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."

last week. She seemed open, you know? I

said with a low

his mouth twitching with something like embarrassment. "Yeah.

If she’s not calling back, then maybe she’s just not into you, man. Save

that easy,"

it is," Stefan argued. "How long

coffee before answering. "Met her when I came to

girl from Zeden while living

lives here. She didn’t give me her contact info back then. But last week—I saw her. At a

Stefan pause. "So... you’re saying she

pregnant would have.

just hungry?" Stefan offered, but Ethan

don’t know, maybe. But I really like her. I mean I felt a connection, man. Like... real. And I’m

his head. "You sound

sad but still hopeful. "I know Rayna felt it too

already gone still when he heard

in his ears like a bell he couldn’t place—familiar,

"Rayna?" he repeated slowly.

"Yeah. Why?" he asked, wondering why that is

don’t know..." Stefan frowned, rubbing his chin. "That name sounds...

slipping through his fingers. But then, just as

second," Stefan said, straightening in his seat. "Ruby’s best friend. Her name’s Rayna. And

sat up. "So, you’re saying what exactly? That

just maybe,

probably a thousand Raynas in

said sharply. "I’m