Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 46: Biggest Surprise

Mira and Martin exchanged the briefest glance from their places, but neither said a word. Ruby gave herself credit for keeping her cool, though her palms were damp beneath the table.

She turned to Stefan and smiled. "Next time I go, I’ll take you with me."

"To the shelter?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah," she said, nodding. "You might not be able to see the place, but I think you’d like meeting some of the people there. You could talk to them. Maybe even do something special for the kids."

Stefan gave a soft laugh. "So now you’re pulling me into your new project too?"

"I told you," Ruby teased. "You married the better version of me."

He smiled at that, a slow, genuine smile that made her chest ache again.

Martin quietly stepped forward to offer another slice of meat, and Mira was already clearing some of the empty plates. The staff worked quietly, but Ruby felt their presence like a spotlight.

She couldn’t help but wonder if Mira still suspected something... or if Martin had told Stefan more than he let on. But Stefan didn’t seem tense. He wasn’t analyzing her, wasn’t watching for cracks in her story. He just looked like a man who believed every word she said.

I have to be careful, Ruby thought. One slip, and everything will fall apart.

Yet even now, she felt a small pang of guilt.

He said he was proud of me, she whispered inwardly. And I lied right to his face.

But there was no other choice. Not yet.

As the dinner wound down and the plates were cleared, Ruby rose and helped guide Stefan out of the dining room. His fingers brushed hers lightly, and he smiled again.

"I like this side of you," he said softly. "The thoughtful, giving one."

Ruby laughed lightly. "So you’re saying I wasn’t thoughtful before?"

"You were but nothing compared to now." he replied. "I love every bit of you now, babe."

Her heart skipped again.

If only you knew who I really am, she thought. Would you still think the change is good or that you love me? Or would you hate me for lying to you every single day?

But she didn’t say any of that aloud.

Instead, she leaned into his side just a little and whispered, "If changing made you fall even harder then I’ll keep changing for the better so you fall until you can’t stand no more," she teased and Stefan laughed.

"I don’t mind being lame in love, baby. As long as you’re here and it’s with you."

And together, they walked down the hall—Stefan with hope in his heart, and Ruby with the growing weight of a truth she wasn’t ready to tell.

The next morning, Ruby woke to the soft sound of Stefan’s voice calling her name.

her eyes as she turned toward him. He was already dressed in a light shirt and jeans, his hair still a little messy but somehow

mumbled, smiling as

babe," he said, moving closer to the bed. "Get dressed. I’m

him, confused but curious. "Is that why

he said, a teasing

Winters, you know I hate

you loved them? Fine, you’ll love

a brush through her hair. She couldn’t help the little flutter of excitement building inside her.

was already waiting by the car. Martin was there too, standing

ease. She followed and got in beside Stefan, her curiosity growing bigger

wasn’t long, but it felt like forever because Stefan wouldn’t give

we going somewhere crowded?" she

"Nope," Stefan said, smiling.

it a restaurant?" she

"How about you stop asking for hints,

seat with a soft groan. "You’re enjoying this way

Stefan admitted without shame and she shook her head in

stop, Ruby quickly got out, holding Stefan’s hand as Martin guided him carefully. She looked around and realized they were at a

heart pounded

breathtaking. She could see the whole city of Zeden—the tall buildings, the bustling streets, even the faraway hills. The sky stretched out above them, painted

in awe. "Stefan...

said quietly. "Whenever things got too much... I’d come up here. Just to see the world laid out in front of me. It reminded me that there’s so much more than whatever problem I

She looked at him, at the way

feel it," she said gently.

fingers lightly brushing against her cheek. His touch was feather-light, as

wish I could see you right now," Stefan whispered,

hand. "I wish you could too. So we can

gave a soft, broken laugh. "Sometimes what keeps me sane is knowing that I saw you before all this happened. If I hadn’t..." He shook

to cover the sudden rush of

without you," he said,

his lips. It was supposed to be light, sweet. But somewhere between the press of their lips and the way his arms

love you," she whispered against his mouth, the words slipping out before she

Her heart hammered painfully in her

did I just do? What did I just say? She

only tightened his arms around her,

you too, babe,"

fluttered shut. The moment felt like

wasn’t just a feeling anymore. She had said it. She

now, she could never take it

against hers, Ruby held onto him tightly, trying

she told

part of her would never stop being afraid of the day he found