, wondering if fate would

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

moment, she didn’t move. Her body still hummed with memories from last night—his touch, his breath, his voice saying

her, but the space was

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

sheets up to cover herself, she sat up, brushing a lock of hair from her face. Her body ached in the most tender way, but her heart

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

the bed beside her, holding breakfast. Pancakes stacked with berries, a small bowl of fruit salad, fresh orange juice, and warm toast with

laugh slipped past her lips. He did this?

note placed beside the

so I thought I’d try making you smile first thing in the morning. —Your husband,

the note to her chest and she exhaled deeply. The tension in her shoulders eased, and her cheeks flushed at the

broke the quiet. "You’re

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

was in

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

a hand through

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

"Did you...

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

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

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

to fault him. She was Ivy to him after

whispered.

her hip, his fingers brushing against

"Don’t be silly. Of

him—his 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

and her smile

it in myself, but I

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