Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 101: Is This Your Rayna?

Stefan woke up with a sudden jolt, the unfamiliar ceiling above him stealing his breath for a second. His eyes darted to the window—daylight streamed in, soft and golden. It was morning?

He blinked hard and sat up, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. "I was supposed to get up last night."

His mind scrambled to catch up with the time he’d lost. The plan, the conversation, the search for Ruby—he had meant to just lie down for a few minutes, not the whole night. But somehow, his body had given in.

After splashing cold water on his face and brushing his teeth, he changed into a fresh shirt and jeans. His hair was still damp as he made his way downstairs, steps brisk but quiet.

The soft clink of a spoon against a mug reached his ears, followed by the faint aroma of coffee.

In the dining area, Ethan sat by the edge of the table, fingers loosely wrapped around his mug, eyes locked onto the phone in front of him. Again.

Stefan watched him for a few minutes and when Ethan still didn’t notice his presence, he cleared his throat.

Ethan’s head snapped up. "Oh. Hey, sleeping beauty finally woke up."

Stefan rolled his eyes but smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Rub it in."

"Man, I was starting to think you passed out from exhaustion." Ethan leaned back in his chair, sipping from the mug. "I told you to sleep, but you were all ’We talk tonight, then I’ll sleep’."

"Guess my body didn’t care what I planned," Stefan said, sliding into a seat. His gaze drifted to the phone in Ethan’s hand. "Still staring at that thing?"

Ethan looked down like he’d been caught cheating on a test. "What? No. Just—checking updates."

"Uh-huh." Stefan narrowed his eyes, grinning. "If I didn’t know better, I’d say you haven’t slept a wink. That phone’s been your second skin since I landed."

Ethan laughed lightly, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "It’s... a girl."

"A girl?" Stefan leaned in, eyebrows raised. "Now that’s interesting."

seemed open, you know? I called. She didn’t answer. Sent a

Stefan said with a low whistle. "So, you’ve just

of his mouth twitching with something like embarrassment. "Yeah. I know, it

not dumb. Just sad. If she’s not calling back, then maybe she’s just

not that

argued. "How

coffee before answering. "Met her when

You’re chasing a girl from Zeden while living here in Florittle?"

didn’t give me her contact info back then. But last week—I saw her. At a grocery store.

pause. "So... you’re saying she just

the kind of cravings someone pregnant would have. Chocolate, pickles, lemon soda, instant

hungry?" Stefan

felt

head. "You sound

still hopeful. "I know Rayna felt it too and is just playing hard to get. Maybe because of our

body had already gone still when he heard

rang in his ears like a

"Rayna?" he repeated slowly.

nodded. "Yeah. Why?" he asked, wondering why that is the only think Stefan was asking after

Stefan frowned, rubbing his chin. "That name sounds...

But

said, straightening in his seat. "Ruby’s best friend. Her name’s Rayna. And she lives here. In

you’re saying what exactly? That Ruby’s

interrupted, eyes narrowing. "But maybe... just maybe, your Rayna and Ruby’s Rayna are

There’s probably a thousand Raynas in Florittle. Don’t jump

Stefan said sharply.