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.

sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she turned toward him. He was already dressed in a light shirt and jeans, his hair

morning," she mumbled, smiling as

the bed. "Get

"Is that why you’re dressed

see," he said, a teasing smile playing on his

Winters, you know I hate

loved them? Fine, you’ll love this one.

casual dress and running a brush through her hair. She couldn’t help the little flutter of excitement building inside her. Stefan had never asked her to go anywhere with him like this before.

were ready, they made their way downstairs. The driver was already waiting by

Martin help Stefan into the car with practiced ease. She followed and got in beside Stefan, her curiosity growing bigger with

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

going somewhere crowded?"

"Nope," Stefan said, smiling.

it a restaurant?" she

for hints, baby? You’ll know when we

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

and she

him carefully. She looked around and realized they were at a tall building. The driver pointed them toward a private elevator. Martin pressed the

pounded with

could see the whole city of Zeden—the tall buildings, the bustling streets, even the faraway hills. The sky stretched

in awe.

smile touched his lips. "I’m glad you think so. This used to be my favorite place," he said quietly. "Whenever things got too much... I’d come up

at him, at the way he stood there,

gently. "The wind, the openness... it’s

reached for her then, his fingers lightly brushing against her cheek.

now,"

leaned into his hand. "I wish you could too. So we can watch this

saw you before all this happened. If I hadn’t..." He shook his head. "I think I would’ve lost my mind by now,

tears prick her eyes. She laughed a little to cover the sudden rush of feelings. "You’re crazy," she

be crazier without you,"

and pressed a kiss against his lips. It was supposed to be light, sweet. But somewhere between the press of

whispered against his mouth, the words slipping

immediately. Her heart

What did I just say?

Stefan only tightened his arms around her,

love you too, babe," he

eyes fluttered shut. The moment felt like a dream—beautiful but

She had said it.

she could never take

rested his forehead against hers, Ruby held onto him tightly, trying to chase away the fear whispering

everything, she told herself.

even as she hugged him close, she knew a part of her would never