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.

of the bathroom where

case, he had decided that he’d help out the way

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

disturbed your sleep. It’s just that I need a favor," Stefan said, straight

sound of movement in the background indicating he was sitting up. "A favour? Alright, shoot. What is it? That you have to call me so

you to help," Stefan

this person? Most be important to you,"

friend is in trouble and needs serious

gave a low chuckle. "What kind of trouble is Eliana in this time that the almighty Eliana couldn’t claw her way out

"Sorry to burst your bubble. But it’s not

was a brief pause. "No? Then

temple. "Apparently, her worker posted something based on an unverified source, and now the person she wrote about flied a

asked, now fully alert.

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

few moments. "Alright, I’ll look into it. What’s the blogger’s

ask Ivy and then I’ll send you the

out a short exhale. "Okay, I’ll see what I can do. But I gotta ask—why the sudden interest in your wife’s friend? It’s

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

just inside the bathroom, Ruby who was about to

hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, not really—she was just about to enter the room when she heard Stefan’s

want her to

this... for her? Because of how worried

was getting harder and harder to pretend—to lie. Stefan was good to her. Better than she had ever expected. Better than

You’re standing in Ivy’s shoes, reaping love that isn’t yours. You’re

away. This wasn’t about her feelings. This was

looked up at the sound. His expression softened as

stepped inside, her hand still trembling slightly as she closed the door

tilted his head. "You alright?

the guilt multiplying with each step. Just tell him, her conscience urged. End it now. Be brave. Tell him everything and

stopped in front of him, her gaze flicking to his face—the face of a man

her voice catching in her throat. Her fingers curled at her sides. "Stefan, I need to