Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 50: Want To Help

Ruby drew in a deep breath, wiped the remaining tears from her face, and stood up. Tomorrow was a new day.

And no matter how heavy the world felt tonight, she would face it. For Rayna. For herself. For the life she was trying to build. fre.eweb novel\.c om

One step at a time. One fight at a time.

And maybe, just maybe, love would be enough to carry them through.

She sat there for a moment, her hands resting in her lap, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her shoulders. It was hard — carrying her own secrets while worrying about Rayna and trying to be the version of herself that Stefan deserved.

She was too absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Stefan approach. But suddenly, she felt a soft touch on her arm, and when she looked up, Stefan was standing there, his expression gentle, head tilted slightly like he was listening to more than just the sound of her breathing.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice low and filled with concern.

Ruby forced a smile, though she knew he couldn’t see it. Somehow, though, she had the feeling he could still sense it — or maybe sense how fragile it was.

"I’m fine," she said quickly, then shook her head with a small, bitter laugh. "Actually... no. Not really."

Stefan sat down beside her without hesitation, his hand finding hers easily, instinctively. His fingers curled around hers, warm and steady, anchoring her when everything inside her felt like it might crumble. f(r)eew(e)bnovel.(c)o(m)

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked. "I’m here. You know that, right?"

Ruby squeezed his hand back, grateful for his presence more than she could ever put into words.

"It’s just... a friend," she said after a moment, her voice soft. "That friend I told you I met not too long ago. She’s going through a really rough time. Apparently, that was the reason she had to return earlier than planned."

giving her space to say as much

but... it feels like everything’s stacked against her. And I’m here, living this —

— feel it — like it was stitched into the very air between them. But then, why would she ever think she

friend... it doesn’t

a reminder of the lie she was living — and yet, it was also a comfort. Because Stefan cared. Maybe not for Ruby as herself, not yet... but

breathe him in — the quiet strength, the

feeling helpless," she whispered. "I hate knowing I

can do is just be there. Let them

against his shoulder, swallowing the

a good friend," he added, turning his head slightly toward her. "She’s lucky to

tight knot in her chest ease just

murmured. "I needed to

a while, the kind of silence that didn’t feel empty or awkward, but full

shifted a little, a small smile tugging

know," he said lightly, "if you ever need cheering up... I still owe you that dance.

a genuine laugh, the sound surprising her with

agreed we’d need a lot of furniture moving first," she teased,

chuckled. "Who needs furniture? We’ve got

so wide

poking his arm

you," he replied, "sound like you’re smiling

again, softer this time.

his hand toward her. "Come on,