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 of

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 toward her with a bright

looking her over with

stepping forward and offering her hand. "Hi, Ethan.

moment before recovering and shaking her

the ordinary? Was he perhaps one of Ivy’s

cent sure he was Stefan’s best friend so was he looking so confused recieving a warm welcome from her? She mused, trying not to let her face show the

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

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

like me, Ivy," Ethan said with a shrug, making Ruby almost blurt out "crap, another slip" but did all she could to stop herself as she instead thought of

constant, Ethan. I couldn’t continue being that childish me because I figured, you know, that no one knows what tomorrow will bring. So it’s better to be

said with a nod. "Just... wasn’t expecting it. Last

she said and then winked at him, making Ethan laugh while also

amazing," he said proudly, reaching out and finding

squeezed back, her chest

as he watched

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

she said. "It was really nice seeing

too," he said warmly, still watching her with that

smiled once more before quietly making her

faded away, Ethan turned back to Stefan,

you meant she stopped slamming doors and giving me death stares. But this?" He laughed lowly. "This is like...

his expression peaceful. "Yeah. It’s been... incredible to

Smiled. Not faked it, not forced it. A real one. If I

just finally realized what she really wants," he said.

smile faded slightly, replaced by something softer. He clapped

sincerely, "I’m happy for you.

the truth of those words settle deep in

first time in a long time, he really believed

told her?" Ethan asked after sometime time but Stefan just