Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 45: Charity

Ruby walked slowly through the grand doors of the mansion, the soft scent of lavender and mint still clinging to her skin from the spa oils.

The calming music from the spa echoed faintly in her mind, but the moment she stepped into the cool, quiet hallway of the Winters estate, her thoughts returned to Stefan.

Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she made her way upstairs. The house was quieter than usual, almost too quiet. She passed a few maids along the way, each offering a polite nod and greeting. She nodded back, trying to keep her face calm even though her heart still felt heavy after dropping Rayna off.

She’ll be okay, Ruby told herself again. Rayna’s smart and strong. She’ll fix things.

She paused outside the study door and gently knocked.

"Come in," came Stefan’s deep, steady voice.

Ruby smiled a little to herself and pushed open the door.

Stefan was sitting in the armchair by the fireplace, a book resting on the small table beside him even though he couldn’t read it—not without help. His head turned in her direction the moment she entered.

"Babe," he said with a smile that made Ruby’s stomach twist gently, "you’re back."

"Yeah," she said softly, stepping in and closing the door behind her. "I just came back from the spa."

"How was it?" he asked, tilting his head toward her. Though he hadn’t believed she was leaving him after what Martin said, a part of him felt relieved she came back.

"It was relaxing," Ruby replied as she walked over to him. "Exactly what I needed."

"Did you go with that friend you mentioned earlier?" he asked, curious. "The one you said you meet online?"

Ruby hesitated just a second before nodding. "Yes. But she left already. Had to go back to Florittle."

"Florittle?" Stefan repeated, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "Isn’t that where your sister lives?"

Ruby’s heart skipped. Crap. She thought. How could she not had thought he’d mention her? .com

She forced a casual smile. "Yes, actually. That’s part of how we became friends. She saw my profile on IG and mistook me for Ruby. That was how we started talking. When she came to Zeden for business, she decided to meet up with me and then we clicked."

Stefan laughed softly, leaning back into the chair. "So, you really are that identical, huh?"

sure I was Ruby, she didn’t

I guess I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who

if we got you a teacher? Someone who could help you read letters and numbers

slightly.

voice brighter. "Exactly. There are people trained to teach that. You could start learning now

this long. I had the money and all. Never knew there would be a time my money can’t do something for me. Also, because the doctors said I could also get it back on my own,

while we wait, it wouldn’t hurt to learn something new. It

"You’re right. It is a good idea. Thank

looked down at him, her heart fluttering again like it always did when he looked up at her like that—as if she was his

a good thing

replied

soft knock came at the door. A

Ma’am. Dinner is

"Thank

slightly and disappeared. Ruby turned back to

eat before the food

long as you promise

a playful laugh as

to his. Even though he couldn’t see her, Stefan always seemed to know where she

the dining room, she glanced up at him, her thoughts

finds out? What if someone slips and

her hand lightly then, breaking her

think I can learn Braille?" he asked, a little unsure

looked up at him with a reassuring smile. "I

they stepped into the warm light of the dining room and

soft clinking of silverware and quiet hum of warm conversation. The golden chandelier above cast a gentle glow over the table, and the scent

beside Stefan, carefully cutting her food while occasionally glancing at him. She noticed how he instinctively reached for his cup of water with a quiet confidence that made

the wall behind Stefan, as always, composed and observant like the perfect valet. Ruby tried not to look at

meal, Stefan turned

progress. "Earlier today, Mira mentioned seeing you with a box into your car and that you took

hand froze for