Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 51: His Best Friend Helped?

He stood, holding out his hand toward her. "Come on, Ivy. Dance with me."

Ruby hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in his. His grip was sure, gentle but firm, and he pulled her to her feet easily.

There was no music — just the soft hum of the night outside, the faint creak of the house settling — but somehow, it didn’t matter.

Stefan found her waist with surprising accuracy, his other hand sliding up to rest lightly at her shoulder.

"Tell me if I step on your toes," he said with a grin.

"I’ll scream," Ruby promised, laughing.

They moved together slowly, a makeshift waltz in the middle of the bedroom, careful and clumsy and absolutely perfect. Ruby guided them gently, letting Stefan take the lead as much as he could, her hands steadying him when he faltered.

He couldn’t see her smiling, but she smiled anyway, feeling lighter with every awkward step they took.

And somewhere in the middle of their dance — somewhere between the laughter and the stumbles — Ruby realized she wasn’t thinking about lies or fears or regrets.

She was just... happy. Even if it was only for a little while, she was happy.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

"Now that you’re fine, how about you tell me a little about what’s going on with your friend and I’ll see what I can do?" Stefan asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Ruby shook her head. "You don’t have to do anything—"

"I know. Trust me, I know but I still want to help," he said and Ruby looked at him for a moment, thinking and wondering if it was a good idea to do that.

After contemplating, she decided it was probably best she told him. Maybe he could help in a way or two. She told herself as she went on to tell him about the lawsuit.

The following day, the morning sunlight filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the bedroom. f(r)eew(e)bnovel.(c)o(m)

Stefan sat at the edge of the bed, phone in hand, his expression unreadable as he listened to the dial tone. The room was quiet, except for the faint rustle of sheets and the distant hum of traffic outside.

briefly in the direction of the bathroom where he

about Rayna’s case, he had decided that he’d help out the

Ethan to pick up. Soon, the line clicked. "Morning, man," Ethan’s voice came through, slightly groggy. "Everything alright?

just that I need a favor," Stefan said, straight to the

you have to call me so early," Ethan asked, wondering

want you to help," Stefan

this person? Most be important to you," Ethan

Ivy’s friend is in trouble and

chuckle. "What kind of trouble is Eliana in this time that the almighty Eliana couldn’t

quirked slightly. "Sorry to burst your

brief pause. "No?

name but she’s a blogger," Stefan explained, rubbing his temple. "Apparently, her worker posted something based on an unverified source, and now the person she wrote about flied a case and isn’t going

fully alert. "Is

I want you to talk to the other party’s lawyer.

for a few moments. "Alright, I’ll

don’t exactly remember," Stefan replied. "but I’ll ask Ivy

gotta ask—why the sudden interest

around the phone. "I know. But she’s really troubled and I want her to be happy. I have to help to keep her

bathroom, Ruby who was

hand hovered over the door handle, her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, not really—she was just about to enter the room when she heard Stefan’s voice.

want her to be

clenched painfully. He was doing all this... for her?

inside her. Her knees felt weak. It was getting harder and harder to pretend—to lie. Stefan was good to her. Better than she had ever

deceiving him too. You’re standing in Ivy’s shoes, reaping love that isn’t

of her eyes, but she blinked them away. This wasn’t about her feelings. This was about doing the right thing. She took a deep breath, forced her legs

His expression softened as

inside, her hand still trembling slightly as she closed

head. "You alright?

him, her conscience urged. End it now. Be brave.

face of a man who couldn’t even see the betrayal written

in her throat. Her fingers curled at her sides. "Stefan,