Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 48: Stefan’s Best Friend

"A visitor? Are you expecting someone?" she asked and Stefan shook his head.

Stefan frowned slightly, clearly not expecting anyone. "Who is it?"

"I think you should come and see for yourself, sir," Martin said.

Ruby felt Stefan’s fingers tighten slightly on her waist before he dropped his hands and straightened up.

"Alright," he said, his voice calm even though Ruby could feel the change in the air. "Tell him I’ll be out," he said, thinking it was his uncle since he was the only one that always showed up that way.

"Yes, sir," Martin said before walking away.

Ruby looked at Stefan, searching his face. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

He gave a tight smile. "I guess we’ll find out."

She reached out and squeezed his hand. "Whatever it is, you’re not facing it alone, remember?"

He turned his head toward her, his unseeing eyes somehow still so full of emotion. "I know," he whispered. "Thank you, babe."

Ruby smiled, but inside her stomach twisted with nerves. She hoped that the visitor they’re stepping out to meet wouldn’t bring any problems to them.

Stefan carefully made his way to the drawing room, Ruby walked just behind him, ready to catch him if he needed her to. free we\bnove(l).com

Immediately they stepped in, a familiar voice broke the quiet.

"Well, well, look who’s still handsome as ever," the man joked warmly, making Stefan’s fast beating heart to increase it’s pace but not in horror rather from excitement.

Ruby watched as a tall, broad-shouldered guy with messy brown hair and an easy grin stepped forward. His whole face lit up when he spoke, the kind of guy who could charm a room without trying.

Who was he? She asked herself. Perhaps, this was one of the times she had to be more than alert so she wouldn’t slip. fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)

"Ethan," Stefan said, smiling, his whole body relaxing at the sound. "You finally decided to show up after like forever? Since when have you even been in town?"

"Traffic and life, you know how it is," Ethan said, clapping Stefan’s shoulder. "Missed you, man."

his voice full

said he’d be in town two days later after they spoke, Stefan had assumed he wasn’t

for a second, not wanting to intrude, especially since she didn’t exactly know but Ethan noticed her and turned

you," he said, looking her over with surprise.

stepping forward and offering

a moment before recovering and shaking her hand. His grip was firm, but Ruby could feel the

he confused as though she was doing out of the ordinary? Was he perhaps one of Ivy’s enemies? Or was a handshake not

friend so was he looking so confused recieving a warm welcome from her? She mused, trying not to let her face show the various thoughts spinning in her

laughing a little to cover his shock. "In a good

you mean different? We’ve met for ten minutes since and you think I’m different," she said, hoping he could explain more so she

never saw eye to eye. You don’t use to like me, Ivy," Ethan said with a

"I hope you do know change is constant, Ethan. I couldn’t continue being that childish me because I figured, you know,

short laugh, still looking at her like he was trying to solve a puzzle. "Right! You’re definitely right," he said with a nod. "Just... wasn’t expecting it. Last time I saw you, you barely spoke

then winked at him, making

he said proudly, reaching out and finding her hand easily. He gave

her chest tightening in that now-familiar

he watched them. "Well, I’m glad.

and Ruby took it as her cue. She gently pulled her hand

catch up," she said. "It was really nice seeing you

her with that slight confusion, like

quietly making her

Ethan turned back

you meant she stopped slamming doors and giving me death

a little on the couch, his expression peaceful. "Yeah. It’s been... incredible to

even smiled at me, bro. Smiled. Not faked it, not forced it. A real one.

deep and genuine. "Maybe she just finally realized what she really wants," he said.

by something softer. He clapped Stefan’s shoulder

man," he said sincerely, "I’m happy for you. And

feeling the truth of those words settle deep in his

in a long time, he

you told her?" Ethan asked after