Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 71: Don’t Deserve You

Rayna’s heart beat in rhythm with the windshield wipers as she pulled into the crowded airport drop-off zone. The air outside was crisp and cool, the kind of morning chill that clung to your skin like dew.

She turned off the ignition and scanned the arrivals area, her gaze bouncing over businessmen, families, and solo travelers. Her fingers tapped anxiously on the steering wheel until she spotted her.

Ruby.

She was standing alone, her small suitcase beside her, both hands cradling her flat belly protectively. Her hair was slightly messy from the flight, and her face looked pale and tired, but to Rayna, she was a sight for sore eyes. Relief washed over her like a tidal wave.

Rayna practically leapt from the car and ran toward her.

"Rubes!" she called out.

Ruby turned, and the moment their eyes met, her expression crumbled. She let out a shaky breath and hurried into Rayna’s arms.

Rayna wrapped her up tightly, careful not to press too hard against her since she knew Ruby was very tired. But even though she was being careful, she didn’t hold back either. "You’re here," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You’re really here." free we\bnove(l).com

"I am here," Ruby murmured into her shoulder. "Thank you for letting me come. If not, I would’ve stayed. I really don’t want to be alone."

"You’ll never be alone, Rubes," Rayna promised, pulling back just enough to cup her best friend’s face. "Not as long as I’m breathing. Let’s get you home, yeah?"

wiping at her eyes as Rayna picked up her suitcase and guided her

reached into the bag on the passenger seat and handed Ruby a small

the plane," she

a soft laugh, the first genuine sound of comfort Rayna had heard from her since after

sounds were the hum of the car and the crinkling of the cracker packet

okay?" Rayna

against the window. "I don’t even know

to come—Ruby’s broken voice describing everything: how her mother, Ivy, Elizabeth, and even Stefan had all played a part

without even knowing it was her but after living with her for six

"All of them. I don’t care what excuse they have,

house every single day for six months, pretending to be Ivy. I cooked, I cared for him, I protected him—and none of them thought I deserved to be with him? To think my mom was even the one that told Ivy about Stefan regaining his sight! I’ll never be enough for her and she’d always love Ivy more

in her throat. "They don’t deserve you,

if I had just left that day... if I hadn’t listened to Mom... or maybe if

were trying to protect everyone but yourself. You didn’t want to

before Rayna saw the tears slipping

her hand. "You’ve got me now. Just me. No lies. No masks. No Ivy. No Elizabeth. Just us. Like it’s always

that felt full—not awkward or heavy, but safe. Rayna’s little cottage came into view minutes later, nestled among tall trees with a wooden