Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 100: Jetlagged

Ethan’s apartment was on the twelfth floor of a quiet, modern building tucked into the heart of Florittle. It wasn’t huge, but it was neat and full of life—plants near the windows, sneakers by the door, the scent of air freshener blending with the faint smell of takeout.

The living room was painted in soft cream, with a couch that looked more comfortable than stylish, and a wide coffee table stacked with random magazines and game controllers.

Stefan walked in, his steps slow, shoulders tight with exhaustion he was still trying to ignore. He dropped his bag beside the couch and stretched his neck with a small wince. fre.ewebnov el.com

"You made it," Ethan said, locking the door behind them. "Welcome to the glorious chaos that is my place."

Stefan chuckled quietly and looked around. "Not bad."

"Thank you, sir." Ethan gave a mock bow before flopping onto the couch.

Stefan ran a hand through his hair, then turned toward the hallway. "I’ll go freshen up. Be back in a bit. After that, we can sit down and figure out new ways to find Ruby." fre\e(w)ebn ov.e l\. co.m

Ethan frowned a little, eyes flicking to his friend’s tired face. "Man, no offense, but you look like a train hit you, not once but twice. You’ve been on a flight for what, sixteen hours? Just rest tonight. We can make a plan tomorrow. You’re here already, and we’ll find her."

"I’m not jetlagged," Stefan replied stubbornly. "We talk tonight, and then I’ll sleep."

"If you say so," Ethan muttered, but he didn’t push it.

Stefan turned to leave, but paused halfway down the hallway. He glanced back at Ethan, who was now fiddling with his phone again, screen lighting up for the fourth time in five minutes.

wanted to ask which would be my room but I think I need to ask this

so your room is the only empty room. So

from someone important?"

nearly dropped the phone in surprise and realized why Stefan must be asking him that. He quickly shook his head. "What? No. No, not at

"You’ve been checking that thing since we left the airport like it owes

call and from a lady seeing how

laughed a little too quickly. "Come on, man. I’m just scrolling. It’s a habit. You know

beat longer, as if trying to read something behind the casual grin. But then he shrugged lightly. "Alright.

"Now go freshen up, and come back down. We’ll figure out our next move,

him earlier.

find another way," Ethan

nodded and turned toward the

his

like a silent conversation. Stefan leaned against the cool tile wall, eyes closed, letting the steam soak into his skin. He hadn’t realized how tight his body felt

had stretched endlessly—first the realization and the stress that comes with it, then the confrontations, then the decision to leave, then the flight, and now this: being here in Florittle, so close and yet so far from

echoed in his head like a whisper he couldn’t

Ruby? Are you okay? Are you thinking about me too... or have you already moved on? How long would it take me to find you? Would you forgive me for the pain and hurt I

plain T-shirt and joggers Ethan had obviously helped him pick out after dropping